Montana licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Montana
A practical step-by-step guide to Montana licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Montana licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 29, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 70 hours
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Estimated cost
- $600–$1,000
- Estimated timeline
- 3–6 months
- Renewal cycle
- Annual
Montana licenses renew annually (renewal period September 1 – October 31). Salespersons must complete **12 hours of continuing education each year**. New licensees must complete a one‑time **12‑hour rookie course** (Broker/Property Management Trust Accounts & Related Topics) before their first renewal.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Meet eligibility
You must be at least 18 and have completed at least two years of high school or equivalent education.
Complete 70‑hour pre‑licensing course
Enroll in a Montana Board‑approved 70‑hour pre‑licensing course. The course must be completed within 24 months prior to application.
Pass the licensing exam
Register for the national and state exams with Pearson VUE and pay the $95 exam fee. You must pass the exam within 12 months of completing your course.
Obtain errors & omissions insurance and submit application
Purchase E&O insurance, complete a background check, and submit your application with the $80 fee and proof of education and exam results.
Complete rookie course
Before your first renewal, complete the 12‑hour rookie course required for new licensees.
Renew annually with continuing education
After the rookie course, complete 12 hours of continuing education each year and renew your license before October 31.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $600–$1,000. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing course | $350–$500 | Approximate cost for the 70‑hour pre‑licensing course. |
| Exam fee | $95 | Pearson VUE exam fee for the Montana salesperson exam. |
| License application fee | $80 | Application fee due when submitting your license application. |
| Errors & omissions insurance | $200–$300 | Typical annual cost for required E&O insurance. |
| Rookie course | $100–$200 | Cost for the mandatory 12‑hour new licensee course. |
| Continuing education | $100–$150 | Cost per year for 12‑hour CE packages. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
What are Montana’s continuing‑education requirements?
Active salespersons must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually. New licensees must complete a 12‑hour rookie course before their first renewal.
Who administers the Montana licensing exam?
Pearson VUE administers Montana’s real‑estate licensing exams on behalf of the Board of Realty Regulation.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.