Transfer a Real Estate License to Arizona

Verified July 2026 · 19 official sources

Honored after 1 year, but Arizona exam + fingerprints stand

Arizona honors a license from any US state once you have held it at least one year, waiving the 90-hour course and the entire national exam. You still must pass an Arizona-only exam in person inside Arizona, get an Arizona DPS fingerprint clearance card, and, unless you are an Arizona resident, take a 27-hour Arizona course. Brokers add 3 of the last 5 years of experience and, per ADRE's checklist, Arizona residency (a non-resident broker path is confirming). Your exam pass is only good for one year, so apply within a year of passing or retest.

First year: $187 + coursesRenewal: $60 / 2 yrsWait: 60 days max by rule, often fasterWork while waiting: No, felony until licensed and activeTravel required: Yes, exam only inside Arizona

What carries over to Arizona, and what does not

Comes with you

Your license held 1+ year (kills the national exam portion)
Your old state's prelicense education (90-hour course waived)
Out-of-state experience counts toward the broker 3 of last 5 years
Certified license histories prove licensure and experience

New for this state

Arizona DPS fingerprint clearance card; old FBI checks are worthless here
Arizona-only exam, in person at a test center inside Arizona
6-hour Contract Writing course within 2 years of applying
27-hour Arizona course if you are not an Arizona resident
An employing broker hire action to go active

If you hold a broker license

Brokers need 3 of the last 5 years of licensed experience (out-of-state years count), the 9-hour Broker Management Clinic series within 2 years of applying, a $125 exam, and a $145 license fee, then must activate in person at ADRE's Phoenix office. ADRE's broker checklist lists proof of Arizona residency with no alternative, so whether a non-resident can use the broker recognition path at all is confirming.

Working in Arizona without a Arizona license

On a single deal Only through a written cooperation agreement with an Arizona broker, signed before any work, with every Arizona negotiation running through that broker, who assumes responsibility. You cannot list, advertise, place signs, or sell to Arizona residents under it, so it fits bringing your own out-of-state client into one Arizona deal and little else.

Referrals Yes. An Arizona broker may pay a referral fee to a broker lawfully operating in another state; the fee flows broker to broker and licenses no activity in Arizona.

Your send-off checklist

YOUStart the DPS fingerprint clearance card first; it is the long pole. Apply at the AZDPS portal, and from out of state choose the paper card, get inked prints taken locally, and mail them in. Budget weeks. $67 + print fee AZDPS PSP portal

YOUR SCHOOLComplete the 6-hour Contract Writing course at an ADRE-approved school (online is fine); non-residents also take the 27-hour Arizona-specific course. varies Approved school search

YOUOrder a certified license history from your old state's commission showing at least one year licensed and in good standing. varies

YOUBook the Arizona salesperson recognition exam with Pearson at least 24 hours ahead and travel to a test center inside Arizona; 65 questions, 90 minutes, 75 percent to pass, retake after 24 hours if needed. $60 Pearson Arizona

YOUUpload the whole package as one PDF through the state portal the day your score report arrives; include the application, disclosure form, score report, license history, residency attestation or 27-hour certificate, contract writing certificate, both sides of the fingerprint card, and legal presence proof. Arizona licensing portal

STATE BOARDSADRE reviews the file, capped by rule at 60 days total; when it deems the application complete, you pay the license fee online. $60

YOUStart the online hire action with your employing broker; you are legal to work only when the broker approves it and the license shows ACTIVE.

The money

State exam (Pearson, Arizona portion only)	$60
License fee + recovery fund	$60
Fingerprint clearance card (DPS, good 6 yrs)	$67
Fingerprinting vendor fee	varies
Contract Writing course (6 hrs)	varies
27-hour Arizona course (non-residents only)	varies
Certified license history from old state	varies
TOTAL First year, typical	$187 + courses
Then: renewal every 2 years	$60

Watch out in Arizona

Your exam pass expires after 1 year; apply within a year of passing or retest.
Any past revocation, surrender, or discipline anywhere, or any pending complaint, makes you ineligible for recognition.
Unlicensed activity is a class 6 felony; nothing is legal until the license is issued and your broker approves the hire.
Broker recognition may be residents only (confirming), and broker licensees must activate in person at ADRE in Phoenix.

Official links for Arizona

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