Key Takeaways
- Alaska requires 40 hours of pre-license education from an AREC-approved school
- The exam has 120 questions (80 national + 40 state) with a 4-hour time limit and 75% passing score on each portion
- Exam is administered by Pearson VUE with a $100 exam fee
- Alaska requires applicants to be at least 19 years old (higher than most states)
- Initial license valid for 2 years; renewal requires 20 hours CE plus 30 hours post-license education within first year
Alaska Real Estate Salesperson Exam Overview
Welcome to OpenExamPrep's FREE Alaska Real Estate Salesperson exam prep guide. This comprehensive resource covers Alaska-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and state real estate laws you need to pass your exam and begin your career as a licensed real estate salesperson in America's Last Frontier.
About the Alaska Real Estate Commission (AREC)
The Alaska Real Estate Commission (AREC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating real estate professionals in Alaska. AREC operates within the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL), which is part of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
AREC Contact Information
| Resource | Information |
|---|---|
| Website | commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/RealEstateCommission |
| Phone | (907) 465-2550 |
| Address | P.O. Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806 |
| realestate@alaska.gov |
Alaska Licensing Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 19 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Pre-License Hours | 40 hours |
| Exam Provider | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Questions | 120 total (80 national + 40 state) |
| Time Limit | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 75% on each portion |
| Exam Fee | $100 |
| License Fee | $325 (2-year license) |
| Background Check | Required (fingerprints) |
| Post-License Education | 30 hours within first year |
Important: Alaska's minimum age of 19 is higher than most states, which typically require 18.
Pre-License Education Requirements
Alaska requires 40 hours of pre-license education from an AREC-approved school before you can take the state licensing exam.
Course Content
The 40-hour Alaska Real Estate Pre-licensing course includes instruction in:
- Real estate law and regulations
- Types of interest and ownership in real estate
- Home ownership principles
- Legal descriptions
- Titles, liens, and encumbrances
- Real estate appraisal fundamentals
- Real estate finance
- Closings and settlement procedures
- Alaska-specific regulations
Education Timeline
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Education Certificate Validity | 18 months from completion |
| Exam Deadline | Must complete exam within 18 months of education |
| Application After Passing | Within 6 months of passing exam |
Exam Tip: Your education certificate is only valid for 18 months. Plan your study schedule and exam date accordingly to avoid having to retake the pre-license course.
The Alaska Real Estate Exam
The Alaska real estate salesperson exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Alaska Real Estate Commission.
Exam Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 scored questions + pretest questions |
| National Portion | 80 scored questions + 5 pretest (unscored) |
| State Portion | 40 scored questions + 5-10 pretest (unscored) |
| Time Limit | 4 hours total |
| Question Format | Multiple choice |
| Passing Score | 75% on EACH portion |
Passing Score Breakdown
| Portion | Questions | Minimum Correct |
|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 60 correct (75%) |
| State | 40 | 30 correct (75%) |
Key Point: You must pass BOTH portions of the exam. If you pass one portion but fail the other, you typically only need to retake the failed portion (check current AREC policies).
Exam Topics - National Portion
The national portion covers general real estate concepts:
- Property Ownership (10-15%) - Estates, interests, ownership types
- Land Use Controls & Regulations (5-10%) - Zoning, environmental
- Valuation & Market Analysis (7-12%) - Appraisal methods, CMAs
- Financing (10-15%) - Mortgages, loan types, calculations
- Agency & Contracts (15-20%) - Agency relationships, contracts
- Practice of Real Estate (15-20%) - Licensing, ethics, fair housing
- Property Condition & Disclosures (5-10%)
- Transfer of Title (5-10%) - Deeds, title insurance, closings
Exam Topics - Alaska State Portion
The Alaska state portion tests your knowledge of:
- Alaska Real Estate Commission structure and authority
- Alaska Statutes Title 8 Chapter 88 (AS 08.88)
- Alaska Administrative Code (12 AAC 64)
- Alaska agency disclosure requirements
- Alaska trust account regulations
- Alaska-specific property considerations (remote locations, water rights)
- Alaska Real Estate Surety Fund
- License maintenance and renewal requirements
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements
Before you begin, ensure you meet Alaska's basic requirements:
- At least 19 years of age
- U.S. citizen or legal resident
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Demonstrate good moral character
- No disqualifying criminal convictions
Step 2: Complete Pre-License Education
Complete 40 hours of pre-license education:
- Choose an AREC-approved school (online or in-person)
- Complete all coursework
- Pass the course exam (minimum 70% typically required)
- Receive your certificate of completion
- Keep certificate safe - valid for 18 months
Step 3: Submit License Application
Submit your application through the DCBPL online portal:
- Create an account on the DCBPL portal
- Complete the application form
- Pay the $50 application fee
- Upload your education certificate
- Complete the background check authorization
Step 4: Complete Background Check
All applicants must undergo a fingerprint-based background check:
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fingerprinting | ~$50 |
| FBI background check | Included |
| State background check | Included |
Submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. Results are sent directly to AREC.
Step 5: Schedule Your Exam
Once your application is approved:
- Receive exam eligibility from AREC
- Register with Pearson VUE (pearsonvue.com)
- Schedule at a testing center or online proctored
- Pay the $100 exam fee
Step 6: Pass the Exam
On exam day:
- Arrive 30 minutes early (in-person)
- Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued photo ID)
- Pass with 75%+ on both portions
- Receive results immediately
Step 7: Find a Sponsoring Broker
Before your license can be activated:
- Identify a licensed Alaska broker to sponsor you
- Complete any broker-specific paperwork
- The broker will supervise your activities
Step 8: Complete License Application
Finalize your license:
- Pay the $325 license fee (2-year license)
- Provide proof of Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance
- Submit sponsoring broker information
- Receive your active license
Total Costs Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-License Education | $300-600 |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Fingerprinting/Background | ~$50 |
| Exam Fee | $100 |
| License Fee (2-year) | $325 |
| E&O Insurance | $200-400/year |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $1,025-1,525 |
Post-License Requirements
Alaska has specific post-license requirements for new licensees:
Post-License Education
All new licensees must complete 30 hours of post-license education (PLE) within one year of initial licensure. This is IN ADDITION to continuing education requirements.
Continuing Education
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CE Hours | 20 hours per renewal cycle |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years |
| Topics | Must include AREC-approved core topics |
License Renewal
Alaska real estate licenses are valid for 2 years and expire on January 31st of even-numbered years.
Renewal Requirements
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years |
| CE Required | 20 hours |
| Renewal Fee (Salesperson) | $325 |
| Renewal Fee (Broker) | $450 |
| Late Penalty | $100 additional |
Renewal Timeline
- Current active licenses expire January 31, 2026
- Complete CE before expiration
- Renew online through DCBPL portal
- If expired 0-2 years: Pay late fees, complete CE
- If expired over 2 years: Must retake exam
Alaska-Specific Considerations
Alaska's unique geography and market create special considerations:
Geographic Challenges
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Remote Locations | Many properties accessible only by air or water |
| Seasonal Access | Some areas accessible only part of the year |
| Distance | Large distances between communities |
| Limited Testing Sites | May need to travel for exam |
Alaska Property Considerations
- Land ownership patterns - Federal, state, Native corporation lands
- Water rights - Complex riparian and appropriation systems
- Subsistence rights - Unique Alaska considerations
- Permafrost - Construction and foundation issues
- Extreme weather - Impact on property conditions
What This Guide Covers
This FREE study guide focuses on Alaska state-specific content:
Chapter 1: Alaska Real Estate Commission & Licensing
- AREC structure and authority
- Alaska Statutes Title 8 Chapter 88
- Licensing requirements and processes
- License maintenance and renewal
Chapter 2: Alaska Agency Relationships
- Disclosure requirements under Alaska law
- Agency types and duties
- Brokerage relationship forms
- Dual agency regulations
Chapter 3: Alaska Contracts & Disclosures
- Purchase agreement requirements
- Seller disclosure obligations
- Alaska-specific contract provisions
- Escrow and closing procedures
Chapter 4: Alaska Property Law & Trust Accounts
- Trust account regulations
- Record-keeping requirements
- Alaska property considerations
- Disciplinary actions and the Surety Fund
Study Tips for Success
Recommended Study Plan
| Week | Focus | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | National concepts | 15-20 |
| 3-4 | Alaska state law | 10-15 |
| 5 | Practice exams | 8-10 |
| 6 | Review & final prep | 6-8 |
Key Numbers to Memorize
| Topic | Number |
|---|---|
| Pre-license hours | 40 |
| Minimum age | 19 |
| Passing score | 75% |
| License term | 2 years |
| CE hours | 20 per cycle |
| Post-license hours | 30 (first year) |
| Education validity | 18 months |
| Surety Fund max per transaction | $15,000 |
Next Steps
Ready to begin? Here's your action plan:
- Verify you meet requirements - Age 19+, HS diploma
- Enroll in pre-license course - Choose AREC-approved school
- Complete 40 hours - Pass course exam
- Submit application - Through DCBPL portal
- Complete background check - Fingerprinting required
- Schedule exam - Through Pearson VUE
- Study this guide - Focus on Alaska-specific content
- Pass the exam - 75% on both portions
- Find a broker - Secure sponsorship
- Get licensed - Start your career!
Real Estate SalespersonFree exam prep with practice questions & AI tutor
Let's get started with Chapter 1: Alaska Real Estate Commission & Licensing!
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain an Alaska real estate salesperson license?
How many hours of pre-license education are required for an Alaska real estate salesperson license?
What passing score is required on each portion of the Alaska real estate exam?
Which company administers the Alaska real estate licensing exam?
How many hours of post-license education must new Alaska licensees complete within their first year?