Becoming an Arkansas Real Estate Agent

Embarking on a real estate career in Arkansas is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with specific steps, requirements, and some serious studying. 

This guide walks you through the necessary pre-exam preparations, the testing process, post-exam expectations, and how to maintain your license once you’ve successfully entered the field.

Arkansas Real Estate License Requirements

Before practicing real estate in Arkansas, the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) has a series of required steps and criteria. These requirements ensure that all practicing agents have the knowledge and ethical foundation to serve their clients effectively.

Pre-Exam Requirements

Applicants must meet specific qualifications and requirements before sitting for Arkansas’s real estate licensing exam. This phase lays the foundation for your career in real estate.

• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must be a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a legally admitted alien.
• Pre-Licensing Education:
  • Completion of 60 classroom hours of real estate education.
  • At least 30 of these hours must focus on the basic principles of real estate.
• Application Submission:
  • Submit an application to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission.
  • Undergo State and Federal Background Checks.

Once an application is submitted, the turnaround time for a certificate of exam eligibility to be issued is seven to fourteen business days.

The Testing Process

Once you complete the pre-exam requirements and receive an exam eligibility certificate, the next hurdle is the Arkansas Real Estate License Exam.

• Exam Approval:
  • Must receive authorization from AREC to sit for the exam.
• Exam Details:
  • $75 exam fee.
  • Two sections: State Exam and National Exam.
  • A passing score of 70% is required.
  • The exam includes 180 questions.
  • Administered at approved Pearson VUE locations.

Preparing thoroughly for the exam is essential, as it covers various topics pertinent to practicing real estate in Arkansas.

Post-Exam Process

Passing the exam is a huge milestone, but a few more steps exist to secure your license.

• Post-Exam Submission: Send completed forms and fees to AREC within 90 days of passing.
• License Activation: AREC will activate your license once the documents are processed.
• Continuing Education (Post-licensing): A new broker must complete the 30-hour AREC post-licensure course within six months of initial licensure.
• Continuing Education (Annually): Licensees must complete seven hours of annual continuing education to renew an active real estate license.

Congratulations! You are now licensed to sell real estate in the state of Arkansas. Have you determined your specialty and researched the perfect brokerage? 

The last step involves making decisions that will inevitably shape your career.

Charting Your Course in Real Estate After Licensure

With your Arkansas real estate exam behind you, it’s time to plot your professional trajectory. In the immediate post-exam period, you lay the groundwork for your future success by making strategic decisions and forging valuable connections.

Deciding Your Specialty

Real estate is a field with diverse possibilities. Reflect on whether your passion lies in helping families find their dream homes, assisting businesses in securing the perfect commercial space, or managing properties. Each specialty has its own set of demands and skills:

• Residential Real Estate: Focus on individual or family dwellings, selling single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses.
• Commercial Real Estate: Specialize in business properties, including leasing and selling office spaces, retail locations, and more.
• Property Management: Manage the leasing of residential, commercial, or industrial properties for investors.

Real estate agents have the added decision of becoming a REALTOR®. Agents are not REALTORS® until joining the National Association of REALTORS®, a membership most prevalent in the residential industry that provides access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)® and benefits like discounted healthcare and legal support.

Finding the Right Brokerage Fit

Choosing a brokerage can significantly influence your career direction and growth. New agents should interview several realty firms and speak with local agents to get market intel. 

Take advantage of platforms like Agent Nook to delve into the cultures and strengths of different brokerages. Finding a brokerage to complement your chosen specialty and support your career goals and development will provide a better path to success.

Networking for Success

A robust professional network can catapult your career forward. Engage with peers, seek out mentors, and participate in discussions. Forming these connections can lead to referrals, partnerships, and insightful advice.

Joining a real estate team can provide instant mentorship and partnerships, helping new agents get up to speed quicker with a lead flow and helping to keep you financially supported as you launch your career.

Conclusion

Working in Real Estate can be a fantastic opportunity. It’s a lifestyle of freedom—and wealth—that many dream of. 

The application hurdles and hours of classroom education seem daunting, but once you see the joy in that first-time homeowners face when handing over the key to their new home, it’s all worthwhile.

The big commission check is nice, too. Welcome to the Real Estate Industry; we’re excited to have you!

Author: Agent Nook Team

Sometimes, it takes a team. Agent Nook always brings an experienced perspective—or several—into each post. This ensures our readers always have the most up-to-date and relevant information.