How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Arkansas?
This article will help you calculate the time commitment required to obtain a real estate license in the state of Arkansas.
We will give you an overview of the multiple parts of the licensing process and an estimated time frame for each step. We also determine the factors that may quicken or delay your pace.
Let’s look at how long you can expect getting a real estate license in the Natural State to take.
Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Arkansas
Time frame | Step |
1-30 days | Check out requirements and disqualifiers. |
2 weeks (on average) | Finish real estate school. |
4 weeks | Complete the application process. |
1-2 weeks | Do supplemental exam prep. |
2+ days | Schedule and wait for exam day. |
2+ weeks | Select a brokerage. |
1-2 weeks | File for and receive your license. |
Check Out Requirements and Disqualifiers: 1-30 Days
Before you shop for your pre-licensing course, set aside a day during which you’ll read up on the state’s licensing requirements.
You’ll also find it beneficial to look through the license application. And if you have a criminal record, you should carefully peruse the licensing disqualifiers specified in Arkansas statutes.
If you check all the boxes for general requirements and have no criminal history, you can move ahead with the next step in the process.
However, if you have a prior criminal conviction and are unsure if it will disqualify you, you can allocate more time upfront to get a predetermination of eligibility from the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).
You’ll need to provide them with details on your criminal record, and they may require you to undergo a state and federal criminal background check.
AREC will generally respond with a written decision within 30 days.
Finish Real Estate School: 2 Weeks (On Average)
It doesn’t take long to finish the required pre-licensing course if you can study at a brisk pace. The most commonly offered schedule will have you in class for just two weeks.
That could be in a traditional classroom on a weekday schedule or two consecutive weekends (Fri-Sun). The same goes if you attend school in a virtual classroom rather than in person.
You can also study online and complete the 60 hours of coursework in a comparable time frame. That assumes you can commit to a full-time effort to get the work done.
If the schedule for the two-week track isn’t one you can work with, you have several other options to choose from, including:
- Three back-to-back weekends (classroom or Zoom)
- Six weekdays over three weeks (classroom or Zoom)
- One to two days a week for 4-6 weeks (classroom)
You typically have up to six months of access to an online course. So, you can take that amount of time to finish if needed. Or, you can set an earlier completion date as your schedule allows.
Complete the Application Process: 4 Weeks
Before taking the exam, you must be deemed eligible by AREC. That requires applying for your license and waiting for a Certificate of Examination Eligibility.
AREC has to receive your application at least 30 days before your desired exam date. The good news is that you can apply before finishing your course to shorten your timeline.
However, you’ll need to send the pre-licensing course completion certificate before AREC approves your eligibility.
When submitting your application, you must also send a Criminal Background Check Identity Verification Form. It gives permission for a criminal history check at the state and national levels.
Learn about the background check process in the state by reading our article on getting an Arkansas real estate license with violations on your record.
Arkansas doesn’t have an online portal for application submission. Therefore, you’ll need to allow a few days to a week for your packet to arrive at the AREC office by mail.
Once they receive and process your application and complete the state background check, they will mail you fingerprinting instructions for the FBI criminal database search.
According to AREC, the average time for them to get your background check results is about three weeks after your fingerprints are taken. So, it pays to get that done quickly.
They also indicate that the typical turnaround time for processing a completed application and mailing a Certificate of Examination Eligibility is 5-10 business days.
Delays can occur in application processing for various reasons, such as:
- AREC has received a high volume of applications.
- Your application is missing paperwork or has partially answered questions.
- There’s a discrepancy between your disclosure and background check results.
- Multiple status checks can cause duplicate efforts and delay response time.
Do Supplemental Exam Prep: 1-2 Weeks
Even if you routinely go over the coursework while going to class, you may still benefit from a review before taking the test. And you can get it done while your application is being processed.
How long should you study for the real estate exam before attempting to pass it? It’s wise to give yourself a week or two to ensure you’ve mastered the material.
You can use the content outlines in the Candidate Handbook for the exam to learn where to focus most of your efforts.
You can also refer to our article covering what to study for the Arkansas real estate exam. Then, schedule and do a series of study sessions on those topics.
Or, you could spend the time working through an online prep course catered to the Arkansas exam. It will guide you through the topics and provide real-time feedback on your knowledge.
You will also get a chance to do dynamic practice tests as part of the prep course. Experts say mock exams are one the most effective ways to boost your readiness.
So, plan to take as many practice exams as you can during your 1-2 week refresher.
Schedule and Wait for Exam Day: 2+ Days
Once you receive your eligibility certificate, you can reserve a test slot. Then your wait time for exam day begins.
The test administrator Pearson VUE requires that you make a reservation at least 24 hours before your desired exam date. Getting an appointment that quickly, however, depends on availability.
If the test centers are booked, your wait may extend to a week or more. You may also have more wait time (by choice) if you push the reservation further out to do extra test prep.
For the exam itself, block off the entire day on your calendar. Here’s what you need to factor in:
- Taking the test will consume up to four hours of your time.
- You also need to add 30 minutes to get to the test center early for check-in.
- Your travel time will vary based on your proximity to the test center.
Sitting for the test need not be an overwhelming experience for you, not if you thoroughly studied and prepared. But to make sure, do check out my tips on how to study for the real estate exam.
Select a Brokerage: 2+ Weeks
Arkansas law prohibits you from independently conducting business transactions as a real estate salesperson. Consequently, you must have a supervising broker to activate your license.
Therefore, you’ll need to devote time to finding a brokerage where you want to launch your new career. You can do this concurrently with other steps to shave time off the process.
Anticipate spending up to a week researching companies online and talking with others in the business or your network. The goal is to learn about these brokerages as a whole.
You’ll then need additional time to interview several brokers, meet some of their agents, and do office tours. That could take another week or more if you have a long list of prospective firms.
There’s a lot to know about the agent-broker relationship. We’ve published an in-depth article on choosing the right broker to work for as a new agent to help you create a list of must-haves.
You can also use our directory of top-rated real estate brokerages in Arkansas to help populate the list of companies you’d like to learn more about.
File for and Receive Your License: 1-2 Weeks
After passing the real estate exam, you’ll leave the test center with a successful score report in hand. Also included in that report is the form to file for your license.
You have 90 days to submit the form, plus the score report, license fee, and a signed post-licensing requirement notice. Issuance may be delayed if you don’t send all the documents.
Allow a couple of weeks for your broker to receive the paper certificate and pocket card via mail.
You’ll be a licensed Arkansas real estate agent at that point. However, you must take 18 hours of post-licensing education within six months of being initially licensed to maintain active status.
Where to Study for a Real Estate License Exam?
The list of AREC-approved pre-licensing education providers contains more than three dozen institutions. Some are brick-and-mortar, while others are internet-based.
Where you study will therefore vary based on which school you choose. To make it easier for you to make the choice, we have a vetted list of the best real estate agent schools in Arkansas.
You can attend classes at a physical school if one is conveniently located in your area. You’ll benefit from live instruction and face-to-face interaction with other students in that instance.
Some of the traditional schools also teach livestream classes. These offer a combination of structure, instructor-led lectures, and freedom to engage in learning without leaving home.
Just ensure you have an intentional workspace as a home study spot. Pick a place with minimal visual distractions. And have a desk or table for course materials and your laptop.
If you study online, you’ll have maximum flexibility in choosing your study space. You can do your coursework at home or anywhere that’s comfortable and conducive to productivity.
The same goes for exam prep courses. Most providers offer them online. So, you could grab a table at the coffeehouse, study at the library, or hunker down in the family dining room.
Review our A-to-Z guide comparing real estate classes online vs. classroom courses to help you select the best method.
Now that you know time estimates, are you ready to begin? See our guide on getting a real estate license in Arkansas for more information and answers to commonly asked questions.
Make sure as well to know how much it costs to get an Arkansas real estate license to be financially prepared for all the licensing expenses involved.
Once you’re licensed as a real estate agent in the state, be ready for what’s ahead by preparing an action plan that details what to do after passing the real estate exam.
You should include joining a real estate team in your plan, as this affords you the opportunity to meet experienced agents who can give useful pointers on how you should begin your career.
Get a preview of these tips through our article that features industry insiders discussing the pros and cons of being a real estate agent.
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.