How to Get Your Real Estate License in Alaska: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before you can sit for the exam, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing education course approved by the Alaska Real Estate Commission. Several schools across Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, and online offer these courses — see the approved school list below. Most courses can be completed in-person, via correspondence, or over Zoom.

Cost varies by school. $450 is a general estimate — shop around, as prices differ.

Once your pre-licensing course is complete, you'll schedule and sit for the Alaska Real Estate Salesperson Exam through PearsonVUE. The exam covers both national real estate principles and Alaska-specific law. Each attempt costs $100, so it's worth taking your prep time seriously before you schedule.

You'll receive your results immediately after the exam. If you don't pass on the first attempt, you can reschedule and retake it — just budget for the additional $100 fee.

In Alaska, you must hang your license with a brokerage — you can't practice independently as a new agent. Once you've selected your brokerage, you'll submit your license application to the State of Alaska along with your passing exam results and pre-licensing certificate. This is done online through your myAlaska account. Some brokerages will help walk you through the filing process.

The $370 estimate reflects the state application fee. Your brokerage may assist with the submission process.

Once the State of Alaska approves your application, notify your brokerage. They'll submit your request to join the Alaska MLS on your behalf. This is the system you'll use to access and list properties, so it's a critical step before you can actively work with clients.

Brokerage fees and their structure vary — make sure you understand your split arrangement and any desk fees before you sign on.

Alaska MLS will send you a welcome email to set up your account and invoice you for your first month of dues plus a new applicant fee. After that, expect a recurring monthly cost for continued MLS access.

Est. $100 for your first invoice (includes new applicant fee), then approximately $75/month ongoing.

If your brokerage participates in SentriLock, Alaska MLS will invite you to join as well. SentriLock is the electronic lockbox system used to access listed properties for showings. It's billed semi-annually and is required at most brokerages to work with buyers and sellers actively.

Not all brokerages use SentriLock — confirm with yours before budgeting for this.

If your brokerage is a member of NAR (the National Association of REALTORS®), you'll be required to join the appropriate local Board of REALTORS® — typically within 10 days of receiving your state license approval. Dues are prorated based on the month you join, so joining later in the year can reduce your first-year cost.

Not all brokerages require NAR membership. Ask before you commit, as this is one of the larger upfront costs.

Within one year of your license being approved by the State of Alaska, you're required to complete a post-licensing education course. This is separate from your pre-licensing course and is designed to build on what you learned before the exam with more practical, real-world application. Many of the same approved schools that offer pre-licensing also offer post-licensing — check the list below.

Don't let this one sneak up on you. Mark your license approval date on your calendar and give yourself plenty of time to complete it before the one-year deadline.

After your first renewal cycle, Alaska requires all licensed real estate salespersons to complete continuing education every two years to keep their license active. These courses keep you current on changes in state law, industry practices, and ethics requirements. Budget for this as a regular cost of staying licensed — missing your renewal deadline can result in your license lapsing.

Staying current on CE is also a great opportunity to sharpen your skills. Many experienced agents find real value in it beyond just the requirement.