How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Arizona?
In this guide, we let you in on all the information you need to know about how long it takes to get a real estate license in Arizona.
We discuss the classes you have to take and how much time you need to study. We also give you details on the time you need to dedicate to schedule the test and get your license.
Keep reading to get a clear picture of how much time you need to invest in order to go through the entire real estate license process in Arizona.
Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Arizona
Time frame | Step |
1 week | Gather general information. |
3-9 weeks | Complete pre-licensing education. |
1 day | Get fingerprints done. |
1 day | Schedule the real estate exam. |
1 day | Take the exam. |
1-2 weeks | Get sponsored by a broker. |
1-3 months | Submit license application for review. |
2-3 weeks | Complete continuing education requirements. |
Gather General Information: 1 Week
To fully understand what the entire licensing process in Arizona entails, you need to do some research.
The best place to start is with the Arizona Department of Real Estate. Their robust website will help answer most of your questions and provide you with all the information.
Once you see what’s required of you, you should take some time to fully decide if this is the best career path for you; that you want to commit to the process.
Another bit of research to do at this point is on costs. Each step of the real estate process comes with a cost and you need to ensure you can budget for it.
Read our article detailing how much to get an Arizona real estate license to get an idea of the financial investment involved.
Once you’re sure all the pieces align with your schedule and budget, you can move forward without worrying about time or money.
Complete Pre-Licensing Education: 3-9 Weeks
There’s a wide range of time to complete your pre-licensing education because it all depends on the format in which you take it.
To start, you’ll need to complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course. This is for both a salesperson license and a broker license.
Additionally, a salesperson must take a six-hour contract writing course, while a broker must take three, three-hour courses in a Broker Management Clinic.
To complete the primary course, it can take less than three weeks if you’re able to commit 40 hours per week to a virtual program.
Learning in person, the class could take as long as eight weeks.
The additional coursework could add on a little as a day, but no more than a week based on which format you complete it in.
Refer to our A-to-Z guide comparing real estate classes online vs. classroom courses to help you decide when choosing the best format that suits your schedule.
Get Fingerprints Done: 1 Day
Although it will only require a quick visit to the Department of Public Safety to get a fingerprint card, the process could take longer to complete the background check that happens after.
The background check itself could take anywhere from 10-30 days to complete on average. If you have convictions on your record, though, the process could take as long as 10 weeks.
This is why it’s important to get your fingerprints completed as close to the start of the licensing process as possible to ensure they’re ready when it’s time to submit your application.
The cost for fingerprinting at a DPS location is $67.
If you worry that a past criminal offense may impact your chances of getting licensed in the state, know your next steps by reading our article on getting an Arizona real estate license with violations on the record.
Schedule the Real Estate Exam: 1 Day
When you’re ready to take the exam, making sure you’ve set aside time to study, you’ll need to contact Pearson VUE. They proctor the exam.
You can schedule your test by setting up an online account or by calling 888-405-5776. The cost to take the exam is $75 for a salesperson exam, and $125 for a broker exam.
Take the Exam: 1 Day
When the day of your exam finally rolls around, make sure you’re prepared. Bring proper identification and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
For all the information you need for your testing day, consult the Arizona Real Estate Candidate Handbook.
Figuring out how long you should study for the real estate exam in Arizona is tough, since it’s really up to how quickly you feel comfortable with the content.
Read our article on what to study for the Arizona real estate exam to learn about the topics covered in the test.
The exam itself will last five hours for a salesperson, and five hours and 15 minutes for a broker. Each test has 195 questions on it.
To pass, you must get a minimum score of 75 percent. If you don’t pass, you can retake the test as many times as you need, paying the same testing fee each time.
Get Sponsored by a Broker: 1-2 Weeks
One last step, after you pass the exam but before you submit your application, is to find a sponsoring broker.
This person will supervise you as you become a licensed salesperson in Arizona, so it’s important to find someone you feel you can work effectively with.
To start your list of potentials, search through the best real estate brokerages in Arizona. Then, refer to our article on how to choose the right broker to work for to help make your decision.
Submit License Application for Review: 1-3 Months
To submit your license application, once you’ve passed the exam and completed all the supporting documents, use the License Login portal for fastest results.
You’ll also have to pay an application fee of $60 for a salesperson and $145 for a broker.
The review process of your application will then take anywhere from 1-3 months, but once it’s ready, you’ll receive a notification and your sponsoring broker can then print the license out.
While you wait for the approval of your license, make sure you prepare for what’s ahead once you become one of the licensed real estate agents in Arizona.
Industry experts discuss this and more in our article on the pros and cons of being a real estate agent.
You can also make your waiting period productive by planning what to do after passing the real estate exam.
Complete Continuing Education Requirements: 2-3 Weeks
In order to renew your license each period, you must complete a set amount of continuing education hours.
For a salesperson, that total is 24 hours, and for a broker, it’s 30.
Again, the time it takes to complete these hours varies based on the format and frequency of the course. In total though, three weeks is about what you’ll need.
The renewal fee also varies by license type. For a salesperson, the cost is $60, and for a broker it’s $120. This is assuming you renew online, since the price goes up if you renew by mail.
Where to Study for a Real Estate License Exam?
Choosing where and how you study for the real estate exam matters, since having good study materials and a quiet and productive study environment are essential.
You can find the best provider near your location from our directory of top real estate agent schools in Arizona. Most of these providers offer prep materials that you should take advantage of.
To prepare your materials, start by taking thorough notes in your pre-licensing classes. Then, convert those notes to outlines and flashcards.
Check to make sure you’re covering all the key topic areas that will be on the exam by reviewing the outline in the handbook.
Once you know you have the right information to study, decide where best to go to get your review done.
Find a quiet spot where you can work uninterrupted, or if you prefer, form a study group and meet with your peers.
Try to study a little every day, focusing on the most important information within each topic. Wait until you’re prepared and then go in and hopefully pass the real estate exam on your first try.
Now that you know the answer to the question, how long does it take to get a real estate license in AZ?, you can then take proactive steps to complete all the requirements in getting an Arizona real estate license.
After getting your license, make arrangements to join a real estate team. What you learn from fellow real estate agents that you will meet there will be valuable as you start your real estate business.
To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.
It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.
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About the Author
Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.