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Bill

HB 1794

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REAL ESTATE LICENSEES; AND TO CREATE CONTINUING EDUCATION EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BROKER LICENSEES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Hope Duke and 2 co-sponsors

Act 559 exempts experienced Arkansas real estate licensees from continuing education, recognizing their achievements while maintaining standards for others.

Notification that HB1794 is now Act 559
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Bill Summary · HB 1794

Summary of House Bill 1794 (Act 559)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1794, now known as Act 559, aims to amend the continuing education requirements for real estate licensees in Arkansas. The bill introduces exemptions for certain real estate broker licensees from these educational requirements, thereby recognizing the experience and achievements of long-serving professionals in the field.

Key Provisions

The bill makes several important changes to existing law regarding continuing education for real estate licensees:

  1. Continuing Education Requirements:

    • Licensees must complete a specified number of classroom hours of continuing education to renew or reactivate their licenses, not exceeding 30 hours for each inactive year.
    • If a license is inactive, the licensee is not subject to these education requirements.

  2. Exemptions:

    • The Executive Director of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission can waive all or part of the continuing education requirements under certain conditions, including:
      • Extenuating circumstances (e.g., health-related issues).
      • Recognition of significant achievements in the real estate industry or legislative service.
    • Specific exemptions are available for:
      • Salesperson and Associate Broker Licensees: Must be 72 years or older, have held an active license for 25 consecutive years, have no disciplinary actions in the past 5 years, and no delinquent education requirements.
      • Principal and Executive Broker Licensees: Similar criteria apply as for salesperson and associate broker licensees.

  3. Revocation and Appeals:

    • Approved exemptions may be revoked if disciplinary action is taken against the licensee after approval.
    • Licensees can appeal a denied exemption to the commission.

Affected Parties

This legislation primarily affects:
- Real estate licensees in Arkansas, including salespersons, associate brokers, principal brokers, and executive brokers.
- The Arkansas Real Estate Commission, which will administer the exemptions and continuing education requirements.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: March 13, 2025
  • Passed: The bill passed through various legislative stages, including:
    • Committee recommendations and readings in both the House and Senate.
    • Final passage on April 9, 2025.
  • Enacted: The bill was officially enacted as Act 559 on April 14, 2025.

Conclusion

House Bill 1794 (Act 559) represents a significant shift in the continuing education landscape for real estate professionals in Arkansas, providing exemptions for experienced licensees while maintaining educational standards for others. This legislation acknowledges the contributions of long-serving professionals and aims to streamline the renewal process for their licenses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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