How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Arizona

Ready to start a rewarding real estate career in Arizona? Whether you’re based in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, or any other city in the Grand Canyon State, becoming a licensed real estate agent begins with meeting the state’s specific education, testing, and application requirements.

Arizona’s real estate licensing process is designed to ensure agents are knowledgeable, ethical, and prepared to represent buyers and sellers in one of the most significant transactions of their lives. From completing your required education to passing the state exam and finding a sponsoring broker, we’ll walk you through each step to help you move forward with confidence.

Here’s a quick look at the steps to become a licensed real estate agent in Arizona:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 90 hours of approved real estate education
• Take a 6-hour Contract Writing course
• Obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Submit a background check and Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form
• Pass the Arizona real estate salesperson exam
• Apply for your license and work with a sponsoring broker

Table of Contents

• Steps to Getting Your Arizona Real Estate License
• Arizona Real Estate Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements
• Arizona Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

Steps to Getting Your Arizona Real Estate License

If you’re interested in a career as a real estate salesperson in Arizona, you’ll need to complete a series of education, background, and application requirements through the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE). Follow the steps below to get started.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

To be eligible for an Arizona real estate license, you must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

Step 2: Obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card

Arizona law requires all real estate license applicants to submit a Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). This step ensures applicants meet the legal and ethical standards expected of real estate professionals. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card through DPS
• Allow 8-10 weeks for processing time
• Submit your completed card as part of your license application

Step 3: Complete the Background Check and Disclosure Form

In addition to fingerprinting, you’ll need to disclose any criminal or disciplinary history. ADRE requires full transparency when it comes to your background. To meet this requirement:

• Complete the Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form (LI-214/LI-244)
• Submit to a background check
• Disclose any criminal convictions, including felonies and certain misdemeanors such as theft, forgery, fraud, violence, or moral turpitude
• Review the Candidate Handbook for a full list of disqualifying offenses

Step 4: Complete 90 Hours of Prelicensing Education

Before you can sit for the Arizona real estate exam, you must complete the required coursework through an ADRE-approved real estate school. To fulfill the education requirements, you must:

• Enroll in and complete 90 hours of salesperson prelicensing education
• Choose from in-person or online learning options approved by the ADRE
• Obtain your certificate of completion to submit with your license application

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Step 5: Take a 6-Hour Contract Writing Course

Arizona requires all real estate license applicants to complete a 6-hour Contract Writing Course through an ADRE-approved provider. This course is designed to equip you with essential skills for preparing and understanding real estate contracts, a core responsibility in your future role. You must complete this course before submitting your license application, and you’ll need to provide a certificate of completion as part of your required documentation.

Step 6: Pass the Arizona Real Estate Licensing Exam

After meeting all education requirements, you’ll be eligible to take the licensing exam. The test is administered by Pearson VUE and includes both national and state-specific questions. Here’s how to take the exam:

• Schedule your exam with Pearson VUE
• Pass both the national and Arizona portions of the test
• Apply for your license within one year of passing the exam

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Step 7: Apply for Your Arizona Real Estate License

Once you’ve passed the licensing exam and completed all prior requirements, you can apply for your Arizona real estate license through the ADRE Online Licensing System. Your application must include your Fingerprint Clearance Card, certificates for the 90-hour prelicensing course and 6-hour Contract Writing Course, and the completed Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form. You’ll also need to pay the required licensing fees, which are outlined in the ADRE fee schedule.

Arizona Real Estate Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements

To maintain an active real estate license in Arizona, the ADRE requires licensees to complete continuing education (CE) every two years. The renewal requirements differ slightly depending on whether it’s your first renewal or a subsequent one. 

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First-Time License Renewal

If you’re renewing your Arizona real estate license for the first time, you must complete 24 hours of CE within your first two-year license period. However, the 6-hour Contract Writing Course you completed before licensure can count toward your CE requirement. Specifically, it satisfies 3 hours of Contract Law and 3 hours of Real Estate Legal Issues. The remaining CE must include coursework in the following six mandatory categories:

• Agency Law
• Commissioner’s Standards
• Contract Law (if not already covered)
• Disclosure
• Fair Housing
• Real Estate Legal Issues (if not already covered)

If the Contract Writing Course is applied, you’ll only need to complete 18 additional CE hours.

Subsequent License Renewals

After your first renewal, you must continue to complete 24 hours of CE every two years. The required coursework remains the same, consisting of 3 hours in each of the six mandatory categories plus 6 hours of electives from ADRE-approved providers.

Additional CE Requirements Beginning in 2025

As of January 1, 2025, all license renewals must also include one hour each in the following topics, which are part of the existing 24-hour requirement:

• Arizona Water
• Firewise
• Deed Fraud

Completing and Reporting CE

All CE must be completed through ADRE-approved education providers. Licensees are limited to earning no more than 9 credit hours in a single 24-hour period. Once your CE is complete, you must log into the ADRE Online Licensing System to report your hours, renew your license, and pay the appropriate fees.

If your license is not renewed by the expiration date, it will become inactive. While you have a one-year grace period to renew your license and complete any outstanding CE, you may not conduct any real estate business during that time. 

Arizona Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

If you’re already licensed as a real estate agent in another state, you may be wondering whether Arizona offers license reciprocity. While Arizona does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any other states, the ADRE does offer pathways for out-of-state licensees to qualify for an Arizona license more efficiently. 

How Out-of-State Licensees Can Qualify in Arizona

Even without formal reciprocity, Arizona allows licensed real estate professionals from other states to apply for licensure by meeting certain requirements. If you hold a current real estate license in another state and can demonstrate equivalent qualifications, you may be eligible to waive some Arizona-specific requirements.

To qualify for licensure as an out-of-state applicant, you must:

• Provide proof of a current and active license in good standing
• Submit the Out-of-State License Recognition form
• Complete a Fingerprint Clearance Card through the DPS
• Submit the Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form and complete a background check
• Pass the Arizona state-specific portion of the real estate licensing exam
• Complete a 6-hour Contract Writing Course approved by the ADRE
• Apply for licensure through the ADRE Online Licensing System

Applicants must still meet Arizona’s general licensing requirements, including age and character qualifications. Note that education requirements may vary depending on your licensing history and the state in which you’re currently licensed. For the most up-to-date information about license recognition for out-of-state applicants, visit ADRE’s Licensing Recognition FAQ page.