How long does it take to get a Missouri real estate license?

Typically 4–10 weeks. The 48-hour pre-exam course takes most students 2–4 weeks, the exam can usually be scheduled within about five business days of contacting PSI, and the 24-hour MREP course adds another 1–2 weeks. Just mind the deadline: your complete application must reach the MREC within 6 months of finishing the 48-hour course.

How much does a Missouri real estate license cost?

Around $500–$850 all-in: $300–$650 for the combined 72 hours of coursework (48-hour pre-exam plus 24-hour MREP), $62 for the PSI exam, $40.50 for fingerprinting through IdentoGO, and a $100 application fee to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. Some sites list the application fee as $50 — the current fee on the official MREC application is $100 for a salesperson.

What score do I need to pass the Missouri exam?

The passing bars are different for each portion: 70 correct out of 100 on the national portion (70%) and 30 correct out of 40 on the Missouri state portion (75%). If you take both the same day, the questions are intermixed and you get 4 hours. You must pass both portions to qualify for a license, and each attempt costs $62.

Do I need a sponsoring broker to get licensed in Missouri?

Yes — unlike some states, Missouri requires broker sponsorship at the application stage. Your sponsoring broker signs Section 7 of the license application, and your original salesperson license issues in active status under that broker. There's no inactive option for brand-new salesperson applicants, so line up your brokerage before you apply.

Can I get a Missouri real estate license with a felony or criminal record?

A record doesn't automatically disqualify you, but Missouri takes screening seriously: every original applicant is fingerprinted for both a Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI background check, and the application asks about all guilty pleas and findings — including suspended sentences and alcohol-related offenses like DWIs. Disclose everything and attach court records; the MREC evaluates each case individually, and non-disclosure is the fastest way to a denial.

Can I really take the 24-hour MREP course after I pass the exam?

Yes — that's one of Missouri's quirks. Only the 48-hour pre-examination course is required before you sit for the exam. The 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) course can be completed before or after test day, as long as it comes after the 48-hour course and is finished before you submit your application. Many students pass the exam first, then knock out MREP while their fingerprint results process.

Missouri · MO

How to get your Missouri real estate license

Everything you need to earn a Missouri salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.

Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.

Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026

How to get a Missouri real estate license

Hours required: 72 hrs
Total cost: $500 – $850
Typical timeline: 4–10 weeks
Minimum age: 18+

Step 1

Confirm you're eligible for a Missouri real estate license

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a Missouri real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.

Step 2

Complete 72 hours of pre-licensing education

Note: Unusual two-part structure totaling 72 hours: a 48-hour Salesperson Pre-Examination course (required before you can sit for the exam) plus the 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) course, which can be taken before or after the exam — but always after the 48-hour course and before you submit your license application. Watch the deadline: your application must reach the MREC within 6 months of your 48-hour course completion date.

Complete the 48-hour Missouri Salesperson Pre-Examination course at an accredited Missouri real estate school
Schedule and pass the PSI licensing exam (the 6-month application clock starts at your 48-hour course completion, so don't delay)
Complete the 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) course — allowed before or after the exam, but it must come after the 48-hour course and be finished before you apply
Keep both course completion certificates — you submit them with your license application

Step 3

Pass the Missouri real estate exam

Missouri uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 70% on the national portion (70 of 100) and 75% on the state portion (30 of 40). The exam fee is $62. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: 140 scored questions (100 national + 40 Missouri state); 4 hours when both portions are taken together; in person at a PSI test center.

Step 4

Apply for your Missouri license

Before applying, register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) at machs.mo.gov using the MREC's registration number 0004, then get fingerprinted through IDEMIA (IdentoGO), the state's approved vendor — the fee is $40.50
Finish the 24-hour MREP course if you haven't already — the MREC won't license you without it
Have your sponsoring broker complete and sign Section 7 of the application — Missouri issues original salesperson licenses in active status under a sponsoring broker, so you need one lined up before you apply
Mail the application to the MREC with the $100 salesperson fee, both course certificates, and printed copies of your passing score reports
Submit everything within 6 months of your 48-hour course completion date, or you'll have to requalify

Step 5

Find a sponsoring broker

Your Missouri license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.

Missouri real estate license cost breakdown

Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.

Cost breakdown
Item	Amount
48-hour pre-examination course	$200 – $400
24-hour MREP course	$100 – $250
PSI exam fee	$62
Fingerprinting (IdentoGO via MACHS)	$40.50
MREC application fee	$100
Estimated total	$500 – $850

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Frequently asked questions

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