Once you complete the required pre-licensing education through an approved school, you can register to take the Arizona real estate license exam administered statewide by Pearson VUE Exams.1
Passing this assessment is mandatory for every first-time license applicant.
Real Estate License Test Overview
Fees: The exam fee is $75 per attempt.
The exam consists of:
- A 180-multiple-choice question test about the general real estate concepts and knowledge of Arizona real estate laws and practices.
- There are also 15 pretest questions that are not identified and will not affect a candidate’s score in any way
Exam Format: Computer-based exam administered at approved Pearson VUE test centers in Chandler, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.
Time Limit: Three hundred minutes total (5 hours)
Passing Score: The minimum passing score is 75%
- Candidates must answer 135 out of 180 questions correctly
What to Bring: Two valid forms of ID (a government-issued ID that has your photograph and signature), a non-programmable calculator, and your prelicensing education certificate
First-time pass rates average around 60-66%.
Candidates can schedule the exam directly on the Pearson VUE website and will then receive a copy of the Candidate Fact Sheet with additional information.1,2You will also be required to pay the $75 exam fee directly through the Pearson website using a credit card, debit card, electronic check, or voucher.
Topics Covered in the Exam
The following topics are tested in the exam as listed in the Pearson VUE Arizona candidate handbook:1
- Real estate statutes: 18 questions
- Commissioner’s rules: 14 questions
- Agency relationships & managerial duties: 13 questions
- Contracts and contract law: 10 questions
- Property interests, estates & tenancies: 11 questions
- Government rights in real property: 5 questions
- Income tax aspects of real estate: 2 questions
- Arizona water law: 6 questions
- Environmental law: 6 questions
- Land descriptions: 5 questions
- Land development: 3 questions
- Encumbrances: 4 questions
- Acquisitions/ transfer of title: 7 questions
- Escrow and settlement: 4 questions
- Fair Housing & ADA: 4 questions
- Leases & leasehold estates: 8 questions
- Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Act: 6 questions
- Property management: 7 questions
- Property insurance & warranties: 2 questions
- Appraisal: 4 questions
- Primary & secondary markets/ financing concepts: 5 questions
- Residential & commercial financing: 5 questions
- Financing documents: 4 questions
- Deed of trust foreclosure: 6 questions
- Disclosure & consumer protection: 7 questions
- Math calculations: 12 questions
- Cooperative nature of real estate: 2 questions
Sample Questions
- Which of the following best describes a gross lease?
A. The landlord pays property expenses.
B. The tenant pays property expenses.
C. The landlord and tenant split property expenses.
D. Property expenses are split based on square footage.
- Which of the following types of agency relationships is prohibited for real estate transactions in Arizona?
A. Single Agent
B. Disclosed Limited Agent
C. Non-Agency
D. Undisclosed Dual Agent
- Which of the following statements BEST identifies the meaning of the term, “rescission of a contract”?
A ratification of a contract by all parties.
B. A return of all parties to their condition before the contract was executed.
C. A transfer or assignment of a particular responsibility from one of the parties to another.
D. A review of the contract by the legal counsel of either party that may result in a cancellation without penalty or further obligation.
For information about the examination process, or to schedule an exam, contact:2
Pearson VUE
18000 W. 105th St.
Olathe, KS 66061-7543
Phone: (888) 405-5776
Email: [email protected]
Immediately after completing the exam, candidates will receive a scoring document that states whether they passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam.
If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies. On the other hand, passing candidates will receive Arizona real estate license application instructions from PearsonVUE and must apply for a license within 1 year of passing the exam.3
Scoring well requires thoroughly mastering both general concepts and Arizona-specific laws and regulations. Studying your pre-licensing materials along with supplemental exam prep tools helps ensure you pass the first time you take the test.
Only schedule your exam when consistently scoring above 75% on practice tests.
5-Step Process For Filing Your Arizona Department of Real Estate License Application
After passing the Arizona real estate exam, you can apply for your license by applying through the ADRE online portal.4
Here are the key steps:
- You must submit your license application within 1 year of passing the licensing exam through Pearson VUE. Online filing through the ADRE portal is the fastest method.
- The application requires a Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form (LI-214/244).5 Applicants must fully disclose any criminal history or civil judgments.
Additional documents such as those listed on Disclosure Document Checklist Form (LI-400) may be required based on disclosures.5
Felony convictions may impact eligibility for a license. However, the ADRE reviews applications on a case-by-case basis. - Required documents to submit along with the application and $60 fee:
- Proof of lawful U.S. presence such as a U.S. Passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, and U.S. Driver’s License.
- 96-hour Pre-Licensure Education Certificate
- Arizona Exam Score Report
- Original Salesperson Application form
- Contract Writing Course Certificate
- Fingerprint Clearance Card from DPS
- Once the completed application and fee are processed, the license is approved on inactive status pending broker sponsorship
- Allow up to 2 months for the ADRE to fully process license applications. Submitting a complete application helps speed up approval
The application fee is payable to the Department with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover card, check, or money order.
Providing a complete and accurate application upfront prevents delays and speeds up processing.
Arizona Department of Real Estate Costs and Financial Commitments
Here are the standard fees associated with obtaining your Arizona real estate license:
- License application fee: ($60)
- ADRE-approved Pre-licensing Course: ($200 to $500)
- License renewal fee every 2 years: ($60)
- DPS fingerprint background check: ($67)
- Exam registration fee per attempt: ($75)
- 24 hours of approved Continuing education: Costs vary
- Association dues (optional)
In total, applicants can expect to spend between $600 and $800 on all the expenses associated with becoming a real estate agent in Arizona.
Note that, according to ADRE rules, all licensing fees are non-refundable. You can make payments by credit card, money order or cashier’s check made out to the Arizona Department of Real Estate.
Be sure to keep detailed records of payments made.
Opting for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership
Real estate agents who are just starting out have the option to join the National Association of Realtor® (NAR).6 This trade association, composed of realtors® across the country offers resources such as access to the MLS property database, specialized courses, networking events, legal advocacy, and more.
To become a Realtor® in Arizona,7 you are required to:
- Hold a real estate license
- Join your local or regional Realtor® association
- Complete new member training
- Adhere to NAR’s Code of Ethics
- Pay the membership dues, which are approximately $150 per year for NAR and may vary for local associations
While joining NAR is not mandatory it does come with some benefits. Agents who become members gain the realtor® designation and enjoy advantages such as professional development opportunities, access to listings, branding resources, discounts on various services/products relevant to their profession as well as advocacy support.
The first-year dues for the Arizona Association of Realtors® (AAR) which focuses on education and advocating for its members’ interests amount to around $540.8 Additionally, AAR members receive localized assistance and guidance throughout their membership tenure by paying an annual fee of approximately $185.
It is also crucial for new agents to establish connections by joining real estate associations within their city or metropolitan area.
These associations offer meetups where you can network with professionals in the industry; they also provide access to exclusive listings and potential referral opportunities. Keep in mind that annual dues for chapters typically range from $50-$150.
Choosing to enroll in all three options can be quite costly, though worthwhile. Therefore, it’s important to select the associations that align with your specialization and career objectives.
How Long Can I Expect the Real Estate Application To Take?
When it comes to the timeline for the real estate application process, it typically takes around 4 to 6 months for students from the beginning of pre-licensing to obtaining a license. However, with adequate preparation, it is possible to complete this process in as little as 2 to 3 months.
Here’s an overview of the typical time frames for key phases:
- It usually takes approximately 2 to 8 weeks to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education
- Scheduling and passing the licensing exam generally take between 2 and 4 weeks
- The fingerprint criminal background check usually takes around 2 to 6 weeks
- Finalizing brokerage sponsorship, insurance and application typically takes from 1 to 2 weeks
- Finally, it generally takes about 1 to 2 weeks for the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) to approve a license application
If you work diligently throughout the process there is potential for you to obtain your Arizona license in less than two months. However, don’t rush through the process.
Take all the time you need to comprehend the material since passing the state exam is crucial.
References
1Pearson Education Inc. (2023, August). Arizona Real Estate Candidate Handbook. Pearson VUE. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/getattachment/ea432a46-f447-4bf1-9ccb-2def73753faa/Arizona%20Candidate%20Handbook.aspx>
2Pearson Education Inc. (2021, September 12). Examination scheduling information. Pearson VUE. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/az/realestate>
3Arizona Department of Real Estate. (2023). Obtaining an Arizona Real Estate License. Arizona Department of Real Estate. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://azre.gov/sites/default/files/Forms/Licensing/Original_Licensing_Brochure.PDF>
4Arizona Department Of Real Estate. (2023). Real Estate Licensing Login. Arizona Department Of Real Estate. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://ptl.az.gov/dre/#/login>
5Arizona Department of Real Estate. (2020). Licensing Forms. Arizona Department of Real Estate. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://azre.gov/licensees/licensing-forms>
6National Association of REALTORS®. (2023). Empowering REALTORS® to achieve their real estate ambitions. National Association of REALTORS®. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://www.nar.realtor/>
7National Association of REALTORS®. (2023). Membership. National Association of REALTORS®. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://www.nar.realtor/membership>
8Arizona REALTORS®. (2023). Arizona REALTORS® Homepage. Arizona REALTORS®. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from <https://www.aaronline.com/>