The Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) administers the requirements for becoming a licensed real estate salesperson. This involves meeting initial criteria, completing mandatory education, passing a comprehensive examination, and submitting a detailed application package. The goal is to activate an occupational license under the supervision of an experienced professional.
Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED, to qualify for a salesperson license in the state.
The KREC requires disclosure of any criminal history, disciplinary actions, or legal convictions, which is separate from the formal background check that occurs later. The Commission evaluates this information to confirm the applicant demonstrates the honesty, trustworthiness, and good reputation required to hold a license.
Complete the Required Pre-Licensing Coursework
Kansas law mandates that all salesperson applicants must complete a total of 60 hours of pre-licensing education through a KREC-approved provider. This requirement is broken down into two 30-hour courses. The first course, titled “Principles of Real Estate,” covers the foundational concepts, terminology, and mathematics common to the real estate profession nationally.
The second mandatory component is the “Kansas Practice Course,” which provides state-specific instruction on the laws, regulations, and transaction procedures unique to Kansas. Coursework must be completed from an accredited school, and applicants must pass a final course examination to receive a certificate of completion for both segments. The certificate for the 30-hour “Principles of Real Estate” course must be obtained before an applicant is allowed to schedule the licensing exam.
Pass the Kansas Real Estate Licensing Exam
The state-mandated licensing examination is administered by the third-party testing vendor, Pearson VUE. This assessment is divided into two separate sections: a national portion covering general real estate principles and a state-specific portion focused on Kansas real estate law. Candidates are allotted four hours of total time to complete the entire examination.
To pass the exam, an applicant must achieve a scaled score of at least 70 on both the national and state-specific sections. Applicants must submit their complete license application within six months of the earliest date on their passing score report. Failing to meet this deadline requires the candidate to retake the entire examination.
Submit Your License Application and Background Check
Once the licensing exam is passed, the applicant must submit a package to the KREC to finalize the process. This submission includes the application form, official score reports from the licensing exam, and the certificates of completion for both pre-licensing courses. The required criminal background check involves submitting fingerprints to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The background check requires a separate fee, and the applicant must obtain a fingerprint card for submission. The license application also requires the payment of the state’s application and license fees. Required documentation, including the background check report and course certificates, has a specific validity period, usually six months. The entire application must be submitted to the KREC before any components expire.
Affiliate with a Supervising Broker
A newly licensed salesperson must operate under the supervision of a licensed Kansas supervising broker. This mandatory affiliation means the applicant must interview with and be accepted by an established brokerage firm before the license can be activated. The supervising broker serves as the agent’s mentor and is legally responsible for the actions of all affiliated licensees.
The process of affiliation is formalized when the supervising broker approves the new agent’s license application. The broker certifies the applicant’s honesty and good reputation and acknowledges the responsibility of supervision on the formal application. The KREC will not issue an active license until this affiliation is formally recorded by the state.
Understand Initial Post-Licensing Requirements
Receiving the license marks the start of the continuing education cycle required to maintain the license. New Kansas licensees are required to complete continuing education (CE) hours for their first renewal period. The state mandates that a total of 12 hours of CE must be completed before the first renewal deadline.
This 12-hour requirement includes a mandatory 3-hour course designated as the “Required Salesperson and Broker Core” course, which covers topics such as brokerage relationships and misrepresentation. The remaining nine hours can be fulfilled through elective CE courses from a KREC-approved provider. Agents must complete this initial CE requirement to successfully renew their license and continue their active practice.