A real estate salesperson in Missouri acts as an intermediary, facilitating the purchase and sale of properties under the supervision of a licensed broker. This career path requires a clear understanding of state-specific laws and professional standards set by the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC). The licensing process involves educational, ethical, and testing requirements designed to ensure new licensees possess the necessary competence to practice.
Meeting Initial Eligibility Requirements
The journey toward licensure begins with basic requirements that must be met before formal training can start. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
Prospective agents must also satisfy the MREC that they are trustworthy and of good character, a requirement for anyone handling client funds and advising on large financial transactions. This ethical standard ties directly into the mandatory background check process initiated later in the application sequence. The MREC can deny a license to any applicant whose background indicates a lack of integrity for the profession.
Completing Required Pre-License Education
The Missouri Real Estate Commission mandates a total of 72 hours of approved coursework completed through an MREC-approved provider. This requirement is broken down into two distinct courses.
The initial step is the 48-hour Salesperson Pre-Examination Course, which focuses on foundational real estate principles, laws, contracts, and practices. This course prepares the candidate for the national and state portions of the licensing examination.
After completing the 48-hour course, a candidate takes the separate 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice Course (MREP). The MREP course focuses on the practical application of real estate principles, including agency relationships, listing property, contracts, and the closing process. The 48-hour course must be completed first, though the MREP course can be taken before or after the licensing examination.
Passing the Missouri Real Estate Licensing Exam
Once the 48-hour pre-examination course is complete, candidates are eligible to schedule the licensing exam through the state’s testing vendor. The Missouri Salesperson Examination is a computerized, multiple-choice test consisting of 140 questions, administered in a single four-hour session. The examination is divided into two parts: a 100-question national section and a 40-question state-specific law section.
To receive a passing score, candidates must correctly answer at least 70% of the questions on the national portion and 75% of the questions on the state portion (30 out of 40 questions). Both sections must be passed before a license application can be submitted to the MREC. If a candidate fails one portion, they are allowed to retake only the failed section.
Securing Broker Sponsorship
A salesperson license in Missouri is not issued directly to an individual but to a licensed real estate broker who agrees to provide supervision. Securing this affiliation, known as broker sponsorship, is mandatory before the MREC will issue an active license. The sponsoring broker assumes legal responsibility for the salesperson’s professional actions and provides guidance, training, and oversight in all real estate transactions.
New licensees should evaluate potential brokerages based on factors that influence early career success. Considerations include the quality of the firm’s training programs, the commission split structure offered to new agents, and the overall office culture and support systems. Selecting a broker that aligns with career goals and provides mentorship significantly impacts the transition to active practice.
Submitting the Official License Application
The final stage involves the formal submission of all required documentation to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. All applicants must undergo a criminal history background check, initiated by mandatory fingerprinting. Candidates must register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) and use the MREC’s registration number, 0004, to ensure the results are sent to the Commission.
Fingerprinting is conducted by the state’s approved vendor, IDEMIA, at a cost of approximately $41.75; a receipt must be included with the application package. The complete application must include proof of course completion, passing score reports for the licensing examination, and confirmation of broker sponsorship. The application, along with the required $90 fee for the resident salesperson license, must be submitted within six months of completing the 48-hour course.
Understanding Initial Investment and Ongoing Costs
Obtaining a Missouri real estate license requires a financial commitment that extends beyond the state-mandated fees. The initial 72 hours of pre-license education typically ranges from $200 to over $525. State fees include the licensing examination fee (approximately $52), the fingerprinting and background check fee (about $41.75), and the final resident salesperson license application fee ($90).
Once licensed, a new agent faces significant ongoing costs associated with professional practice. These expenses often include:
- Joining local, state, and national Realtor associations, including annual dues for NAR and Missouri REALTORS®.
- Budgeting for Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance.
- Paying quarterly Multiple Listing Service (MLS) access fees.
- Covering potential desk fees or technology charges imposed by the sponsoring brokerage.
The total initial investment for licensing fees and education alone generally falls between $385 and $660, with additional thousands required for the initial setup of professional services.
Maintaining and Renewing Your License
Keeping a Missouri real estate license active requires adherence to a regular schedule of continuing education (CE) and renewal. Salespersons operate on a two-year renewal cycle, with all licenses expiring on September 30th of even-numbered years. To maintain active status, licensees must complete a minimum of 12 hours of CE during the two-year period preceding the renewal date.
Three of the required 12 CE hours must be taken in a course approved as core credit. These core courses cover topics identified by the Commission as necessary for ethical practice. Licensees must ensure their approved CE credits are reported to the MREC before submitting their renewal application. Failure to renew by the September 30th deadline results in a penalty fee and the license becoming inactive.