Real Estate Agent License Requirements in Montana
- Training hours
- 70 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $175
- Exam
- Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination (state and national portions)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 1 year
- Issuing board
- Montana Board of Realty Regulation
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, Credit for completion of 2 years of full curriculum study at an accredited high school (or equivalent), plus the 70-hour pre-licensing education requirement.. Montana does not require fingerprinting for a salesperson license. Applicants answer disciplinary/criminal history questions on the application, and the Board reviews an applicant's reputation, felony convictions, and other relevant factors on a case-by-case basis for any 'yes' answers. Proof of professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance is also required before licensure. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 70 hours of training at a state-approved program. 70 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education must be completed within the 24 months preceding application. A license applicant must also be employed or under contract with a licensed Montana broker holding a supervising broker endorsement; the license is issued through that sponsoring broker relationship. [1]
- 3
Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination (state and national portions)
Pass the Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination (state and national portions) (fee: $95). Out-of-state licensees using the waiver process need only pass the Montana state portion. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Montana Board of Realty Regulation with the $80 application fee. [1]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Montana Board of Realty Regulation issues your Real Estate Salesperson License for Montana.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $80 |
| License fee [1] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [1] | $80 |
| Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination (state and national portions) [2] | $95 |
Montana charges a single $80 application fee that covers original license issuance (no separate license-issuance fee beyond it). Active-license renewal is also $80; inactive-status renewal is $40.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 1 year. 12 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Salesperson licenses renew annually, with the renewal deadline October 31 (renewal window opens 60 days prior). 12 hours of real-estate-related continuing education are required annually; supervising brokers must include 4 hours of supervising-broker-specific coursework within that total.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Montana offers a waiver process (not a formal reciprocity agreement) for applicants who currently hold or have held a license in another jurisdiction: they may submit official license verification from that jurisdiction and need only pass the Montana state portion of the salesperson exam rather than both portions.
Cost calculator
- $80
- $95
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of pre-licensing education does Montana require?
70 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education completed within the 24 months before applying.
Who administers the Montana salesperson exam, and what does it cost?
Pearson VUE administers the exam for a $95 fee, covering both the state and national portions.
Can I renew an expired Montana real estate license?
Yes, within 2 years of expiration by paying the applicable renewal fee plus late fees. After 2 years, the license terminates and cannot be renewed.
Does Montana offer reciprocity for out-of-state real estate licensees?
Montana does not have formal reciprocity agreements but offers a waiver process: applicants who hold or have held a license in another jurisdiction need only pass the state portion of the Montana exam and submit official license verification.
Do I need a sponsoring broker to get licensed in Montana?
Yes. Applicants must be employed by or under contract with a Montana broker who holds a supervising broker endorsement before the salesperson license can be issued.
Sources
- [1] boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/rre/rbs-checklist.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] pearsonvue.com/us/en/mt/realestate.html — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/realty-regulation/license-information/renewal-process — accessed 2026-07-12