How to Get Your Real Estate License in Montana

Becoming a licensed real estate salesperson in Montana requires approved education, a passing score on the Montana salesperson examination, a supervising broker relationship, insurance documentation, and an application to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation. The state’s published checklist requires 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education completed within the previous 24 months and a passing exam completed within the previous 12 months.

For a flexible way to get started, review Leap Real Estate’s Montana pre-licensing course. An online course can help you complete the required education while balancing work and family responsibilities.

Montana Real Estate License Requirements

Before beginning the licensing process, confirm that you meet Montana’s basic qualifications:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have completed two years of full-curriculum study at an accredited high school or an equivalent education.
Complete 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education within 24 months before applying.
Pass the Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination within 12 months before applying.
Be employed by, or under contract with, a licensed broker who holds a supervising broker endorsement.
Provide proof of professional liability and errors-and-omissions insurance as required by Montana law.

A person may not conduct business as a Montana real estate salesperson until the Board issues the license.

Step 1: Complete 70 Hours of Approved Pre-Licensing Education

Montana requires 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education. The education must be completed within the 24 months before the license application.

The course typically covers topics needed for the state and national portions of the licensing exam, such as:

Montana real estate law and rules
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership and land-use concepts
Real estate finance
Fair housing and consumer protection
Valuation and market analysis
Brokerage operations
Closing and transaction procedures

Course content, delivery methods, exams, completion requirements, and approval status can change. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course satisfy the Montana Board of Realty Regulation’s current requirements.

After finishing the course, retain the completion certificate. Montana’s application checklist identifies proof of completion of the 70-hour course as a required document.

Step 2: Choose an Online Montana Real Estate Course

An online course may allow you to study from home and progress according to the provider’s schedule. When comparing options, look for:

Confirmation that the course is approved or otherwise accepted for Montana licensing purposes
The complete 70-hour curriculum
Access to instructors or academic support
Practice questions covering both national and Montana-specific material
A completion certificate suitable for the license application
Clear policies for course access, final exams, and technical support
A transparent tuition price and refund policy

You can learn more about the Montana online pre-licensing course from Leap Real Estate. Do not assume that completing an online program alone grants eligibility to test or become licensed; the Board’s education and application requirements still apply.

Step 3: Find a Montana Sponsoring Broker

Montana requires a salesperson applicant to be employed by, or under contract with, a licensed broker who has a supervising broker endorsement. This broker relationship is often called sponsorship, although Montana’s official materials may describe it through employment or contract and supervising-broker requirements.

A sponsoring or supervising broker can provide:

Transaction supervision
Office policies and procedures
Forms and compliance guidance
Training and mentorship
Access to brokerage systems and listing resources
Information about commission splits, fees, and lead-generation expectations

Interview several brokerages before committing. Ask about training, desk or technology fees, transaction fees, commission structures, insurance coverage, marketing support, and whether new salespeople receive practical guidance during their first transactions.

Step 4: Schedule and Pass the Montana Real Estate Exam

Applicants must pass the Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination within 12 months before applying for the license.

The exam includes state and national portions. Montana’s checklist states that the application must include exam results showing passage of both portions. The Board directs candidates to Pearson VUE for exam registration and testing information.

Prepare by:

Completing the required education before scheduling, if required by the current exam process
Reviewing the current Pearson VUE candidate information
Studying Montana statutes, administrative rules, and state-specific practice
Taking timed practice exams
Reviewing missed questions rather than memorizing answer patterns
Confirming identification, scheduling, cancellation, and testing-center rules

Exam content, fees, retake rules, and scheduling procedures can change. Confirm the current exam fee and testing policies with Pearson VUE before scheduling; the Board’s published licensing checklist does not establish the full cost of every examination attempt.

Step 5: Complete the Application

Montana recommends applying online, although a paper application is also available. The Board’s checklist identifies an $80 application fee for a new real estate salesperson license.

Typical application materials may include:

Completed license application
$80 application fee
Certificate showing completion of 70 hours of approved education
Exam results showing passage of the Montana and national portions
Proof of the required broker relationship
Proof of professional liability and errors-and-omissions insurance
Official license verification from states or jurisdictions where the applicant holds or has held a professional license
Explanations and supporting court, agency, or licensing records for affirmative answers to disciplinary or criminal-history questions, when applicable

Use the Board’s current application and checklist rather than relying on an older form. The Board states that email is its primary method of communication for online applications, so provide an address that you monitor regularly.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

The Board’s published salesperson checklist requires applicants to address character, disciplinary, criminal, and professional-license history when applicable. However, the available checklist does not establish a universal fingerprinting procedure, fingerprint vendor, fingerprint fee, or separate background-check charge for every applicant.

Because these procedures can depend on the application and the Board’s current instructions, applicants should verify directly with the Montana Board of Realty Regulation whether fingerprinting, a criminal-background check, additional records, or separate processing fees are required in their circumstances. Do not assume that a criminal record automatically disqualifies an applicant; disclose information accurately and provide the documentation requested by the regulator.

Montana Real Estate License Costs

The confirmed state application fee for a new Montana real estate salesperson license is $80. A complete budget may also include:

Pre-licensing course tuition
Textbooks or study materials
Examination fee
Examination retake fees, if needed
Fingerprinting or background-check costs, if required
Errors-and-omissions or professional liability insurance
Brokerage, association, MLS, technology, and marketing expenses
License renewal fee
Continuing education expenses

Montana lists an $80 renewal fee for an active license and a $40 renewal fee for an inactive license. The Board’s license-information page states that the renewal period runs from September 1 through October 31.

Fees and third-party charges may change. Confirm the current amount with the Board, Pearson VUE, the course provider, and the brokerage before paying.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Montana Real Estate License?

A realistic timeline depends on study pace, exam availability, application completeness, broker selection, and Board processing time.

A straightforward path may involve:

Completing the 70-hour course.
Studying and scheduling the exam.
Passing both exam portions.
Securing a supervising-broker relationship.
Obtaining insurance documentation.
Submitting the application and $80 fee.
Responding promptly to any Board requests.

The education requirement alone represents 70 hours of study, but total calendar time can be shorter or longer depending on whether you study full time or part time. Applicants with prior licenses, disciplinary history, incomplete documents, or examination retakes should allow additional time. The Board’s published checklist does not promise a universal application-processing timeline, so verify current processing expectations with the regulator.

Post-License Education in Montana

Montana’s current salesperson checklist confirms the 70-hour pre-licensing requirement but does not, by itself, establish a separate universal post-license education-hour requirement. Applicants should ask the Board whether any post-license education applies to their license type, first renewal period, or date of initial licensure.

Do not confuse post-license education with continuing education. A post-license requirement, if applicable, is generally a one-time or early-career requirement, while continuing education is required to maintain an active license.

Continuing Education Requirements

Montana requires 12 hours of continuing education annually through courses approved by the Board.

Salespeople should:

Track completed education throughout each renewal cycle.
Confirm that each course is Board-approved.
Keep completion records.
Complete education before the renewal deadline.
Check whether the Board has required topics or course-category rules for the current cycle.

Failure to complete required education can affect renewal or license status. Review the current Board rules and renewal instructions before selecting courses.

What Does a Montana Real Estate Salesperson Earn?

Real estate income varies substantially. Salespeople may be paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary, and earnings can depend on transaction volume, market conditions, brokerage terms, experience, location, and the time required to build a client base.

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. These figures are occupational wage estimates—not a guarantee of personal income—and may not reflect self-employment expenses, commission splits, business costs, or months with no closed transactions.

New salespeople should plan for irregular income and budget for licensing, insurance, transportation, marketing, association, MLS, technology, and brokerage expenses.

Career Opportunities in Montana Real Estate

A Montana salesperson license can support several career paths, including:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing and sales
New-construction sales
Relocation services
Vacation and recreational-property transactions
Ranch, land, and rural-property sales
Commercial real estate support
Property management-related work, subject to applicable laws and licensing requirements
Real estate investing and transaction coordination
Advancement toward a Montana broker license after meeting the separate broker qualifications

Montana’s geography creates opportunities in urban markets, growing communities, resort areas, agricultural regions, and rural land markets. Each specialty requires different knowledge, client relationships, marketing strategies, and transaction skills.

Montana Real Estate License Process: Quick Summary

Confirm that you are at least 18 and meet the education-equivalency requirement.
Complete 70 hours of approved Montana pre-licensing education within 24 months before applying.
Study for and pass both the national and Montana portions of the salesperson exam.
Find a licensed supervising broker and establish the required employment or contract relationship.
Obtain required professional liability and errors-and-omissions insurance documentation.
Complete the Montana salesperson application.
Submit the $80 application fee and supporting documents.
Verify whether fingerprinting or additional background-check materials apply to your situation.
Respond to Board requests and wait for license issuance.
Complete 12 hours of Board-approved continuing education annually and renew on time.

For a convenient starting point, review Leap Real Estate’s Montana licensing course, then confirm all current requirements with the Montana Board of Realty Regulation before enrolling, testing, or applying.

Authoritative Sources