Getting your Montana Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Montana. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Montana 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 Montana 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.
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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Montana
Becoming a real estate agent in Montana 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.
Montana Real Estate License Requirements
The requirements to become a real estate agent in Montana are:
- Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Must have completed a 10th-grade education from an accredited high school or equivalent
How to Get Your Real Estate License in Montana
Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course
Montana requires that real estate sales agents complete 70 hours of pre-license coursework before sitting for their exam.
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.
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Montana 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. Montana Real Estate License Exam
After you’ve completed your pre-license education, it’s now time to take the Montana Real Estate Exam.
The fee to take the exam is $106 per attempt.
The Montana Real Estate Exam consists of 113 questions; 80 for the National section and 33 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 Montana Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 56/80 on the National section and 23/33 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 Montana Real Estate Exam
The passing rate for the Montana Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70%. 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 PSI Montana Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources, 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
The last step to getting your real estate license in Montana is to complete your license application.
You can fill out your application online using Montana’s eBiz Online system. $185 is the application fee (includes $35.00 Recovery Account fee), and online applicants can pay using a credit card or bank account.
In cases when you have been disciplined in the past, including a detailed explanation on the event(s) and documentation from the source (licensing board, federal agencies/programs, or civil/criminal court proceedings) such as initiating/charging documents, final disposition/judgment documents, etc.
If you don’t want to submit your application online, it is possible to fill out a paper application instead and mail it to Montana Board of Realty Regulation PO Box 200513 301 S Park, 4th Floor Helena, MT 59620-0512.
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 5-10 business days. After this, you should receive an email from MBRR with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact MBRR at (406) 444-6880 or dlibsdhelp@mt.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!
Step 5. Real Estate License Sponsorship
To have your license in an active status, you must be employed or under contract with a licensed Montana broker with a supervising broker endorsement. You need to make sure your sponsoring broker certifies Part 5 of your application form.
If you don’t yet have a broker to work with check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.
MDLI – Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Mailing Address:
Montana Board of Realty Regulation
301 South Park, 4th Floor P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Phone: (406) 841-2300
Email: DLIBSDLicensingUnitB@mt.gov
Website: http://www.realestate.mt.gov/
Montana Real Estate License FAQ
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Montana?
To obtain a real estate salesperson license in Montana, aspiring real estate agents face a total estimated cost ranging from $600 to $805. This includes all Montana fees, which amount to $291, and the real estate pre-licensing education, estimated between $299 and $514.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Montana Real Estate License?
It usually takes three to six months to get an active real estate license in Montana. The longest parts of the process are the pre-license education and preparing for the test. If you study full-time, you might complete it in two months. Taking enough time to prepare is key for passing the official license verification and starting your real estate career.
How to Get a Montana Commercial Real Estate License?
To sell commercial real estate in Montana, 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?
For those with real estate licenses aiming to sell real estate, StateRequirement Jobs is an excellent resource to discover available real estate positions in Montana. We provide a detailed compilation of the latest job openings, specifically catering to professionals in the real estate sector.