Real Estate License from New York to Arkansas: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) ↗
A real estate license transfers from New York to Arkansas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC), verify your New York license, and meet Arkansas's endorsement requirements. A salesperson licensed in another state at the same level may request a waiver of the GENERAL portion of the exam and take only the Arkansas Law portion, provided they passed a uniform/general/multi-state exam elsewhere (minimum passing grade 70) and remain licensed in that state (Commission Regulation 4.2(d))..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Arkansas publishes no agreement covering New York, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Arkansas's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) 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, New York → Arkansas
| New York (current) | Arkansas (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 77 | 60 |
| Application fee | $65 (Initial salesperson application/license fee. Separate: $15 written exam scheduling fee via eAccessNY.) | $75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).) |
| Processing time | NYDOS does not publish an application processing-time range. | AREC does not publish a fixed processing time; the score report and fees must be received within 90 days of the exam. |
| Licensing authority | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Arkansas sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Arkansas's current requirements on the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current same-level (salesperson) license in another state.
- Submit an official license history from the current state.
- Complete State and Federal (FBI) criminal background checks.
- Pass the Arkansas Law portion of the salesperson examination.
- Submit the score report and fees within 90 days of passing the exam.
- Pay the fees ($75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).)) and allow AREC does not publish a fixed processing time; the score report and fees must be received within 90 days of the exam..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas accept a New York real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from New York to Arkansas by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC), verify your New York license, and meet Arkansas's endorsement requirements. A salesperson licensed in another state at the same level may request a waiver of the GENERAL portion of the exam and take only the Arkansas Law portion, provided they passed a uniform/general/multi-state exam elsewhere (minimum passing grade 70) and remain licensed in that state (Commission Regulation 4.2(d))..
Which exams will I take moving from New York to Arkansas?
A salesperson licensed in another state at the same level may request a waiver of the GENERAL portion of the exam and take only the Arkansas Law portion, provided they passed a uniform/general/multi-state exam elsewhere (minimum passing grade 70) and remain licensed in that state (Commission Regulation 4.2(d))..
What does the move cost?
$75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).) (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).).
Can I keep selling in New York after I'm licensed in Arkansas?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the New York 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.
- AREC - Reciprocal States (list of 15 reciprocal-agreement states) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Real Estate Applicants (60 classroom hours; out-of-state general-exam waiver, Reg. 4.2) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Frequently Asked Questions (exam fee $75; license fee $50 + $25 recovery fund) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Real Estate Salesperson FAQ ('The Department of State does not currently have reciprocity with any other state'; education waiver, exam still required) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson (77 qualifying hours; $65 application + $15 exam; eAccessNY) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Real Estate Salesperson (2-year term; must work under a sponsoring broker) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYDOS — Real Estate Broker FAQ (identical 'does not currently have reciprocity' statement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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