Alabama licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Alabama
A practical step-by-step guide to Alabama licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Alabama licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 29, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 19
- Pre-license education
- 60 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI Services LLC
- Estimated cost
- $600–$1,200
- Estimated timeline
- 3–6 months
- Renewal cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
Active licensees must complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years, including a 3‑hour Risk Management course for salespersons or specific courses for brokers. New licensees must also complete a 30‑hour post‑license course within the first year of licensure.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Confirm eligibility
You must be at least 19 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, have proof of residency in Alabama, a high school diploma or GED, and no felony or moral turpitude convictions.
Complete a 60‑hour pre‑license course
Enroll in and complete the 60‑hour pre‑license course approved by the Alabama Real Estate Commission within one year of the start date.
Schedule and pass the exam
Submit your exam eligibility application, schedule your state and national exams with PSI Services LLC, pay the $73 exam fee, and pass both portions.
Apply for a temporary license
After passing the exam, submit your application, pay the license fee ($85–$170), complete fingerprinting and background check, and obtain a temporary license.
Complete a 30‑hour post‑license course
Within the first 12 months (6 months for active licensees), complete the 30‑hour post‑license course to obtain a permanent license.
Complete continuing education and renew
Every two years, complete 15 hours of continuing education including a 3‑hour Risk Management course and renew your license.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $600–$1,200. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑license course | $300–$600 | Cost for the 60‑hour pre‑license course. |
| Exam fee | $73 | PSI charges $73 for the salesperson licensing exam. |
| Application and license fee | $85–$170 | Approximate cost for license application and issuance (varies by license type). |
| Fingerprint/background check | $50 | Estimated cost for fingerprinting and background check. |
| Post‑license course | $150–$300 | Cost for the 30‑hour post‑license course. |
| Errors & omissions insurance | $200–$300 | Annual errors and omissions insurance premium required for active licensees. |
| Continuing education | $20–$100 | Cost for a 15‑hour CE package every two years. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
How old must I be to get an Alabama real estate license?
You must be at least 19 years old and meet citizenship and residency requirements.
What are Alabama’s post‑licensing and continuing education requirements?
New licensees must complete a 30‑hour post‑license course within one year to obtain a permanent license, and all licensees must complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years, including a 3‑hour Risk Management course.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.