Expenses: Several estimates of costs associated with becoming a licensed real estate professional in Alabama are provided below. These estimates should not be used as your final source for costs of becoming a realtor. Contact the Alabama Real Estate Commission, your local realtor association, real estate schools, etc. to verify and revise the information below as required. Education Expenses

1. Education Expenses
   • Pre-License Course: ~$300 - $400
   • Alabama Real Estate License Exam: $71
   • Post-License Course: ~$180 - $250
   • Continuing Education (must take 15 hours every two years): ~$135 - ???. The cost of continuing education (CE) varies significantly depending upon such factors as travel to the location where the CE course is being offered, number of textbooks provided (if any), etc. That is why no estimated end cost range is provided.
   • Other (Professional and Designation Courses): The cost of these courses cannot be estimated; they are highly dependent on the budgets, preferences and goals of each individual licensee.
2. AREC Fees  –  Review current fees at the AREC website.
3. Local and National Realtor Dues, Application Fees, MLS Dues, etc.: These dues and application fees are prorated, depending upon when you join the local Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR). If you join in January, all application fees, organization dues, MLS dues, etc. may be as high as a $1000 or more. Contact the HAAR at 256-536-3334 for dues and application fees associated with joining HAAR, NARIS (MLS), etc. If you are planning on joining another local association of realtors (not HAAR), contact the appropriate organization and request their dues and application fees.
4. Insurance: Most real estate companies in Alabama purchase a blanket Errors & Omissions (E & O) Insurance Policy that covers all licensees who work out of the company’s office. Generally, the real estate companies prorate the cost of the insurance and require their licensees to pay their prorated share. The prorated share for each licensee is often in the $100-$200 range, but each new licensee should discuss the cost E & O insurance with each company he/she is considering for the placement of his/her license.
5. Miscellaneous: The cost of lockboxes, keys/PDAs to open lockboxes when showing properties, computers, cell phones, websites (for development and per month), advertising, car and gas expenses, etc. varies significantly among licensees.