Like a Mark Twain character setting off down the Mississippi River, embarking on a career in Missouri real estate can be an exciting adventure full of riveting experiences and bountiful opportunities. The Show Me State is home to some of the most vibrant and diverse markets in all of America, and its abundant real estate opportunities are sure to provide the building blocks for your success as a real estate professional.
But how can you take advantage of this vast market and break into exciting new territory? Well, that’s where we come in. Follow these six easy steps, and you’ll be launching your career in Missouri real estate in no time.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Missouri
Let’s dive into these steps in a little more detail. Before long, you’ll be helping clients buy and sell Greek Revivals in St. Louis, Victorians in Columbia, and bungalows in the Ozarks.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Missouri?
It costs approximately $575 to get your real estate license in Missouri, 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 Missouri, you must complete the state-specific licensing process. The price of the required 72-hour prelicensing course (and optional exam prep materials) will vary depending on the provider you choose.
Prelicensing Course:
$269-$495
License Application:
$90
Exam Registration:
$62
Exam Retake:
$62
Background Check/Fingerprinting:
$41.75
Total Costs:
$463-$689
(Missouri real estate license costs as of January 2023)
How to Get a Missouri Real Estate Agent License in 6 Easy Steps
Missouri requires those seeking a real estate sales associate designation to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Clear a fingerprint-based background check
If you are a licensed attorney or if you have your real estate license in a different jurisdiction, you can waive the education requirements and go directly to taking the real estate license exam. You must submit a copy of your Bar card along with your application for a real estate license in Missouri. Visit the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) website to learn more. All applicants, regardless of prior experience, must submit their real estate licensing application no more than six months after passing their exam.
Want to know more about how to become a real estate agent in Missouri? Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:
1. Complete a Missouri Real Estate Prelicensing Course
Cost: $269-$495
Time Commitment: 1-3 months online; 4 months if taking in-person classes
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.
4 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Missouri
The amount of time you’ll need comes down to how much class time you allot per week. You can complete all 72 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 just under two weeks.
Prelicensing courses will often include extra features like exam prep, instructor support, or career resources. Visit The Close’s article on real estate schools in Missouri to find the prelicensing course that’s right for you.
The state of Missouri requires 72 hours of coursework before sitting for the licensing exam. You’ll learn:
| Property ownership | General principles of agency | Transfer of title |
| Land use controls and regulations | Property disclosures | Practice of real estate |
| Valuation and market analysis | Contracts | Real estate calculations |
| Financing | Leasing and property management |
You’ll need the help of a highly rated Missouri 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 Missouri, you should be able to find a real estate school that meets in person during regularly scheduled sessions.
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Our pick for best in-person real estate classes in Missouri is Real Estate School of the Ozarks. They offer a 72-hour prelicensing course bundle for $495.
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 Missouri quickly. The course material may be presented in a series of slides, videos, and interactive content.
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If completing classes online appeals to you, we recommend Colibri Real Estate. In Missouri, Colibri offers both self-paced and livestream prelicensing courses ranging from $269 to $539.
2. Pass the Course Final Exam
Cost: Free (included in prelicense course)
Time Commitment: 1 day
After you’ve completed your real estate education, you must pass the course’s final exam. A final closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions is included with each course. This prelicensing final exam is separate from your state real estate license exam.
The minimum passing score is 75%, though you can take the exam again if you don’t perform well the first time. The prelicensing final exam should be offered by the real estate school you choose, making the proctoring process easy and convenient. After you have passed your exam, you will be issued a certificate of completion.
How to Study for the Real Estate Exam: Tips & Strategies
3. Schedule & Pass the Missouri State Real Estate Exam
Cost:
$62
Time to Complete:
4 hours
Format:
Computer-based, 140 questions
Bring to the Testing Center:
Two forms identification, including one current government-issued photo ID that includes your signature
Passing Grade:
70%
Once you’ve passed your course exam, you have six months to schedule your licensing exam. To register for this final exam, you must first turn in your license application and school certificate to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. You’ll also have to pay a $90 licensing fee and $62 each time you attempt to pass the exam.
PSI administers the Missouri Real Estate License exam. The exam is an in-person, proctored test administered via computer. It consists of two parts that review state and national real estate requirements. There are 140 multiple-choice questions altogether: 100 questions in the national portion and 40 additional questions in the state portion. You will have 240 minutes, or four hours, to complete the entire exam.
Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Licensing Test
A passing score for the Missouri Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70 questions right out of 100 for the national section and 30 correct answers out of 40 for the state portion. The passing rate for the Missouri Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70%. There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the exam; you can retest as many times within the six-month window as needed.
You should arrive 30 minutes early at the testing site. Visit the PSI candidate handbook to review 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).
Testing sites for the Missouri real estate exam are located in the following cities:
- St. Louis
- Olathe
- Springfield
- Jefferson City
- Kirksville
- West Plains
- Kansas City (Olathe, Kansas)
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 can take the exam as many times as you’d like within six months following the date on which you sent in your original exam application, but you will have to pay $62 each time.
You can register to take your exam on the PSI Missouri Real Estate page. On this page, you will find other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.
4. Complete a Background Check
Cost: $41.75
Time Commitment: 1-2 weeks
All individuals applying for a real estate license in Missouri are required to submit to a background check. To do so, you must first register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History System with code 0004, authorizing the FBI and Missouri State Highway Patrol to send the fingerprint results to the MREC. The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $41.75.
The Missouri Real Estate Commission will review your background report to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you for additional information or documentation to clear up any findings.
If you have criminal offenses or judgments against you, there’s a possibility that you may not be eligible for a real estate license in Missouri. You’ll need to include information regarding past criminal behavior in section 1B of the Missouri real estate license application.
5. Select a Sponsoring Broker
Cost: Free
Time Commitment: 2-4 weeks
Missouri requires that you work under a broker after passing the real estate salesperson exam. A broker has received additional training, worked in the industry for at least two years, and passed the broker’s license exam.
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis
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.
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?
7. Complete the License Application
Cost: $90
Time Commitment: 1-2 weeks
The final step is a simple one. Once you’ve passed the exam and met the eligibility requirements, you will receive your passing score report in the mail with the instructions for applying for your salesperson license in Missouri. You are required to apply for your license within six months of completing the 72 hours of prelicensing education.
You’ll need to download application forms from the MREC website and send them by mail or drop them off at the MREC along with the licensing fees. The application fee is $50, and the original license issuance fee is $40, so you’ll be paying $90 to the Missouri Real Estate Commission via check or money order.
If you’re an attorney, you must submit a copy of your current Bar card with your application. Real estate agents seeking reciprocity for a real estate license in Missouri must provide evidence of being fingerprinted through the approved statewide vendor and submit a complete application that includes a current license history certification from the jurisdiction where you’ve been licensed within the last three months.
MREC Contact Info:
Missouri Real Estate Commission
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1339
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1339
Phone: (573) 751-2628
Email: realestate@pr.mo.gov
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Missouri: FAQs
Still not sure about the path forward? Get answers to common questions about how to become a real estate agent in Missouri below.
Is the Missouri real estate exam hard?
The passing rate for the Missouri Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70%, meaning that nearly a third 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 $62 to take the test again.
What if I have a real estate license from another state?
Missouri offers full reciprocity with all 50 states. To earn the right to work in Missouri, agents who are licensed in other states only need to pass the background check, complete a 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice course, and pass the state portion of the real estate exam.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Missouri?
The average amount of time that people take from start to finish is generally three to six months. The two steps that take the most time when getting your license are prelicensing classes and test preparation. We estimate that it takes one to four months to complete classes, though self-paced learners could be done in as few as two weeks. After that, administrative tasks will likely take another few weeks.
Can I get my Missouri real estate license online?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to one of the exam testing sites to take your Missouri real estate salesperson exam. But the good news is that you can complete the required 72-hour classwork from the comfort of your home.
Do real estate agents make good money in Missouri?
According to ZipRecruiter, real estate agents make an average of $66,077 in Missouri.
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 have spent in your profession.
Other significant details you should consider are brokerage fees and commissions. This is usually a fixed percentage between you and your brokerage. 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 Missouri?
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More Career Resources From The Close
Now that you’ve learned how to become a real estate agent in Missouri, 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 strategy, and insight from (and for) the world’s best real estate agents.
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