Yes, you can be a part-time real estate agent in Alabama. The Alabama Real Estate Commission doesn’t differentiate between part-time and full-time agents, your license and legal responsibilities are the same. With the right brokerage, you can earn referral or active income on your schedule.
Many agents work part-time for referrals, personal deals, or side income. Income varies widely, from a few thousand to over $30K/year depending on activity. This guide breaks it all down, from licensing steps to income expectations, so you can decide if part-time real estate fits your lifestyle and goals.
Is Part-Time Real Estate Even Legal in Alabama?
Working part-time as a real estate agent in Alabama is completely legal.
The Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) doesn’t differentiate between full-time and part-time agents when it comes to licensing. Whether you plan to close 30 deals a year or refer one client to a trusted colleague, the process to get started is the same.
To qualify for a license, you’ll need to complete a 60-hour pre-license course approved by AREC, pass a background check, and score at least 70% on the state exam.
The exam can be taken multiple times within a one-year eligibility window, giving aspiring part-timers flexibility in their schedule. That said, not everyone qualifies. AREC may deny your application if:
- You have a recent criminal conviction related to fraud or dishonesty
- You fail to complete the full 60-hour course or exam
- You don’t meet the good moral character requirement during background review
If you’re coming from another state, Alabama also offers license reciprocity. This means you can activate your Alabama license by passing only the state portion of the exam, no need to redo all the coursework.
Why Agents Choose to Work Part-Time
Not every agent wants, or needs, to be full-time. For many, part-time real estate offers the flexibility to earn additional income without stepping away from a primary career, parenting responsibilities, or other obligations.
We regularly see part-time agents who:
- Work a full-time job and help family/friends buy or sell occasionally
- Are real estate investors who want to keep commissions in-house
- Are retirees using their license to stay active and earn supplemental income
- Are parents looking for an income stream that works around their home schedule
In Alabama, this flexibility is amplified by a low cost of entry and affordable brokerage models. But while you don’t need to be full-time to be successful, the agents who thrive part-time are strategic.
They prioritize high-value activities, focus on their personal network, and set boundaries that keep expectations realistic.
In other words, the rule is simple: you get out what you put in.
The Pros and Cons of Being Part-Time
Benefits
- Keep Your Job While Earning More: You don’t have to quit your day job. Many agents start part-time to test the waters before transitioning full-time, or to supplement a salary without pressure.
- Profit from Personal Connections: If someone in your circle is buying or selling, you can legally help with the transaction and collect a commission. Even one or two deals a year can be worth it.
- 100% Commission Models Create Profit Fast: At Realty Hub, for example, part-time agents pay just $100/year and $100 per transaction, keeping the rest. That’s a huge win for agents doing a few deals annually.
- No Desk Time or Production Quotas: Unlike traditional brokerages, Realty Hub doesn’t require mandatory meetings or minimum transaction counts. You work when and how you want.
Challenges
- Clients Expect Fast Response Times: In hot markets like Birmingham or Huntsville, speed matters. If you can’t reply within an hour or two, a lead may go cold or another agent may step in.
- Scheduling Conflicts Can Be a Dealbreaker: You’ll need to manage showing requests, inspections, and paperwork deadlines, often during business hours. That means part-time doesn’t mean hands-off.
- You’re Still Liable for Mistakes: Even if real estate is your side hustle, you’re held to the same standards as full-time professionals. Miss a disclosure or deadline, and you could be on the hook.
What if I can’t respond fast enough and lose a deal? This is a valid concern. Partnering with a full-time agent for urgent tasks can help.
Do clients take part-timers seriously? Some do, especially if the relationship is based on trust. But professionalism, response time, and communication matter more than your full-time status.
How Much Do Part-Time Real Estate Agents Make in Alabama?
Your income as a part-time agent in Alabama will depend on your model: active or referral-only.
Referral agents, those who refer clients to another licensed agent, can earn $2,000–$5,000 per deal, with little to no direct involvement. You won’t show homes, handle paperwork, or negotiate. You simply connect the client and collect a cut when the deal closes.
Active part-time agents, those who handle deals themselves, can expect $5,000–$30,000 annually, depending on volume and market.
Part-Time vs. Referral-Only Agent: What’s the Difference?
If you’re exploring a part-time path in Alabama real estate, you’ll need to decide: Will you be an active agent or a referral-only agent?
An active part-time agent handles the entire transaction. You show homes, negotiate contracts, attend inspections, and guide clients from start to finish. This requires more availability, but also offers higher earnings potential and deeper client relationships.
A referral-only agent, on the other hand, earns income by sending clients to full-time agents in exchange for a referral fee, often 20–25% of the commission. It’s a lean, hands-off approach that’s perfect if your time is limited or if you have a strong network but can’t commit to hands-on work.
“Referral-only” isn’t a legal classification. Some REALTOR® associations push this term to pressure agents into joining, but in Alabama, you’re allowed to refer clients without paying dues to those associations. With the right brokerage, your license stays active whether you’re doing three deals a year, or simply referring one.
Step-by-Step: How to Become a Part-Time Real Estate Agent in Alabama
If you’re ready to begin, here’s how to move forward:
- Take the 60-hour pre-license course. Online options like Colibri Real Estate and US Realty School make it easy to fit into your schedule.
- Pass the state licensing exam. A score of 70% or higher is required, and you can retake it if needed within 12 months.
- Submit your application and background check to the Alabama Real Estate Commission.
- Choose a brokerage that aligns with your goals, whether referral-only or full-service.
- Activate your license and complete post-license education (within 6 months of licensing).
- Decide on your model: active transactions, referral-only, or a hybrid.
- Set expectations: How many deals do you want to close? How many hours can you give each week?
⏱️ Most part-time agents complete the entire licensing process in 3–8 weeks depending on their schedule.
Tips for Thriving as a Part-Time Agent
Working part-time doesn’t mean treating real estate like a hobby. To make it work, you’ll need smart systems and the right mindset.
- Leverage your sphere of influence. Your personal network is the easiest source of warm leads, and ideal for referral income.
- Prioritize high-ROI activities. Focus your limited hours on lead gen, referrals, or closings, not busywork.
- Use scheduling tools. Time blocking and shared calendars help manage client appointments around your job or family.
- Team up with a full-time agent. If you’re unavailable for a showing, your partner can step in, and you can split the deal.
- Let referral income cover your costs. A single referral per year can cover your license fees and more.
Is Part-Time Right for You? (Checklist)
- ✅ You’re self-motivated and can work independently
- ✅ You’re not relying on real estate as your main source of income
- ✅ You’re comfortable using your personal network for deals or referrals
- ✅ You want flexibility over structure
- ✅ You’re okay with occasional schedule trade-offs
Can You Succeed as a Part-Time Agent in Alabama?
Absolutely, but only if you approach it with clarity and purpose.
Real estate can be a powerful income stream, even on a part-time basis, but you need the right foundation. That means choosing a brokerage that respects your time, supports your goals, and doesn’t eat away at your commission with hidden fees or franchise fluff.
If you’re realistic about your availability and commit to a few smart systems, part-time real estate can deliver strong results without draining your schedule or burning you out.
Finding the Right Brokerage for Part-Time Work
Not all brokerages are built for agents who want flexibility. Many traditional firms require mandatory meetings, desk time, or monthly quotas, all of which make part-time work harder than it needs to be.
Here’s what to look for in a brokerage if you’re part-time:
- Flat-fee structure: At Realty Hub, agents pay $100/year + $100 per transaction, keeping 100% of their commission. This model makes part-time profitability much more realistic.
- No desk fees, no pressure: We don’t impose sales targets or in-office hours. Whether you close ten deals or one, you’re not penalized.
- MLS flexibility: Not planning to list properties yourself? Skip the MLS dues and still stay active by referring or co-oping with others.
- On-demand support: You won’t need constant hand-holding, but when questions come up, you’ll want broker access that doesn’t require jumping through hoops.
What About MLS, E&O Insurance, and REALTOR® Dues?
These are the three most misunderstood expenses for part-time agents. Let’s break them down:
- MLS Access: You only need MLS access if you plan to list homes or represent buyers in property searches. Referral agents or those closing the occasional personal deal may not need it at all.
- E&O Insurance: At Realty Hub, Errors & Omissions coverage is included in our transaction fee, so you’re protected without paying for an annual policy upfront.
- REALTOR® Association Dues: You are not required to join a REALTOR® association to practice real estate in Alabama. Realty Hub supports agents who opt out, saving them hundreds annually.
The Realty Hub Advantage for Part-Time Agents
Not every brokerage is structured to support part-time success. At Realty Hub, we built our model specifically to remove the barriers that stop part-time agents from earning real income.
- No quotas, no pressure. Whether you close one deal or twenty, your autonomy is respected. We never impose sales goals or production minimums.
- Flat-fee structure, no splits. Agents pay just $100/year and $100 per transaction. That’s it. You keep 100% of your commission, ideal for agents doing a few deals annually.
- MLS membership optional. If you’re not listing properties, you can operate without the added expense of MLS dues.
- Responsive broker support. You’ll have direct access to a seasoned broker when needed, without layers of corporate red tape.
- One platform, multiple paths. We support full-time, part-time, and referral-only agents equally. There’s no “less than” status here.
If your goal is low overhead, high control, and the freedom to build your business around your life, not the other way around 👉 Join Realty Hub Now.