1.2 Kansas License Requirements

Salesperson License Requirements

Kansas sets four gates for a salesperson license, all administered by KREC.

1. Eligibility

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED before starting pre-license education.
• Meet KREC's standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

2. Pre-License Education (60 hours)

The 60 hours are two specific KREC-approved courses — do not assume "30 plus 30 generic electives":

3. The Licensing Exam

The exam is delivered by Pearson VUE at a test center. The current structure corrects several stale figures floating in older guides:

The "70" is a scaled score set by the equating algorithm, not a flat 70% of raw items. You may pass one portion and retake only the failed portion.

4. Background Check

Applicants submit fingerprints for a KBI/FBI criminal background check, which is valid for six months. Fingerprinting may be completed concurrently with education and the exam. A felony conviction does not automatically bar licensure — KREC reviews the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation, with offenses involving fraud or dishonesty drawing the closest scrutiny.

Fees Snapshot

Always confirm current dollar amounts on krec.ks.gov; KREC adjusts fees by regulation.

Broker License Requirements

A Kansas broker must clear higher bars:

Experience

Active licensed experience for at least two of the three years immediately preceding application (Kansas salesperson, or salesperson/broker in another jurisdiction in activities that would require a Kansas license).

Education (60 hours of broker courses)

This is separate from the salesperson 60 hours — a common trap is the false "24 extra hours / 84 total" figure. The broker exam likewise runs through Pearson VUE with a national and a Kansas portion, each requiring a scaled 70.

Application Sequence

1. Complete the required pre-license courses at a KREC-approved school.
2. Receive exam authorization (sent after the 30-hour Principles course) and register with Pearson VUE.
3. Pass both portions (scaled 70 each).
4. Submit fingerprints; clear the KBI/FBI check.
5. File the license application and fees with KREC.
6. Affiliate with a supervising broker to activate the license.

Reciprocity, Nonresidents, and Associate Brokers

Kansas does not rely on traditional reciprocity that waives the exam. A nonresident applicant who is licensed in another state may apply, but Kansas generally requires passing the Kansas (state) portion of the exam and meeting Kansas education and background standards; the national portion may be waived if the applicant already holds an active out-of-state license in good standing. A nonresident must file an irrevocable consent to service of process, allowing legal documents to be served through KREC.

Kansas also recognizes the associate broker category — a person who holds a broker license but works under another broker's supervision rather than operating independently. Distinguish three tiers:

Common Application Pitfalls

• Letting fingerprints expire. The KBI/FBI check is valid only six months; finishing the exam late can force re-fingerprinting.
• Applying before affiliation. A passed exam and approved application still produce an inactive license until a supervising broker is named.
• Assuming a felony is an automatic bar. It is not — but failing to disclose prior convictions is itself grounds for denial for dishonesty.
• Confusing the broker 60 hours with the salesperson 60 hours. They are distinct course sets; broker education is Fundamentals + Broker Management, taken after qualifying experience.
• Mixing up the exam fee. It is $82 regardless of whether you sit one portion or both — not a per-portion charge.

Exam-Day Logistics

The exam is taken in person at a Pearson VUE test center (not a remote-proctored at-home test for the Kansas real estate license). Bring two valid forms of ID, one government-issued with photo and signature; the first and last name must match your registration exactly. The center provides on-screen calculators where allowed; personal materials, phones, and notes are prohibited. Results are issued on-site as a pass/fail score report by portion, and a passing report is what you submit to KREC with the license application. If you fail a portion, you reschedule and pay the fee again for the retake of that portion.