Real Estate License from Arizona to Kentucky: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Kentucky accept an Arizona real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Arizona to Kentucky by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC), verify your Arizona license, and meet Kentucky's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants take ONLY the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam (the PSI 'reciprocity sales associate exam'); the national portion and the full 96-hour pre-license course are waived. Instead they complete a 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved provider.
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Kentucky publishes no agreement covering Arizona, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Kentucky's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What's different between Arizona and Kentucky
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Kentucky. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Arizona to Kentucky (this page): Licensure by endorsement.
Kentucky to Arizona (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from Arizona matter?
Arizona gets Kentucky's most common result: 45 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.
The others get: reciprocity agreement (5).
- Reciprocity agreements
Kentucky's reciprocity agreement list names 5 states (Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee), not including Arizona.
Arizona's row names no reciprocity agreement states.
- Application fee
Kentucky lists $130 for an out-of-state applicant and Arizona lists $60 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Pre-license education
Kentucky's first-time-applicant standard is 96 hours of pre-license education; Arizona's is 90.
Kentucky's is 6 education hours higher than Arizona's.
- Exam rules on record
Kentucky and Arizona carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Kentucky (this move): Reciprocal applicants take ONLY the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam (the PSI 'reciprocity sales associate exam'); the national portion and the full 96-hour pre-license course are waived. Instead they complete a 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved provider.
- Arizona (the reverse move): No exam waiver - the applicant must pass the full Arizona Real Estate Salesperson examination (Pearson VUE; Arizona uses a single state-specific exam). Out-of-state license recognition waives the 90-hour pre-license course, but a 6-hour contract writing course is still required.
What changes, Arizona → Kentucky
| Arizona (current) | Kentucky (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 90 | 96 |
| Application fee | $60 (Original salesperson license: $50 license fee + $10 real estate recovery fund fee = $60. Plus a $75 examination application/exam fee (Pearson VUE) and the Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card fee (separate).) | $130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.) |
| Processing time | ADRE does not publish a fixed processing time for out-of-state recognition applications | KREC does not publish a stated processing time; the application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam |
| Licensing authority | Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) | Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kentucky sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Kentucky's current requirements on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Meet the partner-state experience threshold — at least one (1) year actively licensed as a sales associate (Tennessee: as an associate broker) in the reciprocal state immediately preceding application.
- Complete the 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved education provider.
- Submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check (valid 90 days; you must pass the exam and apply before it expires).
- Pass the Kentucky law portion via the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam, then file the application within 60 days of passing.
- Provide a license history certification / letter of good standing from every state where you are licensed and proof of errors and omissions insurance.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep selling in Arizona after I'm licensed in Kentucky?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Arizona license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Reciprocal Licensing (agreements with Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee; MOUs with Illinois and Ohio; 40-hour reciprocal license law course; national criminal check; $130 active / $120 inactive license fee; 60-day filing window) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 201 KAR 11:210 — Licensing, education, and testing requirements (reciprocal applicants: 6 academic credit hours or equivalent, pass Kentucky law portion, certification of licensure within 90 days, national criminal history check) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Education (Sales Associate new-applicant pre-license: 96 hours or 6 academic credit hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ADRE - Out-of-State License Recognition Salesperson License (cites A.R.S. 32-2124) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ADRE - Salesperson License (90-hour prelicense + 6-hour contract writing requirement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ADRE - Fees (salesperson license $50 + $10 recovery fund; exam $75) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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