How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Montana

Checked against Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) · Verified 2026-10-11

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 1 years
State fee: $80 application/licensing fee. Renewal: $80 active or $40 inactive, each year.
Licensed by: Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry)

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Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old.
Have credit for 2 years of full-curriculum study at an accredited high school, or the equivalent.
Complete 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education within the past 24 months.
Pass the Montana salesperson exam (state and national portions) within the past 12 months.
Be employed by, or under contract with, a licensed broker who holds a supervising broker endorsement.
Carry professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance.

Step by step

Complete 70 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education.
Book and pay for the exam with Pearson VUE ($95), then pass the national and state portions.
Arrange to work under a supervising broker and get errors and omissions insurance.
Apply online and upload your course certificate, exam results and license verifications from any other state, then pay the $80 fee.
The Board reviews your application, including reputation and any felony convictions, before it issues the license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: 70 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education, completed within the 24 months before you apply. The Board publishes a list of approved salesperson providers.

Exam: Given by Pearson VUE, at a test center or online. National portion: 80 scored questions plus 5 pretest, 150 minutes. State portion: 40 scored questions plus 10 pretest, 90 minutes. Passing scaled score is 75 on each. The handbook (rev. 01/2026) lists a $95 fee for the National Salesperson exam and $95 for the State Salesperson exam, so expect $95 per portion; you retake only the part you fail. The Board's checklist requires a pass within the past 12 months when you apply.

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What it costs in Montana

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

70-hour pre-licensing course$
National salesperson exam (Pearson VUE)$95
State salesperson exam (Pearson VUE)$95
Professional liability / E&O insurance$
Application/licensing fee$80

Estimated total in Montana$270Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Exam fee: $95 per portion (Pearson VUE lists the national and state salesperson exams at $95 each)
Professional liability / E&O insurance: required (cost not stated by the Board)
Pre-licensing course tuition: not stated by the Board

Pay in Montana

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Montana after taxes.

What other sites get wrong about Montana

Myth: The Montana exam is given by PSI and you need 70% to pass.

Fact: Pearson VUE gives the Montana exam. You need a scaled score of 75 on both the national and the state portions. source

After you're licensed

Renewal: Licenses renew every year between September 1 and October 31 ($80 active, $40 inactive). Active licensees need at least 12 hours of approved CE each licensing year (November 1 – October 31). ARELLO-certified courses are accepted. An expired license can be renewed with late fees for up to 2 years; after that it terminates.

Good to know in Montana

Supervising broker: You must be employed by or under contract with a licensed broker who holds a supervising broker endorsement.

Errors and omissions insurance: Proof of professional liability and errors and omissions insurance is required to be licensed (MCA 37-51-325).

Licensed in another state: Out-of-state licensees pass only the Montana state portion and submit official license verifications.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Department of Labor & Industry) before you apply.