| Requirement | Montana |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 70 hours |
| Exam administrator | PSI |
| License / application fee | $80 (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)) |
| Exam fee | n/a |
| Regulator | Montana Board of Realty Regulation |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 370 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $79,100 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Montana
To get a Montana real estate salesperson license you complete 70 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Montana Board of Realty Regulation sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Montana real estate license?
Montana requires 70 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI 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 Montana?
Getting licensed in Montana takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 70 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Montana Board of Realty Regulation.
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Montana Board of Realty Regulation lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 70 hours of pre-license education
Montana requires 70 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Montana salesperson exam
The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus Montana law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Montana Board of Realty Regulation.
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Montana 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 Montana Board of Realty Regulation, then activate under your broker.
How much does a Montana real estate license cost?
Montana's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: $80 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 Montana Board of Realty Regulation before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in Montana?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Montana earned a median of $79,100 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $49,010. See the full Montana agent salary breakdown.
What are Montana’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 8 Montana housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $665,550 as of September 2026, from $297,750 in Butte to $954,500 in Bozeman; 4 of 8 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalispell, MT | $897,000 | -5.3% | 87 | 963 |
| Billings, MT | $469,900 | -1.3% | 59 | 896 |
| Bozeman, MT | $954,500 | +6.4% | 74 | 840 |
| Big Sky, MT | $897,475 | +4.4% | 73 | 768 |
| Missoula, MT | $735,000 | +13.1% | 75 | 523 |
All tracked markets: Montana housing market hub.
Montana real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Montana?
Montana requires 70 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Montana Board of Realty Regulation requirements.
How much does a Montana real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: $80 license/application fee (commission website (crawled Jul 2026)); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The Montana Board of Realty Regulation publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Montana real estate exam?
PSI administers the Montana salesperson exam. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PearsonVue; confirm the current vendor with the commission.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Montana?
No. Montana 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 Montana?
The Montana Board of Realty Regulation licenses and regulates Montana real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Montana Board of Realty Regulation before enrolling. The commission website text (crawled July 2026) names PearsonVue; confirm the current vendor with the commission.