How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Mississippi

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a bona fide Mississippi resident before you file (nonresidents use a separate nonresident license).
• Complete 60 hours of real estate courses from a college or community college or an MREC-approved provider before the exam.
• Pass a fingerprint-based state and FBI criminal background check.
• Have an employing Mississippi broker named on your application.

Step by step

1. Complete the 60 classroom hours of pre-license courses.
2. Get fingerprinted for the state and FBI background check, as MREC directs.
3. Mail MREC the notarized resident salesperson application with the $100 fee, your course certificates, 2 photos (full face and profile), recommendations from 3 property owners and the employing broker's section. MREC must receive it within 60 days of the notary date.
4. After approval, schedule the PSI exam and pass both portions within the 2-month eligibility period.
5. Get your 1-year temporary license, then buy errors and omissions insurance and send proof within 30 days.
6. Finish the 30-hour post-license course within 12 months to get your permanent license.

Training and exam

Training: 60 classroom hours of real estate courses from an accredited college or community college or an MREC-approved pre-license education provider, completed before the exam. MREC keeps the list of approved providers.

Exam: Given by PSI at test centers. National portion: 80 questions, 2.5 hours; you need 70% (56 points). State portion: 40 questions, 1.5 hours; you need 75% (30 points). Fee: $75 for one or both portions, and $75 per retake. You must pass both portions within the 2 months after your application is approved, and you may sit for the state portion only twice in that time. After 2 state-portion failures, you must wait 3 months and reapply.

What it costs in Mississippi

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 Mississippi

After you're licensed

Renewal: Mississippi law requires 16 clock hours of approved CE for each two-year renewal. Licensees who finished the 30-hour post-license course are exempt from CE for the first renewal of the permanent license. Late renewals within the 2-month grace period pay a 100% penalty. Proof of E&O coverage is required to stay active.

Good to know in Mississippi

Post-license course: You get a temporary license valid for 1 year. You must complete a 30-hour post-license course within 12 months or the license goes inactive and then lapses. At least 24 of the 30 hours cover agency, contracts, earnest money, antitrust, fair housing, ethics and property condition disclosure.

Errors and omissions insurance: State law requires licensees to carry E&O insurance. MREC must receive proof from new licensees within 30 days of licensure.

Reciprocity: MREC may waive the exam or education for licensees of states with a current reciprocal agreement. Agreements vary by state; contact MREC.

Source note: MREC's website was returning errors when we checked on 2026-10-10. The details here come from the 2025 license law, MREC's resident salesperson application form (rev. 12-20-2023) and PSI's live Mississippi bulletin and test page.

Renewal cost: Salesperson renewal is $120 per renewal period (MREC, effective October 1, 2026); state law caps it at $60 per year (Miss. Code § 73-35-17). Renewing in the 2-month grace period adds a penalty of 100% of the renewal fee.

Fee changes on Oct 1, 2026: MREC raised the salesperson renewal fee from $100 to $120 per renewal period and began charging $25 for the criminal background check (previously free), effective October 1, 2026. The 100% late-renewal penalty still applies.

Sources

• MREC — Mississippi Real Estate License Law (rev. 8-15-2025)
• MREC — Application for Resident Salesperson License (rev. 12-20-2023)
• PSI — Mississippi Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin
• PSI — MS Real Estate Salesperson test details (fee)
• Mississippi Real Estate Commission homepage (Wayback 2026-10-07)