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How to get a real estate license in Minnesota. 90 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $215. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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40% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$215
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Minnesota
Take a DOC-approved 30-hour Course I. Must be completed before sitting for the exam.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Register at test-takers.psiexams.com/mnre. Pay $63 exam fee. Pass both National (60/80 = 75%) and State (30/40 = 75%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Complete the remaining two 30-hour courses before submitting your license application.
Estimated time: 2–6 weeks
Schedule fingerprinting. BCA + FBI check. Cost: ~$42–$46.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Secure affiliation with a licensed Minnesota broker. Broker submits application on your behalf.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Sponsoring broker submits application via pulseportal.com. Pay $110 application fee.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks processing
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | No high school diploma explicitly required Must complete the 90-hour pre-licensing education. No separate HS diploma requirement in statute. |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or lawfully admitted alien Per MN Statute Chapter 82. |
| Background Check | Required Fingerprint-based via BCA (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) + FBI check. Cost: ~$42–$46. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Broker must submit the license application on the candidate's behalf via the Pulse Portal. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
MN DOC-approved real estate schools (classroom, online, and hybrid)
Required Courses
Course cost typically $300–$600 depending on provider. Topics per MN Statute 82.60.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
120
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Minnesota) | 40 | 90 min | 75% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes. 24-hour wait between attempts. $39 per single-section retake (unverified — may be $63 per attempt). Only failed section needs retaking.
5–10 unscored pretest questions dispersed throughout. Higher 75% passing threshold on both sections. 9 MN test centers: Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Eagan, Mankato, Rochester, St. Paul, Willmar, Woodbury. Remote proctoring available.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Paid to: MN Department of Commerce | |
Exam Fee (combined, per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: BCA / IdentoGO | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $215 |
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Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Annual CE deadline: June 15. Renewal by June 30 (even-numbered years for salespersons).
First Renewal Notes
No CE due at first June 15/30 after initial issuance. Standard 30-hour requirement begins with next full cycle.
CE must include Required Module (changes each cycle). Late renewal results in license lapse.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Full Reciprocity (select states)
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Colorado (CO) | Full reciprocity — no additional education or exam required. |
| Iowa (IA) | Full reciprocity — no additional education or exam required. |
| Nebraska (NE) | Full reciprocity — no additional education or exam required. |
| North Dakota (ND) | Full reciprocity — no additional education or exam required. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | Full reciprocity — no additional education or exam required. |
| South Dakota (SD) | Full reciprocity — no additional education or exam required. |
Wisconsin has limited reciprocity for brokers only (13-hour course + state broker exam). All other states: must complete full MN requirements.
4–26 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with accelerated course and fast processing. Typical: 8–12 weeks. Can take exam after Course I only (30 hrs), then complete Courses II/III before applying.
2025-01-01
2025–2026 Required CE Module is 'Contracts' (3.75 hours).
2024-08-01
NAR settlement changes: buyer broker compensation no longer listed on MLS. Written buyer agency agreements now required.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Minnesota.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#37 of 49
Cost
#16 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$39,220
25th percentile
Median
$47,650
-15% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$92,540
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,480 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)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+66% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$47,650
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$47,650
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$66,310
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$78,940
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
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: MN DOC — Real Estate Licensing
Estimated total: 4–26 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: MN DOC — Real Estate Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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