Since getting your real estate license can be both time consuming and expensive, real estate license reciprocity, the ability for agents or brokers licensed in one state to more easily get a license in another state, is pretty important for the travelling agent.
In this guide we put together the real estate license reciprocity rules for all fifty states. We also cover the real estate license portability rules.
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What is Real Estate License Reciprocity?
Real estate license reciprocity is an agreement between multiple states that allows a real estate salesperson or broker licensed in one state to receive a real estate license in a reciprocal state without taking the required real estate pre-licensing courses in that state. For example, if you have a New York State real estate salesperson’s license, you can apply for and get a Connecticut real estate salesperson license without taking the coursework required for licensure in Connecticut. You would, however, still need to take the Connecticut state portion of the exam. (But the specific requirements will vary from state-to-state.)
Contrary to popular opinion, a reciprocity agreement between two states does not mean that a real estate salesperson or broker can take part in real estate transactions in a reciprocal state without getting a license in that state. For that, you need to understand the state laws for real estate license portability.
What is Real Estate License Portability?
Real estate license portability describes state laws which allow for out-of-state real estate agents or brokers to take part in real estate transactions in their state. For example, a real estate agent licensed in New York may have a client looking to purchase property in Georgia. Under Georgia state law, this agent can represent their client purchasing a home in Georgia if certain conditions are met.
Generally speaking, there are three classifications of real estate license portability:
1. Cooperative State
A Cooperative state allows licensed real estate agents or brokers to physically enter their state to conduct real estate business via property showings, closings, negotiations etc. However, an agent or broker coming into a cooperative state to conduct business must have a co brokerage agreement in place with a licensee of that state. There are 26 cooperative states.
2. Physical Location State
A physical location state on the other hand, allows agents and brokers to conduct business in their state, but does not allow them to physically enter the state to conduct that business. That means that an agent or broker from another state must conduct all 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 go view properties, submit offers on their behalf, and negotiate transactions as long as you physically remain in the state which you are licensed.
There are 21 physical location states, including Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington DC.
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 4 turf states; Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability by State
Important note: You should consult an attorney or legal counsel before becoming involved in a transaction in another state. Failure to observe the law may result in loss of commission, or worse, even jeopardize your license. The following guide is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be taken as legal advice.
Click on your state below or keep scrolling to learn the reciprocity and portability rules in your state. Mobile users: if you don’t see your state swipe to the left to view more states.
Things To Keep in Mind When Operating in Other States
Working with buyers who are looking for a property in another state can be very tricky. If you were an agent working with buyers who had representation in another state wouldn’t you try to convince them to ditch the out of state agent?
Unless you have a great relationship with your clients, I would highly suggest trying to get an exclusive buyer’s agreement signed. Of course this can present problems on it’s own as most exclusive buyer’s representation contracts are only valid in the state you’re licensed in.
Unless you are either very experienced, have a great lawyer, or the supervision of a broker who has done many out of state transactions, offering the client up as a referral would probably be your easiest course of action.
State by State License Reciprocity and Portability
Alabama
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Alabama has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- All States
Alaska
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Alaska has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Arizona
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Arizona has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
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 has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Where should you move your license? For an 85% commission split and no monthly fee, you can use Real as your broker. Real is a licensed broker in multiple states and not a franchise. This means that you can operate in multiple states with one broker! Learn more about Real.
Colorado
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Colorado has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- All states
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 agreements with the following states:
- None
Florida
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Florida has mutual recognition agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas Real Estate licensees must have held an active broker’s or sales associate’s license for at least 24 months during the preceding five years if the applicant is a broker.
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
Where should you move your license? For an 85% commission split and no monthly fee, you can use Real as your broker. Real is a licensed broker in multiple states and not a franchise. This means that you can operate in multiple states with one broker! Learn more about Real.
Georgia
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Georgia has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- All states but Florida.
- Florida license holders must take Georgia state exam
Hawaii
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Hawaii has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Idaho
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Idaho has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Wyoming
- Oregon
- Montana
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
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
Indiana
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Indiana has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Wisconsin
Iowa
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Iowa has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
Kansas
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Kansas has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Kentucky
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Kentucky has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Louisiana
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Iowa
Maine
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Maine has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Any state
Maryland
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Maryland has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Pennsylvania
- Oklahoma
Massachusetts
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
Michigan
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Michigan has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Minnesota
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
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 has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- All states
Missouri
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Missouri has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
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
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Nebraska has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Alberta, Canada
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Nevada
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Nevada has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Ohio
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
New Hampshire
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: New Hampshire has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- Vermont
- Tennessee
- Georgia
New Jersey
Real Estate License Portability: Turf State
Real Estate License Reciprocity: New Jersey has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
New Mexico
Real Estate License Portability: Turf State
Real Estate License Reciprocity: New Mexico has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
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
North Carolina
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
North Dakota
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: North Dakota has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Tennessee
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 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 states :
- Alabama
- Alberta
- 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
- Oklahoma
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New York
- West Virginia
Rhode Island
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
South Carolina
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- West Virginia
South Dakota
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: South Dakota has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Tennessee
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Tennessee has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Texas
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Texas has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Where should you move your license? For an 85% commission split and no monthly fee, you can use Real as your broker. Real is a licensed broker in multiple states and not a franchise. This means that you can operate in multiple states with one broker! Learn more about Real.
Utah
Real Estate License Portability: Turf State
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Utah has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Alberta, Canada
Vermont
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Vermont has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
Virginia
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Virginia has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- All states
Washington
Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Washington has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
West Virginia
Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location
Real Estate License Reciprocity: West Virginia has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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: N/A
Real Estate License Reciprocity: Wyoming has reciprocity agreements with the following states:
- None
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Debbie Nicholson
Hello. Does your website apply to commercial real estate agency relationships as well?
Thanks so much!!!
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Hey Debbie, portability laws apply to commercial real estate as well as licensing, but there may be different restrictions in different states for working commercial properties, especially multifamily.
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Anahi
Hi,
I have recently passed my real estate exam in Colorado. I will be moving to Maryland soon. Will I have to take the classes and test again to be licensed in Maryland?
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Hi Anahi –
Congratulations on recently passing your Colorado real estate exam! To find our your next steps, it would be best to contact the Maryland Real Estate Commission Real Estate Commission at 410-230-6230. They can guide you through the process, and give you up to date information on what their current requirements and reciprocal agreements are, as well as what that means for you. Best of luck!
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Vimi Walker
I am licensed in WV and would like to get licensed in Virginia. What do I need to do? Do I only have to take the law part of the test.
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Hi Vimi,
You are correct. In order to get licensed in the state of Virginia you will need to take and pass the prelicensing exam in Virginia. I am not sure if they break the exam up into two sections though.
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Stephen McEntire
I have license in Utah. I have a client looking to sell and buy a home in Idaho. Idaho is a physical location state meaning that I can step into Idaho to conduct business but must do everything remotely. Is there anything else I need to do to conduct business remotely in Idaho?
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Hey Stephen,
While you technically can conduct business on a transaction remotely, you will not be able to be present for showings, closings, or negotiations. All of these services must be done by a licensed agent in Idaho. Frankly, it might be easier for your clients if you just got licensed in Idaho or referred them to an agent you trust for a referral fee.
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ajd
I am a licensed agent in Utah and looking to get my license in Nevada. Do I need to retake the national exam or just the state law exam? I have called the school, the division and pearson vue and cannot seem to get specific answers.
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Hi there,
Here are the current reciprocity requirements for Nevada.
http://red.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/rednvgov/Content/Forms/501.pdf
From my reading of this, you will more than likely have to take the exam in Nevada. That said, like almost everything coming from state governments, the wording here is a bit confusing. I would reach out to the Nevada real estate division to confirm. If they don’t know then no one will!
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