Real Estate License from California to Kansas: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) ↗
A real estate license transfers from California to Kansas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC), verify your California license, and meet Kansas's endorsement requirements. Kansas has NO state-specific reciprocity agreements, but any applicant already actively licensed in another state is exempt from the National exam portion and takes ONLY the Kansas State portion of the salesperson exam (30 questions) through Pearson VUE. Such applicants complete a reduced 30-hour Kansas pre-license course instead of the full 60 hours..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Kansas publishes no agreement covering California, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Kansas's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Kansas 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 changes, California → Kansas
| California (current) | Kansas (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 135 | 60 |
| Application fee | $450 (Combined salesperson exam/license application (RE 435): $100 examination fee + $350 license fee = $450 due to DRE. Fingerprint fee about $49 (California residents pay the live-scan vendor directly; out-of-state applicants submit the fingerprint fee to DRE with the FD-258 card).) | $125 ($125 license fee, plus a $15 application fee and a $70 fingerprint/background fee = $210 total paid to KREC. Pearson VUE charges $70 for the Kansas State-portion exam (paid separately). The $125 license fee is refunded if the application is incomplete or denied.) |
| Processing time | DRE does not publish a fixed processing time; exam application review commonly takes several weeks. | KREC does not publish a stated processing time for salesperson applications |
| Licensing authority | California Department of Real Estate (DRE) | Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kansas sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Kansas's current requirements on the Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active, equivalent real estate license in your state of residence (nonresidents apply under K.S.A. 58-3040).
- Complete the 30-hour Kansas practice/law pre-license course (out-of-state licensees are exempt from the other 30 hours).
- Pass only the Kansas State portion of the salesperson exam through Pearson VUE (National portion waived).
- Submit a Certification of License History from every state where you hold or have held a real estate license.
- Submit fingerprints for a state and federal criminal background check.
- Affiliate with a Kansas supervising broker (an original license cannot be issued on inactive status).
- Pay the fees ($125 ($125 license fee, plus a $15 application fee and a $70 fingerprint/background fee = $210 total paid to KREC. Pearson VUE charges $70 for the Kansas State-portion exam (paid separately). The $125 license fee is refunded if the application is incomplete or denied.)) and allow KREC does not publish a stated processing time for salesperson applications.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Kansas accept a California real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from California to Kansas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC), verify your California license, and meet Kansas's endorsement requirements. Kansas has NO state-specific reciprocity agreements, but any applicant already actively licensed in another state is exempt from the National exam portion and takes ONLY the Kansas State portion of the salesperson exam (30 questions) through Pearson VUE. Such applicants complete a reduced 30-hour Kansas pre-license course instead of the full 60 hours..
Which exams will I take moving from California to Kansas?
Kansas has NO state-specific reciprocity agreements, but any applicant already actively licensed in another state is exempt from the National exam portion and takes ONLY the Kansas State portion of the salesperson exam (30 questions) through Pearson VUE. Such applicants complete a reduced 30-hour Kansas pre-license course instead of the full 60 hours..
What does the move cost?
$125 ($125 license fee, plus a $15 application fee and a $70 fingerprint/background fee = $210 total paid to KREC. Pearson VUE charges $70 for the Kansas State-portion exam (paid separately). The $125 license fee is refunded if the application is incomplete or denied.) ($125 license fee, plus a $15 application fee and a $70 fingerprint/background fee = $210 total paid to KREC. Pearson VUE charges $70 for the Kansas State-portion exam (paid separately). The $125 license fee is refunded if the application is incomplete or denied.).
Can I keep selling in California after I'm licensed in Kansas?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the California 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.
- KREC — Frequently Asked Questions (out-of-state licensees skip the National exam and take the Kansas State portion only; complete 30 hours; nonresidents apply under K.S.A. 58-3040; exam $70) — via Internet Archive snapshot 2025-11-15 (live krec.ks.gov returns HTTP 403 to non-browser fetches) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- KREC — Salesperson Requirements ($125 license fee refundable if denied; 60-hour full pre-license; Certification of License History; supervising-broker affiliation) — via Internet Archive snapshot 2025-05-24 ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California DRE - Out-of-State Applicants ('California has no reciprocity with any other state to allow a waiver of any of the requirements') ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California DRE - Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License (three college-level courses, 45 hours each) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California DRE - Fees (salesperson exam $100 / license $350) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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