A real estate career in Alabama is promising.
It opens up a lot of networking and financial opportunities.
If you are considering starting a career as a real estate agent in Alabama, you need to earn an Alabama real estate license.
Completing the required licensing education is the first step to obtain a license, but getting licensed can be challenging as it requires a lot of time and effort to complete.
However, with the current trend in online education, getting licensed is a lot more convenient.
There are many online real estate schools in Alabama that allow you to study at your own time and pace.
To guide you, we have prepared 6 easy steps you need to do to jump-start a real estate career in any city in Alabama.
Read on as we discuss the steps on how to get your real estate license online.
How You Can Get an Alabama Real Estate License Online
- Complete the 60 Hours Pre-Licensing Education Online
- Pass the Course Final Exam
- Pass the Alabama Licensing Exam
- Select a Sponsoring Broker
- Complete Your Application
- Complete the Online Post-Licensing Course
Obtaining a real estate license online requires the same process as getting it offline.
But taking your pre-licensing course online is way better because it is more convenient than on-campus learning.
Before we dive into the process, let's find out the state requirements to be a licensed broker in Alabama.
Real Estate License Requirements in Alabama
Below is a simplified bullet-point explanation of the requirements needed to apply as a real estate agent in Alabama:
- Must be 19 years of age or above.
- Must be a US citizen or must have documentation from the federal government to establish permanent residency.
- Must be a resident of the state of Alabama or must agree to provisions given upon request.
- Must not be convicted of any crime or felony involving moral turpitude.
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
- Must not have had a real estate application or license revoked or rejected in any State within the past two years.
If you meet all the requirements above, it's time to complete the 6 steps to become an Alabama real estate agent.
6 Steps to Become an Alabama Real Estate Agent
Step 1: Complete the 60 Hour Pre-Licensing Education Online
To start your journey in becoming a successful Alabama broker, you must complete the required 60 hours Pre-Licensing education.
You can take this course in a traditional classroom or opt for online interactive courses that you can take in the comfort of your home.
Several schools in Alabama offer 100% online and state-certified pre-licensing courses.
Here are the top 3 online real estate license schools in Alabama
Online real estate courses are self-paced, allowing you to study on your terms, whenever and wherever you like.
They don't require classroom attendance, and courses are accessible 24/7.
By taking your Pre-Licensing course in any of these three online schools in Alabama, you can successfully complete your real estate education in no time.
Step 2: Pass the Final Exam of the Course
You must register with the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) before taking your Pre-Licensing course exam so that they can schedule your exam and issue your license.
Your registration will allow for expediting the exchange of information between your instructor, the exam provider, and the state. You will also be required to provide your registration number at the end of your pre-licensing course.
After completing the required 60 hours of Pre-Licensing education, you must pass the course final exam. The passing rate is 70%.
Since the final exam, whether offline or online, must be taken in a proctor's presence, schedule a proctoring appointment in advance. The cost for proctoring is $25 per exam.
To avoid any hassle, ensure that you meet all the minimum standard requirements for an online exam before securing a schedule.
Step 3: Pass the Alabama Licensing Exam
The next step after passing the course final exam is to take the Alabama licensing exam.
To pass the exam, you need to earn a score of 70% or higher.
The National share of the exam has 100 questions answerable in 150 minutes, while the Alabama state portion has 40 problems to answer with a 60-minute time limit.
Licensees have six months to pass the real estate licensing exam when they have finished the final course exam.
Step 4: Select a Sponsoring Broker
To become associated with the ins and outs of the industry, you must find an active Alabama broker to help you get familiar with how the business works.
Finding a good broker will be an excellent opportunity to further your education and immerse yourself in the day-to-day life of a realtor.
This will also be an effective exercise to equip you with real estate knowledge and experience while completing your application.
Step 5: Complete Your Application
You must submit your official application for Real Estate License at the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) within the 90-day timeframe after your final course exam date. Failure to meet the given deadline will nullify your exam score.
You must also undergo the required fingerprint-based federal and state criminal background check. You cannot proceed until the Commission has received and reviewed your criminal history record information.
Applicable fees shall be paid upon the application, and a temporary license will be issued once your application is accepted.
Step 6: Complete the Online Post-Licensing Course
A completed 30-hour Post-Licensing course is required for you to earn a permanent license.
A Post-Licensing course must be accomplished within 12 months after you have completed the initial Pre-Licensing course and six months after you have received your temporary license.
Registration with AREC is mandated before you start your post-licensing course to expedite your information.
Alabama Online Real Estate License FAQs
Now that you know the step-by-step procedure on how to acquire your real estate license online, you must feel that you are ready to take on this exciting endeavor.
But, wait!
To better help you, we answered some of the most frequently asked questions about getting a real estate license online from the Yellowhammer state.
Is It Better To Take Real Estate Classes Online or In-Person?
Most people prefer taking the course online because it allows them the freedom to take the course anywhere. Whether that’s in the comfort of their home, their office, or a coffee shop. Studying online is the way to go, especially if you work full time or have other responsibilities.
Another advantage is that most real estate online courses are fun and interactive, so there's really no reason for you to not take your real estate classes online.
What is the Best Online Real Estate School In Alabama?
An excellent online school for real estate education has well-developed courses that provide a more effective learning experience.
There are various real estate online schools in Alabama. However, Colibri Real Estate truly stands out.
They have fully accredited courses, excellent ratings - an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars - and instructors with real-world experience.
Their courses offer the flexibility to study wherever and whenever you want.
The CE Shop and Mckissock are also good options.
Both have hassle-free, 100% state-approved, and user-friendly online real estate courses.
How Much Does Online Real Estate School In Alabama Cost?
Alabama real estate education packages range from $190 to $370, depending on the package type and other inclusions.
In total, including application fees and other payments, it would cost around $500 - $700 to be a licensed real estate agent in Alabama.
How Long Does Online Real Estate School in Alabama Take?
Getting licensed as a real estate agent in Alabama would typically take you about 4-6 months.
The Alabama real estate licensing does not require a specific timetable to finish the course.
However, be wary of the specific deadlines for the exams and application process to avoid getting your courses nullified.
Conclusion
Now that we have tackled the essentials of how to get an agent license in Alabama, it's time to take the first big step to launch your career.
We hope that we have equipped you with useful guides and information to help you get a solid foundation to become the best Alabama real estate agent that you can be.