How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Kentucky

If you're considering starting a real estate career in Kentucky, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Lexington, Owensboro, Hopkinsville, Elizabethtown, or any other city in the state, you'll need to earn a Kentucky real estate license.

To earn your real estate license in Kentucky, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 96 hours of approved education, complete a background check, pass the Kentucky salesperson licensing exam, apply for licensure, and secure employment with a sponsoring broker.

While the process to become a real estate agent is similar in most states, each state has unique steps that must be adhered to. The six steps to becoming a Kentucky real estate agent are as follows:

Step 1: Be at Least 18 Years of Age

In addition to being at least 18 years of age, you must show proof of high school graduation or equivalent.

Step 2: Complete Your Required Education

The Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) requires you, as a salesperson applicant, to complete either six (6) credit hours in real estate courses from an accredited college or ninety-six (96) classroom hours in real estate classes from an approved proprietary school.

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Step 3: Complete FBI Criminal Background Check

You must request a copy of your national criminal history check prior to registering for the real estate exam.

Step 4: Take the Kentucky Salesperson Licensing Exam

Once you complete the FBI criminal background check, register and pass the salesperson’s exam with the exam provider, PSI Services LLC. To schedule your exam, visit the PSI website. 

Step 5: Complete and Submit Your Real Estate Salesperson License Application

Within 60 days of passing your exam, you must apply for your real estate license. Visit the website of the Kentucky Real Estate Commission to apply for your license. 

Step 6: Obtain an Employing Broker Sponsor

In order to practice as a real estate salesperson, you must be sponsored by a licensed Kentucky Employing Broker. You can either apply with a sponsoring broker or if your employing broker is confirmed at least 48 hours before the exam date, you can receive your photo license at the PSI exam site after successfully completing your exam. If you did not confirm a broker before the exam, you can do it afterward through the website of the Kentucky Real Estate Commission.