• Home
  • |
  • Blog
  • |
  • How to Get a Real Estate License Online in Arkansas in 2023

How to Get a Real Estate License Online in Arkansas in 2023

Last updated on January 4, 2023

How to Get a Real Estate License Online in Arkansas featured image

Quick note! RealEstateLicenseTraining is partnered with the best online real estate schools. When you sign up using our links, we may get a small affiliate commission. Read how we conduct our reviews here

So, you’ve finally decided to start a real estate career in Arkansas. Good for you! 

Being a real estate professional is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever find. 

Not only does it offer a high-income potential, but it also provides fulfillment each time you help an individual or a family find their new home.

A career in real estate also offers endless learning opportunities. 

But yes, to be a real estate agent in Arkansas, you will need to secure a license first. Don’t worry, though, because it’s not too complex to get one. 

To help you jumpstart your real estate career journey, we’ve prepared an article on how to get a real estate license online in Arkansas this 2023.

Let’s get started!   

Real Estate License Requirements in Arkansas

To qualify for an Arkansas real estate license, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. You are at least 18 years old. 
  2. You are a US citizen or a permanent resident alien.
  3. You are at least a high school graduate.

How to Get a Real Estate License Online in Arkansas

To get a real estate license online, consider the following: 

  1. You must complete the mandatory 60-hour real estate education from an accredited school or organization. 
  2. You must submit a salesperson application to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).
  3. You must pass the real estate licensure exam. 
  4. You must submit the forms and pay the fees to AREC within 90 days of passing the licensing exam.
  5. You must complete a post-licensing course.  

Now let’s go through each step in detail.

1. Complete a Pre-Licensing Course

The Arkansas Real Estate Commission requires new salesperson applicants to complete a 60-hour real estate education from an accredited provider. 

The 60-hour course must include 30 hours of Basic Principles of Real Estate. After finishing the course, you will need to pass a test. Do note, though, that this is not the official licensing exam. 

In Arkansas, you can complete the required real estate education online - no need to attend lectures and sit in class for hours. 

Online real estate schools let you finish the mandatory education from the comfort of your home. Online courses are also self-paced, which means you have total control of your time. 

Below are two of the best online real estate schools in Arkansas:

Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate review featured image

Colibri Real Estate is known as an industry leader in providing online real estate education throughout the US. Its coursework is thorough and will teach you more than enough to pass your licensing exam on your first try. It will give you a strong knowledge base to help you secure your license and be a well-rounded real estate professional. 

How?

All of their packages include 3 updated e-books, reviewed by their licensed instructors and practitioners and access to live instructor support. For students who avail the more premium packages, they will receive exam prep materials such as digital flashcards and practice tests.

Good thing that Colibri Real Estate is also one of the most affordable education providers. You can avail their packages as low as $129.

One of the struggles of online students is getting distracted and bored while studying.

And we can’t blame them especially if they’re reading plain text for hours.

Thankfully, schools like The CE Shop don’t just offer textbooks on textbooks to their students.

This school was founded by Michael McAllister whose family’s main business was real estate. Because of his experience and knowledge, he knew that there are more effective ways to explain ideas and illustrate scenarios.

This is why The CE Shop’s learning materials are a mix of text, images, and interactive videos. From previous students’ reviews, we’ve also learned that their courses are also full of real-life scenarios. This gives the students a peek of the industry and how practitioners handle such situations. 

To see whether or not students understood the courses, The CE Shop has a unit test at the end of every course. We’re sure you’ll love additional practice exams like this!

The CE Shop’s basic packages start at $129. More premium packages start around $179, which is also not that expensive compared to other schools.

Think this school is for you?


2. Submit a Salesperson Application to AREC

To be approved to sit for the salesperson licensing exam, you need to submit an application to the AREC. 

The commission requires background checks to properly screen applicants for real estate licenses. The Arkansas State Police will carry out the background check, which includes an FBI check. Applicants are to submit fingerprints on fingerprint cards provided by AREC. 

You can send in your application for the licensing exam before finishing the 60-hour course. However, AREC will only issue your Certificate of Examination Eligibility after you have completed the required pre-licensing education and paid the dues.

Provided there are no delays, applicants will receive their certificates within five to ten business days.  

3. Pass the Licensing Exam

Once you receive the Certificate of Exam Eligibility from the commission, you can book a schedule with Pearson Vue, the testing service. You can either call their hotline or make an online reservation. 

You can take your exam in any of the following locations:

  • Little Rock, AR
  • Springdale, AR
  • Texarkana, AR
  • Shreveport, LA
  • Memphis, TN

To pass the licensure exam, you need to earn a score of 70% or higher. 

The Certificate of Eligibility is valid within one year after the date of application. You will need to reapply if you fail to take the exam during that period. 

4. Submit Forms and Pay Fees to AREC

After passing the real estate salesperson licensing exam, you have 90 days to submit the following to the commission:

  • Accomplished application form to take the real estate exam
  • Completed fingerprint card
  • Application fees

5. Arkansas Post-Licensing Education

The commission requires all new real estate salespersons to complete post-licensing education within six months after the initial license issuance date. The post-license requirement is 18 hours of classroom or online education. 

FAQs

Do I need a broker to conduct real estate activities?

Yes.

Once you get your real estate agent license, you’ll need to find a broker to work with. Before you can do any real estate activity, your broker has to authorize it first. Arkansas law prohibits real estate agents to work independently.  

Is it better to take real estate classes online or in-person?

We each have different preferences when it comes to learning, but for most people, taking real estate classes online is far better than in a classroom. 

Not only is online real estate school cheaper, but it also offers convenience and flexibility. 

Lessons are self-paced, so you won’t have to worry about strict class schedules; you can study any time you want. 

If you are planning to start a career in real estate as a side job, online school is the best option for you. 

What is the best online real estate school in Arkansas? 

The quick answer would be Colibri Real Estate. It has been around for decades and has established a solid reputation as one of the top online real estate schools in the country. 

It is certified in 32 states, offers affordable education packages, and provides excellent customer service. 

The school also boasts a 78% average exam pass rate, which is well above the national average. 

Except for the basic package, Colibri Real Estate offers a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, which means it stands by the quality of its services. 

How much does it cost to take a licensing exam in Arkansas?

Below are fees you need to pay to secure your real estate license in Arkansas:

  • $50* application fee payable to AREC
  • $22* background check fee payable to AREC
  • $14.25* FBI criminal background check fee payable to AREC
  • $75* exam fee payable to the testing service 

Note: These prices don’t include the cost of attending a real estate school. 

Conclusion

Obtaining a real estate license in Arkansas may not be the easiest thing to do, but it does come with benefits. 

Once you secure your professional license, it is only a matter of time before you make your first sale and be successful in the job. 

Just remember that all it takes is effort, dedication, and a good work ethic. 

We wish you the best of luck in your real estate career journey! 

Compare Real Estate Schools:

Additional real estate license guides you might like

January 16, 2024

Instead of just giving you the best California online real estate school, I’m going to

Best California Online Real Estate School – Top 8 Reviews

September 28, 2023

At first, becoming a mortgage loan officer might seem overwhelming.  How do you even begin?

How to Become a Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) in Hawaii

September 28, 2023

So you want to become a mortgage loan officer in Vermont… But don’t know how

How to Become a Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) in Vermont
>