Transfer Your Real Estate License to Kentucky: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my real estate license transfer to Kentucky?
Kentucky recognizes real estate licenses from 5 named states (Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee). Licensees from those states apply to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) under the agreement — 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. From any other state, you apply as a new applicant. Fee: $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.).
Moving to Kentucky from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Reciprocity with 5 states
Kentucky's agreement is a list, and the list is the law: if your state appears on it, the streamlined track below applies; if not, no amount of experience substitutes — you use the new-applicant track. Check the list before anything else, and remember it describes states Kentucky recognizes, which says nothing about the reverse direction.
Kentucky has reciprocity agreements with Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee and Memoranda of Understanding with Illinois and Ohio (five partners). West Virginia is cited by some aggregators but is NOT listed on KREC's own Reciprocal Licensing page, so it is omitted. Regulation 201 KAR 11:210 phrases the education requirement as '6 academic credit hours or their equivalent'; the current KREC procedure implements the equivalent as a 40-hour reciprocal license law course. Reciprocal applicants take only the Kentucky law portion of the exam. Full new-applicant sales associate pre-license education is 96 hours. Real estate has no interstate compact.
Kentucky requirements at a glance
| Pre-license education | 96 hours of pre-license education |
|---|---|
| Fees | $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 | KREC does not publish a stated processing time; the application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam |
Step by step
- Confirm Kentucky's current requirements on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) website — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity/endorsement application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) (application linked on this page).
- 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
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Kentucky:
Nearby states
Real Estate license transfer into the states bordering Kentucky:
Kentucky for other professions
- Nursing in Kentucky
- Cosmetology / Barber in Kentucky
- Contractor in Kentucky
- Teaching in Kentucky
- CPA / Accounting in Kentucky
- Electrician in Kentucky
- Plumber in Kentucky
- Engineering in Kentucky
- Pharmacy in Kentucky
- Physical Therapy in Kentucky
- Psychology in Kentucky
- Counseling in Kentucky
- Social Work in Kentucky
- Occupational Therapy in Kentucky
Frequently asked questions
Which states does Kentucky have real estate reciprocity with?
Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee (5 states, verified 2026-07-21 against the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC)). Licensees from all other states use the standard application.
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)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · Corrections log · spot an error? hello@licensereciprocity.com