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Minnesota Real Estate License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Minnesota


Quick Overview:

To become a real estate agent in Minnesota, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age.

  1. Complete the Required
    90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
  2. Pass the Final Exam for Your Course
  3. Pass the Minnesota Salesperson Real Estate Licensing Exam
  4. Select a Sponsoring Broker
  5. Apply for a Minnesota Salesperson License

BUY YOUR MINNESOTA PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Commerce requires all prospective agents to complete the following steps to become a licensed real estate agent. Read below to learn more about how to get started with your real estate career.

1. Complete the Required 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Prospective real estate agents must
complete 90 hours of education from a provider approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The 90-hour education requirement consists of three 30-hour courses, known as Course I, Course II, and Course III.

You can take the state licensing exam after successfully completing Course I, but you can’t apply for a real estate license until you’ve successfully completed Course II and Course III.

2. Pass the Final Exam for Your Course

Once you’ve completed each Pre-Licensing course, you must pass the course final exam. You must receive a score of at least 75% to pass, but each exam can be taken as many times as necessary. These exams must be taken in the presence of a proctor. You’ll need to
schedule an appointment with a proctor in advance.

3. Pass the Minnesota Salesperson Real Estate Licensing Exam

Next, you’ll need to pass the state licensing exam, which is administered by Pearson VUE. To schedule your exam,
visit Pearson VUE’s website. The exam consists of a general portion and a state portion.

You will have four hours (2.5 hours for the general portion and 1.5 hours for the state portion) to complete the exam. You must receive a score of at least 75% to pass.

There are Exam Prep courses to help you feel confident on the day of your licensing exam.

4. Select a Sponsoring Broker

To begin working as a real estate agent in Minnesota, you must be sponsored by an active Minnesota real estate Broker.

Choosing the right Broker to work with is a key factor to becoming a successful Minnesota real estate agent, so it’s important to find a good fit.

When searching for a sponsoring Broker, here are some questions to consider:

  • Do they have a good reputation, locally and nationally?
  • Are they looking for a specific type of real estate agent?
  • What kind of education and training do they offer?
  • What does their fee and commission structure look like?
  • What kind of benefits do they offer?

5. Apply for a Minnesota Salesperson License

Your Broker will submit an application for a Salesperson license on your behalf. You must apply within a year of passing the exam. Otherwise, you’ll need to retake the exam.

“You do not submit your application for a real estate Salesperson license; the real estate Broker that you become associated with must submit it,” the Minnesota Commerce Department explains. “Once the application has been approved by the Commerce Department, your Broker will be able to print out your license and inform you that you are licensed as a Minnesota real estate Salesperson.”


Quick Facts:

  • To get a real estate Salesperson license in Minnesota, you must complete 90 hours of Pre-Licensing education.

  • Visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce website to learn more about the steps to become a licensed real estate agent.

  • To learn more about the Minnesota real estate licensing exam and other state requirements, read the
    state’s Candidate Handbook.

Common Questions About Getting Your Minnesota Real Estate License

1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Minnesota?

The cost of getting a real estate license in Minnesota can vary considerably, but you can typically expect to pay between $872 and $1,082.

Average Course Tuition $679-$889
License Fee $130
Exam Fee $63
Total $872-$1,082

2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in Minnesota?

The amount of time that it will take to get a real estate license in Minnesota can vary considerably, but one of the major factors is how long it takes you to complete your 90 hours of required Pre-Licensing education.

Student Learning Pace Time Period
Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) 2¼ weeks
20 Hours a Week 4½ weeks
10 Hours a Week 9 weeks
5 Hours a Week 18 weeks

3. If I get a real estate license in Minnesota, where else can I work?

If you get a real estate license in Minnesota, you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your Minnesota license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide for more information on reciprocity.

4. How much money can I make as a Minnesota real estate agent?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Minnesota real estate agent is $83,912.


Minnesota Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

Minnesota requires that real estate
Salespersons take 30 hours of Continuing Education
every two years to renew their license. 15 hours must be completed each year.

Each year, your 15 Continuing Education hours must include a mandatory module. Every two years, you must complete one hour of education related to Fair Housing and one hour of education related to agency law.