Educational Resources: Take Alaska Real Estate Sample Tests, Application Steps and Tips

Once aspiring real estate professionals complete the required 40 hours of pre-licensure education, they qualify to take the Alaska Real Estate Exam.² A passing score on this assessment is mandatory for every first-time salesperson license applicant in the state.

AREC entrusts Pearson Vue to develop,³ administer, and score these assessments based on national testing standards.

The exams consist of multiple-choice questions that measure classroom proficiency and readiness to practice ethically.

Real Estate Licensing Test Overview

The Alaskan Real Estate Salesperson Examination has two categories:

1. National section: 80 questions
2. Alaska-specific section: 40 questions

For each category of the exam, there could be up to ten Pre-Test questions. The pre-test questions are not taken into account when computing a passing grade.

Since the Pre-test questions are not identified on the exam paper, candidates are advised to answer all questions since some papers do not have any such questions.

• Format: Computer-based multiple-choice questions
• Length: 130 questions broken down into:
  • 80 National questions
  • 40 State-specific questions
• Time allocated: 240 minutes (4 hours) broken down into:
  • 150 minutes (2.5 hours) for the National section and
  • 90 minutes (1.5 hours) for the state section
• Passing score minimum: 75%
  • National section: Candidates must answer 60 out of the 80 questions correctly
  • State section: Candidates must answer 30 out of the 40 questions correctly
• Registration fee: $100 per attempt
• Average first attempt pass rate: 75%

To register for the exam, applicants are required to create an account on the Pearson Vue Website following their guidelines.³

Applicants can then schedule their exam date and time from the website at a convenient Pearson Vue Test Center and pay the $100 exam fee directly to Pearson Vue. Exam appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

On the day of the exam, applicants are required to bring two forms of identification including one photo ID, and arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time.

Exam Content Outline

Below is the exam content outline:

National Section

The following are the areas tested in the national section of the exam.

• Real property characteristics, legal descriptions, and property use (sales 9 questions)
• Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording of title (sales 8 questions)
• Property value and appraisal (sales 11 questions)
• Real estate contracts and agency (sales 16 questions)
• Real estate practice (sales 14 questions)
• Property disclosures and environmental issues (sales 8 questions)
• Financing and settlement (sales 7 questions)
• Real estate math calculations (sales 7 questions)

Sample Question

“Lev owns a home. Francois is a real estate agent who has visited Lev to try to list Lev’s home for sale, but Lev refuses.

Lev nonetheless permits Francois to show 3 prospective purchasers his home. Has an agency been created?”

1. Yes. An agency by estoppel
2. No. An agreement was not signed
3. No. There was no meeting of the minds
4. Yes. An express agency

Lifted from Alaska Real Estate Salesperson Exam Prep – Free Practice Exam AK.⁴

National Section

For the state-specific portion of the exam, candidates are tested on their knowledge of Alaska real estate concepts. The topics covered in the 40 multiple choice questions of this portion of the exam are:

• Powers of the Alaska Real Estate Commission (sales 4 items)
• Licensing (sales 4 items)
• Licensee duties and disclosures to the public (sales 10-12 items)
• Requirements governing the activities of licensees (sales 10 items)
• Personal services agreements (sales 4-6 items)
• Property management (sales 6 items)

Sample Question

The walls, floor, and ceiling in a condominium unit in Alaska define the unit’s _____.

1. Limited common elements
2. Common elements
3. Square footage
4. Boundaries

Lifted from Alaska Real Estate Salesperson Exam Prep – Free Practice Exam AK (realestatepracticetest.com).⁴

Upon completing the exam, candidates receive their results immediately. The result is either a “pass” or “fail” as well as a breakdown of each category to help guide your efforts if you didn’t pass any section and need to retake it.

Retaking the exam requires you to schedule another appointment and pay the $100 exam fee to Pearson Vue.

Previous candidates note that the math portions of the exam are the most challenging so be sure to focus on your study in those areas. For additional information on the state exam, please see the Alaska Real Estate Pearson Vue candidate handbook.⁵

Alaska Commerce, Real Estate Commission, and Licenses Application: The Five Necessary Steps

After passing the AK real estate exam, applicants have six months to complete the license application through the Alaska Real Estate Commission. You can file applications online or through mail.

Here is an overview of the required steps:

Step 1: Complete All Parts of the Application Form

Fill out Form #08-4179 fully and accurately.¹

You can download the form on the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing website.⁶

Step 2: Gather Required Supporting Documents

Along with your application form, you must also attach the following documents:

• Certificate of completion of the required 40 hours of pre-licensing education
• Original exam score sheet showing proof of passing the Alaska Salesperson exam
• Proof/verification of E&O Insurance coverage. The insurance coverage accepted by AREC should be issued either by RISC or an equivalent provider.
  AREC stipulates that persons who do not obtain their coverage through RISC should submit forms issued by the equivalent provider showing that the license has met all the requirements outlined under 12AAC 02.510.⁷
• Employing brokerage sponsorship form
• If you have responded “yes” to any professional fitness questions in the application, be sure to submit a signed and dated explanation and both charging and closing court documentation

Step 3: Submit the Complete Application Package

The fastest option is to submit the application and supporting documents through the official MyAlaska account.⁸ You can also mail paper applications to the AREC office.

Alaska Real Estate Commission
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501

Ensure all components are included to prevent processing delays.

Step 4: Pay the Necessary Licensing Fees

Pay $390 in application and licensing fees. This includes a $200 application fee, a $140 license fee, and a $50 recovery fund fee.

Applicants can pay via credit card, check, or money order. Note that all fees are non-refundable once submitted.

Step 5: Wait for the Application Review

Once submitted, licenses are typically issued within 10 business days. Startup delays or errors will lead to additional time.

You can check your application status online or contact the AREC with questions. If approved, you should receive a letter from the Alaska Real Estate Commission with a license document.

Submitting a comprehensive and accurate application prevents delays in approval. Licenses are typically issued within two weeks of application receipt if all requirements are met.

After approval, candidates will receive license certificates by mail. New salespersons can then activate licenses by affiliating with a sponsoring brokerage.

Alaska Commerce, Real Estate Commission, and Licenses Membership Fees and Expenses

The Alaska Real Estate Commission has a fee schedule that details the license membership and other expenses that an applicant will incur for different licenses.⁹

Persons applying for a new real estate salesperson license incur a total of $390 which is broken down into:

• Application fee: $200
• License fee: $140
• Recovery fee: $50.

If you have an active real estate license from another state, you could transfer it to Alaska but you’ll be required to pay a transfer fee of $225. Moreover, if you have an active Alaska license but wish to make it inactive, you could do so by paying AREC $150.

As a new licensee in Alaska, you’ll also be required to complete 30 hours of post-licensing education (PLE).¹⁰ In addition to submitting the Affidavit of Post-Licensing Education,¹¹ you’ll be required to pay $50 to AREC.

Should you fail to comply with PLE regulations, you’ll have to pay a $50 recovery fee and an additional $225 to get the license reinstated.

When you have failed to renew your lapsed license and wish to reinstate it, you’ll need to pay $415 broken down into:

• $140 license fee
• $50 recovery fee, and
• $225 reinstatement fee

If you have an inactive license and wish to activate it, AREC will demand a total of $340 broken down into $140 for the license, $50 recovery fee, and $150 for effecting the required changes.

In total, all AREC fees for getting a new real estate salesperson license amount to around $1,200.

Note that all payments made to AREC are non-refundable and that the acceptable payment methods include credit card, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to AREC. No personal checks or cash is allowed.

While these fees may seem costly upfront, they represent a minor business investment compared to the long-term revenue potential. Track your payments carefully for tax purposes.

Application for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership

After becoming licensed in Alaska, agents can optionally apply to join the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).¹² This prominent trade association provides valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Benefits of membership include:

• Access to MLS property listing services
• Permission to use the Realtor® trademark
• Industry news, training programs, and conferences
• Discounts on services, technology, and insurance
• Input on real estate policies, laws, and standards

To become a NAR member, you must apply through the local chapter. Visit the Alaska Association of Realtors® (AAR) to start the application process as a new Alaska licensee.¹³

The steps for gaining membership involve the following:

1. Finding and joining a local realtor® chapter such as the Anchorage Board of Realtors®¹⁴
2. Completing required orientation and code of ethics training
3. Passing a membership application review
4. Paying applicable local, state, and national association dues. In Alaska, this is around $185 per year while national dues are $150 in 2023 rising to $156 in 2024.

While optional, NAR membership provides valuable resources for business development that many agents find worthwhile.

What’s the Standard Timeframe For Completing the Real Estate Application?

The length of time it’ll take to complete the Alaska real estate application is determined to a considerable extent by how quickly you can complete your training courses and pass the exams.

Generally, the whole process typically takes approximately 4 to 6 months for most candidates from starting pre-licensing education to activating a license. However, diligent applicants can potentially complete the process in 2 to 3 months.

Here is a typical timeframe:

• Three to 8 weeks to complete pre-licensing courses
• One to 3 weeks to pass the state exam
• One to 2 weeks to finalize brokerage sponsorship
• One to 2 weeks for the AREC to approve a complete new license application

That said, if you work diligently, you could earn your Alaska real estate license in as little as 2 to 3 months total. However, don’t rush through the process.

Take your time to absorb the material and pass the state exam, which are the most crucial steps.