Become an Agent in Alabama
How To Get Your Alabama Real Estate License

6 Steps Toward Getting an Alabama Salesperson License

Getting your Alabama real estate license might seem daunting, but we’re here to guide you through the process. Visit our Alabama Pre-Licensing pricing page to take the first step in your new career.

Buy your ALABAMA Pre-Licensing »

Requirements:

  • You must first be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or legally present in the U.S.
  • You must be at least 19 years of age.
  • You must show proof of bona fide residency in any state in the U.S.
  • You must have proof of high school graduation or the equivalent.
  • You must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.
  • You must not have had a real estate application or license rejected or revoked in any state within the past two years.
How Long Does It Take?
At ten hours per week, you'll finish your education requirement in six weeks. At a 40-hour work week, you can finish in under two weeks.
How Much Does It Cost?
The total cost to get licensed in Alabama, including Pre-Licensing education and application fees, ranges between $500-$800 dollars.
How Much Do Alabama Agents Make?
According to Indeed.com, agents with 1-2 years of experience make an average of $80k per year. Agents with over 10 years of experience make an average of $105k per year.

  1. Complete 60 hours of approved Pre-Licensing education.

    To start, you must successfully complete an approved 60 clock-hour Pre-Licensing course. Learn more about your package options here.

  2. Pass the course final exam.

    Registration with the Alabama Real Estate Commission prior to your pre-licensing course exam is required to allow scheduling of the state license exam and issuing of a license.

    This information is required to expedite the exchange of information among your instructor, the exam provider and the state of Alabama. You can register for your temporary ID here. You will be required to provide this number at the end of your pre-licensing course.

    After you complete all the course materials, meet the minimum time requirement, and pass the practice exam, there is a course final exam. The minimum passing score is 70%. Licensees will have 6 months from the time they pass their course exam to pass their Alabama Real Estate Salesperson exam.

    You must take the final exam in the presence of a proctor, and you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a proctor in advance. Find out more about our online proctoring here.

  3. Pass the Alabama Real Estate Salesperson Exam.

    After passing the course final exam, you will take your Alabama licensing exam. The State portion of this exam consists of 40 questions with a 60-minute time allowance and the National portion consists of 80 questions with a 150-minute time allowance. For more information, see the Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin.

    Do you need help passing your Alabama real estate exam? The CE Shop also offers comprehensive Exam Prep tailored to Alabama. If you have any additional questions, visit our Alabama real estate exam frequently asked questions page.

  4. Select a sponsoring broker.

    After passing your licensing exam, you must become associated with a current and active Alabama sponsoring broker. This broker will be a career and education mentor providing you with an inside view into the day-to-day operations of a real estate agent.

    Here are some questions to consider when searching for the right broker:

    • What is their reputation, both locally and nationally?
    • What kind of real estate agents are they looking for?
    • Are they technologically advanced and up-to-date with the latest systems?
    • How do they support their agents with education and training?
    • What kind of commission structure do they offer?
    • Do they offer benefits?
    • Do they provide their agents with leads and marketing material?
    • Is there room to grow with the brokerage?

  5. Complete the application.

    Within 90 days of passing your licensing exam, you must submit your official application and any applicable fees, as well as a fingerprint-based federal and state criminal background check. Once the application has been accepted, you'll be issued a temporary license. Information on the background check can be found here.

  6. Complete Post-Licensing.

    Within the first 12 months of licensure, you must complete a 30-hour Post-Licensing course in order to be issued a permanent license. The Post-Licensing course must be completed along with the permanent license issued within the first 6 months in order to maintain an active license.

    Registration with the Alabama Real Estate Commission is required prior to starting your post-licensing course. This information is required to expedite the exchange of information among your instructor, the exam provider and the state of Alabama.

    You should already have a temporary ID number. You can also look up your temporary ID here. You will be required to provide this number at the start of your post-licensing course.

After Your Real Estate License

Fulfilling Alabama Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing Education (CE) is required for Alabama real estate agents in order to keep their license active. Alabama requires 15 hours CE to be completed every 24 months (2 years) and are made up of real estate courses designed to grow your knowledge, skills, and expertise of the real estate market. They also ensure you stay up-to-date on industry practices, legal changes, and emerging trends. CE coursework varies by state, so make sure to check out your state’s specific requirements.

The main goals of continuing education are to:

  • Improve Professional Competence

    CE courses help real estate agents stay up-to-date on new technologies, marketing strategies, and negotiation techniques. When you improve your competence as a real estate agent, it becomes easier to navigate an ever-changing market. Which means you're also better able to serve your clients.

  • Keep Alabama Agents Informed About Regulatory Changes

    Real estate laws and regulations change frequently. CE courses ensure agents stay current on those changes. When you know state, federal, and licensure laws, you avoid legal issues. And you're better able to provide accurate information to your clients.

  • Promote Ethical Practices

    Many continuing education courses focus on ethical considerations and professional conduct. These courses help you get a better handle on ethical standards. They also prepare you to manage ethical dilemmas that may arise in your practice.

  • Enhance Specialized Knowledge

    Some CE courses focus on niche areas of real estate, like commercial real estate, property management, or real estate investing. As a real estate agent, you can use these courses to expand your expertise. This also means you can diversify the services you offer at your local real estate brokerage.

Upgrading to a Alabama Broker's License for Real Estate Agents

If you're thinking about taking your real estate career to the next level, consider getting your Alabama Broker's license. As a real estate broker, you'll take on more responsibility. This can include managing other agents, running a brokerage, or working as an independent broker. This career shift can help you earn more money, and may even open up new business opportunities.

To get your Alabama Broker's license, you need to complete the 60-hour Alabama Broker Pre-Licensing course and pass both the national and state level Alabama Broker's License Exam. Alabama also requires that you to have at least 2 years' experience as a real estate salesperson. You’ll also need to submit an application to the state, and pay licensing fees.