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See what it can cost and how long it can take to get a Montana real estate license, including education, exam and application steps, broker requirements, and expenses to plan for.
By Leap Real Estate Team | 6 minutes read
If you’re trying to become a Montana real estate salesperson without overspending or dragging the process out, start with the big picture: 70 hours of approved education, a passed exam, a supervising broker, insurance paperwork, and a state application. Montana also says the education must be finished within the previous 24 months and the exam must be passed within the previous 12 months before you apply.
A flexible way to keep costs and scheduling under control is to begin with Leap Real Estate’s Montana pre-licensing course. Online study can help you move at your own pace instead of paying for a rigid classroom schedule.
To qualify for a Montana salesperson license, you must generally:
You cannot legally operate as a Montana real estate salesperson until the Board issues the license.
This is the first real expense and time commitment. Montana requires 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education, and those hours must be recent enough to count toward your application.
Typical topics include:
If you want to keep the process budget-friendly, compare tuition carefully and make sure the course is actually accepted for Montana licensing. You do not want to pay for a class that doesn’t satisfy the state requirement.
For a simple place to start, review Leap Real Estate’s Montana pre-licensing course.
Online education can save money on commuting, textbooks, and time away from work. When you compare options, look for:
The cheapest course is not always the lowest-cost choice if it lacks support or delays your timeline. A smoother course can save you weeks of repeat studying and retesting.
Montana requires a broker relationship before licensure. Specifically, you must be employed by or under contract with a licensed broker who holds a supervising broker endorsement.
This step can affect both your timeline and your budget. Some brokerages charge desk, tech, or transaction fees, while others offer more training but lower commission splits. Ask about:
Choosing the wrong brokerage can make a low-cost license feel expensive fast.
Montana requires you to pass the salesperson exam within 12 months before applying. The exam includes both national and state sections, and the Board sends candidates to Pearson VUE for registration and testing details.
To keep exam costs down:
Exam fees, retake fees, and scheduling rules can change, so confirm the current price with Pearson VUE before booking.
Montana recommends applying online, though paper applications are available. The Board’s checklist shows an $80 application fee for a new salesperson license.
You may need to submit:
If you’re trying to move quickly, send a complete application the first time. Missing documents are one of the easiest ways to slow down approval.
Montana’s checklist asks applicants to disclose disciplinary, criminal, and licensing history when relevant. It does not establish one universal fingerprinting rule for every applicant.
Because requirements can vary, check directly with the Montana Board of Realty Regulation to see whether fingerprinting, a background check, or extra records apply to your case. A past issue does not automatically mean denial, but it must be disclosed accurately.
The one confirmed state fee listed for a new salesperson license is $80. That is only part of the total budget.
Plan for possible added costs such as:
Montana lists an $80 renewal fee for an active license and a $40 renewal fee for an inactive license. The renewal period runs from September 1 through October 31.
Your timeline depends on how fast you finish education, when you can test, and how quickly your paperwork is complete.
A realistic sequence looks like this:
If you study part time, the education stage alone may take several weeks. If you have to retake the exam or wait on broker paperwork, your start date can move back. Montana does not promise a universal processing window, so leave room in your budget and calendar.
Montana requires 12 hours of continuing education each year through Board-approved courses.
That means your ongoing costs do not stop after licensing. To avoid surprises:
The answer depends on your market, brokerage, and how quickly you build clients. Real estate income is typically commission-based, so earnings can vary a lot.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2023 mean annual wage of $60,770 for Montana real estate sales agents, with a median hourly wage of $30.17. That’s useful as a benchmark, but it does not account for commission splits, business expenses, or months with no closings.
If you’re budget-conscious, assume the first months may be lean and plan accordingly.
A salesperson license can lead to work in:
Montana’s markets vary widely, so the right niche can make a big difference in how quickly you recoup your upfront costs.
To get started with a flexible option, revisit Leap Real Estate’s Montana pre-licensing course and then verify the latest state requirements before you spend money on exams or application fees.
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