How to Get Your Minnesota Real Estate License

Written by: Kevelyn Rodriguez

Last updated:

How to Get Your Minnesota Real Estate License

Getting your Minnesota Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Minnesota. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Minnesota real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines how to become a real estate agent in Minnesota in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online study packages, which come with a money-back-guarantee and flexible pricing.

4.7 out of 5 starsThe CE Shop

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Minnesota

Becoming a real estate agent in Minnesota is as simple as getting your license and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Minnesota Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in Minnesota are:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
  • Be 18 years of age or older

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Minnesota

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

Minnesota requires that real estate sales agents complete 90 hours of pre-license coursework prior to sitting for their exam.

There are three courses that you must complete before you apply for a real estate salesperson license, known as “Course I,” “Course II,” and “Course III.” Each course consists of 30 hours of instruction.

You must complete Course I before taking the salesperson’s examination. You must complete Course II and Course III before applying for your license.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs.

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

Recommended Course

For Minnesota real estate license exam courses and study tools, StateRequirement recommends:

4.7 out of 5 starsThe CE Shop

Minnesota is one of the few states that require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course.

Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

In most cases, you can take this test in your own home, but you must have a proctor overseeing you when sitting for the test. When purchasing your real estate pre-license course, check to see if a proctor is included in your education package.

Step 2. Minnesota Real Estate License Exam

After you’ve completed your pre-license education, it’s now time to take the Minnesota Real Estate Exam.

The fee to take the exam is $63 per attempt.

The Minnesota Real Estate Exam consists of 130 questions. This includes 80 for the General section and 50 for the State section.

You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 150 minutes (2.5 hours), and the State section time is 90 minutes (1.5 hours).

A passing score for the Minnesota Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 60/80 on the National section and 38/50 on the State section.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

How Hard is the Minnesota Real Estate Exam

The passing rate for the Minnesota Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%. This test is purposefully difficult, but not impossible. Be sure to pay attention during your pre-license course and take studying seriously. If you put the proper effort forth, we know that you can pass on your first attempt!

You can register to take your exam on the Pearson VUE Minnesota Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Before taking the exam, check out StateRequirement’s guide on How to Pass the Real Estate Exam. This in-depth guide works as a great partner to your pre-license course to prepare you to pass on your first attempt!

Step 3. Real Estate License Application

You cannot become licensed as a real estate salesperson without first being associated with an actively licensed real estate broker.

You must be licensed to act on behalf of a licensed broker. You do not submit your application for a real estate salesperson license; the real estate broker that you become associated with must submit it.

Once the state’s Commerce Department has approved the application, your broker will be able to print out your license and inform you that you are licensed as a Minnesota real estate salesperson.

Your sponsor broker shall log in to Pearson VUE’s Credentials Management System for Certification and Licensing Programs and select Real Estate Board to apply for your license. They should choose “Submit License Application” and “Individual.” The broker will then need to log in using the username and password of the licensed real estate company that the individual will be associated with.

The fee for an initial real estate salesperson license totals $130. This includes $30 each for the real estate education, research, recovery fund, and $30 technology surcharge.

The licensed broker can also use Pulse Portal to check the status of a license application. After the application has been approved, the licensed primary broker can print a copy of the license.

Step 4. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will only need to wait for your license to be issued. In most cases, this process should take between 3-5 business days. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact MDC at (651) 539-1599 or Licensing.Commerce@state.mn.us.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

MDC – Minnesota Department of Commerce

Mailing Address: 

Minnesota Real Estate
85 7th Place E, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101-2198

Phone: (651) 539-1599

Email: Licensing.Commerce@state.mn.us

Website: https://mn.gov/commerce/licensees/real-estate/

Minnesota Real Estate License FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Minnesota?

To get a real estate license in Minnesota, you need to pay for the fees and the pre-licensing education. The fees are $200 and the education costs between $599 and $814, depending on the provider. Therefore, the total cost ranges from $800 to $1,015.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Minnesota Real Estate License?

Getting a Minnesota real estate license may take three to six months, focusing on pre-license education and test preparation. If pursued full-time with dedicated study, this period can be reduced to about two months. However, it’s important to devote sufficient time to prepare so you can successfully complete the course final exam.

How to Get a Minnesota Commercial Real Estate License?

To sell commercial real estate in Minnesota, a standard Salesperson or Broker license is all that you need. There is no specific “commercial real estate license”. If you wish to take on a career selling specifically commercial real estate, choose a broker that handles the types of deals that you want to be a part of.

Are There any Real Estate Jobs Open Around Me?

If you are looking for real estate jobs in Minnesota, you can use StateRequirement Jobs to find open opportunities in your area. We help connect you with employers so you can start your real estate career and embark on your real estate journey, even finding opportunities to work on your own business and set your own schedule.

Ready for more?

Start Studying

Learn More