Real estate license requirements in Montana
Montana requires 70 hours of pre-licensing education and a supervising broker lined up before you’re even licensed — but unlike almost every other state, it doesn’t require a fingerprint-based background check at all.
Education
Montana’s Board of Realty Regulation requires 70 hours of pre-licensing education, and it has to be recent — completed within the 24 months before you apply. Coursework older than that doesn’t count.
| Course | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course | 70 | Must be completed within 24 months of your application |
Montana requires a broker relationship before you’re even licensed
Unlike most states, where you find a sponsoring broker after passing the exam, Montana requires applicants to already be employed by or under contract with a supervising-broker-endorsed broker as part of the licensing process itself, and to carry errors & omissions (E&O) insurance. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old with 2 years of accredited high-school-level study or the equivalent.
The licensing exam
Montana contracts with Pearson VUE to administer the exam, and offers an OnVUE online-proctored option (available since March 2025) alongside in-person testing.
| Portion | Items | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| National | 80 scored items, 150 minutes | Scaled score of 75 |
| Montana state | 40 scored items, 90 minutes | Scaled score of 75 |
Exam fees are reported at roughly $95–$106 per portion in secondary sources, but we couldn’t independently re-verify this against Pearson VUE’s current Montana handbook this session — confirm the current fee before you schedule.
Confirmed through a full review of the Board's official application materials: Montana does not require a fingerprint-based background check for a salesperson license, which is genuinely unusual among states. You'll answer discipline/background questions directly on the application, and only need to provide supporting documents if you answer “yes.”
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application & license fee | $80 (no cash accepted) | Montana Board of Realty Regulation |
| Exam fee | ~$95–$106 per portion (not independently re-verified) | Pearson VUE |
| Background check | None required | N/A |
Montana’s lack of a background-check fee is a real cost savings compared to most states — just double-check the current Pearson VUE exam fee before you schedule, since it wasn’t independently re-verified this session.
How to apply, step by step
Montana’s sequencing differs from most states because you need a broker relationship in place before you’re licensed, not after.
Must be completed within the 24 months before you apply.
Montana requires this before licensing, not after.
A requirement for licensure, not an optional add-on.
National and Montana state, scaled score of 75 required on each.
To the Montana Board of Realty Regulation. No cash accepted.
Montana doesn't require fingerprinting, but supporting documents are required if you answer “yes” to any disclosure question.
After you’re licensed: staying current
We didn’t find a confirmed, distinct post-licensing education requirement for Montana salespersons. A “Rookie Course” (12 hours within 120 days) is sometimes mentioned on prep sites, but it doesn’t appear on the Board’s official licensing checklist — it may be conflated with standard continuing education. If you’re newly licensed, confirm directly with the Board (dlibsdhelp@mt.gov) rather than assuming this applies to you.
Reciprocity
Montana doesn’t publish a fixed list of reciprocal states. Instead, it uses an individualized waiver process: if you’re already licensed elsewhere, you take only the Montana state portion of the exam (the national portion is waived), and you provide license verification from every state or jurisdiction where you currently hold, or have ever held, any professional license.
Common questions
Does Montana require a background check?
No. This is a genuine and unusual state policy, confirmed through a full review of the Board’s official application materials — Montana does not require fingerprinting or a criminal background check for a salesperson license.
Do I need a broker before I'm licensed?
Yes. Montana requires you to already be employed by or under contract with a supervising broker as part of the licensing application itself, not after you’re licensed.
Which states have reciprocity with Montana?
There’s no fixed list. Montana uses an individualized waiver: out-of-state licensees take only the Montana state exam portion and submit license verification from every jurisdiction where they’ve held a professional license.
How much does the Montana exam cost?
Reported at roughly $95–$106 per portion via Pearson VUE, though we couldn’t independently re-verify the current figure this session — confirm before you schedule.
How recent does my pre-licensing education need to be?
It must be completed within the 24 months before you apply — older coursework doesn’t count.
Next step
Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Dept. of Labor & Industry) — https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov
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