| Requirement | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 90 hours |
| Exam administrator | Pearson VUE |
| License / application fee | $110 (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)) |
| Exam fee | n/a |
| Regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 2,530 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $46,410 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Minnesota
To get a Minnesota real estate salesperson license you complete 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Minnesota Department of Commerce sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Minnesota real estate license?
Minnesota requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the Pearson VUE salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in Minnesota?
Getting licensed in Minnesota takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 90 hours of pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Minnesota Department of Commerce lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 90 hours of pre-license education
Minnesota requires 90 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Minnesota salesperson exam
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and covers national real estate principles plus Minnesota law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Minnesota salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, then activate under your broker.
How much does a Minnesota real estate license cost?
Minnesota's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: $110 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Minnesota Department of Commerce before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in Minnesota?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Minnesota earned a median of $46,410 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $36,150. See the full Minnesota agent salary breakdown.
What are Minnesota’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 23 Minnesota housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $346,950 as of September 2026, from $193,675 in Fairmont to $469,000 in Brainerd; 10 of 23 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | $407,500 | -4.1% | 42 | 11,377 |
| Duluth, MN | $339,200 | +7.7% | 59 | 910 |
| Rochester, MN | $389,900 | -6.6% | 58 | 881 |
| Brainerd, MN | $469,000 | +6.4% | 61 | 701 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $337,450 | +0.7% | 49 | 618 |
All tracked markets: Minnesota housing market hub.
Minnesota real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires 90 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Minnesota Department of Commerce requirements.
How much does a Minnesota real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: $110 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The Minnesota Department of Commerce publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Minnesota real estate exam?
Pearson VUE administers the Minnesota salesperson exam. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PSI Services; confirm the current vendor with the commission.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses and regulates Minnesota real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Minnesota Department of Commerce before enrolling. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PSI Services; confirm the current vendor with the commission.