How to Get an Arizona Real Estate License as a Side Hustle

TL;DR

• You need a license to do real estate work for pay. Arizona makes it unlawful to act as a real estate broker or salesperson without a license, and that includes helping buy, sell, list, rent, or lease property for someone else for compensation. (A.R.S. §§ 32-2101, 32-2122.)
• The path for a new agent: finish an ADRE-approved 90-hour salesperson prelicensing course and pass the school's final exam, get a Level 1 non-IVP fingerprint clearance card from DPS, pass the General and State-Specific exams with Pearson, finish a 6-hour contract writing course, then apply to ADRE within one year of passing the exam. (ADRE; Pearson Arizona Real Estate Candidate Handbook; A.R.S. §§ 32-2124, 32-2125.01.)
• Official fees we could verify: Pearson exams $75 combined when you take both back to back ($70 General + $60 State otherwise); DPS fingerprint card $67 plus any vendor fee; ADRE original license $60 ($50 license + $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund). School tuition isn't set by the state and varies. (ADRE Fees; Pearson; DPS.)
• You can't hang out your own shingle. A salesperson may accept compensation as a licensee only from the broker they're licensed under (with a narrow W-2 exception). Your license sits in "eligible" status until an employing broker hires you. (A.R.S. § 32-2155; ADRE Licensing.)
• Brokerage costs are the wild card. Commission splits, desk or monthly fees, MLS access, association dues, and errors-and-omissions coverage vary by brokerage and area. We don't list figures; ask every broker for a written fee schedule.
• Renewal every two years: $60 if on time ($125 late) and 24 hours of approved continuing education, including at least 3 hours in each of six required categories. (ADRE Fees; A.R.S. § 32-2130; A.A.C. R4-28-402.)
• Taxes: most agents are statutory nonemployees, treated as self-employed for federal tax purposes. Self-employment tax applies once net earnings reach $400. (IRS.)

Who this guide is for

You have a day job, or you're between jobs, and you're wondering whether a real estate license could become a side income. Maybe friends already ask you about neighborhoods, or you like the idea of helping a few buyers a year. This guide explains what Arizona actually requires, what it costs (only the figures we could confirm on official pages), how long each step depends on you, and what working part-time under a broker looks like.

It doesn't promise you'll make money. Commission income depends on closed transactions, and many things outside your control (the market, your broker, your time) affect whether and when that happens. We don't publish earnings estimates.

Do you actually need a license for what you want to do?

Arizona's definition of a "real estate broker" is broad. It covers anyone who, for another person and for compensation, sells, buys, rents, or leases real estate, offers or negotiates to, lists property, collects rent, advertises that they're in the business, or "assists or directs in procuring prospects" for a sale or lease. (A.R.S. § 32-2101.) A.R.S. § 32-2122 says it's unlawful to do these things without a license, and any act in that definition done in expectation of compensation counts, even if it's only an incidental part of the transaction.

Some side hustles that sound close to real estate but may not need this license:

• Real estate photography or staging, where you're paid for the photos or the furniture, not for finding buyers. (See photography in Best Side Hustles in Phoenix.)
• House watching for snowbirds, as long as you're checking on a home, not leasing it or collecting rent. Leasing and rent collection for others are regulated real estate activity. See Snowbird Season Side Hustles.
• Notary or loan signing work, which is covered by a notary commission, not a real estate license. See How to Become a Notary in Arizona as a Side Hustle.

If you're unsure, ask ADRE before you take money. Being paid a "referral fee" for sending a buyer to an agent can fall inside the "procuring prospects" language. A.R.S. § 32-2155(C) also makes it unlawful to pay compensation for broker work to someone who isn't licensed.

Step 1: Check that you qualify

ADRE and Pearson's candidate handbook list these baseline requirements for an original salesperson license: (Pearson Arizona Real Estate Candidate Handbook, February 2026; A.R.S. § 32-2124.)

• You must be at least 18 when you apply.
• You must show "honesty, truthfulness, good character and competency."
• You can't have had a license denied within the past year or revoked within the past two years, in Arizona or another state.
• You must provide proof of authorized legal presence in the United States (A.R.S. § 41-1080). If your document doesn't have a photo, ADRE says you also need a government-issued photo ID.
• You must hold a valid Level 1 non-IVP Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Criminal history: ADRE says a person with a felony or misdemeanor may apply as long as they aren't on probation, parole, or community service and all restitution has been completed. The application goes through a review to decide eligibility. You'll answer the questions on ADRE's Disciplinary Actions Disclosure form, and depending on your answers you may need to send a signed statement and certified court documents from ADRE's Disclosure Document Checklist. (ADRE Licensing; ADRE Salesperson License page.) Passing the exam doesn't guarantee a license. (Pearson handbook.)

Already licensed in another state? ADRE lists a separate out-of-state license recognition path: you must be an Arizona resident, have held the other state's license for at least one year in good standing, pass the Arizona-specific exam, and apply within one year. (ADRE Licensing.)

Step 2: Take the 90-hour prelicensing course

Arizona requires an approved salesperson course of at least 90 classroom hours, or the equivalent, from a real estate school certified by ADRE, and you must pass the school's exam on the course. (A.R.S. § 32-2124(B).) Key points from the statute and ADRE:

• Online is allowed. You can take the course live or by distance learning from a certified school, or in any combination of in-person and live remote delivery. The course final exam must be proctored in person. (A.R.S. § 32-2124(B).)
• Ten-year shelf life. The course certificate must be from within 10 years of your license application. (ADRE Salesperson License page.)
• Check the school. ADRE's online Public Database lists approved schools and courses. Make sure the course you buy is an approved 90-hour salesperson prelicensing course before you pay.

What it costs: the state doesn't set tuition. Prices vary by school and format, so compare the total (course, books, exam prep, retake policy) in writing.

How long it takes: that depends on the school's schedule and your pace. As simple arithmetic, 90 hours at 10 hours a week is about nine weeks; at 15 hours a week, it's six. Some schools also have their own completion deadlines, so ask.

Step 3: Get your DPS fingerprint clearance card

ADRE requires a Level 1 non-IVP Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. (Pearson handbook; ADRE.) Apply through the DPS Public Services Portal, then get fingerprinted electronically through DPS's vendor or on a paper card with the correct affidavit. (DPS.)

• Fee: DPS says its fee is currently $67. A credit card fee applies online, and electronic fingerprinting carries an additional vendor fee that DPS doesn't control. The DPS fee is non-refundable, even if the card is denied. (DPS.)
• Valid for six years. (DPS.)
• Start early. DPS doesn't publish a fixed processing time and can't pre-screen you. Because you need the card to apply for your license, many candidates apply while they're still in class.

Step 4: Pass the Pearson exams

Arizona's licensing exams are run by Pearson. You'll need your prelicensing school name, its approval number, and your completion certificate when you register. (Pearson handbook.)

Sources: Pearson Arizona Real Estate Candidate Handbook (February 2026); ADRE Fees page ("Examination Application and Examination Fees, combined: $75").

• Passing score: 75% correct. (Pearson.)
• Scheduling: online or by phone at least 24 hours in advance; no walk-ins. Pearson lists Arizona test centers in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma, with Phoenix open most days and the others on more limited schedules. (Pearson.)
• Bring two forms of ID with matching names: a current government-issued photo ID with signature, plus a second ID with a signature. (Pearson.)
• Retakes: wait 24 hours before booking a retake; each retake costs the same as the first attempt. (Pearson.)
• The one-year clock starts when you pass. You must apply for your license within one year of passing, or you'll have to take the exam again. (A.R.S. § 32-2125.01; ADRE.)

Step 5: Take the 6-hour contract writing course

Before you apply, Arizona requires six hours of instruction in real estate contract law and contract writing, including hands-on drafting of purchase contracts, listing agreements, and leases. (A.R.S. § 32-2124(M).) ADRE says the certificate must be from within 2 years of your application. (ADRE Salesperson License page.)

Bonus: if you take the class within one year before you're first licensed, it can count toward continuing education for your first renewal. (A.A.C. R4-28-402(A)(4).) Tuition varies by school.

Step 6: Apply to ADRE

When you pass, Pearson gives you a score report with a link to the license application, and ADRE emails you the number you'll use for the Licensee Login. (Pearson; ADRE Licensing.) ADRE's required documents for a salesperson application: (ADRE Salesperson License page.)

1. Two exam score reports (General and State-Specific)
2. Salesperson application form
3. Disciplinary Actions Disclosure form (plus documents if you answer yes)
4. 90-hour prelicensing course certificate (within 10 years)
5. 6-hour contract writing course certificate (within 2 years)
6. DPS fingerprint clearance card
7. Proof of authorized legal presence
8. Fee waiver request form, if it applies

License fee: $60 for an original salesperson license ($50 license fee plus $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund). (ADRE Fees.) Pearson's handbook says ADRE requests payment online once your application is complete, and that the online application is the quickest option.

Fee waiver: ADRE's fee waiver applies only to a first-time original license. Its form lists three groups: low-income applicants who attest their family income doesn't exceed 200% of the federal poverty level, active-duty military spouses (with a DEERS record), and honorably discharged veterans (with a DD-214 dated no more than two years before applying). (ADRE Fee Waiver Request Form; A.R.S. § 41-1080.01.)

Step 7: Hire on with an employing broker

This is the step that surprises most part-timers. A salesperson can't practice independently in Arizona. A broker may employ and pay only active licensees, and a licensee may accept compensation as a licensee only from the broker they're licensed under, or from another licensee who employs them on a W-2 under the same employing broker with the broker's written permission. (A.R.S. § 32-2155(A).)

After ADRE approves your application, your license is in eligible status: ready to be made active when a broker hires you. ADRE says a license can stay eligible indefinitely as long as you keep up with continuing education and pay the renewal fee every other year. (ADRE Licensing; Pearson handbook.)

What being under a broker means day to day:

• Money flows through the broker. Earnest money and other payments you receive go to the designated broker, and the broker keeps the transaction records. (A.R.S. § 32-2151.01.)
• The broker reviews your contracts. The designated broker must review and initial each listing agreement and purchase contract within 10 business days. (A.R.S. § 32-2151.01(G).)
• Your ads must name the brokerage. Advertising about specific property must clearly show the employing broker's licensed name, and the designated broker supervises advertising. Internet ads aimed at Arizona residents count. (A.A.C. R4-28-502.) That includes social media posts about a listing.
• An LLC won't hold your license. ADRE says only a professional corporation (PC) or professional LLC (PLLC) can be added to an individual license for commission purposes, and the statute lets the broker pay you through that PC or PLLC. (ADRE Licensing; A.R.S. § 32-2155(B).) See How to Start an LLC in Arizona for the general rules, and ask ADRE before you form one for this.

Questions to ask every brokerage before you sign

Brokerage terms vary a lot, and none of them are set by the state. Get answers in writing:

• What's the commission split, and does it change after a cap or production level?
• Are there monthly, desk, technology, transaction, or franchise fees? Are they charged even in months you don't close?
• Do you require membership in a local association, and does that come with MLS access? Who pays those dues?
• Do you require errors-and-omissions insurance, and is it included or billed per transaction?
• Is part-time work allowed? Some brokerages expect floor time, meetings, or minimum activity.
• What training and supervision do new agents get, and who answers questions in the evening when you're available?
• Can I work from home? If so, check your city's home occupation rules. Phoenix's ordinance names "real estate agent" among examples of home occupations.

We don't list typical amounts for these costs because they vary by brokerage and market and we couldn't verify them on an official source.

Startup costs at a glance

Fees change. Check ADRE's fee page, Pearson's handbook, and DPS before you pay.

Realistic timeline

Arizona doesn't publish a single "time to license," and most of the time is yours to control. The order matters more than the dates:

1. Week 1: apply for the DPS fingerprint card and enroll in an approved 90-hour course.
2. During the course: take the course (at your pace or the school's schedule), pass its proctored final exam, and keep an eye on your DPS card status.
3. After the course: schedule both Pearson exams back to back to get the $75 combo, at least 24 hours ahead.
4. After you pass: take the 6-hour contract writing class if you haven't, apply to ADRE, and pay the $60 fee. You have one year from passing.
5. Interview brokers while you wait, so you can be hired as soon as the license is approved.

If you work full-time, the course is usually the longest piece. Plan for that and don't let your exam pass date get too close to the one-year deadline.

Part-time realities: pros and cons

Why it can work as a side hustle

• Flexible hours. Showings and client calls often happen evenings and weekends, which can fit around a weekday job.
• Low state cost of entry. The official fees we verified add up to a few hundred dollars before tuition and brokerage costs.
• Your license can wait. An eligible license doesn't need a broker, so you can keep it current while you decide how much to use it.

What makes it hard

• Commission only, paid at closing. Most agents are paid based on sales, not hours, which is why the IRS treats them as self-employed. Months can pass between a first client conversation and a paycheck, and some deals never close.
• Clients don't wait for your lunch break. Offers, inspections, and deadlines run on contract timelines. Ask how a brokerage handles coverage when you're at your day job.
• Fixed costs keep running. Monthly brokerage fees and dues can add up in months when you close nothing.
• Your day job may have rules. Check your employer's outside-work and conflict-of-interest policies. Arizona law also bars some state employees from using a real estate license; those licenses can be placed on inactive status. (A.R.S. § 32-2130(H).)
• Ongoing education. You'll owe 24 hours of continuing education every two years, even part-time.

Taxes on commission income

• Self-employed for federal tax. The IRS says licensed real estate agents are statutory nonemployees, treated as self-employed for all federal tax purposes, if substantially all their pay is tied to sales or other output rather than hours, and they work under a written contract saying they won't be treated as employees for federal tax purposes. (IRS, Licensed real estate agents; 26 U.S.C. § 3508.) So no income tax is usually withheld from commission checks.
• Self-employment tax. It's 15.3% (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare) on net earnings, and you owe it once net self-employment earnings are $400 or more. You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion when figuring adjusted gross income. (IRS.)
• Track expenses. Course tuition before you're licensed, brokerage fees, dues, and marketing each have their own tax rules. Ask a tax professional what's deductible for you.
• Set aside money as you go. Our Side Hustle Taxes in Arizona guide explains estimated payments and Arizona income tax, and our free Arizona side hustle tax set-aside calculator gives a rough savings percentage.
• TPT: the Arizona Department of Revenue says Arizona generally does not tax professional services where human expertise is the core of the transaction and no other taxable activity is involved. (ADOR.) We didn't find an ADOR source that classifies real estate commissions as taxable. If you also do property management, rentals, or sell goods, confirm with ADOR. See our Arizona TPT License guide.
• City business license: your brokerage is the licensed business, but if you're inside a city that licenses businesses (Tucson does), confirm whether you need anything as an individual agent. See Arizona Business License for Side Hustles.

Keeping your license: renewal and continuing education

• Every two years. ADRE says you pay the renewal fee every other year and renew online through the Licensee Login after your CE is complete. (ADRE Licensing.)
• Renewal fee: $60 on time; $125 late. (ADRE Fees.)
• 24 hours of CE per renewal period for salespersons, with at least 3 hours each in agency law, contract law, commissioner's standards, real estate legal issues, fair housing, and disclosure. The other 6 hours can be more of those or general real estate or business brokerage courses. ADRE won't credit more than 9 CE hours per day. (A.R.S. § 32-2130(A); A.A.C. R4-28-402.)
• Late renewal window. If your license expires, you can't practice until it's renewed, and ADRE terminates a license that's been expired for more than one year. (A.R.S. § 32-2130(F).)
• Inactive status. ADRE describes an inactive status that lets you keep a license for up to 15 years without a broker, as long as you renew; you'll have to bring CE up to date before you can be hired. (ADRE Licensing.)
• Report problems fast. ADRE says licensees must disclose any criminal conviction, adverse judgment, or professional discipline in writing within 10 business days. (ADRE Licensing.)

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Arizona? The official fees we could verify are $67 for the DPS fingerprint card (plus vendor fees), $75 for both Pearson exams when taken back to back, and $60 for the ADRE original salesperson license. Prelicensing and contract writing tuition vary by school, and brokerage, MLS, and association costs vary by brokerage. Confirm current fees with ADRE.

How many hours is the Arizona real estate course? At least 90 hours for the salesperson prelicensing course, plus a separate 6-hour contract writing course before you apply. You can take the 90-hour course online from a certified school, but the course final exam must be proctored in person.

Can I take the Arizona real estate exam online? Pearson's candidate handbook says all exams must take place at a Pearson authorized test center in Arizona. It lists centers in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma.

What score do I need to pass the Arizona real estate exam? 75% on each exam. The General exam has 80 scored questions in 150 minutes, and the State exam has 60 scored questions in 90 minutes.

Can I be a real estate agent part-time in Arizona? The law doesn't require full-time work, but you must work under an employing broker, and each brokerage sets its own expectations and fees. Ask before you sign.

Can I work as an independent agent without a broker? No. A salesperson may accept compensation as a licensee only from their employing broker (or a W-2 employer under the same broker with written permission). Working on your own requires a broker's license, which needs three years of active licensed experience in the past five. (A.R.S. §§ 32-2124, 32-2155.)

Are real estate commissions subject to Arizona TPT? ADOR says Arizona generally does not tax professional services, and we didn't find an ADOR source that taxes commissions. Rentals, property management, and goods can be different; confirm with ADOR.