How to Get a Missouri Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step Guide on how to get your Missouri Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from St. Louis to Kansas City or Springfield to my favorite town, Hannibal, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your Missouri real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all your burning questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Meet State Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of Missouri requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Pre-Licensing Education
Missouri requires only 72 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass the State Exam
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Missouri Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Pick a Sponsoring Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Get Fingerprinted
The MREC makes it easy for you to get fingerprinted by using a private company to process your digits.
Submit the Application
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Pass Background Checks
Once you submit your application, the MREC will order your background checks. This usually only takes a week or less.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get a Missouri Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your Missouri Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a Social Security number.
- Have proof of legal presence in the United States.
- Must pass a background check.
- Take and Pass a Missouri approved Real Estate Salesperson Course.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Pass the Missouri State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
Print out the Missouri Examination and Licensure Eligibility Requirements here.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Missouri has two courses that have a minimum of 72 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your Missouri Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson Course – 48 Hours
- Real Estate Practice Course – 21 Hours
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the Missouri Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
You must submit your application for license to the Missouri Real Estate Commission within six months of the date of your 48-hour pre-examination course completion.
3. Pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exams
Missouri has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your Missouri Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson Missouri State Exam
If you’re like most people, you may be concerned about taking the exams and passing the first time. This is why I recommend that you purchase the Pre-Licensing Education that includes the online practice tests. These tests are the best way to pass the tests the very first time. Just take the online practice tests over and over until you can score a 90 or higher. Once you can do that you are ready to take the exams.
Don’t worry about the exams. You’re gonna do great.
4. Pick a Responsible Broker
All Realtors must work under the supervision of a Broker who’s responsible for monitoring their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
You must have your Responsible Broker sign your original application before you submit it to the MREC.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
5. Submit Fingerprints
When applying for a Missouri real estate license, you’re required to be fingerprinted for both a Missouri state and a federal criminal history background check. You’ll need to start the fingerprinting process before submitting your application for a license.
First, you’ll need to register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) here. You’ll need to provide the MREC’s four-digit registration number, 0004, to authorize the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI to send the results to the Missouri Real Estate Commission.
After registration, you’ll be directed to a list of fingerprinting locations run by Identogo, Missouri’s private third party vendor for fingerprinting. They have locations available throughout the state.
After you are fingerprinted, IdentoGo will give you a fingerprinting receipt contains your unique TCN number. Make sure you hold onto this receipt. You’ll use this TCN number if you need to contact MACHS regarding the status of your background check. A copy of this receipt must be submitted with your application for licensure. The fingerprint checks are electronically obtained by the MREC.
6. Submit an Application
The MREC doesn’t have an initial Real Estate Salesperson Application on their website. You need to contact them and have them send you an Application. Below is their contact information:
Missouri Real Estate Commission
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1339
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-2628
Fax: 573-751-2777
Email: realestate@pr.mo.gov
Once you receive your application you can submit your application. To get your Missouri real estate license, the following items need to be submitted to the Missouri Real Estate Commission:
- Complete the Application Form they send you.
- Copy of your fingerprinting receipt.
- Proof of completion of the Pre-Licensing Education.
- Passing grade report for National Portion of the Exam.
- Passing grade report for Missouri State Portion of the Exam.
- Pay the appropriate fees.
7. Pass Background Checks
Once your application is received by the MREC, they’ll order a background check by running your information through both the state and FBI national databases.
Even if you have a criminal history, you may still be eligible to become licensed as a real estate agent. The Commission makes its decision of criminal conviction investigations on a case-by case basis.
There are certain convictions that result in an automatic denial of a real estate license. Even if the conviction is not one that results in an automatic denial of a license, the Commission may deny a license for a criminal conviction. These offenses are outlined in this Information On Criminal Convictions PDF here.
If you’ve been convicted of an offense other than those that result in an automatic denial of a license, the MREC will conduct a background investigation and gather information about you such as education, work experience, and residence history.
8. Launch Your New Career
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
9. Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a Missouri realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Missouri is $235,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $5500 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
Missouri requires 72 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 72 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as one week but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The Missouri Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $40.75
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $168.00 – $545.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $62.00
- Missouri Application Fee – $80.00
The cost of getting your Missouri real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $351.00 to as high as $728.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $387.00
