What is required to get a license in Montana?

For salespersons:

  • Complete application form.
  • Have completed 10th grade from an accredited high school or equivalent.
  • Proof of completion of 60 hrs (2 courses) of Pre-License Education
  • A license history from any licensing jurisdiction in which you hold a current license or in which a license has been previously issued.
  • Proof of age 18 and above.
  • Copy of the completed and passed examination results within the last 24 months.
  • Fees: $150.00 + $35.00 Recovery Account Assessment

For brokers:

  • Complete application form.
  • Complete 60 Hours of additional pre-licensing instruction from a school and instructor approved by the Board.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Proof of age 18 and above.
  • Real estate examination successfully completed.
  • Experience requirements:
  • Must have two years experience as a licensed salesperson.
  • Evidence that the salesperson has obtained a total of 30 points in any combination of point types within the past 36 months prior to the date of application.
  • Point types and values are as follows:
  • Transaction points:
    One point for each closed residential real estate transaction, no more than five leases;
    Three points for each closed farm, ranch, agricultural, or commercial transaction, no more than five leases; or with satisfactory evidence to the board, an applicant may receive credit for both sides of a transaction.
  • Education points:
    Three points for an associate degree in real estate; three points for Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) or Council of Real Estate Broker Managers (CRB); five points for a bachelor degree or higher in business management; five points for a law degree; or five points for a bachelor degree or higher in real estate.
    One point for each instructor day (minimum of six hours) within the past 36 months, maximum of ten points.
  • A license history from any licensing jurisdiction in which you hold a current license or in which a license has been previously issued.
  • Fees: $175.00 + $35.00 Recovery Account Assessment

What score do I need to pass?

The salesperson exam consists of 100 national questions and 33 state-specific questions. The difficulty of each item on the examination for the “minimally competent practitioner” (MCP) has been previously evaluated. These judgments are averaged to determine the minimum passing score.

The broker exam consists of 11 simulation problems. A minimum passing level (MPL) was established for the section using the scoring weights assigned to the options in that section and represents the level of performance expected of a “minimally competent practitioner.” The overall examination has an Information Gathering (IG) MPL and a Decision Making (DM) MPL, which represent the sums of the MPLs of all IG and DM sections on the examination. Your total raw scores must meet or exceed the MPL in both IG and DM to pass this examination.

You will receive your score immediately after you complete your exam.

How much time do I have to complete the exam?

For the salesperson exam: you are allowed a total of 3.5 hours.

For the broker exam: you are allowed a total of 3 hours.

What should I bring with me for the exam?

  • 2 Forms of identification with matching names, non-expired and containing a valid signature. (Driver’s license, passport, green card, U.S. social security card, debit or credit card with signature). If your name on your registration is different than on your identification, you must bring proof of your name change.
  • Basic (non-scientific) calculator.

What is the format of the exam?

The exam is given on a computer.

What is on the exam?

The national portion of of the multiple choice exam for salespersons consists of the following sections:

  • Agency Relationships and Contracts.
  • Real Property Ownership/Interest.
  • Finance.
  • Real Property.
  • Marketing Regulations (purchase and rental).
  • Property Management.
  • Real Estate Calculations.

The state-specific portion of the multiple choice exams for salespersons consists of the following sections:

  • The Real Estate Licensing Agency’s Powers
  • Licensing
  • Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees
  • Additional Topics: Recovery/Surety Fund, Land Description, Common Interest Ownership/Condominium, Landlord/Tenant Relationship, Foreclosure and Redemption, Statute of Frauds.

Broker simulation examination contents:

  • Primary Issues:
  1. Agency Relationships and Property Representations.
  2. Fair Housing and Other Governmental Regulations.
  3. Handling Money.
  4. Training and Supervision of Licensees.
    Plus one primary issue varying by examination form.

Section Topics:
A. Agency
B. Contracts
C. Freehold and Leasehold
D. Property Management
E. Finance
F. Government Regulations and Private Restrictions
G. Description and Measurement
H. Valuation
I. Conveyance
J. Calculations
K. Ethical Behavior (must be incorporated in at least 4 problems)

Property Types:

  1. Residential
  2. Commercial
  3. Property Management
    Plus two property types varying by examination form.

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