Alabama License Requirements

Alabama Real Estate License Requirements

Learn about the Alabama education requirements for real estate licensing and renewal.

Licensing Board/Commission: Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC)

Alabama Real Estate Education Requirements:

• Alabama real estate salesperson license: 60 hours
• Alabama real estate broker license: 60 hours
• Students in Alabama have 6 months to complete the 60 hours of education and pass the course exam
• Alabama requires an additional 30 hours post-license real estate cources
• Final exams:  Your final course exam must be proctored for qualifying education

State Reciprocity: 

If you hold an original current license in another state, you may obtain a RECIPROCAL license by doing the following:

• Complete a six‐hour course in Alabama real estate law as specified in Rule 790‐X‐1‐.18 
• Take and pass the corresponding Alabama portion of the licensing examination 
• Submit with the application an official "Certificate of Licensure" form (license history) showing you hold a current license in another state. This certification can be obtained from the Real Estate Commission Office in that state. This certification must have been issued within 120 days of our receipt of your reciprocal license application. 
• Exam candidates will receive an application for licensure at the test centers upon passage of the exam

Alabama Continuing Education (CE) and License Renewal and Requirements:

• Sept 30 even years - education due, August 30 is renewal date
• Requirement is 15 hrs: 6 hours of Risk Management and 9 hours of electives

Alabama Appraisal License Requirements

The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience, and examination requirements established by the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board. The information provided below can be found on the Board’s website. However, we recommend you contact the Board for more detailed information and for any changes which may have occurred.

Alabama Appraisal Licensure Levels:

• Trainee Real Property Appraiser
• State Registered Real Property Appraiser
• Licensed Real Property Appraiser
• Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser
• Certified General Real Property Appraiser 

Alabama Appraisal Licensure Requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old 
• Must have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Must meet the educational requirement for the applying level of licensure
• Must meet the experience requirement for the applying level of licensure
• For Certified Residential level:  A minimum of an Associate’s Degree OR 21 college semester hours in specific subject matters is also required. 
• For Certified General level:  A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree OR 30 college semester hours in specific subject matters is also required. 
• Satisfactory completion of the state examination
• Submit application, required documents, and associated fees.

Alabama Appraisal Education Requirements:

• 75 hours for the Trainee Real Property Appraiser which consist of the following courses:  Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours), Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours), 15 Hour National USPAP Course or its equivalent (15 hours)
• 75 hours for the State Registered Real Property Appraiser (same course requirement as the trainee level)
• 150 Hours for the Licensed Real Property Appraiser which consist of the same 75 hours of Trainee education AND:  Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours), Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours), Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 Hours), Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approach (30 hours)
• 200 Hours for the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser which consist of the same 150 hours of Licensed Appraiser education AND:  Statistics, Modeling and Finance (15 hours), Advanced Residential Application and Case Studies (15 hours), Appraisal Subject Matter Electives (20 hours)
• 300 hours for the Certified General Real Property Appraiser which includes the same 200 hours for the Certified Residential Education AND:  General Appraiser Sales Comparison and Income Approach (15 hours), General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours), General Appraiser Income Approach (45 hours), General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies (10 hours), General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)

Experience Requirements:

• Trainee Real Property Appraiser – No experience required
• State Registered Real Property Appraiser – 1000 hours
• Licensed Real Property Appraiser – 2000 hours in no less than 24 months
• Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser – 2500 hours in no less than 24 months
• Certified General Real Property Appraiser – 3000 hours in no less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in nonresidential appraisals

Alabama Appraisal Continuing Education Requirements:

• All license expire September 30 every year, but continuing education is due September 30 on odd years.
• All licensees must complete 28 hours of continuing education within the renewal cycle
• At least 7 hours of this requirement must cover the USPAP Update course or its equivalent

Alabama Home Inspection Requirements

Learn about the home inspection courses and qualifications needed for certification and renewal in Alabama. 

Requirements to Become an Alabama Home Inspector:

The State of Alabama Building Commission establishes the Alabama Home Inspector Licensing Requirements.

• Alabama home inspection education hours:  120 hours (effective March 15, 2020)
• Inspections:  Participation in 35 home inspections (effective March 15, 2020)
• Exam required: ASHI and NHIE 
• Application fee: $300 
• Other: 
  • Draft home inspection reports for 25 home inspections, 10 of which must be reviewed and corrected by a qualified home inspector (effective March 15, 2020)
  • Applicant must meet one of four professional qualifications. See full details.
• Insurance requirements: Obtain bodily injury and property damage liability insurance covering the applicant’s home inspection operations in the sum of not less than $20,000 for injury or damage to property; $50,000 for injury or damage, including death, to any one person; $100,000 for injury or damage, including death, to more than one person; and $250,000 of errors and omissions coverage.
• Notarized application is required. Background check and fingerprints are not required. 

Home Inspection License Expiration: 12/31 every year (filed by 10/1)

Home Inspection Continuing Education Requirements: No CE required for renewal