How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Kansas

Checked against Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) · Verified 2026-10-11

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $210 total paid to the Commission: $15 application fee and $70 background check fee (paid together as $85 with the pre-licensure application), plus the $125 license fee. The $125 license fee may be refunded if the application is withdrawn or denied. Under 2025 HB 2280, these fees are waived for qualifying military spouses who live or plan to live in Kansas.
Licensed by: Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC)

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Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent before starting the pre-license requirements.
Pass a KBI and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Disclose all arrests, pending charges and convictions, even expunged ones, plus any real estate litigation and any discipline on other licenses.
Affiliate with a supervising broker who holds a Kansas real estate license; an original license cannot be issued on inactive status.

Step by step

Apply online for Salesperson Pre-Licensure in the KREC Public Portal and pay the $85 fingerprint and application processing fee; you receive a PL number.
Complete the 30-hour Principles of Real Estate course; give your PL number to the school so it uploads your completion. Exam authorization is sent only after this course.
Get fingerprinted (livescan in Kansas or a mailed fingerprint card); this can be done while you study.
Schedule through Pearson VUE and pass both the national (general) and Kansas state salesperson exams.
Complete the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course.
When the Commission emails you the link, complete the license application, select your supervising broker's company (the broker must approve), and pay the $125 license fee within 6 months of your earliest exam pass date.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: 60 hours from Commission-approved providers: a 30-hour Principles of Real Estate course (must be completed within 1 year before passing both exam portions) and a 30-hour Kansas Real Estate Practice Course (must be completed within the 6 months before the Commission receives your application). Applicants licensed in another state need only the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course.

Exam: Given by Pearson VUE. National (general) portion: 80 questions, 2.5 hours. Kansas state salesperson portion: 30 questions, 1.5 hours. Passing scaled score: 70 on each portion. Fee: $70 when both portions are scheduled together; $70 per portion if scheduled separately, paid to Pearson VUE at reservation. Wait 24 hours before rebooking a failed exam; you only retake the failed portion, but your complete application must reach the Commission within 6 months of the earlier pass date. Applicants licensed in another state take only the Kansas portion.

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What it costs in Kansas

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Pre-licensure application and background check fee (KREC: $15 application + $70 background)$85
30-hour Principles of Real Estate course tuition$
Digital fingerprinting at a Pearson VUE center (law enforcement agencies set their own fees)$16
Pearson VUE exam fee (both portions together)$70
30-hour Kansas Practice Course tuition$
Salesperson license fee (KREC)$125

Estimated total in Kansas$296Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Pearson VUE exam fee: $70 for both portions scheduled together.
Pearson VUE digital fingerprinting: $16 (Overland Park, Topeka and Wichita centers); law enforcement agency fees vary.
Pre-license course tuition: set by each provider; not stated by the Commission.

Pay in Kansas

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Kansas after taxes.

How long it takes

The Kansas Real Estate Commission says the fingerprint background check can take up to 10 business days, and most licenses are issued within 7 to 10 business days of a complete application.

What other sites get wrong about Kansas

Myth: The Kansas real estate exam costs $82 per attempt.

Fact: Pearson VUE charges $70 when both the national and Kansas portions are scheduled together ($70 per portion if scheduled separately). source

After you're licensed

Renewal: Licenses renew every 2 years by the expiration date on your pocket card; the renewal window opens 45 days before expiration and the salesperson renewal fee is $125. To renew on active status you need 12 hours of approved CE completed during the renewal period, including the 3-hour Kansas Required Core. A $100 late fee applies to late renewals, including CE finished after the expiration date. A license not renewed within 6 months of expiration is forfeited. CE is not required to renew to inactive status but must be made up before reactivation.

Good to know in Kansas

Supervising broker: You must affiliate with a licensed Kansas broker before submitting the license application; you select the company or branch in the application and the broker approves it.

6-month deadlines: The exam pass, the Kansas Practice Course certificate, the KBI/FBI background report and any out-of-state license history certification are each valid for only 6 months. There are no extensions.

Out-of-state licensees: Applicants licensed in another state take only the Kansas state exam and the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course, and must upload a License History Certification. Under K.S.A. 48-3406, some military members, military spouses and new Kansas residents with 2 years of active out-of-state licensure can have education and exam waived.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) before you apply.