Real estate licensing in Alabama
Get your Alabama real estate license with Colibri Real Estate
Take the first step toward your Alabama real estate career with flexible pre-licensing education from Colibri Real Estate, McKissock’s trusted partner within our family of education brands. Choose from AREC-approved online courses designed to fit your schedule and help you prepare for the licensing exam.
Courses provided by 
Why Alabama students choose Colibri Real Estate
Build the knowledge and confidence to move from coursework to exam day with flexible, Alabama-specific education. Colibri Real Estate’s AREC-approved courses are designed by real estate experts and backed by more than 25 years of experience educating Alabama professionals. Select packages also include exam prep, instructor support, audio lessons, live webinars and an AI tutor.
24/7 access
Study 100% online, anytime, at your own pace.
Pass or Don’t Pay
Pass your exam or get your money back, on select packages.
1.5M+ students
Join a nationwide community of real estate professionals.
132+ expert instructors
Get help from instructors with real-world experience.
Award-winning student dashboard
How to get a real estate license in Alabama
Most new Alabama agents follow these six steps.
1
Check eligibility and pre-register
Be 19+, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and pre-register with AREC.
2
Complete your 60-hour course
Finish AREC-approved pre-licensing and pass the final exam with a 70 or higher.
3
Pass the state exam
Schedule with Pearson VUE and pass within six months of finishing your course.
4
Get fingerprinted and apply
Complete the background check and apply for your temporary license within 90 days of your exam.
5
Choose a qualifying broker
Your license must be held by an Alabama-licensed broker to practice.
6
Finish post-licensing
Complete the 30-hour post-license course to get your original license.
Alabama licensing at a glance
60 hoursPre-licensing education
19+Minimum age to apply
120 questionsState exam (80 national, 40 Alabama)
30 hoursPost-licensing education
Requirements as of October 2026. Confirm with the Alabama Real Estate Commission.
Trusted by more than 1.5 million students nationwide
Hear from Alabama students who started their careers with Colibri Real Estate.
★★★★★
This course is very detailed and goes a long way in preparing you for your real estate journey.
Ladarrylus B. · Alabama
★★★★★
This is an amazing course that goes very in-depth with detail to help you understand and it offers numerous tools to help you succeed!
Madison D. · Alabama
★★★★★
The course is easy to follow. My instructor was always available and willing to help or answer any questions!
Kari H. · Alabama
See what Colibri Real Estate’s online courses are like
See how Colibri Real Estate helps you learn on your schedule, track your progress and stay focused on the next step toward your Alabama license.
- Study online anytime, from anywhere
- Track your coursework in an award-winning student dashboard
- Reinforce key concepts with interactive learning tools
Alabama real estate license FAQs
How old do you have to be to get an Alabama real estate license?
You must be at least 19 years old to apply for an Alabama salesperson license.
How long does it take to get an Alabama real estate license?
Your timeline comes down to how quickly you finish the 60 hours of pre-licensing courses and pass your licensing exam, how long you take to complete the application, and how long your post-license course and application processing take.
How much does it cost to get an Alabama real estate license?
If you take the standard active temporary salesperson path, current state and testing fees come to $283, not counting pre-licensing education or fingerprinting. That’s $73 for the Pearson VUE salesperson exam and $210 for an active temporary salesperson license. The $210 is made up of the $150 license fee, a $30 Research and Education fee and a $30 Recovery Fund fee. If you choose an inactive temporary license instead, it currently costs $180, and you pay the $30 Recovery Fund fee when you activate the license. Course tuition and fingerprinting cost extra. To plan your full budget, see Colibri Real Estate’s Alabama real estate license cost guide. State and testing fees can change, so check current amounts with AREC and Pearson VUE before you apply.
Can I take the Alabama real estate exam without classes?
No. If you’re applying for your first Alabama salesperson license, you have to pre-register with AREC and complete an approved 60-hour pre-license course. Once your school reports your course credit and AREC confirms you’re eligible, Pearson VUE will send you an authorization to test. For the complete process, see the Alabama real estate license requirements.
Does Alabama have real estate license reciprocity?
Yes. If you hold a current real estate license in another state, Alabama offers a reciprocal path to licensure. To qualify as a reciprocal salesperson applicant, you’ll need to complete a 6-hour AREC-approved Alabama reciprocal course and pass the Alabama state portion of the exam within six months. You’ll also need certification of licensure from the state where you were first licensed by full examination. Before you apply, check AREC’s current reciprocal requirements.