Arizona’s 6-Hour Contract Writing Course Requirement

Why Arizona has a separate 6-hour Contract Writing Course

Most states include “contracts” into the general pre-licensing curriculum and call it a day. Arizona is different.

ADRE treats contract writing as a separate, required skill for salesperson applicants. So even after you finish your 90 hours, you still need the separate 6-hour Contract Writing Course certificate as part of your license application packet. 

The big takeaway: it’s not optional, and it’s not “nice to have.” If you don’t submit that certificate, your application is not complete.

Who needs the 6-hour Contract Writing Course?

If you’re applying for an Arizona real estate salesperson license, you need it. ADRE lists the 6-hour Contract Writing Course Certificate in its required documents for the salesperson application. 

It’s also specifically labeled as “Salesperson only” in Pearson/ADRE licensing materials. 

The deadline that people miss

ADRE doesn’t just require the course—they require it to be recent:

• Your 6-hour Contract Writing Course must be completed within 2 years of the date you submit your license application. 
• Your 90-hour pre-licensing must be completed within 10 years of application submission. 

So if you took contract writing “a while back” and then paused your licensing journey, you may need to retake it before applying.

When should you take it?

Take the 6-hour contract writing course close enough to your application to stay within the 2-year window—but not so late that it delays submitting your application.

A practical order looks like this (many people do steps 1 and 2 in either order):

1. Finish your 90-hour pre-licensing
2. Complete your 6-hour Contract Writing Course
3. Pass the Arizona state exam (Pearson) and get your score report 
4. Submit your application with required documents, including both certificates 

ADRE is looking for a course completion certificate for the 6-hour Contract Writing Course included in your application documents. 

Common mistakes that slow down applications

Here’s what causes unnecessary delays (or forces people to redo steps):

• Taking the 6-hour Contract Writing Course too early → certificate ends up outside the 2-year window 
• Assuming it’s “included” without a separate certificate → you still need the specific 6-hour certificate 
• Submitting without it → ADRE specifically lists it as a required document 
• Mixing up salesperson vs broker requirements → should be “salesperson only” for the 6-hour course 

Quick FAQ

Is the 6-hour Contract Writing Course part of the 90-hour pre-licensing?

No, but sometimes schools bundle it as part of a package. What matters to ADRE is that you have the separate 6-hour Contract Writing Course certificate to submit with your application. 

How long is the Contract Writing certificate valid for licensing?

ADRE requires it to be completed within 2 years before submitting your application. 

Do I need it before I take the state exam?

Yes. ADRE’s process focuses on having required documents ready when you apply, and the required documents list includes both the exam score report and the course certificates. 

Final thoughts

Arizona’s licensing process is a little different than most states because the separate 6-hour Contract Writing Course part catches people off guard. The key is simply this: it’s not just “included in pre-licensing.” ADRE expects a separate Contract Writing Course certificate, and it needs to be completed within 2 years of when you submit your license application. 

One last timing reminder: Pearson’s Arizona Candidate Handbook notes you must apply for your license within one year of passing the exam—so try to keep your momentum going once you’re in exam mode.