If you’d like to become a real estate agent in Missouri, it helps to understand everything involved before you start the process. Here, we’ll cover the benefits of the profession as well as everything that is required to receive your license.
There are a number of steps in the Missouri real estate licensing process, so we’ve broken it down to keep things simple. To get your license, you will need to:
Step 1: Complete Pre-License Education
Step 2: Pass the Course Exam
Step 3: Pass the Missouri Real Estate Licensing Exam
Step 4: Complete a Background Check
Step 5: Submit a Real Estate License Application
A quick note about getting licensed in Missouri and Kansas
It’s common for Kansas City real estate agents to get a license in both Missouri and Kansas. To do this, you would get your license in your resident state, and then complete the required training to become licensed in the second state.
If you are a licensed real estate salesperson in another state, to obtain your Missouri license you would have to:
- Complete the State portion of the Missouri real estate agent exam
- Complete the 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice Course (MREP)
If you’re a resident of Kansas, you can see our guide to becoming a Kansas Real Estate agent here.
Before we move on to the steps to get your license, consider if becoming a Missouri real estate agent is right for you.
The Benefits of Working as a Missouri Real Estate Agent
At salary.com, the average salary for a real estate agent in Missouri is listed as $40,000 to $51,000 per year. This varies depending on your commission percentage, the number of homes you sell, if you have any caps, what your split is with your broker, and the value of the homes sold.
In Missouri, the average price of a home is around $165,000. Real estate agents often make a 6% commission on sales, which would be $9,900.
Salary aside, becoming a real estate agent includes these other benefits:
- Flexibility in your schedule
- Unlimited income potential
- Career mobility
- Helping people
- Familiarity with your community and neighborhoods
- Varying environments and tasks
If this sounds like a good fit for you, these are the things you should consider next.
Do You Prequalify?
To prequalify as an Missouri real estate agent, you need to be at least 18 years old.
As long as you are, you can take the next steps towards obtaining your license.
1. Complete Pre-License Education
To qualify as a real estate agent in Missouri. you need to complete 72 hours of pre-license education. The courses can be taken in a live classroom or online, and there are a number of real estate institutes available across Missouri.
The first course is the 48-hour pre-licensing course, and the second is the Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) class. You need to complete both of these courses before you apply to take the license exam.
2. Pass the Course Exam
The final course exam can be scheduled through the real estate school that you took classes through. To pass the exam and earn your certificate, you need to get a score of at least 75%.
Once you pass you will receive a School Completion Certificate – this will be valid for six months. You will need to complete the next step within 6 months of passing the course exam.
3. Pass the Missouri Real Estate Licensing Exam
Once you’ve completed your courses and passed the course tests, you can apply to take the Missouri Real Estate License Exam. This will be administered by PSI, an outside agency. You can register for the course by phone by calling PSI Services (PSI) at 1-888-818-5829, or you can schedule an appointment online at www.goAMP.com.
Missouri has a number of testing centers that you can choose from. You can find one close to you by using the PSI “find a test center” tool. The exam fee is $62.
On the day of the exam, you will need to bring two (2) forms of ID.
Once you’re in the exam site, you will need to place all electronic devices, bulky clothing, and other personal items in a secure location. You will then sit at a computer to take the test.
The exam consists of 140 questions split into two parts: 100 national real estate questions, and 40 questions specific to Missouri. You will have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Some of the topics covered in the exam are:
- Contracts
- Property Ownership
- Leasing and Property Management
- Transfer of Title
- Financing
- Real Estate Calculations
To pass the test you need to get at least 70%. Your score will be given to you as soon as the exam is completed.
For more information on the Missouri real estate exam and licensing, you can see the handbook at the testing center’s website here.
4. Complete a Background Check
You need to complete a background check before submitting your application. You can register for fingerprinting at the Missouri Automated Criminal History site at www.machs.mo.gov, or by calling 1-844-543-9712. To register you will need to provide the Missouri Real Estate Commission’s four-digit registration number, 0004. Once you’ve done this the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI will be able to send the results to the Missouri Estate Commission.
Once you’re registered, you will receive a list of fingerprinting locations available throughout Missouri. The fee for the background check is $43, and you will need to bring photo ID with you to the fingerprint site.
5. Submit a Real Estate License Application
Upon completing and passing your exam at the testing center, they will provide you with instructions on how to submit your application. They will also give you your score report and any other documentation you might need to apply. The application can be found at the Missouri Real Estate Commission website, and you must submit it within six months of completing your 48-hour pre-exam course. The fee for the application is $80.
Once you’ve completed all of these steps successfully, you will receive your Missouri Real Estate Agent License. At this point, you might want to consider if you’re interested in becoming a Realtor. Here is what that means:
Real Estate Agent vs Realtor: What’s the difference?
For a real estate agent to become a Realtor, they need to become a member of the National Association of Realtors®. The NAR is an organization for real estate agents and other industry professionals. Members are required to subscribe to standards and a code of ethics set by the association. Membership offers access to market data and transaction management services, and other benefits.
To become a part of this community, these are the steps you need to take:
- Get your state real estate license
- Join your local REALTORS® Association – find one close to you with their “find an association” tool
- Pay the application fee – this varies by association
- Maintain membership dues – to keep your title of REALTOR®, you need to pay an annual fee of $150
Become a top Real Estate Agent!
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