How to Get a Broker License in Missouri

Obtaining a Missouri Real Estate Broker License is crucial if you’re looking to advance your real estate career. Despite the streamlined online application process, many aspiring real estate brokers find the requirements and procedures complex and challenging.

This How to Get a Broker License in Missouri article will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve this license and elevate your real estate career as quickly as possible.

Missouri Real Estate Broker License

In order to get your Missouri real estate broker license and take your career to the next level, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete. These include:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Eligibility and Experience Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing the Background Check
4. Passing the Missouri Broker Licensing Exam
5. Submitting a License Application

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Note: If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to check out our Missouri Real Estate License guide instead.

Step 1: Meet the Missouri Eligibility and Experience Requirements

Before proceeding with the application process for your Missouri real estate broker license, you’ll need to first make sure that you meet the general prerequisites outlined under Missouri Statute § 339.040:

• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You must hold an active Missouri salesperson license for a minimum of 24 out of the 30 months immediately preceding your broker license application

Note: Certain convictions may impact your eligibility for a broker’s license, but they don’t automatically lead to disqualification. The Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) will evaluate the nature of the offense, the circumstances involved, and your actions since the conviction when making a decision.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

Beyond the general requirements mentioned earlier, you must also fulfill specific educational prerequisites to be able to apply for a Missouri real estate broker license.

In particular, this will involve completing a 48-hour pre-exam broker course from a real estate school approved by the MREC. You’ll have up until the actual date of your state licensing exam to complete this course, which can either be done through distance learning or in a traditional classroom setting, depending on the provider you choose.

Once that is completed, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, which you must present at the exam site in order to sit for your state licensing exam.

Step 3: Pass the Background Check

All applicants for an original Missouri broker license must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history background check against both state and federal records.

To get started, you’ll need to register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS), using the MREC’s four-digit registration code: 0004. This code authorizes the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI to send your background check results directly to the MREC.

For the actual fingerprinting, you’ll need to register with the approved state vendor (IdentoGO), which you can do either online via its website or by phone at (844) 543-9712.

In order for IdentoGO to process your submission, you must pay a fee of $49.75.

Note: Results typically take seven to 10 days to be issued, after which IdentoGo will forward them directly to the MREC. Once the MREC receives your results, you’ll be sent authorization to take the state licensing exam.

Step 4: Pass the Broker Licensing Exam

In Missouri, this 4.5-hour exam is administered by PSI and includes 165 questions divided across two sections: a national portion and a state-specific portion.

In order to schedule your real estate broker exam, you’ll need to make an online reservation using the PSI website. Note that you’ll need to create an account for this service if this is your first time using it, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete your reservation.

Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pay a $52 fee at the time of reservation because you can’t pay this at the exam center. This fee remains the same regardless of if you take one or both portions of the exam.

In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain a minimum score of 75% on both the national and state portions. If you fail one section, you’ll need to retake it and pay the $52 fee again.

You’ll find out how you performed on this exam immediately after finishing and should receive your passing exam score sheet with a full breakdown a few days afterwards.

Note: You must submit your complete application for a license within six months of passing the exam. If you take the two portions separately, the application deadline is six months from the date you first passed either portion.

Step 5: Submit a License Application

After completing your pre-licensing education, passing the state exam, and ensuring you satisfy all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move on to submitting your license application.

You can do this by downloading and completing the Missouri Application for Real Estate License, and then mailing it, along with a $150 processing fee, to MREC at:

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

Alternatively, if you choose the express mail service or to deliver it personally, you’ll need to send it to the following address instead:

Missouri Real Estate Commission
3605 Missouri Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Along with the completed application form, you’ll need to submit your original salesperson license, your 48-hour broker pre-exam course completion certificate, and your exam score report from PSI.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations!

Once you’ve submitted all required documents and fees, the MREC will review your application. This review process typically takes around two weeks, assuming there are no issues or additional information needed.

Once approved, the MREC will issue your real estate broker license and you should receive your licensing document shortly in the mail.

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

Missouri Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your real estate broker license valid, you’ll need to renew it every two years.

This requires completing a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education (CE) approved by the MREC. At least three of those 12 hours must be in a course approved by the MREC as core credit.

When it’s time to renew, the MREC will send a renewal form to the address you have on file — usually in mid to late April of even-numbered years. You’ll then need to complete and return the form — along with the $50 renewal fee (plus a $1.75 processing fee) — in order to keep your license active.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

Missouri Division of Professional Registration

Mailing Address:
Real Estate Commission
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1339
Jefferson City, MO  65102-1339

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm

Phone: (573) 751-2628

Email: realestate@pr.mo.gov 

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