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Getting an Alabama real estate license is not as hard as it may seem. You’ll need to pass a state exam and complete the requisite hours in training, but most of this will be done online.
The “alabama real estate license course” is a class that will teach you everything you need to know about becoming an Alabama real estate agent. The class will take place at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and it’s usually taught over the summer months.
Getting an Alabama real estate license might be exactly up your alley if you’re looking for schedule flexibility, boundless earning potential, and professional autonomy. You’ll be on your way to getting your temporary real estate license in Alabama with 60 hours of Alabama Real Estate Commission-approved (AREC) prelicensing coursework, a background check, application, and passing test score. You’ll need to complete 30 hours of post-licensing education to get your permanent license. To assist you manage the licensing procedure in the Heart of Dixie, read our step-by-step guide.
1. Comply with Alabama’s Legal Requirements for a Real Estate License
To begin your real estate license path in Alabama, you must first complete the state’s legal criteria. To apply, you must be at least 19 years old, a US citizen or legally admitted immigrant, and have a high school certificate or GED.
You may be able to earn your Alabama real estate license even if you have a criminal record. You may not be eligible for licensing if you have committed a felony involving moral turpitude. To find out whether you’re eligible, fill out a preregistration form first, then the Application for Determination of Licensing Eligibility. You must then submit your fingerprints for a thorough background check. Some people may send a letter or request a hearing before the AREC to determine whether or not they are allowed to proceed.
What if I told you that All 50 states have complete reciprocity with Alabama. This means that those who have already completed 6 hours of prelicensing education, a background check, and passed the state portion of the real estate exam in another state can move forward with licensure by completing an additional 6 hours of prelicensing education, a background check, and passing the state portion of the real estate exam.
In terms of mobility, Alabama is also a cooperative state. It permits out-of-state real estate agents and brokers to do real estate business in the state. Out-of-state agents, on the other hand, must have a co-brokerage agreement with a licensed in that state in order to operate on a real estate transaction. Check out our real estate license reciprocity and portability page for more information about real estate license portability in Alabama.
2. Complete all pre-licensing courses that are required.
You must complete 60 hours of prelicensing study after determining that you meet the legal criteria to become a real estate agent in Alabama. They cost between $260 and $450, depending on the supplier, and may be taken in person or at an authorized online real estate school. The courses cover a variety of subjects, including:
- The Commission’s Role and the Purpose of the License Law/Rules and Regulations
- Requirements for Licensing
- Obtaining a License
- Broker licenses, company licenses, and place of business licenses are all available.
- Fund for Reconstruction
- Disciplinary Procedures and Actions
- Statement of Estimated Closing
- Funds held in trust
- The Real Estate Consumers Agency and Disclosure Act is a federal law that protects real estate buyers and sellers (RECAD)
- Violations That Could Lead to Disciplinary Action
- Ownership of Real Estate
- Land Use Regulations and Controls
- Market Analysis and Valuation
- Financing
- Agency Principles in General
- Disclosures about the property
- Contracts
- Property Management and Leasing
- Transfer of Ownership
- Real Estate Practice
- Calculations for Real Estate
What if I told you that If you are enrolled in an AREC-approved real estate program at a college or university, you may be eligible to exempt the education requirement based on course credits. To see whether your college or institution is accredited, contact AREC.
We recommend Kaplan for online education if you’re eager to get started on your Alabama real estate license right now. Its high-quality education incorporates instructional design to help you remember what you’ve learned. You may also take classes at your own speed for a reasonable price to prepare for the Alabama license test via its online program.
Pay a visit to Kaplan.
3. Take the real estate exam in Alabama.
According to the AREC, around 55% of applicants pass the real estate test on their first attempt. Those who pass get a passing grade and an application for an Alabama real estate license. If you don’t pass, you’ll get a diagnostic report outlining your strengths and shortcomings so you may review your knowledge before taking the test again. Fortunately, you have six months after finishing the prelicensing programs to repeat the test as many times as you need.
Details about the Alabama Real Estate Exam
Exams are scheduled.
PSI, a leading supplier of state licensing examinations, administers the Alabama real estate exam. To begin scheduling, you must first establish a PSI account, which gives you access to the scheduling portal. For extra exam information, you’ll also get a copy of the Alabama Candidate Information Bulletin. The test costs $77 and may be paid online with a credit or debit card, as well as by cashier’s check or money order made payable to PSI Services Inc.
You may want to consider extra test preparation if you want to be among the 55 percent of those who pass the first time. Real Estate Exam Scholar provides full exam study for $39 for six months of access, with a money-back guarantee if you don’t pass your test the first time.
Real Estate Exam Scholar is a great place to start.
4. Decide the company you want to work for.
You must locate a sponsoring brokerage with whom to associate your Alabama real estate license in order to keep it valid. Check out our in-depth guide on choose the appropriate real estate business to work with to make your decision a little simpler. Although the Heart of Dixie is home to numerous successful brokerages, the top five brokerages reported for 2021 are shown below.
*Real Trends 2021 data.
Cities in Alabama with the Highest Median Sales Price in 2021
The higher the price of a house sells for, the larger the commission you’ll be able to earn. Check out the sales statistics from Towncharts.com below to get a feel of which communities in Alabama are bringing in the big bucks:
5. Get Fingerprints & Background Check
To be eligible for an Alabama real estate license, all candidates must submit fingerprints as part of a background check. You must schedule the submission of your application and the submission of your fingerprints so that they are processed at the same time. Because fingerprints are only valid for 30 days, it is advised that you submit them on the same day.
Gelmato is taking fingerprints, and the findings will be sent to the AREC in two weeks. You may register on the Gelmato website and pay the $48.25 charge using a credit or debit card on the internet, or at the fingerprint site with a cashier’s check or money order payable to Gelmato Cogent. Two kinds of identification are required, one of which must be a picture ID.
Take a look at the Alabama map locations to discover a fingerprint site near you.
6. Obtain an Alabama real estate license.
After passing your test and getting your fingerprints taken, you must submit your application within 90 days after the date of your exam. After passing your test, you will be sent an Alabama real estate license application, but you should first check the Sample Application to see what information and evidence you will need to supply. You must also provide the following paperwork in addition to the application:
- Fingerprints are unique to each person (sent to the AREC by Gelmato)
- Age verification
- Proof of completion of high school or its equivalent is required.
- Proof of citizenship or legal status in the United States
- Proof of residence in the state where you live
- If appropriate, non-residents of Alabama must also submit the Consent to Jurisdiction for Non-Residents form.)
- If you possess or have had a real estate license in another state during the previous three years, a certification of licensure issued within the last 120 days is required.
If you’ve decided on an affiliate broker, you’ll apply for an active license and pay a $210 charge; if you haven’t decided on a brokerage, you’ll apply for an inactive license for $180 and pay an extra $30 for activation.
Tip: Don’t forget that to move your Obtaining a License from temporary to permanent, you must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first 12 months of receiving your temporary license. Look at the best online real estate providers in Alabama to find a program that works for you.
7. Get Your Real Estate Career Started
You’re ready to begin your real estate career now that you know how to become a real estate agent in Alabama. Here are some of our articles with material that is ideal for new real estate agents if you want to learn more:
The “alabama real estate license cost” is a question that many people have. There are different costs associated with getting your real estate license in Alabama depending on the type of license you’re looking to acquire, but it’s typically around $250-$300.
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