Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in Arizona

To get an Arizona real estate salesperson license you complete 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) sets the rules and issues the license.

What are the requirements for a Arizona real estate license?

Arizona requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the Pearson VUE salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.

Arizona real estate license facts
RequirementArizona
Pre-license education90 hours
Exam administratorPearson VUE
License / application feen/a
Exam feen/a
RegulatorArizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE)
Payroll-employed agents (BLS)5,610
Agent median pay (BLS May 2025)$58,780

What are the steps to get licensed in Arizona?

Getting licensed in Arizona takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 90 hours of pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE).

1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) lists any residency or other conditions.

2/ 6

Complete 90 hours of pre-license education

Arizona requires 90 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.

3/ 6

Pass the Arizona salesperson exam

The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and covers national real estate principles plus Arizona law.

4/ 6

Clear the background check

Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE).

5/ 6

Affiliate with a sponsoring broker

A new Arizona salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.

6/ 6

Apply and activate the license

File the application and pay the license fee to the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE), then activate under your broker.

How much does an Arizona real estate license cost?

Arizona's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) before applying.

How much do licensed agents earn in Arizona?

Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Arizona earned a median of $58,780 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $35,160. See the full Arizona agent salary breakdown.

What are Arizona’s housing markets like for new agents?

WealthyBud tracks 12 Arizona housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $437,475 as of September 2026, from $315,000 in Sierra Vista to $1.6M in Scottsdale; 10 of 12 are below last year's asking price.

Largest tracked Arizona housing markets by active listings — September 2026
MarketMedian list priceYoYDays on marketActive listings
Phoenix, AZ$475,000-4.8%6218,437
Tucson, AZ$372,500-3.2%583,851
Prescott Valley, AZ$625,000-3.9%791,814
Lake Havasu City, AZ$399,950-4.0%761,527
Show Low, AZ$482,425-7.2%88845

All tracked markets: Arizona housing market hub.

Arizona real estate license FAQ

How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Arizona?
Arizona requires 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) requirements.
How much does an Arizona real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Arizona real estate exam?
Pearson VUE administers the Arizona salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Arizona?
No. Arizona requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) licenses and regulates Arizona real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) before enrolling.

Lena Voss Housing Market Editor

Lena Voss is a housing market editor who fact-checks WealthyBud's market and housing-policy coverage against primary government sources before publication. She focuses on keeping metro-level statistics current as new data releases land.

Editorial persona: WealthyBud bylines are editorial personas, not real individuals. Pages are produced by the WealthyBud research team from the public data cited on each page.