Can You Transfer a Real Estate License from One State To Another?

HomeServices Real Estate Academy • January 16, 2025

If you have a real estate license in one state and want to transfer it to another, like Kentucky to Ohio, Kentucky to Indiana, or Indiana to Ohio, reciprocity may be possible. For other states, you need to earn another real estate license following their state guidelines. At HomeServices Real Estate Academy, we provide classes to prepare you to earn your real estate license in Kentucky, Indiana, or Ohio.

A view from the back of a classroom with adult real estate students at HomeServices Real Estate Academy near Lexington, KY

What is Reciprocity?

In brief, reciprocity means you can transfer your real estate license from one state to another without taking all the pre-licensure courses required by that state. You’ll still need to take some because real estate laws vary from state to state. Also, not all states offer reciprocity.

States That Don’t Offer Reciprocity

There are 17 states that don’t provide reciprocity for real estate licenses. You’ll need to take all of the pre-licensure courses. The states that do not offer reciprocity are:

At HomeServices Real Estate Academy, you can select Kentucky pre-licensure courses, either in-person or online. Depending on your availability and needs, they may take as few as two weeks or as many as 12.

  • Wyoming
  • Washington
  • Vermont
  • Texas
  • South Dakota
  • New Mexico
  • New Jersey
  • Montana
  • Missouri
  • Michigan
  • Kentucky
  • Kansas
  • Hawaii
  • Delaware
  • California
  • Arizona
  • Alaska

Full-License Reciprocity

For states that offer full-license reciprocity, you can skip to the state-specific portion of the licensure exam. Your existing real estate license must also be active and in good standing in your own state. If you’re moving to any of the following states, they offer full-license reciprocity:

  • Virginia
  • Mississippi
  • Maine
  • Colorado
  • Alabama

Partial License Reciprocity

The remaining states provide partial license reciprocity, but the requirements vary from state to state. You’ll need to look at each state to determine whether you can receive reciprocity and what that looks like. Partial license reciprocity usually means they’ll allow you to skip to the state licensing portion of the exam, depending on which state you’re moving from. For instance:

  • Georgia will offer reciprocity to real estate agents moving from any state except Florida.
  • If you’re moving from Kentucky to Ohio, There is no reciprocity. You will have to take Ohio pre-licensure courses and meet licensing requirements.
  • If you’re moving from Indiana to Ohio, there is no reciprocity, and you’ll need to complete Ohio pre-licensure courses, just like an aspiring Ohio real estate agent would need to do.
  • Ohio offers reciprocity to real estate agents moving from Wyoming, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Mississippi, Connecticut, Colorado, and Arkansas.
  • You can obtain reciprocity if you’re moving from Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut, Colorado, or Kentucky to Indiana. You’ll need to take the state portion of the pre-license exam and apply for your license.

Contact Us for Real Estate License Classes

If you’re interested in completing pre-licensure classes to become a real estate agent in Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky, we can help. Whether you have an existing license or you’re just getting started, you can find courses at HomeServices Real Estate Academy.

Get started by calling us or completing our contact form. We have locations in Lexington, Louisville, KY, and New Albany, IN. We also serve the surrounding areas and offer online courses to Ohio residents. Contact us today!

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