Real Estate Agent in Kentucky
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.
Jobs (KY)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a real estate agent in Kentucky
To become a Real Estate Agent in Kentucky, you must obtain a license from the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC). Key steps include completing a 96-hour pre-licensing course, passing the Kentucky Real Estate Sales Associate Exam, and submitting a license application with a fee of $130. Additionally, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, undergo a national criminal background check, and complete a 48-hour post-license course within the first two years of licensure. Kentucky has reciprocity agreements with Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, which may allow licensees from those states to complete fewer course hours and skip the national portion of the licensing exam.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Kentucky. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Kentucky requirements
| Licensing body | Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 96-hour pre-licensing course |
| Exam | Kentucky Real Estate Sales Associate Exam (PSI) ($100) |
| Application fee | $130 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 12.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. A 48-hour post-license course is required within the first two years of licensure, separate from the standard CE requirements. A national criminal background check is required before taking the exam. Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is also required. |
workspace_premium Kentucky license tiers
Kentucky offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Sales Associate | N/A |
| Broker | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleKentucky license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- warningElevated AI disruption risk