Do you dream of giving tours and selling mansions in Kansas City? Maybe you’re looking to sell family homes in beautiful Overland Park. Since you’ve made it here, you must be thinking about getting your Kansas real estate license. And in that case, I have some great news for you. There’s never been a better time to get into the real estate industry than right now, and property sales in the Kansas are going up! 

 Maybe it’s been your goal to become a real estate agent for a while, or maybe you’re just starting to consider it as a new career option with a higher earning potential and greater freedom. Regardless of your reasons, you can build an extremely successful career in real estate sales. Take it from me. Before I was the No. 1 real estate agent in New York City selling over $1 billion in properties per year and starring in Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing New York,” I was just a struggling actor with no real connections to the real estate business or the people in it. 

 You’re here because you want to know how to get your real estate license in Kansas. For the most part, the overall licensing process and education requirements are similar throughout the United States. However, you’ll notice that some of the specifics change, depending on your home state. Let’s get started with a list of the basic requirements you’ll need to meet to become a new licensee. 

1. Fulfill the pre-qualifications. 
2. Complete your licensing courses. 
3. Pass your education course’s final exam. 
4. Complete your criminal background check. 
5. Pass the Kansas real estate exam. 
6. Find a sponsoring broker. 
7. Submit your complete real estate license application. 

Let’s have a deeper look at the following steps, so you can get started on becoming a licensee. 

1. Ensure you meet the pre-qualifications. 

Before you’ll be eligible to begin your license education, the Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) requires you to meet a few qualifications. For starters, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age. You’ll also need to hold your high school diploma or GED. Additionally, you’ll need to submit to a background check as part of the overall process. If you’ve been convicted of four or more misdemeanors, or if you’ve been convicted of a felony, KREC will need to review your offenses to determine if they’ll affect your ability to practice real estate safely and responsibly. 

2. Complete your coursework. 

Now that you’re done with prerequisites, your true first step is to start working on your pre-licensing education. You may take your education courses in person or online through an approved licensing school, such as a real estate school or local community college. You’ll have to complete 60 total hours of coursework divided into two classes. The first is a 30-hour course on Principles of Real Estate. This course covers basic practices and regulations, such as contract law, fair housing, and much more. The second is a 30-hour Kansas Practice Course, which covers Kansas-specific real estate laws and everyday practices. 

Please note that completing your required coursework doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll pass your licensing exam. It’s especially recommended that you thoroughly study all mathematical concepts introduced in your courses, as these are the questions that applicants tend to struggle with most. 

3. Pass your coursework final exam. 

The next step after completing your course hours is to take your final course exam. This is not the same thing as the state’s licensing exam. You’ll need to earn a minimum passing grade of 90% to complete your coursework.  

You’ll get your test results immediately, and assuming that you passed, you’ll receive your certificate of completion for the course. Hold onto this, as you’ll need it to schedule your state exam and as part of your application packet. If you didn’t pass, you can retake the final as needed. The passing mark of 90% is higher than most states require. However, performing this well certainly makes you better prepared for the licensing exam. 

4. Finish your background check requirement. 

Before you’ll be eligible to take the state exam, you’ll have to finish your criminal history check. You can request our fingerprinting card from PrintScan, and you’ll need to mail it, along with your payment authorization form, to KREC. You’ll also need to cover the $60 record check fee. KREC will conduct this check along with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. 

5. Pass the Kansas real estate exam.  

Once you’re ready to take the real estate salesperson exam, you’ll need to schedule it with Pearson Vue. Before you register for an exam, make sure to have your course completion certificate and your social security number available. All appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance of your test day. You’ll also need to be able to cover the $82 exam fee. You’ll be required to take this test in person at either a Pearson Professional Center or a third-party test center. You can use the Pearson Vue locator to find the closest location. 

On your exam date, you’ll need to bring two forms of ID and your certificate of completion for your real estate courses. You may also bring a basic calculator with you, or Pearson Vue will provide one. The real estate salesperson license exam is comprised of 140 multiple-choice questions, and it’s divided into a national portion and a state portion. You’ll have 2.5 hours to complete the national portion of the exam and 1.5 hours for the state portion. You’ll need a passing grade of at least 70% on both portions. 

When you’ve completed the real estate license exam, you’ll get your exam results immediately in the form of “pass” or “fail.” If you passed on your first attempt, you’ll receive your scorecard and written instructions on how to complete your real estate license application. If you didn’t pass the first time, you’ll get a diagnostic report on each section to help you better prepare for your next attempt. You’ll have to wait at least 24 hours before scheduling a retake, and each retake comes with a $75 exam fee. For additional information on the state exam, please consult the Kansas Real Estate Candidate Handbook. 

6. Select your sponsoring broker. 

When you receive your initial license document, you’ll have an inactive license. You’ll have to be associated with a sponsoring broker before it can be switched to active license status. This means that you won’t be able to legally practice real estate until you’re working under a broker. This is because real estate salespeople don’t actually have the legal authority to complete real estate transactions on their own. A real estate broker, however, can supervise a new salesperson in real estate activities. 

While this might seem like just another hoop to jump through at first glance, I would highly recommend working with a brokerage, even if you didn’t have to. Not joining a team was one of the biggest mistakes I made early in my career. With a proper mentor and training, you’ll quickly learn the important lessons that took me years. 

If there’s one piece of advice I can give you when you’re looking for a sponsoring broker, it’s to make sure that the broker is able to suit your needs and not the other way around. Choosing a brokerage is a big decision, and you’ll need to answer some important questions before you commit to anything. 

Start by researching the reputation of each different broker you’re thinking about working under. Do they seem to be on solid ground and well regarded in your state? You’ll also want to ask about their training programs or any continuing education they may offer, so you’ll know how much room you have to grow with the brokerage. It’s important to ask about any advantages or technology they offer as well, such as if they have access to a multiple listing service (MLS). Ask about their commission package and desk fees as well.  

7. Submit your license application. 

You’re nearly there now! The last step is to complete the application process by submitting all required forms to KREC. Submit the application documents you got from Pearson Vue along with your exam scorecard, certificate of completion for your license courses, the business name and company information for your sponsoring broker, and your payment of the $125 application fee within six months of passing your exam. You can contact KREC for more information on the application forms and how to send them. 

Assuming everything is in order, you’ll receive your new license in the mail. Congratulations on becoming a Kansas real estate licensee!  

I do need to point out that earning your real estate license does not automatically make you a Kansas Realtor. The term “Realtor” is copyrighted and owned by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and they have their own entry requirements. Each member of NAR is also bound by specific ethical standards. 

FAQs 

Does Kansas have license reciprocity with other states? 

Yes, Kansas has reciprocity agreements with the following states: 

• Alabama 
• Alaska 
• Arkansas 
• Colorado 
• Delaware 
• Georgia 
• Kentucky 
• Maine 
• Mississippi 
• Missouri 
• Nebraska 
• North Carolina 
• Virginia 
• Washington 

Real estate agents who are licensed in reciprocal states may practice real estate in Kansas, as long as they work with a real estate broker in Kansas. 

How much time does it take to earn your Kansas real estate license? 

This is a question that no one can answer better than you. How long do you want the entire process to take? This isn’t a trick question. Applicants who treat their education requirements like a job can get them out of the way within a couple of weeks and move on to the next steps. Especially driven applicants can complete everything within a couple of months, but it isn’t uncommon to see applicants take around six months to get everything done. 

There are only two things I can tell you for sure. The best time to get to work on your licensing requirements is right now, and you have the ability to control your own pace once you start. 

Is there anything aspiring real estate professionals can do to gain an advantage? 

Is there ever! I’ve created the course package that I wish I had when I was working on my license. The Sell It Like Serhant: Pre-Licensing Accelerator course is a unique state-approved package that both satisfies your course requirements and teaches you everything you’ll need to know to sell in some of the most competitive U.S. markets. Around 80% of new agents struggle in their first year due to a lack of deal flow, but that won’t be you if you learn everything our partnership has to offer! 

For starters, this course package provides support from state-approved expert instructors who will answer all questions within one business day. If you’re struggling with any part of your pre-licensing education, they’ll help you break problems down in ways that are easier to understand. We also provide ebooks for every textbook you’ll need as well as my own “Quick Start Guide” that I’ve prepared with the latest information and tips for passing your state exam. 

Our license coursework comes with five practice exams, including three state and two national, to help make sure you’re as prepared as possible. In fact, we’re so confident that you’ll pass your real estate salesperson exam the first time that Kansas students get our Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee. If you don’t pass your exam on your first attempt, we’ll refund all your money, so there’s no risk to you! 

We aren’t done helping you once you earn your license, either. This package also includes a membership to additional resources from my team members and me, including my Sell It Like Serhant: Real Estate Core online course. This 42-video course teaches you the same sales system that my team and I use at the most-followed real estate brand in the world! You’ll learn everything you need to generate leads, build new markets, close deals, and so much more. 

 You already have the potential to earn your Kansas real estate license and become an excellent salesperson inside of you. Let us help you unlock that potential, so you can start building a successful real estate career right now! 

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