Getting your Missouri Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Missouri. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Missouri 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 Missouri 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.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Missouri

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

Missouri Real Estate License Requirements

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

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be of good moral character with a good reputation for honesty, integrity, and fair dealing

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Missouri

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

To start, you must successfully complete a Missouri Real Estate Commission approved 72-hour pre-licensing course.

The 72-hour pre-license education requirement includes two courses:

• 48-hour Salesperson Pre-Examination course
• 24-hour Real Estate Practice course

You must complete the 48-hour Salesperson Pre-Examination course before you can apply to take the state licensing exam.

The 24-hour course must be completed before you apply for your Missouri real estate salesperson 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.

Missouri does not 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.

Step 2. Missouri Real Estate License Exam

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

The fee to take the exam is $62 per attempt.

The Missouri Real Estate Exam consists of 140 questions. This includes 100 for the National section and 40 for the State section.

You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam.

A minimum passing score for the Missouri Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70/100 on the National section and 30/40 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.

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

Step 3. Fingerprinting and Background Check

After passing your examination, the next step is to complete your fingerprinting and background check. The Missouri Real Estate Commission requires that all applicants have a background check performed before they can become a licensed real estate agent in Missouri.

To be fingerprinted through MREC vendor IdentoGO, you must first register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). You will need to provide the MREC’s four-digit registration number – 0004 – in order to register to be fingerprinted. This will authorize the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI to send the results to the Missouri Real Estate Commission.

The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $41.75. 

This fee is broken down into the following:

• IdentoGO – $8.50
• FBI – $13.25
• Missouri State Highway Patrol – $20

Completing and turning in your fingerprints will begin the background check process. The Missouri Real Estate Commission will review any findings in your background report to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you to provide additional information or documentation to clear up any findings.

For those who have criminal offenses or judgments against them, there’s a possibility that you may not be eligible for a real estate license in Missouri. The information regarding past criminal behavior must be included in section 1B of the Missouri real estate application.

There must also be additional information included on a separate piece of paper if needed. It is noted that an applicant has the right to ask for an administrative hearing regarding the denial.

Step 4. Real Estate License Application

Once you’ve completed all the requirements, you can now apply for your real estate license.

The fee for this application is $90. $50 is for the application fee and $40 is for the original issuance of the license.

You must submit a completed application form together with the required fees and mail it to:

Missouri Real Estate Commission
P.O. Box 1339
Jefferson City, MO  65102-1339

Step 5. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will only need to wait for your background report to come back as a pass. In most cases, this process should take between 5 business days. After this, you should receive an email from MREC with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact MREC at (573) 751-2628 or realestate@pr.mo.gov.

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!

MREC – Missouri Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address: 

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

Website: http://www.pr.mo.gov/realestate.asp