I currently am licensed in another state and want to get my KY real estate license, what do I do?

The Kentucky Real Estate Commission currently has limited reciprocity agreements with Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. This means that if you are currently licensed in these states, you can bypass the education requirement and just complete the licensing requirements for an equivalent license which are listed below. For more details and to get copies of the reciprocity agreements, visit KREC.

Unfortunately, if you are not licensed in a reciprocal state, you will have to complete the education requirements and exam as if you are starting brand new.

STEPS TO OBTAINING YOUR RECIPROCAL LICENSE

1. Meet your state-specific reciprocity requirements:

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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 reciprocal application.

    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.

  • 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.

    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.n text goes here

  • Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in West Virginia as an associate broker for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.

    Broker- must be actively licensed in West Virginia as a principal or designated broker for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.

  • Sales Associate- must be actively licensed in Illinois as a broker for a minimum of one (1) year immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.

    Broker- must be actively licensed in Illinois as a managing broker or be eligible for a managing broker's license for a minimum of two (2) years immediately preceding the submission of your reciprocal application.

2. Complete the forty-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved education provider/school. For a list of approved schools that offer these courses, click here. $300-$800

3. Submit your fingerprints for a national criminal history check $18-52

4. Register for the licensing exam through PSI (reciprocity broker exam or reciprocity sales associate exam, depending on your license type) $100

5. Apply for a license by following ONE of the following:

  • Mail submission: You will receive a paper application at the testing site upon passing both portions of the exam. Complete the application and send it to the Commission’s office with a check or money order for the appropriate payment.

  • Online submission: You will receive an email from ppc.krec@ky.gov within 36- 48 hours of passing both portions of the exam. Read the email carefully. Click on the link and follow the prompts. At the end of the application, you will be asked to pay the appropriate fees with a credit/debit card or ACH (electronic check).

Supplemental Items to Include with Application:

  • Certificate of completion of the reciprocal license law course

  • Proof of errors and omissions insurance coverage ($100-$300 annually)

  • A license history certification or letter of good standing from every state in which you are licensed as a real estate agent

  • Payment for licensing fees

    • $130 for an active license

    • $120 for an inactive license

Additional Things to Remember:

  • You must submit your fingerprints for the national criminal history check before registering for the exam. You do not have to have the results of the history check before registering for the exam.

  • You must submit your completed application to the Commission within sixty (60) days of passing both portions. Failure to submit it within the timeframe will void your exam results.

  • National criminal history checks are valid for ninety (90) days. You must pass the exam and submit the application before your background check expires.

  • If you are applying as a principal broker, please note you must have a definite place of business (not a P.O. box) in Kentucky as well as an escrow account at a bank located in Kentucky.

    *This information came from Kentucky Real Estate Commission.