How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Arizona?

Getting a real estate license in Arizona costs less than most career changes. There’s no college degree, no multi-year training program, and no expensive equipment. The total out-of-pocket cost—from enrolling in your first class to receiving your active license—typically runs between ~$751 and ~$1,101.

This guide breaks down every fee, in the order you’ll encounter them, so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Complete Arizona Real Estate License Cost Breakdown

Here’s every cost you’ll encounter, from enrollment to active license:

Item	Cost	Notes
Pre-licensing course—Essentials	$549	90-hr course, contract writing, textbook, student support
Pre-licensing course—Professional	$689	Adds CompuCram + Exam Crammer
Pre-licensing course—Ultimate Learning	$899	All of the above + flashcards, math review, broker workshop, 18-hr CE
Fingerprint Clearance Card (DPS fee)	$67	Required by ADRE; some vendors charge $20–$50 additional service fee
State exam fee (PearsonVUE)	$75	Paid when scheduling; $75 per retake if needed
License application fee (ADRE)	$60	$50 original license + $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund
Total—Essentials package	~$751
Total—Professional package	~$891
Total—Ultimate Learning package	~$1,101	Includes 18-hr CE for first renewal

What’s not included above (post-licensing costs):

• Brokerage fees and commission splits (varies by brokerage)
• MLS/local association membership (typically $200–$500+/year)
• NAR membership (required to use the REALTOR® title; ~$150+/year)
• E&O insurance (errors and omissions; some brokerages cover this)
• Business expenses: marketing, signs, business cards, technology

These post-licensing costs are real, but they come after you’ve started earning commissions—not before.

Cost #1—Pre-Licensing Education

Estimated cost: ~$751–~$1,101 at ASREB

Your pre-licensing course is the largest single cost in the process and the one with the most variation—both across schools and across package tiers.

Arizona requires 90 hours of ADRE-approved pre-licensing education plus a 6-hour Introduction to Contract Writing course before you can sit for the state exam. ASREB includes both in all packages.

ASREB course packages

Package	Price	Key inclusions
Essentials	$549	90-hr course, contract writing, printed textbook, student support, employment opportunities
Professional	$689	Everything in Essentials + Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, Exam Crammer, CompuCram simulator
Ultimate Learning	$899	Everything in Professional + printed flashcards, math review course, broker interviewing workshop, 18-hr CE package

What to watch for when comparing schools: Cheaper courses aren’t always better value. Before choosing a school solely on price, ask:

• Is the 6-hour contract writing course included, or is it extra?
• Does the package include exam prep materials (CompuCram)?
• Is continuing education included for your first renewal?
• What’s the school’s first-time exam pass rate?

ASREB’s Ultimate Learning package includes the 18-hour CE package required for your first renewal at no extra charge—a $135 value that eliminates one post-licensing cost entirely.

Compare ASREB to other Arizona real estate schools

Financing option

ASREB has partnered with Affirm to offer financing on course purchases—you can spread the cost into low monthly payments. Learn more about Affirm financing

Cost #2—Fingerprint Clearance Card

Fixed cost: $67 DPS fee + potential $20–$50 vendor fee

Arizona requires a Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) as part of your license application. This is a background check requirement—not optional.

What you’ll pay:

• DPS fee: $67—this is the fixed fee payable to the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Vendor service fee: $20–$50 additional—if you use a third-party fingerprinting location, they typically charge a separate service fee. The DPS does not control or set this fee.

The easiest option: Walk into ASREB’s Scottsdale or Glendale office and complete fingerprinting in person. See fingerprinting details

Important timing note: You do NOT need your fingerprint clearance card to begin your courses. But DPS processing takes 3–6 weeks—start the process early in your coursework so it doesn’t delay your license application after you pass the exam.

Cost #3—The State Exam

Fixed cost: $75 per attempt

Once you’ve completed your 90-hour pre-licensing course and passed the school exam, you’ll schedule the Arizona real estate salesperson exam through PearsonVUE.

• Exam fee: $75, paid when you schedule your appointment
• Retake fee: $75 per additional attempt if you don’t pass first try
• Schedule at: home.pearsonvue.com/az/realestate

The statewide first-time pass rate is approximately 60%—meaning a meaningful number of candidates pay this fee more than once. ASREB students pass at 74% on the first attempt, compared to 64% at all other Arizona schools*, which is why exam prep quality directly affects your total cost.

If you’re choosing between course packages, the difference between Essentials ($549) and Professional ($689) is ~$90. A single exam retake costs $75. The Professional package’s CompuCram and Exam Crammer are specifically designed to help you avoid that retake—meaning the upgrade effectively pays for itself if it saves you even one attempt.

Explore ASREB exam prep options

Source: ASREB pass rate of 74% sourced from ASREB published data as of December 2025. Other schools’ pass rates not independently published. Visit our Arizona real estate school comparison for more information.

Cost #4—The License Application

Fixed cost: $60

After passing the state exam, you’ll submit your salesperson license application to the ADRE. The fee is:

• $50—Original License Fee
• $10—Real Estate Recovery Fund (required of all Arizona licensees)
• Total: $60

This is a one-time fee paid at initial application. Renewal fees apply every two years once you’re licensed (see below).

What Does It Cost to Renew an Arizona Real Estate License?

Estimated cost: $160–$260 every two years

Once licensed, your Arizona real estate salesperson license must be renewed every two years. Here’s what renewal costs:

Renewal item	Cost
ADRE renewal fee (online)	$60
24-hour continuing education (CE)	~$100–$200
Total estimated renewal cost	~$160–$260

New agent note: For your first renewal, Arizona requires 18 hours of CE (rather than the full 24) within your first two years. ASREB’s Ultimate Learning package includes this 18-hour CE package at no extra charge.

As of January 1, 2025, all license renewals must include specific hours on: fire/water damage, deed fraud, and Arizona water issues—these are now mandatory topics within the 24-hour requirement. Make sure your CE provider covers these.

Explore ASREB continuing education courses

Post-Licensing Costs to Budget For

Getting licensed is just the beginning. Once you’re practicing, expect ongoing business costs. These vary enormously based on your brokerage, market, and business approach—but here are the main categories:

Brokerage fees

Every Arizona agent must work under a licensed designated broker. Brokerages structure their fees in different ways:

Model	Typical structure	Best for
Commission split (50/50–70/30)	Brokerage keeps % of each commission	New agents needing training and support
High-split model (80/20–90/10)	You keep most; you pay desk/marketing fees	Experienced self-starters
Cap model	Pay broker a set annual cap; keep 100% after	High-volume agents

Association memberships

To access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and use the REALTOR® title, you’ll need:

• Local REALTOR® association membership: typically $200–$400/year (varies by association)
• NAR membership: typically $150+/year (required to use REALTOR® designation)
• MLS access fees: typically $25–$50/month

These are ongoing operating costs—not licensing costs—but new agents should budget for them before their first commission check arrives.

Marketing and technology

Common first-year costs include business cards, a basic website or CRM, signs and lockboxes, and professional headshots. Budget $500–$1,500 for initial setup depending on your approach.

Total Cost Summary—Three Scenarios

Scenario	Course	+ Fees	Total to license	Notes
Minimum viable	Essentials ($549)	$202	~$751	No exam prep included; higher retake risk
Recommended	Professional ($689)	$202	~$891	CompuCram + Exam Crammer; Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
Best value	Ultimate Learning ($899)	$202	~$1,101	Includes 18-hr CE, flashcards, math review, broker workshop

Fixed fees = $67 fingerprint + $75 exam + $60 application = $202

The ROI case: A single commission on a median Arizona home ($441,000 at 2.65% buyer’s agent rate) is approximately $11,686. Your total licensing cost represents less than 9% of a single transaction. Most active agents recover their full licensing investment within the first 1–2 closings.

How much do Arizona real estate agents make?