Real estate license requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi’s path starts with a temporary license: 60 hours of pre-licensing education, a state residency requirement at the time you apply, and a 30-hour post-license course you have one year to finish.
Education
The Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) requires 60 classroom hours of pre-licensing education, taken through a college or community college program or an MREC-approved provider.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course | 60 | College/community college program OR MREC-approved provider |
You must be at least 18 years old and a Mississippi resident at the time you apply — this is a real eligibility requirement, not just a formality.
Your first license is a temporary one
Mississippi issues your salesperson license as a temporary license first. You have one year from the date it’s issued to complete a 30-hour post-license course and submit it to MREC before it converts to a full salesperson license (see “After you’re licensed” below).
The licensing exam
Mississippi contracts with PSI to administer the exam. You can take the general and state portions together or separately.
| Portion | Items | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| General (national) | 80 questions, 2.5 hours | 56 correct (70%) |
| Mississippi state | 40 questions, 1.5 hours | 30 correct (75%) |
| Combined sitting | 120 questions, 4 hours | Both portions |
The exam fee is a flat $75 regardless of whether you sit for one portion or both, and retakes are also $75.
Mississippi's background check (Miss. Code §73-35-10) is statutory — full fingerprints go to the MS Department of Public Safety and the FBI. MREC sends the fingerprint kit along with your approval letter, so don't expect to handle this before you're approved to move forward.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application & license fee | ~$120 (cited by secondary sources, not independently confirmed from MREC’s primary fee schedule) | MREC |
| Exam fee | $75 flat | PSI |
| Background check | ~$50 processing fee cited by secondary sources, not primary-confirmed | MS DPS / FBI |
Confirm the application and background-check fees directly with MREC before you budget — neither figure above comes from a primary MREC fee schedule we could independently verify this session.
How to apply, step by step
Mississippi’s process runs through a temporary license before you’re fully licensed.
Through a college/community college program or an MREC-approved provider.
Confirm you meet the 18+ age and Mississippi residency requirements at the time you apply.
MREC mails this after approving your application; results go to MS DPS and the FBI.
General and state portions, $75 flat regardless of how many portions you sit for.
Find a supervising broker to work under.
Submit proof of completion to MREC to convert to a full license.
After you’re licensed: staying current
Mississippi requires a 30-hour post-license course within one year of receiving your temporary salesperson license, submitted to MREC (info@mrec.state.ms.us). This requirement is well corroborated across course providers, though we couldn’t independently confirm the exact statutory citation this session — treat the one-year deadline as firm and confirm the specific course requirements with MREC.
Reciprocity
Mississippi’s reciprocity is explicitly case-by-case, not a published list. Per the Commission’s own language: “…current, active (license-for-a-license) reciprocal agreement… Contact the Commission for specific requirements in your case.” There is no fixed list of reciprocal states publicly available — if you’re licensed elsewhere and want to apply in Mississippi, contact MREC directly to find out whether your home state currently qualifies and what’s required.
Common questions
Do I need to live in Mississippi to apply?
Yes — you must be at least 18 and a Mississippi resident at the time you apply for your salesperson license.
Is my Mississippi license temporary at first?
Yes. You receive a temporary salesperson license, then have one year to complete a 30-hour post-license course and submit it to MREC to convert to a full license.
Which states have reciprocity with Mississippi?
There’s no published list. Mississippi’s reciprocity is handled case-by-case — contact MREC directly to ask about your specific state.
How much does the Mississippi exam cost?
$75 flat, whether you take one portion or both, and retakes are also $75.
What does Mississippi's background check involve?
A statutory fingerprint-based check (Miss. Code §73-35-10) sent to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the FBI. MREC mails you the fingerprint kit along with your approval letter.
Next step
Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) — https://www.mrec.ms.gov
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