Real Estate License Reciprocity by State
Moving to a new state? Find out if your real estate license transfers. Check reciprocity agreements between any two states and see exactly what you need to get licensed.
17
Broad Reciprocity
29
Limited Reciprocity
4
No Reciprocity
Reciprocity Checker
Select two states to see if your license can transfer
Reciprocity agreements change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the destination state's real estate commission before making decisions based on this information.
50-State Reciprocity Summary
Overview of each state's reciprocity policy for real estate licenses
| State | Policy | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Broad | Alabama offers reciprocity with most states. Licensed agents from other states can obtain an Alabama license by passing the state portion of the exam. |
| Alaska | None | Alaska does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. All applicants must complete full Alaska licensing requirements. |
| Arizona | Limited | Arizona offers limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must complete a 6-hour Arizona-specific contract writing course and pass the state exam. |
| Arkansas | Broad | Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with most states. Licensed agents can waive the national exam portion and only take the state portion. |
| California | None | California does not offer reciprocity with any state. All applicants must complete California pre-license education and pass the full California exam. |
| Colorado | Broad | Colorado has broad reciprocity. Licensed agents from any state can apply for a Colorado license without taking the Colorado exam, provided they meet experience requirements. |
| Connecticut | Broad | Connecticut accepts licenses from all states. Out-of-state agents must pass the Connecticut state exam portion only. |
| Delaware | Limited | Delaware offers reciprocity with select neighboring states. Other state licensees must pass the state exam. |
| Florida | Limited | Florida has mutual recognition agreements with select states. Agents from these states can obtain a Florida license by completing a shorter application process. |
| Georgia | Broad | Georgia offers reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state licensees can obtain a Georgia license by passing the state exam portion. |
| Hawaii | None | Hawaii does not have reciprocity agreements. All applicants must complete Hawaii pre-license education and pass the full exam. |
| Idaho | Limited | Idaho offers reciprocity with neighboring states. Licensees from reciprocal states may waive the national portion of the exam. |
| Illinois | Limited | Illinois has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the Illinois state exam and may need additional coursework. |
| Indiana | Broad | Indiana offers reciprocity with all states. Licensed agents can waive the national exam and only take the state-specific portion. |
| Iowa | Broad | Iowa has broad reciprocity. Out-of-state agents can apply without retaking the national exam if their state has equivalent requirements. |
| Kansas | Limited | Kansas offers limited reciprocity with select states. Applicants from non-reciprocal states must pass the full Kansas exam. |
| Kentucky | Broad | Kentucky has reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state licensees can transfer by passing the Kentucky state exam portion. |
| Louisiana | Limited | Louisiana offers limited reciprocity. Licensees from cooperative states may waive the national exam portion. |
| Maine | Limited | Maine has reciprocity with select New England and neighboring states. Others must complete full licensing. |
| Maryland | Limited | Maryland offers reciprocity with neighboring states. Out-of-state agents must pass the Maryland state exam. |
| Massachusetts | Limited | Massachusetts has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the Massachusetts state exam and meet education requirements. |
| Michigan | Limited | Michigan has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the Michigan state exam portion. |
| Minnesota | Limited | Minnesota offers limited reciprocity with neighboring states. Others must complete the full exam. |
| Mississippi | Broad | Mississippi has broad reciprocity with most states. Licensed agents can transfer by passing the state exam portion. |
| Missouri | Broad | Missouri offers reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state agents need only pass the Missouri state exam. |
| Montana | Limited | Montana has limited reciprocity with neighboring western states. |
| Nebraska | Broad | Nebraska has reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state agents can obtain a Nebraska license by passing the state exam. |
| Nevada | Limited | Nevada offers limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must complete Nevada-specific education and pass the state exam. |
| New Hampshire | Limited | New Hampshire has reciprocity with New England states. Others must pass the full exam. |
| New Jersey | Limited | New Jersey has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must pass the NJ state exam and complete additional coursework. |
| New Mexico | Limited | New Mexico has limited reciprocity with neighboring states. |
| New York | Limited | New York has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must complete New York education requirements and pass the state exam. |
| North Carolina | Limited | North Carolina has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the NC state exam. |
| North Dakota | Broad | North Dakota has broad reciprocity with most states. Out-of-state agents can transfer by passing the state exam. |
| Ohio | Limited | Ohio offers limited reciprocity with select states. Others must pass the full Ohio exam. |
| Oklahoma | Broad | Oklahoma has reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state agents need only pass the Oklahoma state portion. |
| Oregon | None | Oregon does not have reciprocity agreements. All applicants must complete Oregon pre-license education and pass the full exam. |
| Pennsylvania | Limited | Pennsylvania has reciprocity with neighboring states. Out-of-state agents must pass the PA state exam. |
| Rhode Island | Limited | Rhode Island offers reciprocity with New England states. |
| South Carolina | Limited | South Carolina has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must pass the SC state exam. |
| South Dakota | Broad | South Dakota has broad reciprocity with most states. Out-of-state agents can transfer by passing the state exam. |
| Tennessee | Broad | Tennessee has reciprocity with all states. Licensed agents can waive the national exam and take only the state portion. |
| Texas | Limited | Texas has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must complete Texas-specific education and pass the state exam. |
| Utah | Limited | Utah has reciprocity with select western states. Others must pass the full Utah exam. |
| Vermont | Limited | Vermont has reciprocity with New England and select states. |
| Virginia | Limited | Virginia offers reciprocity with select states. Out-of-state agents must pass the Virginia state exam. |
| Washington | Limited | Washington has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must pass the state exam and complete WA-specific education. |
| West Virginia | Broad | West Virginia has broad reciprocity with most states. Licensed agents can transfer by passing the state exam. |
| Wisconsin | Limited | Wisconsin has limited reciprocity with neighboring states. |
| Wyoming | Broad | Wyoming has broad reciprocity with most states. Out-of-state agents can obtain a Wyoming license with minimal additional requirements. |
Alabama offers reciprocity with most states. Licensed agents from other states can obtain an Alabama license by passing the state portion of the exam.
Alaska does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. All applicants must complete full Alaska licensing requirements.
Arizona offers limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must complete a 6-hour Arizona-specific contract writing course and pass the state exam.
Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with most states. Licensed agents can waive the national exam portion and only take the state portion.
California does not offer reciprocity with any state. All applicants must complete California pre-license education and pass the full California exam.
Colorado has broad reciprocity. Licensed agents from any state can apply for a Colorado license without taking the Colorado exam, provided they meet experience requirements.
Connecticut accepts licenses from all states. Out-of-state agents must pass the Connecticut state exam portion only.
Delaware offers reciprocity with select neighboring states. Other state licensees must pass the state exam.
Florida has mutual recognition agreements with select states. Agents from these states can obtain a Florida license by completing a shorter application process.
Georgia offers reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state licensees can obtain a Georgia license by passing the state exam portion.
Hawaii does not have reciprocity agreements. All applicants must complete Hawaii pre-license education and pass the full exam.
Idaho offers reciprocity with neighboring states. Licensees from reciprocal states may waive the national portion of the exam.
Illinois has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the Illinois state exam and may need additional coursework.
Indiana offers reciprocity with all states. Licensed agents can waive the national exam and only take the state-specific portion.
Iowa has broad reciprocity. Out-of-state agents can apply without retaking the national exam if their state has equivalent requirements.
Kansas offers limited reciprocity with select states. Applicants from non-reciprocal states must pass the full Kansas exam.
Kentucky has reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state licensees can transfer by passing the Kentucky state exam portion.
Louisiana offers limited reciprocity. Licensees from cooperative states may waive the national exam portion.
Maine has reciprocity with select New England and neighboring states. Others must complete full licensing.
Maryland offers reciprocity with neighboring states. Out-of-state agents must pass the Maryland state exam.
Massachusetts has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the Massachusetts state exam and meet education requirements.
Michigan has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the Michigan state exam portion.
Minnesota offers limited reciprocity with neighboring states. Others must complete the full exam.
Mississippi has broad reciprocity with most states. Licensed agents can transfer by passing the state exam portion.
Missouri offers reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state agents need only pass the Missouri state exam.
Montana has limited reciprocity with neighboring western states.
Nebraska has reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state agents can obtain a Nebraska license by passing the state exam.
Nevada offers limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must complete Nevada-specific education and pass the state exam.
New Hampshire has reciprocity with New England states. Others must pass the full exam.
New Jersey has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must pass the NJ state exam and complete additional coursework.
New Mexico has limited reciprocity with neighboring states.
New York has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must complete New York education requirements and pass the state exam.
North Carolina has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees must pass the NC state exam.
North Dakota has broad reciprocity with most states. Out-of-state agents can transfer by passing the state exam.
Ohio offers limited reciprocity with select states. Others must pass the full Ohio exam.
Oklahoma has reciprocity with all states. Out-of-state agents need only pass the Oklahoma state portion.
Oregon does not have reciprocity agreements. All applicants must complete Oregon pre-license education and pass the full exam.
Pennsylvania has reciprocity with neighboring states. Out-of-state agents must pass the PA state exam.
Rhode Island offers reciprocity with New England states.
South Carolina has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must pass the SC state exam.
South Dakota has broad reciprocity with most states. Out-of-state agents can transfer by passing the state exam.
Tennessee has reciprocity with all states. Licensed agents can waive the national exam and take only the state portion.
Texas has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must complete Texas-specific education and pass the state exam.
Utah has reciprocity with select western states. Others must pass the full Utah exam.
Vermont has reciprocity with New England and select states.
Virginia offers reciprocity with select states. Out-of-state agents must pass the Virginia state exam.
Washington has limited reciprocity. Out-of-state agents must pass the state exam and complete WA-specific education.
West Virginia has broad reciprocity with most states. Licensed agents can transfer by passing the state exam.
Wisconsin has limited reciprocity with neighboring states.
Wyoming has broad reciprocity with most states. Out-of-state agents can obtain a Wyoming license with minimal additional requirements.
Reciprocity policies are subject to change. Always verify with your state's real estate commission.
Understanding Real Estate License Reciprocity
Real estate license reciprocity refers to agreements between states that allow licensed agents to obtain a license in a new state through a streamlined process. Rather than starting from scratch, agents with an active license in one state can leverage their existing credentials to practice in another.
States with Broad Reciprocity
States like Colorado, Indiana, Georgia, and Tennessee accept licenses from all or most other states. You typically only need to pass the state-specific portion of the exam and submit a license verification. These states make it easiest to transfer your license.
States with No Reciprocity
States like California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Oregon require all applicants to complete the full licensing process regardless of existing credentials. This includes completing pre-license education, passing both the national and state exams, and meeting all local requirements.
The concept of reciprocity exists because real estate laws vary significantly from state to state. Each state has its own property laws, disclosure requirements, agency regulations, and licensing standards. Reciprocity agreements acknowledge that while these differences exist, agents who have already demonstrated competency in one state have a strong foundation of knowledge that transfers across jurisdictions.
When considering a license transfer, it is important to understand that reciprocity does not mean automatic licensure. Even in states with broad reciprocity, you will need to apply for a new license, pass a background check, and usually take the state-specific portion of the licensing exam. The state portion covers local laws, regulations, and practices that are unique to that jurisdiction.
Many agents choose to hold licenses in multiple states, especially those working in border areas or metropolitan regions that span state lines. If you plan to practice in multiple states, you will need to maintain each license independently, including meeting continuing education requirements and paying renewal fees for each state.
Before starting the transfer process, contact the real estate commission in your target state to confirm current reciprocity policies. Requirements can change, and having the most up-to-date information will save you time and money. Most state commissions provide detailed instructions for out-of-state applicants on their websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is real estate license reciprocity?
Can I practice real estate in another state with my current license?
What is the difference between full and partial reciprocity?
How long does it take to transfer a real estate license to another state?
Do I need to maintain my license in my original state when transferring?
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