Verify an Alabama Real Estate License Before You Rely on It
Use this guide to check an Alabama real estate salesperson, qualifying broker, associate broker, company or branch through the Alabama Real Estate Commission’s official license database.
The lookup can show more than a name match. Open the full record to review license type, current status, original issue date, renewal information, expiration dates, company affiliation and available disciplinary information.
Quick Answer: How to Verify an Alabama Real Estate License
Open the Alabama Real Estate Commission License Search and search by license number whenever you have it. You can also search by licensee name, company name or use advanced filters for county, license type and license status.
After choosing a result, open the full record. Do not treat a matching name alone as proof that someone can currently perform licensed real estate activity.
Use AREC first
The Alabama Real Estate Commission regulates Alabama real estate licensees and provides the state’s public license-status search.
Search the license number
A license number is usually more reliable than a name-only search, especially when several Alabama licensees have similar names.
Open the complete record
Check status, license type, expiration, company affiliation and discipline details instead of relying only on the search-results list.
If an agent gives you a license number, search that exact number first. Then make sure the legal name, license type and brokerage shown by AREC match the person and company you are dealing with.
What Can You Search in the Alabama AREC Database?
The current AREC search provides several ways to find both individual professionals and licensed real estate businesses.
Licensee name
Search by first and last name when you do not have the license number.
Company name
Search the brokerage or licensed company directly when verifying a firm rather than an individual.
License number
Use the state-issued license number for the cleanest direct search when it is available.
Advanced search
Filter by county, real estate type and status when a basic name search produces too many matches.
| AREC filter | Options you may see | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate type | Qualifying Broker, Associate Broker, Salesperson, Temporary Salesperson, Company, Branch | Use this when you know the role but several name matches appear. |
| License status | Active, Inactive, Revoked, Suspended | Use this to narrow results when checking whether a person or business currently appears under a specific status. |
| County | Alabama county selection | Useful for common names, local offices and area-specific searches. |
| Education records | School Administrator, CE Instructor, Pre/Post Instructor, Approved School, Licensed School | Use these only for AREC education-related records, not ordinary agent verification. |
Alabama Real Estate License Verification: Step-by-Step
This workflow works for consumers, brokers, property owners, employers, referral partners and licensees checking their own renewal record.
Open the official Alabama Real Estate Commission search
Use the state AREC database rather than beginning with a private directory, advertisement, brokerage profile or social-media account.
Choose the strongest search method
Enter the license number if you have it. Otherwise, search the person’s exact first and last name or the company’s legal or registered name.
Narrow the results when necessary
If several matches appear, use county, license type or status filters. Pay particular attention to whether the record is for a salesperson, associate broker, qualifying broker, company or branch.
Open the individual record
Do not rely only on the result list. The detail page can show license number, status, type, city, original issue date, renewal information and expiration dates.
Match the brokerage or company
For an active salesperson or broker record, compare the company information with the brokerage name being represented to you. For a company record, review qualifying-broker or personnel information where displayed.
Check disciplinary information
Review disciplinary information shown on the record and use AREC’s separate Disciplinary Actions page when a transaction, hiring decision or compliance review requires a deeper check.
Save a dated verification record
Record the official source, date checked, name, license number, license type, status, expiration date, company and discipline result for your file.
How to Read an Alabama AREC License Record
A detail page can contain several dates that look similar but answer different questions. This is especially important during a renewal year.
| Field | What it tells you | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| License Number | The state identifier attached to the record. | Match it with the number provided by the licensee or brokerage. |
| License Status | The status currently displayed by AREC. | Do not treat inactive, suspended, revoked or expired wording as active authority. |
| License Type | Whether the record is a salesperson, associate broker, qualifying broker, temporary salesperson, company or another type. | Make sure the role matches what the person or business claims. |
| Original Issued | The original issuance date displayed for the record. | Do not confuse original issue date with current expiration or renewal. |
| Renewal Paid | The date AREC shows the renewal payment was applied. | Payment alone does not necessarily answer whether all active-license requirements are complete. |
| Renewal Expiration | The renewal-period expiration shown in the state record. | During renewal processing, this may update separately from License Expiration. |
| License Expiration | The expiration date currently displayed for the issued license. | Check this together with status, CE completion and renewal information. |
| Company Information | The brokerage or company relationship displayed for an individual record. | Compare it with the firm the person says they represent. |
| Disciplinary Information | Public disciplinary action displayed for the record when available. | For older actions, use AREC contact guidance because actions before August 1, 2019 are not available on the current website. |
AREC can display a renewed Renewal Expiration date while the License Expiration field still reflects the current period. Read both fields and the license status instead of assuming that one updated date proves every renewal requirement is complete.
Alabama Real Estate License Status: What the Result Means
Use the status exactly as AREC displays it. The safest consumer or employer approach is to treat anything other than a clearly current active record as a reason to verify before allowing licensed activity.
Current active record
Confirm the expiration date, license type, company relationship and discipline information before relying on the record.
License exists but is inactive
Do not assume an inactive license authorizes the same activity as an active license. The licensee may need activation, CE and the correct qualifying-broker relationship.
Stop and review the action
Do not treat the credential as an unrestricted active license. Review AREC’s disciplinary information and any available order.
Check renewal or reinstatement
An expiration date or expired status needs an official update before the record should be relied on for current licensed activity.
“REALTOR®,” agent biography pages, brokerage websites, social profiles, business cards, MLS references and advertisements do not replace the Alabama Real Estate Commission’s licensing record.
Alabama Real Estate License Renewal: 2026 Deadlines
The 2026 cycle is especially important because Alabama real estate licenses generally operate on a two-year renewal period ending in an even-numbered year.
Online renewal opened
AREC states that online license renewal for the 2026 cycle started June 15, 2026.
Penalty-free deadline
Renewals paid after August 31 are subject to an additional $150 late penalty.
Main expiration deadline
Most licenses other than temporary salesperson and temporary broker licenses expire at midnight on September 30, 2026.
AREC states that licenses not renewed by September 30, 2026 will be placed on inactive status October 1, 2026. Active and inactive licenses both must be renewed to remain current.
Continuing education needed for active status
| License type | 2026 CE requirement | Course breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson | 15 hours | 3-hour Risk Management: Initial Contact to Accepted Offer course plus 12 hours of Commission-approved elective CE. |
| Qualifying / Associate Broker | 15 hours | 3-hour Risk Management course, 3-hour Mandatory Broker CE Course and 9 hours of Commission-approved electives. |
AREC directs licensees to Online Services and the Education History section to review CE credit. Paying the renewal fee and satisfying active-license CE are separate things to verify.
2026 Alabama Real Estate Renewal Fees
Alabama law establishes the annual license-fee amounts, and the normal license period is two years. Broker and salesperson renewals also include the real estate research and education fee. The current 2026 renewal page adds a $150 penalty after August 31.
| License | Regular two-year renewal | With $150 late penalty after August 31 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | $205 | $355 |
| Salesperson | $185 | $335 |
| Company / Branch | $170 | $320 |
Confirm the amount displayed in AREC’s current Online Renewal system for the exact license. Additional circumstances, multiple broker licenses, activation, returned payments or other transactions can change what a specific licensee owes.
How to Check Whether an Alabama Renewal Was Applied
You do not need to rely only on a payment receipt. The public license record can help you see whether AREC has applied renewal information to the license.
Temporary Alabama Salesperson Licenses Follow Different Timing
Do not apply the normal September 30 renewal rule blindly to a temporary salesperson. AREC’s licensing blueprint explains that temporary licenses have their own issuance and post-license deadlines.
Temporary license expiration
A temporary salesperson license expires one year after issuance rather than following the ordinary September 30 biennial expiration date.
Active temporary period
AREC states that a temporary salesperson license may only remain active during the first six months unless the post-license requirements and original-license application requirements are completed.
Move to the original license
The temporary salesperson must complete the required 30-clock-hour post-license course and submit the original salesperson license application and fee within the applicable deadlines.
The AREC detail page may show a month-specific expiration date for a temporary salesperson. Read the exact record instead of assuming every Alabama real estate credential expires September 30.
Check the Broker and Company Relationship Too
A real estate verification is stronger when you confirm not only the person’s license but also the company or qualifying-broker relationship shown by AREC.
Look for company information
- Compare the company license number.
- Compare the company or brokerage name.
- Make sure the firm matches the one on the contract, advertisement or referral.
- Verify the person’s license type and status separately.
Look for personnel information
- Confirm the company license is current.
- Review the qualifying broker shown by AREC.
- Compare branch or company details when applicable.
- Do not assume an active salesperson proves the company itself is current.
AREC renewal guidance warns that a company and licensees can be affected when the qualifying broker is not properly renewed and active. For compliance or transaction-risk decisions, verify the connected records rather than checking only one person.
How to Check Alabama Real Estate Disciplinary Actions
Some AREC license detail pages display disciplinary information directly, including hearing date, law or rule section and action taken.
Read the record carefully
A license may appear active and still display disciplinary information. “Active” should not be interpreted as “no disciplinary history.”
Pre-August 1, 2019 actions
AREC states that disciplinary actions taken before August 1, 2019 are not available on the current website.
Contact AREC
For disciplinary actions before August 1, 2019, AREC directs users to contact the Commission by email or phone.
Consumer and Employer Verification Checklist
Use a complete record when the license affects a property transaction, employment decision, referral, commission payment or compliance file.
Strong verification record
- Official Alabama Real Estate Commission source.
- Date the verification was completed.
- Full name exactly as shown.
- License number.
- License type.
- Current status.
- License expiration date.
- Renewal expiration when relevant.
- Company or qualifying-broker relationship.
- Disciplinary information reviewed.
Do not rely only on
- A business card or email signature.
- An agent’s social-media profile.
- A real estate portal profile.
- An old paper or printed license.
- A brokerage website biography.
- A REALTOR® membership claim.
- A screenshot with no verification date.
- A similar-name search result.
Alabama Real Estate License Lookup Not Working?
A missing or confusing result does not automatically prove that someone has never held an Alabama license. Work through these checks before drawing a conclusion.
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No result by name | Spelling, nickname, middle name, former name or wrong state. | Try the license number, exact legal name or company search. |
| Too many name matches | Common first or last name. | Use license number, county, license type or status filters. |
| Agent says renewal was paid | Payment and final active-license issuance may not be the same step. | Review Renewal Paid, Renewal Expiration, License Expiration and License Status together. |
| Company name does not match | Transfer, branch, DBA, referral company or outdated marketing. | Verify the current company record and ask the licensee to clarify the relationship. |
| Record is inactive | The license may have been placed inactive voluntarily or because a renewal/CE/activation requirement was not met. | Do not treat it as active. Use AREC activation guidance before licensed activity resumes. |
| Discipline looks blank | AREC’s online discipline history does not include actions before August 1, 2019. | Contact AREC if older disciplinary history is material to the decision. |
| Temporary salesperson has a different date | Temporary licenses follow their own one-year/post-license timeline. | Read the exact temporary-license record and AREC post-license guidance. |
Alabama Real Estate Commission Contact Information
Use the public database first. Contact the Commission when you need help interpreting an unresolved record, older disciplinary information, activation issues or another licensing question that the online record does not answer.
Alabama Real Estate Commission
Address: 1201 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: 334-242-5544
Email: arec@arec.alabama.gov
Have these details ready
- Licensee or company name.
- License number if known.
- License type.
- Status or date causing the question.
- Date you checked the online record.
- Whether the question concerns licensing, renewal, activation or discipline.
Official Alabama Real Estate License Resources
Use the links below by task. This reduces the risk of opening a private directory or the wrong AREC service.
Main public verification database.
Search licensees, companies and license numbers; use advanced filters for county, type and status.
Official verification overview.
Use this page for AREC’s own license/registration verification guidance and international ARELLO route.
Current cycle deadlines and CE.
Use before paying renewal fees or checking whether an active license has met the current CE requirement.
License-number renewal entry.
Use for the current online renewal transaction after confirming the license and renewal requirements.
Public enforcement history.
Use when you need to check recent disciplinary actions beyond the summary on a license detail page.
Official statutes and rules.
Use when the verification question depends on legal renewal, activation, CE or licensing requirements.
Alabama Real Estate License Verification FAQs
How do I verify an Alabama real estate license?
Use the Alabama Real Estate Commission License Search. Search by license number when possible, or use the person’s name, company name or advanced search filters. Open the full record and confirm license type, status, expiration, company relationship and disciplinary information.
What is the official Alabama real estate license lookup?
The official state lookup is the Alabama Real Estate Commission License Search at arec.alabama.gov. It can be used to verify individuals, companies and other AREC records.
Can I search an Alabama real estate license by name?
Yes. AREC provides licensee-name search fields for first and last name. If several matches appear, compare license type, city, company and license number or use the advanced filters.
Can I verify an Alabama brokerage company?
Yes. The AREC search includes company-name and company-license searches. Company detail pages can also show personnel information, including a qualifying broker where available.
What does inactive mean on an Alabama real estate license?
Inactive is different from an active license. Do not treat an inactive record as authority to perform licensed activity. The licensee may need to satisfy activation, CE, broker-affiliation or other AREC requirements before returning to active status.
When do Alabama real estate licenses expire in 2026?
AREC states that most licenses, except temporary salesperson and temporary broker licenses, expire at midnight September 30, 2026. Licenses not renewed by that date are placed inactive October 1, 2026.
How many continuing-education hours are required for Alabama real estate renewal?
Fifteen hours are required to maintain an active license. Salespersons need the required 3-hour Risk Management course plus 12 elective hours. Qualifying and associate brokers need the 3-hour Risk Management course, 3-hour Mandatory Broker CE Course and 9 elective hours.
How much is the Alabama real estate renewal late penalty in 2026?
AREC states that the renewal deadline without the additional penalty is August 31, 2026. Renewals after that date are subject to an additional $150 penalty.
Why does Renewal Expiration show 2028 while License Expiration still shows 2026?
The AREC record contains separate renewal and license fields. A renewal payment can be reflected before every requirement for issuance of the next active license has been completed. Check Renewal Paid, Renewal Expiration, License Expiration, current status and CE information together.
Does an active Alabama license mean there has never been discipline?
No. Some active records also show disciplinary information. Review the detail page and AREC’s disciplinary-action database. AREC states that actions taken before August 1, 2019 are not available on the current website.
Do temporary Alabama salesperson licenses expire September 30?
Not under the ordinary biennial rule. AREC’s licensing guidance states that a temporary salesperson license expires one year after issuance and has separate post-license and active-status deadlines.
Is verificationlicense.org the Alabama Real Estate Commission?
No. VerificationLicense.org is an independent informational guide. It does not issue, renew, activate, suspend, revoke or verify licenses on behalf of the Alabama Real Estate Commission. Use the official AREC record for final status.
Verify the Full Alabama Real Estate Record, Not Just the Name
Start with the official AREC License Search, use the license number when possible, open the detail record and compare license status, type, expiration, renewal information, company affiliation and discipline before relying on the credential.
For the 2026 renewal cycle, also remember the September 30 deadline, the 15-hour active-license CE requirement and the difference between renewal payment and final license issuance. VerificationLicense.org is an independent guide and is not the Alabama Real Estate Commission or a licensing authority.