Alaska licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Alaska
A practical step-by-step guide to Alaska licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Alaska licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 29, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 19
- Pre-license education
- 40 hours
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Estimated cost
- $700–$1,200
- Estimated timeline
- 3–6 months
- Renewal cycle
- Biennial (every 2 years)
Alaska real estate licenses expire on January 31 of even‑numbered years. Licensees must complete a total of **20 hours of continuing education** before renewal—8 hours are a commission‑developed core curriculum and 12 hours are electives. In addition, new licensees must complete a **30‑hour post‑licensing course** within one year of obtaining the initial license.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet basic eligibility
You must be at least 19 years old, hold a high‑school diploma or equivalent and be able to pass a background check.
Complete 40‑hour pre‑licensing education
Enroll in and complete a commission‑approved 40‑hour pre‑licensing course. The course must cover Alaska real‑estate law and basic principles.
Submit application and fees
Apply for a salesperson license through the Alaska Real Estate Commission, paying the $200 application fee and $120 initial license fee and contributing to the recovery fund as required.
Schedule and pass the licensing exam
After your application is approved, schedule your state exam with Pearson VUE. The exam is offered weekly in Anchorage and other cities and costs $100.
Obtain sponsorship and activate license
Affiliate with an Alaska‑licensed broker to activate your salesperson license.
Complete post‑licensing education
Within your first year of licensure, complete a 30‑hour post‑licensing course. This is in addition to the continuing‑education hours required for renewal.
Renew and maintain continuing education
Every two years, renew your license by January 31 and complete 20 hours of continuing education (8 hours of core curriculum and 12 hours electives).
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $700–$1,200. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing course | $300–$500 | Approximate cost for a 40‑hour approved course; varies by provider. |
| Application fee | $200 | State application fee for salesperson license. |
| Initial license fee | $120 | Due when your license is issued. |
| Exam fee | $100 | Pearson VUE exam fee for the salesperson examination. |
| Post‑licensing course | $150–$250 | Cost for the mandatory 30‑hour post‑licensing course. |
| Continuing education | $100–$200 | Typical cost for 20‑hour continuing‑education packages each renewal cycle. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
Who administers the Alaska real‑estate exam?
The Alaska Real Estate Commission contracts Pearson VUE to prepare, administer and grade the salesperson and broker examinations.
What continuing education is required for renewal?
Licensees must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years—8 hours of core curriculum prescribed by the commission and 12 hours of electives.
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.