How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Kansas (2026 Guide)

Ready to get your Kansas real estate license?

Ready to help home buyers and seller in the Sunflower State? Earning your license to become a real estate agent in Kansas is very manageable once you break down the requirements.

To earn your official state title as a real estate Salesperson, you’ll need to complete 60 hours of mandatory coursework, submit your fingerprints for a background check, pass the Pearson VUE exam, and team up with a licensed Supervising Broker.

Below, we’ll walk you through the entire process step by step so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

We’ll cover:

6 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Kansas

The Kansas Real Estate Commission (KREC) has a few requirements to become a salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). If you’ve been convicted of four or more misdemeanors or a felony, you’ll need to complete an offense report for KREC review. If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Apply for Salesperson Pre-Licensure

  • Before starting your coursework, you’ll apply with KREC and pay an $85 fingerprint and application processing fee. Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your PL number, which you’ll give to your education provider.

STEP 2 | Complete the 60-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

  • Kansas’ 60-hour pre-license education is split into two 30-hour courses: Principles of Real Estate and the Kansas Practice Course. Both can be taken online or in a live classroom setting. Your exam authorization is only sent after you complete the Principles of Real Estate course, and the Commission must receive your license application and course certificate within 6 months of the course date.

STEP 3 | Get Fingerprinted

  • You can complete your fingerprint-based KBI/FBI background check at the same time as your coursework and exams. Your results are valid for 6 months.

STEP 4 | Schedule + Pass the Kansas Real Estate Exam

  • Once authorized, schedule your exam with PearsonVUE online or by phone at least 24 hours before your desired test date. The exam fee is $82 for first-time test takers.
  • You must pass both the Salesperson National Exam and the Salesperson State Exam. Each score report is valid for 6 months from the date you pass that section, and you have 12 months total from your course completion date to pass both and apply for licensure. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 5 |  Find a Sponsoring / Supervising Broker

  • A licensed Kansas broker must agree to supervise you and sign off on your application. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

STEP 6 |  Submit Your Kansas Real Estate License Application

  • Once you’ve passed both exam sections, cleared your background check, and lined up a supervising broker, submit your salesperson license application to KREC along with a $125 fee. You and your broker will apply following the instructions included with your Pearson VUE exam results.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Kansas, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 4 to 8 weeks to complete your 60-hour Kansas pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get fingerprinted and receive your background check results (this can run alongside your coursework)
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a supervising broker
  • 1 to 2 weeks for KREC to process your license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.  We also highly recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Kansas in about 8 to 12 weeks.

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Kansas

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Kansas…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $300 to $700
  • Pre-Licensure Application / Fingerprint Fee (KREC) – $85
  • State Exam Fee (PearsonVUE) – $82 (retake fee is $75)
  • License Application Fee (due after passing) – $125
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $592 to $992


More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Kansas. Keep in mind you are officially opening your own business, so there are always start-up costs involved.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Kansas:

  • Continuing Education (due every 2-year renewal cycle, including 3 hours of elective CE that can be earned by attending a KREC Commission meeting in person) – $100 to $250
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years from date of issuance) – $100 to $150
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
    • Kansas REALTORS (state association, Topeka) – contact for current dues
    • Local boards include Wichita Area Association of REALTORS, Sunflower Association of REALTORS (Lawrence area), and Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS – contact each directly for current pricing
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $200 annually
  • Business cards and signage – varies
  • Marketing materials and advertising – varies
  • Brokerage joining fee – $0 to $500 (average is about $250)
  • Monthly Brokerage fee – ranges from $0 to $350 monthly

** Total Estimated Cost to Become an Agent in Kansas = $1,342 to $2,642

OTHER EXPENSES TO EXPECT AS A NEW AGENT >

Find the Top Real Estate Schools

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Kansas Real Estate Commission. There are approved real estate schools throughout the state. Some are online, others in person, and a few do a combination of the two.

Here are a few of the most popular:

When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to consider:

  • Do they share their “pass rate”? This will tell you what percentage of their students passed the state exam on the first try.
  • Does the school offer any guarantees if you don’t pass? For example, one school will pay the fee for you to retake the state exam.
  • Are practice tests given to the students or is there any additional charge?
  • Do they offer a separate exam prep course or a weekend cram course?

How to Select a Kansas Real Estate Broker

In Kansas, entry-level real estate professionals are licensed as Salespersons. State law requires you to affiliate your license with an active Supervising Broker or brokerage firm before you can legally assist home buyers and sellers. Choosing where to place your license is one of the most important decisions you will make starting out.

While many new agents focus primarily on finding the highest commission split, training, daily guidance, and office support should take top priority. A high commission split offers little value if you don’t have the support network needed to generate leads and close transactions.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list. The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents.

  • Onboarding & Training: Does the brokerage offer a structured, hands-on training program designed specifically for new agents?
  • Access to Leadership: Will you have at least two or three designated managing staff members or senior agents available when you have urgent legal or contract questions?
  • After-Hours Support: Is brokerage management reachable during evenings and weekends when client showings, open houses, and offer negotiations occur?
  • Mentorship Scope: Does the firm pair you with an active mentor, and what specific duties—such as reviewing contracts or shadowing listing presentations—will that mentor perform?
  • Total Operating Costs: Beyond commission splits, what monthly desk fees, technology charges, or transaction fees will you be responsible for paying?

Getting Your Kansas Real Estate License: FAQs

How long does it take to get a real estate license in Kansas?

Most applicants complete the entire process in 4 to 8 weeks. Dedicated students taking self-paced online courses can finish the 60 hours of education in 2 to 3 weeks. Application processing, background checks, and exam scheduling typically take an additional 2 to 3 weeks.

How difficult is the state real estate exam?

The Kansas exam is split into two separate sections — a National Exam and a State Exam — and you must pass both to get licensed. Each score report is valid for 6 months from the date you pass, so if you pass one section but not the other, you’ll have some breathing room before needing to retake it.

What score do I need to pass the Kansas real estate exam?

You must earn a score of at least 70% on both the National and Kansas State-specific portions of the exam. The test consists of 110 total questions (80 national questions and 30 state law questions).

What if I fail the Kansas real estate exam?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself! You only need to retake the section you failed, and the retake fee is $75 (compared to $82 for your first attempt). All exam payments are non-refundable, so make sure you’re prepared before scheduling.

Can I get a real estate license if I have a misdemeanor / felony on my record?

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. If you’ve been convicted of four or more misdemeanors, or any felony, you’ll need to complete an offense report form for KREC to review as part of your application. If you have concerns about your background, we’d recommend contacting KREC directly before investing in a pre-license course.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Kansas offer reciprocity?

Kansas does not have formal reciprocity agreements, but it offers a simplified license-by-recognition pathway for active out-of-state licensees. If you hold an active real estate license in good standing elsewhere, you may qualify to take only the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course and pass the state-specific section of the exam.

How much do real estate agents typically make in Kansas?

According to Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter, the average Kansas real estate agent makes about $89,145 a year. Keep in mind real estate agents are commission-based, so your actual earnings depend heavily on how many homes you sell and the price points in your market — Johnson County (part of the Kansas City metro) and the growing Wichita (ICT) region tend to be among the state’s strongest markets.

PRO TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example, if the median sales price in your area is $280,000 and you earn 2.5% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be about $7,000 per sale. To earn the Kansas average, you’d have to sell about 13 homes.

Does Kansas allow dual agency?

No. Kansas strictly prohibits dual agency. Instead of representing both the buyer and seller in the same transaction, Kansas agents operate as Transaction Brokers, assisting one or both parties without acting as a fiduciary advocate for either side.

What happens if I fail one section of the Kansas real estate exam?

If you pass one section (National or State) but fail the other, you only need to retake the failed section. You can reschedule your exam through Pearson VUE after paying the re-examination fee.

Is my pre-licensing course enough to pass the exam, or should I buy an exam prep kit?

For most candidates, a dedicated exam prep kit is worth the small investment ($50–$100).
Pre-licensing courses fulfill your state’s mandatory clock hours and cover broad textbook theory.
Exam prep kits are designed specifically to drill the exact format, phrasing, and style of test questions used by testing administrators like Pearson VUE or PSI.

If your pre-licensing provider does not include simulated, timed mock exams or custom topic quizzes, buying a supplemental prep package significantly increases your chances of passing on your first attempt.

What features should I look for in a good real estate exam prep kit?

When evaluating an exam prep package, make sure it includes:
State-Specific Content: The exam has two sections (National and State). Ensure the kit provides state-specific law practice questions, not just general national topics.
Simulated Timed Exams: Practice tests that replicate the actual test time limit, question count, and passing threshold.
Detailed Answer Explanations: Explanations that reveal why an answer is correct and why the other choices are wrong.
First-Time Pass Guarantee: Many top prep providers offer a money-back guarantee or cover your retake fee if you score 80%+ on their practice tests but fail the state exam.