Arkansas real estate license and CE requirements
What the Arkansas Real Estate Commission asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Arkansas renews licenses every calendar year, and the Arkansas Real Estate Commission asks for 7 hours of continuing education each time. For 2026 one of those hours is a required course on personal safety for agents and clients; the remaining six are electives you choose from approved courses.
The bigger early hurdle in Arkansas is post-licensure education. A new salesperson has six months to complete an 18-hour course, and a new broker has six months for a 30-hour course before moving beyond temporary broker status. Regular CE does not begin until the second active renewal. Licenses expire December 31, but renewing by September 30 avoids a penalty.
Arkansas at a glance
| Licensing body | Arkansas Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson and broker (broker levels include Temporary Broker and Executive or Principal Broker) |
| Salesperson CE | 7 hours every yearRequired topics: 2026: Limiting Risk to Preserve Personal Safety for Agents and Clients (1 hr), plus 6 hrs of elective CE |
| Broker CE | 7 hours every yearRequired topics: Same as salesperson: 2026 required 1-hr personal safety course plus 6 hrs of electives; no broker-specific CE listed |
| Post-license education | Salesperson: 18-hour AREC post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensing. Broker: 30-hour AREC post-licensure course within 6 months. |
| Renewal | Licenses are issued per calendar year and expire December 31; renewal for the upcoming year must be completed by September 30 of the current year to avoid penalty. |
| Source | AREC official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Arkansas requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
Questions about Arkansas
How many CE hours does an Arkansas salesperson need?
7 hours every year, according to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: 2026: Limiting Risk to Preserve Personal Safety for Agents and Clients (1 hr), plus 6 hrs of elective CE.
How many CE hours does an Arkansas broker need?
7 hours every year, according to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Same as salesperson: 2026 required 1-hr personal safety course plus 6 hrs of electives; no broker-specific CE listed.
Is there post-license education in Arkansas?
Salesperson: 18-hour AREC post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensing. Broker: 30-hour AREC post-licensure course within 6 months. Confirm the details with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission.
Do ACI designations count toward Arkansas CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission and do not satisfy any part of Arkansas's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.