All Roll Calls
Yes: 216 • No: 4
ArkansasHB15582025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BROKER AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE LICENSE; AND TO AMEND THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE LAW.
Sponsored By: Ronald Caldwell (Republican), Richard McGrew (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 5 costs, 3 mixed.
Licensees must finish training to practice
New real estate brokers, salespeople, property management brokers, and associates must finish required training within six months of licensing. The Commission can require up to 30 classroom hours. Missing the deadline makes the license inactive until proof of completion arrives. Property management licensees also need 6 to 7 classroom hours each year, including at least one hour on safety. Accepted distance education or an approved mastery course can count; renewal without proof leaves the license inactive, and practice requires activation.
Property managers face work limits and fines
Property management licensees must follow conduct rules on advertising, broker affiliation, competence, and payments to unlicensed people. Those licensed only in property management cannot list, negotiate, or sell property they do not own, or receive anything of value for doing so. Offering covered property management work without the proper license counts as initial evidence of unlicensed activity. The Commission can fine property management licensees up to $100 for missing required annual or post-license education. Certain work with an expired license or unlawful advertising can bring fines up to $250; specified supervising brokers also face penalties.
New licenses for Arkansas property managers
Arkansas creates property management broker and associate licenses, required before practicing or claiming either title. Associates must work as employees or independent contractors under a property management broker and cannot supervise other licensees. Broker education is capped at 60 hours: 30 on property management subjects and 30 on supervision best practices. Brokers need two years of qualifying experience as licensed associates, managing at least seven units, or combining those paths. Associate education is capped at 30 hours and covers required property management subjects, including rental law, fair housing, and accounting.
Broker applicants gain more course flexibility
Real estate broker applicants no longer need at least 45 hours in a course developed by the Commission. Required broker education remains capped at 120 hours, completed within the 36 months before applying.
Leasing workers get a limited license exemption
Employees paid only hourly or by salary can do limited leasing tasks without a real estate license. They must work for a property owner, property management broker, principal broker, or principal broker's real estate firm. Allowed tasks include handling lease papers or payments for delivery and passing along information prepared by the owner or broker. Showing units requires direct written instructions. The exemption excludes property management associates and does not allow other regulated work.
More ownership options for management firms
People and companies can own property management firms without holding a Commission license. Covered work must go through a property management broker or associated workers holding active licenses. The Commission can approve temporary operations after a broker dies, resigns, is fired, becomes incapacitated, or the firm closes. A Commission-approved person must direct those operations, subject to Commission time limits and conditions. Brokers can sue for unpaid management work if actively licensed when offering and performing it or obtaining the pay agreement; owners can sue when work went through a broker or Commission-approved person licensed or approved at the time.
Property management teachers face approval rules
The Commission oversees property management training and sets required courses, including a specific continuing-education curriculum. Courses generally need approval to count toward licensing, unless a legal exemption applies. Beginning June 1, 2026, providers must be Commission-approved property management experts or hold a Commission-issued property management broker license. People and schools cannot claim a property management course meets licensing requirements without Commission approval. Covered applicants and licensees face discipline for withholding required records, refusing investigation help, or guilty or no-contest pleas or findings of guilt for listed violations.
Property managers face fees and checks
Property management applicants must pass an exam and pay the actual cost of approved state and federal background checks. Original and annual renewal fees are capped at $80 for brokers and $60 for associates. Expired-license fees are capped at $110 per year or partial year for brokers, and $80 for associates. Applicants must pay license and Recovery Fund fees within 90 days after the exam; the Recovery Fund fee remains capped at $25. Missing that deadline invalidates exam results and requires reapplication and another exam, unless the Commission extends it for a pending federal check.
Property managers face office and transfer rules
Property management brokers must keep a business location and a permanently attached building sign identifying the business and property management work. Branch offices require duplicate-license fees; branches with associates need another firm property management broker assigned to supervise them. Brokers must retain and display associated workers' licenses. When an association ends, the broker must promptly notify the Commission and return the license and pocket card, making the license inactive. Transferring that license requires an application, the applicable fee, and a statement that the worker is not taking specified former-firm records or property.
Management complaints get appeals and deadlines
People can appeal property management complaints dismissed without a hearing by the Commission's Executive Director. Written appeals, with any filing fee capped at $100, must arrive within 60 days after dismissal. Record-preparation costs are due within 30 days after notice; fees and costs are refunded if the Commission orders a hearing. The Commission can waive either or both charges for people it finds unable to pay. It generally cannot investigate or hold a disciplinary hearing unless a complaint or investigation starts within three years of the conduct; fraudulently obtained licenses are exempt.
Paid price opinions have license limits
Real estate brokers and salespeople can prepare and charge for broker's price opinions for buyers, sellers, third parties, or lienholders. A property management license alone does not authorize this paid work. A lienholder's price opinion cannot be the main basis for valuing a borrower's primary home when making a mortgage.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Ronald Caldwell
Republican • Senate
Richard McGrew
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mary Bentley
Republican • House
Matt Duffield
Republican • House
Tony Furman
Republican • House
Wayne Long
Republican • House
Rick McClure
Republican • House
Rebecca Burkes
Republican • House
R. Scott Richardson
Republican • House
Randy Torres
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/20/2025
House Vote - Thursday, March 20, 2025 1:40:29 PM
Yes: 94 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/13/2025
Senate Vote - Thursday, March 13, 2025 3:34:11 PM
Yes: 27 • No: 4 • Other: 4
House vote • 2/27/2025
House Vote - Thursday, February 27, 2025 2:38:01 PM
Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1558 is now Act 392
3/25/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
3/20/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
3/20/2025HouseSenate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
3/20/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
3/19/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE
3/13/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .
3/13/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
3/13/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
3/11/2025SenateRe-referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
3/5/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/5/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
3/5/2025SenateWithdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1
3/5/2025SenateRules suspended.
3/5/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE
2/27/2025SenateReceived from the House.
2/27/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
2/27/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
2/26/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE
2/24/2025HouseFiled
2/24/2025House
Bill Text
HB1558 - Introduced
2/24/2025
Act Version
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