Arkansas Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 7 Hours Every Year
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Requirements Overview
The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) requires 7 hours of continuing education per calendar year for all active licensees. Every licensee must take a 1-hour safety course on limiting personal risk. The remaining mandatory component is a 3-hour required course, but the track differs by license type: salespersons take the Agency Representation & Compensation course, while principal and executive brokers take the Broker Supervision and Agency course. Associate brokers may choose either track.
The final 3 hours are electives from AREC-approved providers. Distance education courses must be ARELLO-certified. All 7 hours must be completed before December 31 each year with no carryover.
New licensees begin their CE obligation upon their second active renewal after initial licensure. Separately, new salespersons must complete 18 hours of post-license education within 6 months, and new brokers must complete 30 hours — both are distinct from the annual CE requirement.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Safety Course | 1 | Every renewal | Required for all licensees (brokers and salespersons). Topic: Limiting Risk to Preserve personal safety for agents and clients. |
| Required Broker Supervision and Agency (2025) | 3 | Every renewal | Required for Principal Brokers and Executive Brokers. Topics change annually per Commission direction. |
| Required Agency Representation & Compensation (2025) | 3 | Every renewal | Required for Salespersons. Topics change annually per Commission direction. |
Renewal Pathways
Real Estate Broker Continuing Education in Arkansas
In Arkansas, real estate brokers renew under their own broker-license pathway, and the continuing education total matches the salesperson requirement: 7 CE hours every year.
Broker-specific course requirements
- Required Broker Supervision and Agency (2025) (3 hours) — Required for Principal Brokers and Executive Brokers. Topics change annually per Commission direction.
License categories and totals above are verified from the published rules of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) — confirm current broker requirements with the board before enrolling.
Exemptions
- Exemption — New licensees: CE requirement begins upon second active license renewal after initial licensure.
- Exemption — Inactive licensees are not required to complete CE while inactive, but must complete CE from the year of activation or the preceding year to transfer to active status.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Arkansas CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Arkansas that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Annual minimum — at least 7 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
- Carry-over — No carry-over provisions identified. All 7 hours must be completed annually before December 31.
- CE is annual (7 hours per calendar year), not biennial.
- Required course topics change annually as determined by the Commission.
- Salespersons cannot take the Supervising Broker required course.
- Principal/Executive Brokers may take the Salesperson required course but receive no AREC CE credit for it.
- New salespersons must complete 18 hours post-license education within 6 months (separate from CE).
- New brokers must complete 30 hours post-license education within 6 months (separate from CE).
- A.C.A. §17-42-307 governs CE requirements; Commission Regulation 16.8(h) governs required course parameters.
Provider Requirements
Courses must be approved by AREC. Distance education courses must be ARELLO® certified. Commission Regulation 11.4 does not allow one course to be used for both CE and pre-licensing education.
Tips for Arkansas Real Estate Agents
- Confirm which track applies to you — salespersons cannot take the Broker Supervision course, and brokers receive no AREC credit for the Salesperson required course.
- Associate brokers should take Track 1 (Broker) if planning to upgrade to a supervising broker role.
- Complete your hours well before December 31 — required course topics change annually, so waiting risks limited course availability.
- Verify your distance education provider is ARELLO-certified; AREC will not accept non-certified online courses.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC)
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 2 sources cited — 2 primary (official board)
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