How to Get a Real Estate License in Kansas

From the quiet suburbs of Overland Park to the historic neighborhoods of Topeka and the growing communities around Wichita and Manhattan, Kansas offers a wide range of opportunities for real estate professionals. Whether you see yourself helping families find homes in Lawrence or working with investors across Johnson County, the Kansas real estate industry is built on community, trust, and local expertise.

Earning a real estate license in Kansas opens doors across the state. The process is managed by the Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) and ensures every agent is prepared to represent clients with integrity and professionalism. With the right education, testing, and brokerage partnership, you’ll gain the foundation needed to serve buyers and sellers in communities large and small throughout the Sunflower State. 

Below is a quick look at the path to earning your Kansas real estate license:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 60 hours of prelicensing education
• Submit fingerprints for a background check
• Pass the Kansas real estate licensing exam
• Affiliate with a Kansas real estate broker
• Submit your license application

Table of Contents

• Steps to Get Your Real Estate License in Kansas
• Continuing Education and License Renewal in Kansas
• Kansas Real Estate License Reciprocity

Steps to Get Your Real Estate License in Kansas

The KREC outlines a clear process for earning your license, ensuring every new salesperson is prepared to serve clients across the state:

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before moving forward, you’ll need to confirm that you meet the KREC’s basic eligibility standards, which include:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

Step 2: Complete 60 Hours of Approved Prelicensing Education

Kansas requires 60 hours of prelicensing education. This includes:

• 30 hours of Principles of Real Estate, which covers property ownership, contracts, financing, and general real estate concepts.
• 30 hours of Kansas Practice Course, focused on state-specific laws, disclosures, and professional conduct.

Both courses must be completed before you can register for the state licensing exam.

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Step 3: Submit Fingerprints and Complete a Background Check

Before applying for your Kansas real estate license, you’ll need to complete a state and federal background check through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the FBI. The KREC uses this process to verify your eligibility and ensure all license holders meet professional standards. Here’s what to know:

• Fingerprinting can be completed at approved law enforcement offices or testing centers.
• Background check results remain valid for six months from the issue date.
• Processing times can vary, so it’s best to complete this step early to avoid delays.

Step 4: Pass the Kansas Real Estate Licensing Exam

After finishing your education and background check, the next step is to take the Kansas real estate license exam administered by Pearson VUE. The exam is divided into two sections, each testing a different area of real estate knowledge:

• National Portion: Covers general real estate principles, contracts, and practices used throughout the country.
• Kansas-Specific Portion: Focuses on state laws, regulations, and procedures unique to Kansas. 

You’ll need to score a 70% or higher on each section to pass. Exam results are valid for six months, giving you time to complete your application once you’ve passed. 

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Step 5: Affiliate with a Kansas Real Estate Broker

To hold an active license, you must work under a licensed Kansas broker. Your sponsoring broker will verify your eligibility and provide supervision as you begin your career. The brokerage you choose will also influence your early experience in the field–from mentorship to the types of clients and properties you work with. 

Step 6: Submit Your License Application

Once you’ve completed the required steps, submit your application through KREC’s online portal. Include:

• Course completion certificates
• Passing exam score reports
• Fingerprint documentation
• Broker certification
• Required application fees

After approval, the KREC will issue your Kansas real estate license, allowing you to begin representing clients across Kansas. 

Continuing Education and License Renewal in Kansas

Kansas real estate licenses must be renewed every two years from the date they are issued. To maintain an active license, all real estate professionals are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) before renewing. 

Your CE must include:

• 3 hours in the mandatory course titled “Kansas Required Core.”
• 9 hours of approved elective courses.

You can also earn up to three hours of elective credit per renewal cycle by attending a KREC meeting in person. All CE must be completed and reported to the KREC before you submit your renewal application. Providers have up to five days to report course completions, so it’s best to finish early to avoid processing delays.

Once your CE is complete, you can renew your license through KREC’s online portal. Renewal notices are sent approximately six weeks before your license expires, but it’s your responsibility to ensure timely renewal. Applications can be submitted up to 45 days before your expiration date, and payment is made electronically at the time of submission.

If your renewal is late, additional fees will apply. Licenses not renewed within the designated grace period will lapse and require reinstatement before you can resume practice.

For licensees on inactive status, CE is not required until you request reactivation, but the full 12 hours must be completed before returning to active status. 

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Kansas Real Estate License Reciprocity

Kansas does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any other states. However, licensed agents from outside Kansas may qualify for certain waivers if their existing education and exam requirements are deemed equivalent by the KREC. 

Out-of-state applicants may be able to:

• Waive the 30-hour Principles of Real Estate course if their current state’s prelicensing education meets Kansas standards.
• Skip the national portion of the licensing exam, provided they’ve already passed a comparable national exam elsewhere.

All other requirements still apply. Applicants must:

• Complete the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course.
• Pass the Kansas portion of the licensing exam.
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check.
• Provide proof of active licensure and good standing from their home state.

Since Kansas reviews equivalency on a case-by-case basis, there is no list of states with formal reciprocity. Agents relocating to Kansas should contact the KREC directly to confirm whether their existing license qualifies for education or exam waivers.

This process allows experienced agents from other states to earn a Kansas real estate license more efficiently while still ensuring they understand Kansas-specific laws and practices.