How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Minnesota

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old when you apply.
• Complete Course I, Course II and Course III (30 hours each, 90 hours total).
• Pass the state and national portions of the salesperson exam.
• Be associated with an actively licensed primary broker, who submits your application.

Step by step

1. Complete Course I (30 hours) with a Commerce-approved provider listed on PULSE.
2. Schedule and pass the PSI salesperson exam; bring your Course I certificate.
3. Complete Course II and Course III (30 hours each).
4. Sign the Salesperson Application Attestation form, then have your primary broker submit your license application on PULSE within 1 year of passing the exam.
5. Once Commerce approves the application, your broker prints your license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: 90 hours in three 30-hour courses (Course I, II and III) from Commerce-approved providers, which you can search on pulseportal.com. Course I must be done before the exam; Courses II and III before applying. Online or classroom courses are allowed if approved.

Exam: Given by PSI. General portion: 80 questions, 2.5 hours. State portion: 50 questions, 1.5 hours. Both: 130 questions, 4 hours. You need 75% to pass each portion, and you retake only the portion you fail. Combined fee: $68 ($45 for one portion). Fees are non-refundable and forfeited if you do not test within 1 year. Taking the exam before finishing Course I makes the results invalid.

What it costs in Minnesota

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

What other sites get wrong about Minnesota

After you're licensed

Renewal: Your broker submits the renewal. CE is not required for the first June 30 after you are first licensed. You need 30 hours of approved CE in each 24-month license period, with at least 15 hours done in the first 12 months. This must include the yearly required module and at least 1 hour each on agency law and fair housing. Extra hours do not carry over.

Good to know in Minnesota

Sponsoring broker: By law you cannot be licensed without being associated with an actively licensed broker, and only a licensed primary broker can submit your application. You may act for only one broker at a time.

Deadline: Apply within 1 year of passing the exam or you must retake it. Incomplete applications are withdrawn after 6 months and the fee is not refunded.

Reciprocity: Nonresidents who live in and hold an active license in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota or Oklahoma submit a Letter of Certification (no more than 90 days old) and the $110 fee through a Minnesota primary broker. Wisconsin licensees take a 13-hour reciprocal course and the state portion. Licensees from other states must complete Courses I–III and pass the state portion.

Renewal cost: Renewal is $60 plus Commerce's current technology surcharge, including $20 for the real estate education, research and recovery fund. Your broker submits the renewal.

Sources

• Minnesota Commerce — Real Estate Applications
• Minnesota Commerce — Guide to Real Estate Licensing (current as of August 2025)
• PSI — Minnesota Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin
• Minn. Stat. § 82.57 (fees, initial license term)
• Minn. Stat. § 82.61 (continuing education)