How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Alaska

Real estate agents in Alaska have a unique opportunity to help people find their dream homes amidst the state’s majestic landscapes.

Getting Your Real Estate License in Alaska

Before embarking on this exciting career, you need to earn your real estate license.

This involves:

• Meeting Alaska’s baseline eligibility requirements; be at least 19 years of age and have a high-school level or equivalent education.
• Taking pre-licensing courses
•  Passing the state exam
• Obtaining errors and omissions insurance
• Formally applying to the Alaska Real Estate Commission (AREC)¹

Alaska Real Estate Commission

Address:

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

Phone: (907) 269-8162

Fax: (907) 269-8156

Primary Qualifications For Earning a Real Estate License

To obtain a real estate license in Alaska, you need to meet the baseline criteria set by the Alaska Real Estate Commission (AREC).² These criteria include age, education, training, background checks, and insurance coverage requirements.

By fulfilling each requirement, you demonstrate that you have the maturity, knowledge, and ethical standards to legally and ethically conduct real estate business.

As part of the application process to become a real estate agent, AREC requires evidence that you;

• Are 19 years old
• Have completed high school or obtained an equivalent GED
• Are either a resident U.S. Citizen or possess the necessary working papers
• Can provide documentation proving residency in Alaska or other U.S. States
• Do not have any criminal records that may hinder your ability to perform your duties competently

Age and Basic Educational Essentials

According to Alaska state law individuals applying for real estate licenses must be at least 19 years old when submitting their applications. Although individuals aged 18 can complete real estate courses and exams, they cannot activate their license until they turn 19.

This age requirement ensures that prospective agents have the maturity and life experience to assist their clients.

To prove that you meet the age requirements please include copies of one or more of the following documents when submitting your application;

• Birth certificate
• Drivers license
• U.S. Passport
• Other documents accepted by AREC

While Alaska does not require postsecondary education, it is necessary to have, at least a high school level education.

Having a high school diploma or GED demonstrates the literacy and numeracy skills needed for understanding real estate transactions and concepts. When applying for a license you can provide proof of your education by including your high school diploma, GED certificate, or transcripts.

Please note that many approved real estate schools might require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent before enrolling in licensing courses. It’s important to check this requirement with your chosen real estate school.

Possessing abilities that allow you to handle college-level material will also be beneficial in grasping real estate concepts during licensing education.

To establish residency,³ for AREC eligibility purposes, you will need to submit any of the following documents along, with your application;

• Voter registration
• Lease or rental agreements
• Vehicle registration

If you are living in another U.S. State but applying for an Alaska license AREC will require proof of residency through documentation.

Prescribed Training Time for Licensure

Alaska requires that applicants complete 40 hours of real estate pre-licensing education through a state-approved school or program before qualifying to take the state licensing exam.^4,5

There are dozens of pre-license education providers throughout Alaska. These providers have varying reputations and, as an aspiring real estate agent, you need to research different providers to ensure that you obtain your training from the best provider.

There are two main ways to satisfy Alaska’s 40-hour pre-licensing education requirements:

1. In-person classroom courses from an approved real estate school in Alaska. Both traditional classroom and virtual instructor-led live classes qualify.
2. Online on-demand courses from an approved Alaska real estate school. These allow self-paced learning.

Because of their flexibility, convenience, and affordability, online classes are today more popular than in-person classes and an online search will yield dozens of schools offering real estate training throughout the state.

To assist learners in the choice of a learning institution, the Alaska Real Estate Commission has a list of AREC-approved schools.⁵ In addition, there are plenty of schools offering exam preparation courses to give their students a greater chance of passing the exam with ease.

Compare costs, locations, formats, and included extras across different approved providers before enrolling.

After completing qualifying pre-licensing courses, candidates will receive an education certificate to submit with their license application. This certificate serves as proof of satisfying the mandatory education requirement.

Real estate education certificates expire after 18 months, so avoid delays in completing the remaining licensure steps.

Costs Associated With Pre-Licensing Real Estate Training

Since required pre-licensing education must come from an approved real estate school, expect to invest around $200 to $500 or more into tuition costs.

The price varies primarily based on:

• Delivery Format: Online vs in-person classroom instruction. Online courses have less overheads and hence are cheaper.
• Provider: Each approved school charges different tuition rates
• Included Extras: Some schools bundle in exam prep guarantees, study aids, career resources, etc.

When comparing tuition costs, look at the whole package offered by different approved providers.

Consider factors like:

• Instruction formats: Online vs in-person
• Study resources and exam preparation included
• Any pass guarantees if you don’t pass the state exam
• Technology requirements for online access
• Schedule flexibility

Some students may prefer live classroom-based courses for accountability, interaction, and immediate feedback. Others may favor online on-demand courses for the increased location and schedule flexibility, learning anytime from anywhere.

You may find discounted packages that bundle pre-licensing tuition with exam prep guarantees, sample test banks, and retake vouchers. This can provide savings compared to purchasing prep materials separately after enrolling in a basic pre-licensing course.

That said, don’t just seek the cheapest course, but the training that best fits your needs and prepares you thoroughly.

Essential Background Investigation for Real Estate Professionals (Fingerprint Facility Details)

Unlike many other states, Alaska does not require real estate license applicants to undergo a fingerprint-based background check as part of the application process. However, applicants are still required to be of good moral standing and ethics.²

As such, new agents are required to submit to a background check upon completing the license application.

Licensees with misdemeanor convictions or felony convictions will need to provide fingerprints for further review through the Division of Criminal Justice Information Services.⁶

That said, it is important to note that having a conviction on your record doesn’t necessarily bar you from getting a new license number. Each applicant will be judged on their own merits.

Since there are usually very good grounds to deny licensure for applicants with criminal records, the best that an applicant can do is to make complete disclosure of any criminal records they might have.

Past convictions that are likely to undermine an applicant’s ability to competently carry out their duties are covered under the professional fitness questions.⁷

A “yes” response to any professional fitness question could potentially affect your application negatively. To improve your chances of getting licensed, AREC advises applicants to submit signed and dated explanations together with the charging and judgment documents together with their applications.

Should an applicant’s application be rejected for whatever reason, the applicant has a right to appeal the decision. Such cases are heard by the Alaska Department of Administration and applicants who find themselves in this position are advised to produce any new evidence that could help them get a favorable response.⁸

Should the office maintain the negative verdict, applicants are allowed to lodge a second appeal with the Alaska Superior Court in 30 days.