Guide · Kentucky Licensing
How to get a real estate license in Kentucky.
Every step from your first lesson to an active license, with the hours, fees, and deadlines Kentucky requires, in order.
The short answer
Six steps, about two to three months.
To become a licensed real estate sales associate in Kentucky, you complete 96 hours of KREC-approved pre-licensing education, pass a proctored course final, obtain an FBI background check, pass the PSI licensing exam, apply to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission within 60 days, and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. You must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
Most students complete the whole process in two to three months while working full time. The course itself can be finished in as little as 11 days.
Step by step
From enrollment to an active license.
Confirm you qualify
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. No college degree is required.
Complete 96 hours of pre-licensing education
Enroll in a KREC-approved course. Century's Premium Kentucky Pre-Licensing Package is $499, online and self-paced, with Exam Prep Edge and a companion textbook included. Kentucky caps credit at 9 hours per day, so the fastest finish is about 11 days. Pass the proctored course final to earn your certificate of completion.
Get your FBI background check
Request a national criminal history check through the FBI at edo.cjis.gov. The fee is $18 and processing takes about a week. KREC requires it before you take the exam, and it expires 90 days after the report date, so time it close to your exam.
Pass the PSI licensing exam
Schedule with PSI and pay the $100 exam fee. The exam has 130 questions: 80 national and 50 Kentucky law. You need 75% on each section (60 of 80 and 38 of 50) and have 240 minutes. Both sections must be passed within four months of each other.
Apply to KREC within 60 days
Submit your sales associate application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission within 60 days of passing, with your course certificate, exam results, and background check. The application fee is set by KREC; check the current fee schedule at krec.ky.gov.
Affiliate with a broker and activate
Your license becomes active once you affiliate with a licensed Kentucky principal broker and carry Errors and Omissions insurance. Then complete 48 hours of post-license education within your first two years.
Source: Kentucky Real Estate Commission and PSI.
What it costs
Total cost to get licensed in Kentucky.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course (Century Premium) | $499 | 96 hours, exam prep and textbook included |
| FBI background check | $18 | Valid 90 days |
| PSI licensing exam | $100 | Per attempt |
| KREC application fee | See KREC fee schedule | Set by the Commission |
| Errors and Omissions insurance | Varies | Required to activate; often arranged through your broker |
Course prices as of October 2026. Other packages run $679 to $699. See the full cost breakdown.
Quick answers
Kentucky licensing, answered.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Kentucky?
Most students finish in two to three months. The 96-hour course can be completed in as little as 11 days because Kentucky caps credit at 9 hours per day, but background check processing (about a week), exam scheduling, and KREC application review add time. Studying a few hours a night, three months is a realistic plan.
Do I need a college degree to get a Kentucky real estate license?
No. Kentucky requires that you be at least 18 and hold a high school diploma or GED. Six academic credit hours in real estate from an accredited college can substitute for the 96-hour course, but a degree is not required.
Can I take the Kentucky real estate course entirely online?
Yes. Century's pre-licensing packages are KREC-approved and delivered online, self-paced, with a proctored course final. A hybrid option adds 36 hours of live online sessions taught by Lucy Brooks.
What happens if I fail the Kentucky real estate exam?
You can retake the exam. Both the national and Kentucky sections must be passed within four months of each other, or the entire exam must be retaken. Retakes are scheduled at the next available PSI appointment.
Do I need a broker before I can use my license?
Yes. KREC issues the license, but you cannot practice until you affiliate with a licensed Kentucky principal broker and carry Errors and Omissions insurance.
Ready for step two?
Enroll in the 96-hour course online and start your first module today.