| Requirement | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 60 hours |
| Exam administrator | PSI |
| License / application fee | n/a |
| Exam fee | $75 (commission website, crawled Jul 2026) |
| Regulator | Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 1,640 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $38,180 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Arkansas
To get an Arkansas real estate salesperson license you complete 60 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Arkansas real estate license?
Arkansas requires 60 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI 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.
What are the steps to get licensed in Arkansas?
Getting licensed in Arkansas takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 60 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 60 hours of pre-license education
Arkansas requires 60 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Arkansas salesperson exam
The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus Arkansas law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Arkansas 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 Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC), then activate under your broker.
How much does an Arkansas real estate license cost?
Arkansas's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); $75 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in Arkansas?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Arkansas earned a median of $38,180 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $24,600. See the full Arkansas agent salary breakdown.
What are Arkansas’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 19 Arkansas housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $259,300 as of September 2026, from $143,700 in Pine Bluff to $441,000 in Fayetteville; 10 of 19 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | $441,000 | -0.9% | 69 | 3,706 |
| Little Rock, AR | $294,975 | -1.5% | 54 | 3,133 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $349,500 | +7.5% | 77 | 959 |
| Fort Smith, AR | $262,500 | -4.6% | 64 | 922 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $242,450 | -2.9% | 66 | 616 |
All tracked markets: Arkansas housing market hub.
Arkansas real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires 60 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) requirements.
How much does an Arkansas real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); $75 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Course tuition varies by school. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Arkansas real estate exam?
PSI administers the Arkansas salesperson exam. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PearsonVue; confirm the current vendor with the commission.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) licenses and regulates Arkansas real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) before enrolling. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PearsonVue; confirm the current vendor with the commission.