Real estate license reciprocity gives licensed agents the opportunity to secure a license in a new state without completing all licensing requirements. Real estate portability lets out-of-state agents conduct transactions within specific states, based on local laws. To help agents understand both of these, we compiled license reciprocity and portability rules for all 50 states.
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What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity?
Real estate license reciprocity is an agreement between multiple states allowing licensed real estate agents to become licensed in a different state without taking additional real estate prelicensing courses or, in some cases, taking a licensing exam.
Keep in mind that a reciprocity agreement doesn’t necessarily allow a real estate salesperson or broker to take part in real estate transactions in a reciprocal state without a license in that state; it most commonly means that the requirements for licensing are reduced. For example, agents might need to take a few hours of classes from an online school like Real Estate Express to secure a license in a new state. Check with your state’s licensing board for specific requirements.
Types of Reciprocity Agreements
Reciprocity is state-specific, so the rules and requirements for reciprocity are unique in every state. However, there are generally three different types of reciprocity agreements, as follows:
- No reciprocity: States that deny reciprocity to all out-of-state licensees
- Partial reciprocity: States that require limited education and examination for agents from only reciprocal states
- Full reciprocity: States that allow you to transfer your real estate license from any state
No Reciprocity | Partial Reciprocity | Full Reciprocity |
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We go into more detail about each state’s individual reciprocity agreements at the end of this article. However, reciprocity agreements offer the greatest benefit for agents who are permanently moving to another state. Agents who have no intention of moving to another state, but want to still be able to conduct the occasional out-of-state real estate transaction, are more affected by portability laws.
What Is Real Estate License Portability?
Real estate license portability describes state laws allowing out-of-state real estate agents to engage in real estate transactions without having to get a real estate agent license in a neighboring location. It is different from reciprocity because it allows agents to cross the border of their home state for real estate business, but it is not intended as a long-term solution for agents relocating to a new area.
In general, there are three kinds of portability laws: cooperative, physical location, and turf states. Each of these classifications requires different circumstances under which an out-of-state real estate agent may work within the state.
There are three major classifications of real estate license portability:
1. Cooperative State
Cooperative states allow out-of-state real estate agents or brokers to physically enter the state to conduct real estate business. This includes property showings, closings, negotiations, and other stages of real estate transactions. However, in order for out-of-state agents to work in a cooperative state, they must have a co-brokerage agreement with a licensee of that state.
There are 24 cooperative states covering all geographic regions; this includes states like Alabama, Colorado, and Washington. Keep in mind, however, that some cooperative states, like Michigan, place limitations on out-of-state agents. So, you should always familiarize yourself with local requirements before committing to a client looking for property in a cooperative state.
2. Physical Location State
A physical location state allows agents and brokers to conduct business in another state but doesn’t allow them to enter the state for the purpose of conducting real estate business. This means that an agent or broker from another state must conduct all out-of-state business remotely and may not enter the state for showings, closings, or any other reason.
For example, in a physical location state, you can send your clients to view properties, submit offers on their behalf, and negotiate transactions as long as you physically remain in the state in which you are licensed. There are 21 physical location states, including Florida, Illinois, and Massachusetts, plus the District of Columbia.
3. Turf State
A turf state does not allow out-of-state agents or brokers to conduct any business in their state, either in-person or remotely. The only option to work with clients in a turf state is to refer them to a licensee of the turf state. There are six turf states: Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
If you have a lead who wants to buy or sell property in a turf state, your options are limited. If you work with a brokerage that has offices in multiple states, simply refer your client to someone in the appropriate turf state office.
Tips for Conducting Real Estate Business in Other States
While building your businesses in other states may mean more commissions, there are many nuances to the process. First, make sure you protect yourself with a buyer agreement in all cases. Also, know your local laws and, if regulations and client needs are too complicated, consider referring that client to someone local.
Consider a Buyer’s Agreement
Conducting business for clients who are looking for property in another state can be tricky because local agents may try to poach their business. Unless you have a great relationship with your clients, consider requesting an exclusive buyer’s agreement. Just remember that most exclusive buyer’s representation contracts are only valid in the state in which you’re licensed—not out-of-state.
Know the Reciprocity & Portability Laws
Out-of-state real estate practices can be complex, but you can look into state-specific license reciprocity and portability laws to determine whether you need to refer a client. Some states offer reciprocity with all states, while others have reciprocity agreements but require state-specific real estate courses. On the other hand, some states have agreements with a limited number of states or none at all.
Consider Referring Business to Local Licensees
In addition, assisting clients with out-of-state properties can be difficult unless you’re extremely experienced, have a great lawyer, or are being supervised by a broker experienced in out-of-state transactions. Transactions are complicated by convoluted reciprocity and portability laws, varying document formats, inconsistent recording requirements, and more. If you’re unsure, offer the client as a referral to avoid these problems and frustrations.
Important note: You should consult an attorney or legal counsel through a service like RocketLawyer before becoming involved in a transaction in another state. Failure to observe the law may result in loss of commission, or worse, jeopardize your license. The following guide is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be taken as legal advice.
Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability by State
State-by-State License Reciprocity & Portability
Alabama
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Alabama has reciprocity agreements with most states but requires coursework.
Alaska
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Alaska has reciprocity with any other state if the license has been held for a year or more and the person passes the Alaska state portion of the real estate exam.
Arizona
Real estate license portability: Cooperative, with limitations
Real estate license reciprocity: Arizona does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
Arkansas
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Washington
- West Virginia
California
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: California does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
Colorado
Real estate license portability: Cooperative, with limitations
Real estate license reciprocity: Colorado has reciprocity agreements with all states with limited exam requirements.
Connecticut
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Connecticut has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
Delaware
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Delaware has reciprocity with all states after passing the Delaware state law exam or meeting minimum experience requirements.
Florida
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Florida has mutual recognition (reciprocity) agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
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Georgia
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Georgia has reciprocity agreements with all states, assuming the agent passes necessary background and real estate license history checks.
Hawaii
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Hawaii does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
Idaho
Real estate license portability: Physical location, with special circumstances
Real estate license reciprocity: Idaho has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Montana
- Oregon
- Wyoming
Illinois
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Illinois has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
Indiana
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Indiana no longer holds reciprocity agreements with any state. However, agents may still qualify if their original state of licensure has licensing requirements that are substantially similar to those in Indiana.
Iowa
Real estate license portability: Physical location, with special circumstances
Real estate license reciprocity: Iowa has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
Kansas
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Kansas has reciprocity with other states after a waiver is successfully processed.
Kentucky
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Kentucky has reciprocity with all other states after passing the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam.
Louisiana
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
Maine
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Maine has reciprocity agreements with all states upon passing the Maine law portion of the licensing exam.
Maryland
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Maryland has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Massachusetts has complete broker and salesperson reciprocity with the following states:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
Massachusetts has limited broker and salesperson reciprocity with the following states:
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina (a provisional broker in North Carolina is equivalent to a Massachusetts salesperson)
- Oklahoma
Michigan
Real estate license portability: Physical location, with limitations
Real estate license reciprocity: Michigan does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state. However, individuals licensed in another state may qualify for a Michigan real estate license if their experience and training are substantially equal to that required in Michigan.
Minnesota
Real estate license portability: Physical location, with special circumstances
Real estate license reciprocity: Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
Mississippi
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Mississippi currently has full reciprocity, but rules vary. Call the Mississippi Real Estate Commission for current requirements.
Missouri
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Missouri has reciprocity with other states after passing the Missouri portion of the real estate licensing exam.
Montana
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Montana has reciprocity agreements with the following Canadian province:
- Alberta, Canada
Nebraska
Real estate license portability: Turf state, with special circumstances
Real estate license reciprocity: Nebraska offers license by recognition, rather than reciprocal licensing. This means that out-of-state agents who are in good standing may be issued an equivalent real estate license in Nebraska.
Nevada
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Nevada has salesperson and broker license reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- West Virginia
Additionally, Nevada has broker, broker-associate, and broker-salesperson license reciprocity with the following states:
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Wyoming
New Hampshire
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: New Hampshire has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Georgia
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
New Jersey
Real estate license portability: Turf state
Real estate license reciprocity: New Jersey does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
New Mexico
Real estate license portability: Turf state
Real estate license reciprocity: New Mexico has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
New York
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: New York has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
Although New York has reciprocity agreements with several states, it’s a physical location state and out-of-state agents can’t perform any functions regarding New York real estate within the state. Luckily, Real allows agents to operate and share commissions in New York while providing valuable resources like a personal website, client customer relationship management (CRM), an IDX-integrated app, and more. Click here to learn more.
North Carolina
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Applicants who have an out-of-state (U.S. territory or Canadian) real estate license that has been active within the last three years and that is equivalent to North Carolina’s provisional or “full” broker license may waive the state’s prelicensing courses. They can also engage in real estate by passing the state exam or waive the exam and be granted a North Carolina license on provisional status.
North Dakota
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: North Dakota has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Minnesota
Ohio
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Ohio has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Oklahoma
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Oklahoma has “non-residency” (reciprocity) agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
Oregon
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Oregon has reciprocity agreements with the following Canadian province and states:
- Alabama
- Alberta, Canada
- Georgia
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
Pennsylvania
Real estate license portability: Turf state
Real estate license reciprocity: Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New York
Rhode Island
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Massachusetts
South Carolina
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- West Virginia
South Dakota
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: South Dakota does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any other state, but does issue an equivalent license to those moving into the area provided agents submit a certificate of licensure from their prior state showing good standing, which can speed up the licensing process.
Tennessee
Real estate license portability: Cooperative, with limitations
Real estate license reciprocity: Tennessee does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state. However, agents can complete a special reciprocal application and be given the ability to practice real estate if they are in good standing in their home state.
Texas
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Texas does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
If you’re considering moving your license or taking out-of-state clients but don’t want to re-take licensing exams, check out Real. Real is a licensed broker in multiple states; it is not a franchise. For an 85% commission split and no monthly fee, you can use Real as your broker. This means that you can operate in multiple states. Learn more about Real.
Utah
Real estate license portability: Turf state
Real estate license reciprocity: Utah has reciprocity agreements with the following states and Canadian province:
- Alberta, Canada
- Georgia
- Mississippi
Vermont
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Vermont does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
Virginia
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Virginia has reciprocity with other states provided applicant has been active in the real estate business during 24 of the previous 36 months.
Washington
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Washington has reciprocity with other states based on recent license activity and submission of the proper forms.
West Virginia
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: West Virginia has salesperson license reciprocity agreements with the following states and territories:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
Wisconsin
Real estate license portability: Physical location
Real estate license reciprocity: Wisconsin has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Illinois
- Indiana
Wyoming
Real estate license portability: Cooperative
Real estate license reciprocity: Wyoming does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
Bottom Line
Real estate license reciprocity and portability dictate how agents engage in out-of-state property transactions. If you have clients looking at a property out of state, it’s important to fully understand local license requirements. Once you’re familiar with applicable state law, decide whether it’s best to complete the transaction yourself or refer the client to another agent.
Barbara Greenfield
I have worked with an agent in NY to find a home, since the market is so crazy and things are selling in hours I was also making calls to view properties. I took a trip to Connecticut andI called an agent there to view a property and wound up purchasing the property . Is my NY agent entitled to some sort of commission ? How much would it be? I may just pay it to not have hard feelings.
Allison Potts
The answer depends on the contract you signed with your original agent and whether you agreed to any sort of exclusivity. New York and Connecticut do have a reciprocal agreement and are cooperative states, which means your original agent could have potentially represented you if their brokerage also has a co-brokerage agreement with a CT-based licensee.
Lisa allen
I was wondering if you could help me out. I am a licensed Real Estate agent in NY….MY Boyfriend is a broker {he owns a small real estate company in Rhode Island) it is just him and he really hasnt sold in Years. He also has a property wants to sell…..and really doesnt want to deal with it. He was wondering if there was any way I could be the listing agent and deal with all the questions, document….etc. I see NY is a physical location state….but not really sure if I could do it…
If not would I have to get licensed in Rhode Island and take the 40 hour course?
Thank you so much for any help you can provide
Allison Potts
Rhode Island does not currently have a reciprocity agreement with New York, which means that you would not be eligible to serve as the property’s listing agent without applying for a secondary RI license.
Susan Letham
Hi,
I have my Real Estate Brokers license in MA and hope to relocate to NC. Wondering if I can get licensed there before I physically move to enable myself to cobroke whatever I will be buying. Contact information to get me started would be extremely helpful.
Thank you, Susan
Melanie Patterson
Hi Susan, Here is the information to get started in finding out if you have to live in NC before you can conduct business there. The NC Real Estate Commission should have all the information you need.
https://www.ncrec.gov/Licensing/Jurisdiction
Susan Letham
Melanie,
Thank you for your quick reply and getting me on track with the information you provided.
Gregory Smith
Thanks for the information! I see New Hampshire has a reciprocity agreement with Vermont. However this list says Vermont has no reciprocity agreements with any other states(?) Does the reciprocity not go both ways?
Thank you!
Melanie Patterson
Hi Gregory,
Thank you for your question. Reciprocity does not go both ways. NH allows those holding an active VT license to apply for a license and take just the state portion of the exam, but VT doesn’t allow reciprocity with any other state. Hope this helps.
J Bun
My end goal is to have Real estate license reciprocity for both IL and FL. Currently, I am a licensed real estate leasing agent living and working in IL as a IL resident. Am I qualified for the mutual agreement OR do I need to become a Licensed real estate agent in IL then do the mutual agreement in order to keep both state licenses and work in both states simulateously?
Melanie Patterson
Hi J Bun,
Thank you for your question. IL is a reciprocal state with FL, but you’ll need to suss out the nuances of your specific situation of holding a leasing and not a salespersons license in IL or FL by contacting the IL division of professional licensure. Here is the link:
https://www.idfpr.com/DRE/reciprocity2000.asp