From blues and bluegrass music to iconic rivers and catfish farming, Mississippi is an enticing place to live—and an even better place to begin your journey as a real estate professional. But in order to connect residents of the Magnolia State with the properties of their dreams, you’ll need to first learn how to get your real estate license here.
And that’s where we come in. Follow these six easy steps, and you’ll be launching your career in Mississippi real estate in no time.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Mississippi
Let’s dive into these steps in a little more detail. Before long, you’ll be helping clients buy and sell gothic revival-style houses in Jackson, Greek revival-style homes in Natchez, and Italianate-style properties in Oxford.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Mississippi?
It costs approximately $700 to get your real estate license in Mississippi, including your prelicensing education. Some of the costs are fixed, such as the state’s licensing and exam fees, and others vary.
While you don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in Mississippi, you must complete the state-specific licensing process. The price of the required 60-hour prelicensing course (and optional exam prep materials) will vary depending on the provider you choose.
Prelicensing Course:
$195-$595
Post-licensing Education:
$0-$150
License Application:
$120
Exam Registration:
$75
Exam Retake:
$75
Background Check:
$50
Total Costs:
$440-$1,065
(Mississippi real estate license costs as of July 2023)
How to Get a Mississippi Real Estate Agent License in 6 Easy Steps
Before you begin, let’s make sure you’re eligible. Mississippi requires those seeking a real estate sales associate designation to be:
- At least 18 years old
- A legal resident of Mississippi
What If You’re Already Licensed in Another State?
If you are a licensed attorney or have a degree in real estate, you may be able to waive some of your licensing requirements.
Mississippi does not have reciprocal agreements with any other states; however, you may qualify if you have equivalent education and examinations from your current state. Submit the Non-Resident or Reciprocal Salesperson License Application if this pertains to your situation.
Additionally, applicants who have taken two real estate courses from an accredited institution of higher learning of at least three hours or more per course may be able to use those two classes to satisfy the 60-hour prelicensing requirement.
If all you need to do is pass the Mississippi portion of the real estate exam, The CE Shop has an exam prep class specifically tailored to your situation for $101. Readers of The Close can get 35% off with coupon code “TheClose35.”
Visit the Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) website for education and examination requirements tailored to your specific situation.
Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide
Ready to learn more about how to become a real estate agent in Mississippi? Here are the steps you’ll need to follow.
1. Complete a 60-hour Prelicensing Course
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Cost:
$195-$595
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Time commitment:
2-5 weeks
Prelicensing courses kick off your real estate career, and you’ll have your choice of completing them online or in person. Your choice of course format will depend on your learning style and what suits your schedule best.
The amount of time you’ll need comes down to how much class time you allot per week. You can complete all 60 hours online; those who study at a faster pace will finish in a shorter amount of time. If you approach it like a 40-hour workweek, you’ll finish in less than two weeks.
Prelicensing courses will often include extra features like exam prep, instructor support, or career resources, so it’s important to weigh these add-ons as you shop for providers. Visit The Close’s article on real estate schools in Mississippi to find the prelicensing course that’s right for you.
Regardless of the school you choose, the state of Mississippi requires 60 hours of coursework before sitting for the licensing exam. You’ll learn:
You’ll need the help of a highly rated Mississippi real estate school to get through this weighty material. Most people choose a real estate school based on the cost and the educational format of the course. Here are the most popular options in terms of course design.
In-person Classes
Wherever you live in Mississippi, you should be able to find a real estate school that meets in person during regularly scheduled sessions.
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Livestream Classes
Classes that meet online at scheduled times are usually broadcast over Zoom (or another videoconferencing tool).
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Self-paced Online Classes
On-demand real estate classes are extremely popular for those wanting to become real estate agents in Mississippi quickly. The course material may be presented in a series of slides, videos, and interactive content.
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If you know you want to take classes in person, read our review of Real Estate Training Institute, our top pick for hybrid learning options in Mississippi. If you’re looking to complete your course online, check out The CE Shop. The company’s Mississippi prelicensing classes start at $209 and you can take advantage of its money-back guarantee if you don’t love the format.
SAVE 35% on all prelicensing courses from The CE Shop. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.
For more options, visit The Close’s article on real estate schools in Mississippi to find the prelicensing course that’s right for you.
After you have completed your coursework, you must pass the course’s final exam. The course exam will test your newfound knowledge of property law and real estate principles. A passing score of 70% or greater is required to move on to the next step.
2. Select a Sponsoring Broker
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Cost:
Free
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Time commitment:
1-2 weeks
To hold an active real estate license in Mississippi, you must find a sponsoring brokerage with which to affiliate your license. This is common in many states, but the MREC requires that applicants obtain sponsorship earlier in the licensing process than most other real estate commissions—before you submit your real estate license application.
A broker has received additional training, worked in the industry for at least two years, and passed the broker’s license exam. Finding a broker to work under will feel like applying for a job. Once you’ve landed some broker interviews, you’ll want to ask each broker about the split (or how you and the brokerage will divide sales commissions). You’ll find that some brokerages will ask for a 50-50 split on commissions. Usually, brokerages that offer an even split will not charge monthly desk fees.
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis
As you evaluate your options, remember that, as a commissioned salesperson, your income entirely depends on your abilities and effort. Some brokerages may offer you 70% of your commissions, a ratio that may rise to 100% after you’ve met a specific sales goal (or cap) for the year.
It’s important to be realistic about your earning potential in the first few months. It takes time to launch your new business. Some new agents choose to work part time so they can still bring in additional revenue as they’re learning the ropes. And if your brokerage does charge fees, you’ll have to pay them regardless of whether you’re closing deals or not.
Here are some questions to consider during your broker search:
- What is their reputation, both locally and nationally?
- What kind of real estate agents are they looking for?
- Are they technologically advanced and up to date with the latest systems?
- How do they support their agents with education and training?
- What kind of commission structure do they offer?
- Do they offer benefits?
- Do they provide agents with leads and marketing material?
- Is there room to grow with the brokerage?
In Mississippi, candidates need to submit evidence of having a sponsoring broker when they apply for their licenses.
3. Submit Your Mississippi Real Estate Salesperson License Application
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Cost:
$120
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Time commitment:
60 days
Once you’ve completed your prelicensing education and found a broker to sponsor you, it’s time to apply for your license. Similar to finding a sponsoring broker, this step is completed earlier in the Mississippi licensing process than in other states.
Your paper application must be mailed or hand-delivered to the MREC. The application should be signed and notarized by both you and your sponsoring broker. You must get it to the MREC within 60 days of the notary signature date.
You will also need to attach two photographs, your prelicensing course certificate of completion, and a $120 application fee. If you are licensed in another state, you’ll also need to include a Certification of Licensure in that state. And if you have a criminal record, you’ll also need to send a written statement detailing and documenting the incident surrounding it.
Your application should be mailed or delivered to the following address:
Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Lefleur’s Bluff Tower, Suite 300
4780 I-55 North, Jackson, MS 39211
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a letter of approval from the Mississippi Real Estate Commission.
4. Complete a Background Check
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Cost:
$50
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Time commitment:
1-4 weeks
MREC requires that all applicants initiate a background check before becoming a licensed real estate agent in Mississippi.
When MREC approves your application, they’ll send you a fingerprint kit, an authorization code, instructions, and a fingerprint card with your application approval letter. You’ll also get an additional consent form and an envelope to return the card to the MREC. You must pay a $50 processing fee to MREC for your background check.
5. Schedule & Pass the Mississippi Real Estate Salesperson Exam
Cost:
$75
Time to Complete:
4 hours
Format:
Computer-based, 120 questions
Bring to the testing center:
Two forms of identification, including one current government-issued photo ID with signature
Passing Grade:
70% for the general portion, 75% for the state portion
Upon approval of eligibility from the MREC, you can schedule your real estate salesperson licensing exam. In order to begin scheduling, you’ll need to create an account with PSI, the company that administers the test. The cost of the exam is $75.
How to Study for the Real Estate Exam: Tips & Strategies
The Mississippi Real Estate Salesperson Exam is an in-person, proctored test administered via computer. The exam consists of two parts that review state and national real estate laws. There are 120 multiple-choice questions altogether: 80 questions in the general portion and 40 additional questions in the state portion. You will have 240 minutes, or four hours, to complete the entire exam.
Bring two forms of identification with you to the testing center, including one current government-issued photo ID that includes your signature. You should also bring your letter of approval with you to the exam.
The Mississippi Real Estate Commission’s candidate handbook outlines the types of government-issued identification they’ll accept. There’s also a lengthy list of items you’re prohibited from bringing to the exam room (including common items like calculators, pens, and cell phones).
A passing score for the Mississippi Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70% for the general portion and 75% for the state portion, which translates to 56 questions right out of 80 and 30 correct answers out of 40, respectively. The rate at which testers pass the Mississippi Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%.
You will have two months to pass the state and general portion of the exam following the approval of your application. You will have two chances to pass the state portion of the exam. If you are unable to pass the state portion during the two-month window following the approval of your application, you must reapply to MREC to reestablish eligibility.
Those who pass the state portion but fail the general portion may continue to take the general portion on an unlimited basis within those same two months. Both state and national portions must be passed in the same two-month eligibility period. After that, you’ll have to reapply.
You should arrive 30 minutes early at the testing site. Testing sites for the Mississippi real estate exam are located in the following cities:
- Jackson
- Memphis, TN
- Mobile, AL
- Metairie, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
As soon as you’re done with the multiple-choice exam, you’ll learn whether you passed or failed. If you don’t pass, you’ll be given a detailed score report that will help you prepare for the retake. Again, you will be responsible for scheduling and passing the exam within two months of your application approval. If you don’t schedule your exam within two months, your application fee will be forfeited and your file closed.
There is no need to notify the MREC that you have passed your exam. The agency regularly receives exam results directly from PSI. Once your background check clearance is confirmed, your temporary license will be mailed to your sponsoring broker.
6. Complete 30 Hours of Post-licensing Education
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Cost:
$0-$150
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Time commitment:
1-4 weeks
After you pass the state exam, Mississippi issues a temporary license that expires one year after licensing. To earn your permanent license, you’ll need to complete 30 hours of post-licensing education before the temporary license expires.
You can sign up for your post-licensing courses after you’ve received your license, or you can include them as part of your prelicensing package. For example, The CE Shop’s Premium Package includes post-license courses in the price.
Upon successful completion of your post-licensing education, the temporary tag will be lifted from your license and you will be recognized as a Mississippi salesperson in real estate.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Mississippi: FAQs
Still not sure about the path forward? Get answers to common questions about how to become a real estate agent in Mississippi below.
Is the Mississippi real estate exam hard?
The passing rate for the Mississippi Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%, meaning a quarter of the people who take it do not pass. Be sure to pay attention during your prelicensing course and take studying seriously. If you put in the proper effort, you should pass on your first attempt. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay another $75 to take the test again.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Mississippi?
It usually takes prospective agents three to five months to get their real estate license in Mississippi. Most of the time spent getting your license will be in your 60-hour prelicensing course. If you enroll in a scheduled full-time course, you can usually complete your classes pretty quickly.
You might take longer if you decide to work online at your own pace. Self-paced courses, on the other hand, provide you the freedom to fit learning into your busy schedule at work and home. You’ll have to decide how to choose the course that works best for you.
Can I get my Mississippi real estate license online?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to one of the exam testing sites to take your Mississippi real estate salesperson exam. But the good news is that you can complete the required 60 hours of classwork from the comfort of your home.
Do real estate agents make good money in Mississippi?
According to ZipRecruiter, real estate agents make an average of $80,902 in Mississippi. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the area and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you’ve spent in your profession.
Other significant details you should consider are brokerage fees and commissions. Usually, commission is shared between you and your broker based on a negotiated ratio that will be fully outlined in your contract. While this may differ based on several factors, a common commission split is 70% to the agent and 30% to the broker.
What are the pros & cons of becoming a real estate agent in Mississippi?
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More Career Resources From The Close
Now that you’ve learned how to get your real estate license in Mississippi, you’re likely to have more questions. Luckily, The Close is here to answer them for you.
Licensed agents can get a steady stream of career help by subscribing to our newsletter. You’ll get the latest news, actionable real estate strategies, and insight from (and for) the world’s best real estate agents.
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