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How to get a Sales Associate license in Kentucky

Kentucky licenses real estate agents statewide through the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC).1 For the Sales Associate license you need at least 96 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Kentucky real estate sales associate licensing examination (PSI)3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $130 for the initial license (Active license. 201 KAR 11:210 names a $60 original license fee and a $60 recovery fund fee)5 and $120 for the initial license (Inactive license)6, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years7 and complete at least 12 hours of continuing education8.

Last checked · 22 official sources

Who issues it

Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC)

Training and experience

Training: at least 96 clock hours2

Exam

Kentucky real estate sales associate licensing examination (PSI)3

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee (Active license. 201 KAR 11:210 names a $60 original license fee and a $60 recovery fund fee): $1305
Initial license fee (Inactive license): $1206
Exam fee: $1009
FBI background check: $1810

Renewal

Every 2 years7, at least 12 hours of continuing education8

From another state

Reciprocity agreements and License by endorsement1112 Details

On this page
  1. Kentucky real estate agent licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Sales Associate license
  4. Requirements for a Sales Associate license
  5. How much a Sales Associate license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Kentucky with a license from another state
  9. Broker
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Rule changes since January 2024
  13. Common questions
  14. Real estate agent licenses in other states

Kentucky real estate agent licenses

Kentucky issues 2 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Sales AssociateA sales associate is affiliated with a Kentucky-licensed principal broker and practices real estate brokerage (buying, selling, leasing, property management, referrals for a fee) under that broker's supervision.13Training 96 clock hours2Yes4$1305
BrokerA broker performs real estate brokerage; a principal broker is the single broker responsible for operating the company and supervises affiliated licensees.13Training 336 clock hours3
Experience 24 months14		Yes4$606

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Kentucky real estate agent license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Background check
Background check required4
Fingerprints required4
The commission investigates a felony conviction in the previous 10 years or a misdemeanor conviction in the previous 5 years; it may hold a hearing or let the application proceed. Checks expire 90 days after the report date and must be requested before the exam.6
Insurance
Inactive licensees must first buy one year of extended reporting period (ERP) coverage.15

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Exam fee$1009PSI–
FBI background check$1810Federal Bureau of Investigation (edo.cjis.gov)Option 1: request own FBI identity history summary; report mailed to applicant
Fingerprint and state background check$5710Kentucky State PoliceOption 2: KSP fingerprinting; report sent directly to KREC
E&O processing fee per licensee$1015KRECPrivate-carrier E&O: filed with KREC Form 203 when activating, transferring or applying for an active license

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years7
Renewal fee
$13016 (Active license, biennial. Inactive: $120. Active with a private E&O carrier: $120 plus KREC Form 203 with its $10 processing fee.)
Continuing education
At least 12 hours each renewal period8
Approved courses
Courses must be sponsored or approved by the Commission; max 9 CE hours credited per day.6
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $20017
Continuing Education/CORE: $1,0006 (license canceled for missing continuing education / Core course)
If it expires
Unrenewed licenses are canceled/expire; reactivation within 1 year by paying delinquent fees; after more than 1 year the exam must be retaken.7
Renew online
oop.ky.gov17

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Statute and rule allow anyone actively licensed in another US jurisdiction to apply for the equivalent Kentucky license by passing the Kentucky law portion of the exam and meeting pre-license qualifications (sales associate: 6 academic credit hours; broker: 21).12
Conditions
Certification of licensure issued within the preceding 90 days by the other state.6
Non-residents file Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process (KREC Form 205).6
Fee
$606

Who needs a Sales Associate license

A sales associate is affiliated with a Kentucky-licensed principal broker and practices real estate brokerage (buying, selling, leasing, property management, referrals for a fee) under that broker's supervision.13

Work that does not need this license:

  • Exceptions to licensing are listed in KRS 324.030 (e.g. owners dealing with their own property).18

Requirements for a Sales Associate license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Minimum age
18 years old3
High school diploma or GED
Required3
Education or training
At least 96 clock hours2
Commission-approved pre-license course (96 hours) or 6 academic credit hours of real estate courses at an accredited college or university.2
Who may teach it: An approved pre-license education provider or an accredited institution.6
Alternative: 6 academic credit hours in real estate courses (1 academic credit hour = 16 classroom hours).2
Education or training
48 clock hours8
Post-license education: 48 hours within 2 years of licensure (32 mandatory: Commission Compliance 3, Agency 6, Contracts 6, Finance 3, Advertising 3, Disclosure 3, Fair Housing 3, Technology & Data Security 3, Risk Management 2; plus 16 elective).2
Exam
Kentucky real estate sales associate licensing examination (PSI)3
Given by: PSI9
When you can take it: After finishing all pre-license education and starting the FBI background check.9
Two portions must be passed ("both portions").19
Retakes: After 3 failures of any portion, wait at least 30 days.6
Time limit: Passing score valid 60 days: apply within 60 days of passing.6
Residency or citizenship
No Kentucky residency required; non-residents file KREC Form 205 (Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process).6
Also required
Must affiliate with a Kentucky principal broker to practice.13
Also required
Within 10 days of license issue: create eServices account and verify address, phone and email.6

How much a Sales Associate license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1305KRECActive license. 201 KAR 11:210 names a $60 original license fee and a $60 recovery fund fee; KREC does not say what the other $10 is for. Not refundable
Initial license fee$1206KRECInactive license. Not refundable
Affiliation Change (of Specific Licensee)$105KREC–
Terminating Inactive Status$305KRECReactivating an inactive license
Commence Inactive Status$105KREC–
Duplicate or replacement license$105KREC–
License verification to another state$105KREC–

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Complete the 96-hour sales associate pre-license course (or 6 college credit hours in real estate) with a KREC-approved provider.19
  2. Request a national criminal history check (FBI $18, or Kentucky State Police fingerprinting $57) before booking the exam; it is valid 90 days.19
  3. Buy errors and omissions insurance if the license will be active.6
  4. Register with PSI and pass both portions of the sales associate exam ($100).19
  5. Apply within 60 days: online via the link KREC emails within 36-48 hours of passing, or by mailing the paper application handed out at the test center, with course certificate, diploma/GED or transcript, E&O proof and the $130 (active) or $120 (inactive) fee.19 Form (PDF, krec.ky.gov)20
  6. Within 10 days of getting your license number, set up your eServices account; finish 48 hours of post-license education within 2 years.2

Renewal and continuing education

Required topics
3 hours of real estate law each year (6 of the 12 hours per biennial period).8
6-hour Kentucky Core Course once every 4 years; it counts as that year's CE.17
Post-license education: 48 hours within 2 years of first license (sales associates licensed after January 1, 2016): 32 mandatory + 16 elective hours.21
Exemptions
Licensed before June 19, 1976: no CE.6
Inactive licensees: no CE while inactive.6
New sales associates: annual CE not required for the first two full education cycles (post-license education applies instead).6

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Kentucky Sales Associate license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Kentucky with a license from another state

These are the routes KREC publishes for the Sales Associate license. The other real estate agent licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Reciprocity agreements with Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee and memoranda of understanding with Illinois and Ohio: complete a 40-hour Kentucky reciprocal license law course, fingerprint, pass the PSI reciprocity exam, apply within 60 days.11
States on Kentucky's list
Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois and Ohio11
This is the list of states whose licenses Kentucky accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Kentucky license.
Condition for Florida
Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in Florida as a sales associate for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Condition for Tennessee
Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in Tennessee as an associate broker for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Condition for Ohio
Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in Ohio as a sales associate for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your application.11
Condition for Illinois
Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in Illinois as a sales associate for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your application.11
Condition for Mississippi
Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in Mississippi as a sales associate for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your application.11
Conditions
40-hour reciprocal license law course from a KREC-approved provider.11
Pass the PSI reciprocity exam for the license type.11
License history certification / letter of good standing from every state where licensed.11
Submit application within 60 days of passing the exam.11
Fee
$1306

Broker

A broker performs real estate brokerage; a principal broker is the single broker responsible for operating the company and supervises affiliated licensees.13

Requirements

Education or training
At least 336 clock hours3
21 academic credit hours (336 classroom hours) of KREC-approved broker education, including the 3-credit (48-hour) Brokerage Management course; at least 9 credit hours real estate courses (not the sales associate pre-license course) and 9 credit hours broker electives.2
Who may teach it: Accredited institution or approved real estate school; NAR designation courses can count.14
Alternative: KREC recommends a Broker Education Review ($10, via eServices) before scheduling the exam.2
Experience
At least 24 months14
Licensed Kentucky sales associate averaging at least 20 hours a week for the 24 months immediately before applying.3
Supervision: Proven by a sworn notarized statement signed by the principal broker(s).14
License you must hold first: Kentucky sales associate license.20
Substitute: Commission may cut experience to 1 year for an associate degree in real estate or a bachelor's with a real estate major or minor.14
Exam
Kentucky real estate broker licensing examination (PSI)3
Given by: PSI9
When you can take it: After all broker education (including the 48-hour broker management course) and documented experience, and after starting the FBI check.9
Retakes: After 3 failures of any portion, wait at least 30 days.6
Time limit: Passing score valid 60 days.6
Residency or citizenship
No residency requirement; non-residents file KREC Form 205. Principal brokers need a definite place of business in Kentucky.11
Business requirements
Opening a new office: $10; firm name/address change: $10.5

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$606KRECNot refundable
Broker Education Review$105KRECOptional education review (KREC Form 207 / eServices)
Opening a New Office$105KREC–

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Hold a Kentucky sales associate license and work an average of 20+ hours a week for 24 months.20
  2. Finish 336 classroom hours (21 credit hours) of broker education including Brokerage Management; optionally request a $10 education review in eServices.20
  3. Start a national criminal history check, then book and pass the PSI broker exam ($100).20
  4. Submit the score report/license application with experience affidavit, education proof, E&O (active) or ERP (inactive) proof, background check and the $60 fee within 60 days.6

Renewal

Required topics
3 hours of real estate law each year (6 of the 12 hours per biennial period).8
6-hour Kentucky Core Course once every 4 years; it counts as that year's CE.17
Exemptions
Licensed before June 19, 1976: no CE.6
Inactive licensees: no CE while inactive.6
Reciprocal brokers licensed under 3 months when education is due: exempt for the first cycle.6

From another state

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Reciprocity agreements with Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee and memoranda of understanding with Illinois and Ohio: complete a 40-hour Kentucky reciprocal license law course, fingerprint, pass the PSI reciprocity exam, apply within 60 days.11
States on Kentucky's list
Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois and Ohio11
This is the list of states whose licenses Kentucky accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Kentucky license.
Condition for Florida
Broker- must be actively licensed in Florida as a broker for a minimum of two (2) years immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Condition for Tennessee
Broker- must be actively licensed in Tennessee as a broker for a minimum of three (3) years immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Condition for Ohio
Broker- must be actively licensed in Ohio as a broker for a minimum of two (2) years immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Condition for Illinois
Broker- must be actively licensed in Illinois as a broker for a minimum of two (2) years immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Condition for Mississippi
Broker- must be actively licensed in Mississippi as a broker for a minimum of two (2) years immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.11
Conditions
40-hour reciprocal license law course from a KREC-approved provider.11
Pass the PSI reciprocity exam for the license type.11
License history certification / letter of good standing from every state where licensed.11
Submit application within 60 days of passing the exam.11
Principal brokers need a definite place of business in Kentucky and a Kentucky bank escrow account.11
Fee
$1306

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a real estate agent in Kentucky, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Kentucky is on the Kentucky license lookup page.

Look up a license
oop.ky.gov3
File a complaint
krec.ky.gov22

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • July 15, 2026: KRS 324.085 (continuing and post-license education) amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 172, sec. 16, effective July 15, 2026. The current text still requires 12 CE hours per biennial period and 48 post-license hours.8

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Sales Associate license in Kentucky?

The rules set at least 96 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my real estate agent license to Kentucky?

KREC publishes these routes for the Sales Associate license: reciprocity agreements11 and license by endorsement12. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Sales Associate license in Kentucky?

Every 2 years7. Continuing education: at least 12 hours8. The renewal fee is $13016.

Real estate agent licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. KRS 324.020 Requirement of licensingKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  2. Education OverviewKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  3. LicensingKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  4. KRS 324.045 QualificationsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  5. Fee ScheduleKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  6. 201 KAR 11:210 Licensing, education, and testing requirementsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  7. KRS 324.090 Expiration of licenseKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  8. KRS 324.085 Continuing educationKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  9. Candidate Testing InformationKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  10. National Criminal History ChecksKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  11. Reciprocal LicensingKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  12. KRS 324.141 Reciprocal licensingKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  13. KRS 324.010 DefinitionsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  14. KRS 324.046 Requirements for initial licensureKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  15. E&O insuranceKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  16. Form 208 License Renewal FormKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
  17. Maintain a LicenseKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  18. KRS 324.030 ExceptionsKentucky Legislative Research CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  19. Steps to Obtain a Sales Associate LicenseKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  20. Apply for a LicenseKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  21. Post-license educationKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026
  22. File a ComplaintKentucky Real Estate CommissionChecked November 5, 2026