Real Estate Agent

Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability Guide

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By Dyana Branchen

Do you live on the border of two states and want to practice real estate in both? Do you have a real estate license in one state and want to move to another? Can your real estate license even transfer to another state? Well, that’s where real estate license reciprocity and portability come into play.

Most states offer some level of real estate license reciprocity or portability, but each state is different. This article is the ultimate guide on real estate license reciprocity and portability.

What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity?

Definition: Real estate license reciprocity is an agreement states have with one another allowing real estate agents to quickly transfer their license without going through the states pre-licensing work.

There are different tiers of reciprocity, as all states are different. In some cases, reciprocity means you can apply to one state without having to take ANY licensing exams. In other cases, you may only have to take one portion of the exam(the state), or you might even have to do both. Either way, real estate license reciprocity saves time and money for people looking to transfer to another state.

What Is Real Estate License Portability?

Definition: Real estate license portability is an agreement states have with one another allowing out-of-state real estate agents to engage in real estate transactions in their state.

There are three different kinds of portability laws: cooperative, physical location, and turf states.

Cooperative State

A cooperative state allows out-of-state real estate brokers or agents to enter their state to conduct real estate transactions physically. This includes performing closings, property showings, and many other stages of a transaction.

It’s important to note, for out-of-state agents to work in a cooperative state, they must complete an agreement with a brokerage in that state.

Physical Location State

A physical location state allows out-of-state brokers or agents to perform real estate transactions in their state remotely. In other words, if a broker or agent is from another state wanting to preform in another, they must conduct all out-of-state business at home. They can not enter the state for any other real estate related reason.

For example, you could on behalf of your clients negotiate an offer from your home state, but you are not allowed to show them properties in that particular state physically.

Turf State

A turf state does not allow out-of-state brokers or agents to conduct ANY business in their state, either remotely or in-person. If you are caught conducting real estate business (depending on the state), you can be fined, lose your real estate license, and even in extreme cases be thrown in jail.

Does My State Have Real Estate License Reciprocity or Portability?

Real estate reciprocity and portability varies from state to state, so it’s important to read and understand the rules of your state. Here are all 50 states and their real estate license reciprocity and portability rules:

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCalifornia
ColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgia
HawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowa
KansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMaryland
MassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouri
MontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew Jersey
New MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhio
OklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth Carolina
South DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermont
VirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Alabama License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Alabama has reciprocity agreements with most states but requires Commission-approved 6 hour Reciprocal Salesperson Pre-license course covering Alabama License Law.

Further Information:

Alaska License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Alaska has reciprocity with all other states only if the license has been held for a year or more and the person passes the Alaska state portion of their exam.

Further Information:

Arizona License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative, with limitations.

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Arizona does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Arkansas License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia

Further Information:

California License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, California does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Colorado License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative, with limitations

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Colorado has reciprocity with all other states only if the license has been held for a year or more and the person passes the Colorado state portion of their exam.

Further Information:

Connecticut License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Connecticut has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island

Further Information:

Delaware License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Delaware has full reciprocity with all other states but with some additional education requirements.

Further Information:

Florida License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Florida has reciprocity agreements with the following states:

  • Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island

Further Information:

Georgia License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Georgia has full reciprocity with all other states but with some additional education requirements.

Further Information:

Hawaii License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Hawaii does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Idaho License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location, but with special circumstances

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None. Idaho does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states; however, it does waive some licensing fees for existing agents when applicable.

Further Information:

Illinois License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Illinois has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin

Further Information:

Indiana License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Indiana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Iowa License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location, but with special circumstances

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Iowa has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota

Further Information:

Kansas License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Kansas does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Kentucky License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Kentucky has reciprocity with all other states after passing the Kentucky state portion of the real estate exam.

Further Information:

Louisiana License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania

Further Information:

Maine License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Maine has reciprocity with all other states after passing the Maine state portion of the real estate exam.

Further Information:

Maryland License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Maryland has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Pennsylvania, Oklahoma

Further Information:

Massachusetts License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with these states with special conditions:

  • Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia

Further Information:

Michigan License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location, but with special circumstances.

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Michigan does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Minnesota License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location, but with special circumstances.

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with these states with special conditions:

  • Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Further Information:

Mississippi License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Mississippi does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Missouri License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Missouri has reciprocity with all other states after passing the Missouri state portion of the real estate exam.

Further Information:

Montana License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None. Montana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Nebraska License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Turf State

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None. Nebraska does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states. However, Nebraska uses “License by Recognition.” License by Recognition means if a person has an equivalent real estate license in an out-of-state, they can transfer their license to Nebraska.

Further Information:

Nevada License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Nevada has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia

Further Information:

New Hampshire License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: New Hampshire has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Georgia

Further Information:

New Jersey License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Turf State

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, New Jersey does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

New Mexico License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Turf State

Real Estate License Reciprocity: New Mexico has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Massachusetts, Louisiana, Georgia

Further Information:

New York License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: New York has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Further Information:

North Carolina License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with all states with special conditions.

Further Information:

North Dakota License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: North Dakota has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota

Further Information:

Ohio License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Ohio has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Wyoming

Further Information:

Oklahoma License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Oklahoma has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia

Further Information:

Oregon License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Oregon has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Alabama, Alberta, Georgia, Nebraska, South Dakota

Further Information:

Pennsylvania License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Turf State

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York

Further Information:

Rhode Island License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Connecticut, Massachusetts

Further Information:

South Carolina License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with all states with special conditions.

Further Information:

South Dakota License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: South Dakota has reciprocity agreements with all states with special conditions.

Further Information:

Tennessee License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative but with limitations.

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None. Tennessee does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Texas License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None, Texas does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Utah License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Turf State

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Utah has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Georgia, Mississippi

Further Information:

Vermont License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None. Vermont does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

Virginia License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Virginia has reciprocity agreements with all states with special conditions.

Further Information:

Washington License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Cooperative

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Washington has reciprocity agreements with all states with special conditions.

Further Information:

West Virginia License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: West Virginia has reciprocity agreements with all states with special conditions.

Further Information:

Wisconsin License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: Wisconsin has reciprocity agreements with these states:

  • Illinois, Indiana

Further Information:

Wyoming License Reciprocity and Portability

Real Estate License Portability: Physical Location

Real Estate License Reciprocity: None. Wyoming does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Further Information:

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