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Kentucky Real Estate License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Kentucky


Quick Overview:

You’ll need to be 1) At least 18 years of age and 2) Hold a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent.

  1. Complete 96 hours of Required Education
  2. Complete Background Check with Fingerprinting
  3. Pass The KY Real Estate Exam
  4. Complete the Application
  5. Acquire Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance

BUY YOUR KENTUCKY PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in Kentucky

The Kentucky Real Estate Commission requires all potential agents to complete the following steps in order to become a licensed real estate agent in the Bluegrass State. Follow the steps below to get started with your real estate career.

1. Complete an Approved 96-hour Kentucky Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education

Successfully complete the required 96 clock-hour Pre-Licensing course. There are several different Kentucky real estate colleges, many offer online classes as well as learning in-person coursework. Some Kentucky real estate schools have an option for a Free Trial that can help determine if Kentucky real estate courses are right for you.

2. Pass Your Kentucky Pre-License Course’s Final Exam

After completing all the training/course materials and passing the practice exam, there is a course final exam. The passing score is at least 75%. This final must be taken in the presence of a proctor, and you’ll need to schedule an appointment in advance. Find out more about our
online proctoring process here.

3. Complete a Background Check with Fingerprinting

You’ll also be required to submit a very detailed criminal background check. The state of Kentucky requires you to also submit your fingerprints along with this background check. This is a common expectation and requirement for several other states as well.

4. Pass the Kentucky Real Estate Examination

A national agency called PSI administers the Kentucky Real Estate Exam questions, this test is taken under the supervision of a proctor. The exam has 130 questions and consists of two portions: One for state requirements and the other has national requirements.

You’re given 240 minutes to complete the exam, 150 minutes for 80 general questions and 90 minutes for 50 state-specific questions. For more details and information, see the
PSI candidate exam information here.

If you need help passing the Kentucky real estate licensing exam, there are several options out there to assist you. Many
comprehensive Exam Prep tools are tailored specifically to Kentucky and can give you a much greater chance to pass the exam.

5. Complete the Application

After completing your Kentucky Sales Associate Exam, you will need to apply for your Kentucky real estate license with the Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing. There will also be a $130 license application fee.

6. Acquire Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance

To obtain your active agent license, you will need to get Errors and Omissions insurance.
Errors and Omissions insurance is the insurance policy that agents are required to carry to protect their business in the event of legal action.


Quick Facts:

Common Questions About Getting Your Kentucky Real Estate License

1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Kentucky?

The cost of an agent license in KY can vary considerably depending on the price of your Kentucky real estate classes and different types of fees for your licensing, etc. An individual can typically expect to pay between $600-$950 to get an active Kentucky real estate license.

Below is a breakdown of the costs associated with your license:

Course Tuition $350-$650
FBI Background Check $18
KY State Police Fingerprinting $51.25
Errors & Omissions Insurance (varies) $100-$300
Application Fee $130
Total $650-$950

2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in Kentucky?

The specific amount of time can vary depending on how long each student takes between tasks, and of course how long they take to complete their Pre-Licensing courses. Different credit hours and requirements of each brokerage will affect each Salesperson differently.

Student Learning Pace Time Period
Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) 4 weeks
20 Hours a Week 8 weeks
10 Hours a Week 12 weeks
5 Hours a Week 20 weeks

3. If I get a real estate license in Kentucky, where else can I work?

If you get a real estate license in Kentucky, you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your Kentucky license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide for more information on reciprocity. For a detailed list of the specific reciprocity requirements for each of these states, you can also visit the KREC reciprocity stipulations.

4. How much money can I make as a Kentucky real estate agent?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Kentucky real estate agent is $97,018. This number is 7% lower than the national average.


Kentucky Real Estate Post-Licensing Requirements

Kentucky real estate Post-License education requirements include 48 hours of Post-Licensing education courses within the first two years of receiving your real estate license. All new Salesperson licensees must complete this step, in the industry called the “PLE” (Post-Licensing Education)

The two-year clock to complete your PLE will start running once you affiliate yourself with a principal Broker. You’ll have two years to complete your PLE or risk having your license canceled.

You will need to make sure that you are getting these courses through a KREC-approved education provider.


Kentucky Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

All licensed agents are required to maintain their knowledge in their particular field. For real estate agents, This requirement is 12 hours of approved Continuing Education, that’s 6 hours per year over a 2-year period. These courses must be completed during each biennium. A biennium begins on the first day of the month following your birth month and ends on the last day of your birth month two years later.

You will need to make sure that you are getting these courses through a KREC-approved education provider.