States sometimes make it easier for you to get a real estate license if you already have a license in another state.

Sometimes, states explicitly negotiate reciprocity agreements with other states. Other times, the state simply allows agents and brokers licensed in another state to skip certain steps to getting a new license without an explicit agreement.

Real estate reciprocity DOES NOT mean you are licensed to practice in a state that has reciprocity with yours.

In that respect, it is different from other reciprocity agreements like those governing conceal carry permits. Concealed carry reciprocity usually means that states will acknowledge other states’ licenses without qualification.

Instead, real estate license reciprocity merely means that there is a streamlined method of getting your new license through the real estate commission. You are still responsible for getting a license, which often includes at least taking the state portion of the exam and possibly some additional but abbreviated education.

They are also not always “mutual” agreements. For example, a Texan moving to Virginia would benefit from Virginia’s reciprocity law, but not the other way around as Texas does not have reciprocity with any states.

You must have an active license in the state you are moving from to be eligible for reciprocity.

Some also have a minimum experience requirement of 2 or 3 years. If you do not qualify, you have to complete the full licensure process.

List of State by Reciprocity

No two states’ laws and requirements are alike, so check in with the state you are looking into below!

Reciprocity with All States

Some of these still have some requirements, like Kansas still requires a 30-hour course.

Some do not have explicit reciprocity agreements with states, but their rules effectively allow reciprocity. For example, Idaho and Tennessee do not have reciprocity agreements, but licensed agents can skip all the experience and pre-licensing requirements and only need to take the state portion of the real estate exam.

This also includes states like Nebraska who offer licenses “by recognition” or Alaska who offers license “by endorsement”.

• Alabama (more info)
• Alaska (more info)
• Colorado (more info)
• Delaware (more info)
• Georgia (more info, Florida agents have additional requirements)
• Idaho (more info)
• Kansas (more info)
• Maine (more info)
• Missouri (more info)
• Mississippi (more info)
• Nebraska (more info)
• North Carolina (more info)
• Ohio (more info)
• South Carolina (more info)
• Tennessee (more info)
• Virginia (more info)
• Washington (more info)
• West Virginia (more info)

No Reciprocity with Any States

Some of these states still have some concessions to applicants from outside the State. For example, Hawaii, in some instances, may allow applicants to take only the Hawaii portion of the exam.

Others like Michigan, have temporary licenses available for military spouses.

• Arizona
• California
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Puerto Rico
• South Dakota
• Texas
• US Virgin Islands
• Vermont
• Wyoming

States with Selective Reciprocity

• [State You Are Moving To], [State They Extend Reciprocity To]

These states only have partial reciprocity, extended to a select number of identified states.

This list is changing all the time. For example, Kentucky changed the law recently in 2019 to go from a no-reciprocity state to selective reciprocity with individual states. Ohio passed universal license recognition in 2023. Check in with the respective real estate commissions for the latest. I’ve included links to hopefully make that easier.

Montana has reciprocity with no US states, but does with Alberta. What’s up with that, Montana? Too good for the Continental USofA?

• Arkansas, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia (more info)
• Connecticut, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island (more info)
• Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island (more info)
• Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin (more info)
• Iowa, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota (more info)
• Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia (more info)
• Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (more info)
• Maryland, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (more info)
• Massachusetts, Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (more info)
• Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma (more info)
• Montana, Alberta (more info)
• Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia (more info)
• New Hampshire, Georgia, Maine, Massachusets, Vermont (more info)
• New Mexico, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts (more info)
• New York, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia (more info)
• North Dakota, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota (more info)
• Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia (more info)
• Oregon, Alabama, Alberta, Georgia, Nebraska, South Dakota (more info)
• Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Georgia, Lousiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York (more info)
• Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts (more info)
• Utah, Alberta, Georgia, Mississippi (more info)
• Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia (more info)
• Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana (more info)

Territories

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) does not have a real estate licensing body and does not require real estate licenses, though there have been efforts to implement such laws. CNMI has restrictions on ownership, limiting ownership to individuals with at least 25% islander ancestry. Non-islanders can lease properties for a maximum of 55 years.

Likewise, American Samoa does not have a real estate regulatory body.

Military Spouses

Many states have rules that make exceptions for military spouses.

For example, with proof of a salesperson license in good standing and spouse’s military duty, Alabama will grant a temporary license and give you 180 days to complete the normal reciprocity requirements.

Federal legislation was passed in 2023 to require states to recognize military spouse professional licenses in many cases.

Getting your License

So, there is no getting out of at least some pre-licensing courses, even if just the state license course and licensing exam.

The CE Shop is one online school destination with courses in most states to knock out those requirements and get things started.

Conclusion

States have an amazing variety of real estate laws. States creating reciprocal real estate agreements are doing the right thing to help reduce barriers to employment for those moving between states and whose skills and ethical obligations are generally the same.

Updated April 26, 2023; Originally published September 9th, 2020