How do I become a licensed Real Estate Agent in Michigan?

Complete 40-Hour Pre-Licensing Course: Take a LARA-approved 40-hour Salesperson Pre-License Course including minimum 4 hours civil rights/fair housing. Find a Sponsoring Broker: Secure affiliation with a licensed Michigan real estate broker. Complete Fingerprinting: Visit an IdentoGO or approved Live Scan location for fingerprint-based background check. Cost: ~$50–$65. Submit Application via MiPLUS: Apply online at michigan.gov/MiPLUS. Pay $88 application fee. Upload proof of education. Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam: Register at test-takers.psiexams.com/mire. Pay $79 exam fee. Pass both National (56/80 = 70%) and State (24/35 = 70%) sections. License Issued: License issued by LARA after exam pass and background check clearance.

How much does it cost to become a Real Estate Agent in Michigan?

The total estimated cost to become a Real Estate Agent in Michigan is $227. This typically includes application fees, exam fees, training costs, and any required background checks.

How many pre-licensing hours does Michigan require for a real estate license?

Michigan requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education. Course cost typically $135–$400 depending on format.

Real Estate Agent

MichiganReal Estate Salesperson License Requirements

Q: Can I transfer my Real Estate Agent license to Michigan?

Michigan does not directly accept out-of-state Real Estate Agent licenses. You may need to apply through the state licensing authority. Out-of-state licensees undergo individual 'substantial equivalency' evaluation by LARA. Some states (AL, CO, ME, MS, NE, VA) accept Michigan licenses through their own reciprocity programs, but Michigan does not formally reciprocate.

Salesperson — LARA/BPLLast verified: 2026-03-22

Governing Authority

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

Official website →

Some information on this page has not been fully verified.

10% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data

Pre-License Hours

$227

Total Gov Fees

115

Exam Questions

3 hrs

Exam Time

Renewal Cycle

Reciprocity

⚠ Recent Changes in Michigan

2024-02-13: Fair housing CE requirement — 1 hour per year now mandatory for all licensees.
2024-08-01: MLS commission rules changed following NAR settlement. Buyer broker compensation no longer listed on MLS.

Application Process

Complete 40-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Take a LARA-approved 40-hour Salesperson Pre-License Course including minimum 4 hours civil rights/fair housing.

Estimated time: 1–6 weeks

Find a Sponsoring Broker

Secure affiliation with a licensed Michigan real estate broker.

Estimated time: 1–4 weeks

Complete Fingerprinting

Visit an IdentoGO or approved Live Scan location for fingerprint-based background check. Cost: ~$50–$65.

Estimated time: 1–3 weeks

Submit Application via MiPLUS

Apply online at michigan.gov/MiPLUS. Pay $88 application fee. Upload proof of education.

Estimated time: 2–4 weeks processing

Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam

Register at test-takers.psiexams.com/mire. Pay $79 exam fee. Pass both National (56/80 = 70%) and State (24/35 = 70%) sections.

Estimated time: 1–2 weeks

License Issued

License issued by LARA after exam pass and background check clearance.

Estimated time: 1–2 weeks

Basic Requirements

Minimum Age	18 years old
Education	High school diploma or GED
Residency	Not required Non-residents must submit notarized Consent to Service of Process.
Citizenship	Not required Legal work authorization needed. Social Security Affidavit for applicants without SSN.
Background Check	Required Fingerprint-based state (Michigan State Police) and federal (FBI) background check via Live Scan.
Sponsoring Broker	Required Must affiliate with a licensed Michigan broker before license activation.

Pre-Licensing Education

Education Requirements

Mostly verified

Total Hours Required

Provider Type

LARA-approved proprietary schools, community colleges, online providers

Required Courses

✓Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Course (40 hrs — including minimum 4 hrs civil rights/fair housing)

Course cost typically $135–$400 depending on format.

View approved schools →

Licensing Exam

Exam Details

Mostly verified

Exam Provider

Total Questions

115

Total Time

180 min

Format

Computer-based, multiple-choice, in-person only at PSI test centers. No remote proctoring available.

Exam Sections

Section	Questions	Time	Passing
National	80	min	70%
State (Michigan)	35	min	70%

Retake Policy

Unlimited attempts. 24-hour wait between attempts. $79 per attempt. Only failed section needs retaking.

Results delivered on-screen immediately. 7 Michigan test centers: Grand Rapids, Southfield (2), Holt, Dearborn, Gaylord, Marquette. One source reports 100 questions — 115 is confirmed by PSI bulletin and multiple corroborating sources.

Schedule your exam →

Fee Breakdown

Fee	Amount	Confidence
Application Fee Paid to: Michigan LARA		Mostly verified
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services		Mostly verified
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: IdentoGO or approved vendor		Mostly verified
Total Estimated Government Fees	$227

Ready to get started in Michigan?

Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.

See Course Pricing →

Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Michigan with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.

License Renewal

Renewal Details

Mostly verified

Renewal Cycle

CE Hours

Renewal Fee

Deadline & Late Policy

3-year cycle from license issue date.

First Renewal Notes

No special first-renewal rules. No post-licensing education requirement.

Military fee waiver available (submit DD214/DD215).

Regulatory Board

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)· (517) 241-9288

Reciprocity

Interstate Reciprocity

Verified

Has Reciprocity

Type: Substantial Equivalency Evaluation

Out-of-state licensees undergo individual 'substantial equivalency' evaluation by LARA. Some states (AL, CO, ME, MS, NE, VA) accept Michigan licenses through their own reciprocity programs, but Michigan does not formally reciprocate.

Additional Information

Estimated Timeline

3–12 weeks from start to active license.

Minimum with accelerated course and fast background check processing. Typical: 4–6 weeks.

Recent Changes

2024-02-13

Fair housing CE requirement — 1 hour per year now mandatory for all licensees.

2024-08-01

MLS commission rules changed following NAR settlement. Buyer broker compensation no longer listed on MLS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Next Steps

Other Licenses in Michigan

Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Michigan.

Nearby States

IllinoisRE license requirements →IndianaRE license requirements →OhioRE license requirements →WisconsinRE license requirements →

State Rankings

Compare all states

How this state compares to 48 others for this profession

Timeline

#3 of 49

Salary

#17 of 49

Cost

#19 of 49

Salary & Earnings

Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)

Entry Level

$38,570

25th percentile

Median

$55,600

-1% vs. national avg ($56,320)

Experienced

$78,600

75th percentile

Wage Distribution (Annual)

$32,880

10th

$38,570

25th

$55,600

Median

$78,600

75th

$95,290

90th

2,070 employed in this state

Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.

Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)

Job Outlook & Growth

National employment projections for 2024-2034

Projected Growth

+1.8%

Below Average

New Jobs

+6,500

over 10 years

Annual Openings

42,900

per year (avg.)

vs. all occupations (4% avg.):-2.2 percentage points

359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)

Career Advancement Path

Real Estate Career Ladder+27% salary growth potential

You are here

Real Estate Agent

$55,600

Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam

Real Estate Broker

$58,640

2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam

Real Estate Appraiser

$70,520

AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)

You are here

Real Estate Agent

Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam

$55,600

Real Estate Broker

2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam

$58,640

Real Estate Appraiser

AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)

$70,520

Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook

Licensing Cost Breakdown

Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license

Application Fee

$88

Exam Fee (per attempt)

$79

Fingerprinting / Background Check

$60

Total Government Fees$227

Time investment: 3 weeks–3 months

Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.

Source: Michigan LARA — Bureau of Professional Licensing

Time to Get Licensed

Estimated total: 3–12 weeks

Complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education

1–6 weeks

Submit license application

1 day

Complete fingerprinting & background check

1–3 weeks(can overlap with previous step)

Application review & processing

2–6 weeks

Schedule and pass the licensing exam

1–2 weeks

Receive license & affiliate with broker

1–2 weeks

Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.

Source: Michigan LARA — Bureau of Professional Licensing

Real Estate Exam Prep Books for Michigan

Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.

Browse Study Guides on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Professional Equipment & Supplies for Michigan

Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.

Lockboxes →Open House Signs →Business Card Holders →

Sources

All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.

Michigan LARA — Bureau of Professional LicensingAccessed: 2026-02-23 · No publication date visible
PSI Exams — Michigan Real EstateAccessed: 2026-02-23 · No publication date visible
LARA — Approved Pre-License Courses (PDF)Accessed: 2026-02-23 · No publication date visible
MCL 339.2501 — Michigan Real Estate StatuteAccessed: 2026-02-23 · No publication date visible
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)Accessed: 2026-03-20 · RealEstateU

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Disclaimer: This information is compiled from official state licensing board websites and verified against multiple sources. Always confirm current requirements directly with your state's licensing authority, as licensing rules can change. Links to official state resources are provided for each data point. LicenseMap does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. See something incorrect? Report it here.

Find Real Estate Schools in Michigan

Michigan requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education. Compare approved online schools and start your real estate career.

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