Becoming a real estate professional in Mississippi involves facilitating property transactions, such as buying, selling, and leasing real property. A real estate agent is licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) to assist clients. The term “Realtor” is a specific designation for a licensed agent who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors and adheres to its Code of Ethics. Gaining licensure requires fulfilling specific requirements set forth by the MREC, which oversees all regulatory matters for the profession.
Meeting the Initial Eligibility Requirements
The Mississippi Real Estate Commission establishes personal criteria that all applicants must satisfy. Prospective salespersons must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must demonstrate they hold a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
Applicants must also be a resident of Mississippi when they submit their license application to the MREC. This residency requirement ensures accountability to local jurisdiction and state laws.
Completing Mandatory Pre-License Education
The MREC mandates that all salesperson candidates complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education. This instruction must be taken from a school or provider officially approved by the Commission. The coursework covers topics such as real estate principles, property law, and Mississippi license law and regulations.
After finishing the 60 hours, students must pass a comprehensive final examination administered by the course provider. Successful completion of this school-level exam, evidenced by a certificate, is required before applying for the state licensing exam.
Submitting the License Application and Background Check
After completing the pre-license education, the next step involves formally applying to the MREC for permission to take the state licensing exam. The resident salesperson license application must be submitted to the Commission, accompanied by the required $120 application fee. A complete application package must also include two photographs of the applicant and be notarized to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.
A mandatory component of the application process is a comprehensive, fingerprint-based criminal history records check. The MREC initiates this background screening by sending the applicant a fingerprint kit and instructions after the initial application has been approved. The applicant is responsible for submitting their fingerprints and a $50 processing fee to cover the cost of the state and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal records check.
Passing the Mississippi Real Estate Licensing Examination
Once the MREC approves the application, the candidate receives authorization to schedule the state licensing examination, which is administered by the testing vendor, PSI. The exam is computer-based and costs $75 per attempt, covering both national and state-specific real estate topics. Candidates are allotted a total of four hours to complete the examination, which is divided into two distinct sections.
The national portion of the exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, requiring a minimum passing score of 70% correct answers. The state-specific portion contains 40 questions, for which an applicant must achieve a score of at least 75% to pass. Immediate notification of the score is provided upon completion of the test, and a Certificate of Eligibility is issued to successful candidates.
Securing Active Broker Sponsorship
A regulatory requirement in Mississippi is that a real estate salesperson must operate under the direct supervision of a licensed real estate broker. This relationship, known as broker sponsorship, is necessary for the agent to conduct any real estate activities. The sponsoring broker acts as a supervisor and takes legal responsibility for the agent’s professional actions.
New agents should select a brokerage that offers training programs and a supportive office culture. The selection process should include discussing commission splits and the availability of resources. The agent’s license will be held and activated through the broker’s firm, making this affiliation mandatory for active practice.
Finalizing License Activation and Initial Fees
The final administrative step involves submitting all necessary documentation to the MREC to convert the successful exam result into an active license. This submission requires the signature of the sponsoring broker, formally linking the new agent to the brokerage firm. The MREC collects an additional fee for the actual license issuance, separate from the initial application and exam fees.
After receiving a temporary license, the new agent is required to complete a 30-hour post-licensing course within the first year of licensure. Completion of this post-licensing education is mandatory before the agent can apply for the permanent salesperson license.
Maintaining and Renewing Your Mississippi License
After receiving the permanent license, the salesperson must adhere to ongoing requirements to keep the license in active status. Mississippi operates on a two-year renewal cycle, and licensees must complete the necessary education before the license expires. Salespersons are required to complete a total of 16 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period.
These 16 hours must include 8 hours of mandatory topics, which typically cover Mississippi License Law, Contract Law, and Agency Law. The remaining 8 hours can be fulfilled through elective courses approved by the MREC. Failing to complete the continuing education or submit the renewal application and fees on time can result in a late fee or the license lapsing into an inactive status.