Minnesota Frequently Ask Questions Real Estate License

The Minnesota Real Estate Commission does not specify license applicants to have a high school diploma or GED.

Minnesota’s Real Estate Commission does not specify an age requirement to take the 90-hour pre-license course bundle. However, you must be at least 18 years of age when you apply for your license.

An applicant for a Minnesota real estate salesperson license must complete a total of 90 hours of pre-licensing coursework. Minnesota breaks the courses into three 30-hour courses known as Course I, Course II, and Course III.

No, the Minnesota Real Estate Commission does not offer exemptions for college credits. You must take the 90 hours of pre-licensing education.

No, the Minnesota Real Estate Commission does not offer exemptions for law school credits. You must take the 90 hours of pre-licensing education.

Yes. As long as you take Course I, II, and III from a Minnesota real estate commission approved education provider, you may take advantage of online instruction. A current list of approved course providers is available through the state’s PULSE Portal.

Each course includes a proctored final exam. The final exams consist of 155 multiple-choice questions each. You must achieve a passing grade of 70% to receive your certificate of completion.

You may take the required coursework, but you must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a Minnesota real estate salesperson license.

RealEstateU will provide you with a course completion certificate as soon as you pass each final exam. You will need your Course I course completion certificate to take your Minnesota State Salesperson License Exam.

You have one year from the date you passed both sections of the exam to apply for your license. Before doing so, you must pass Course II and Course III, plus find a Minnesota licensed real estate broker to associate with.

You’ll need to demonstrate you have successfully completed Course I, Course II, and Course III. In addition, include your official score report from the state licensing exam. Depending on your application answers, you may also need to include further written statements and court documentation.

Every application is considered on an individual basis. The time it takes to process the applications will vary for this reason. Your real estate broker will notify you when your salesperson license application has been approved and you have been granted an active real estate license.

No. Minnesota requires you to work for a Minnesota-licensed real estate broker. You will work on behalf of the broker in your salesperson duties. Your associated real estate broker will submit your license application for you.

No. Minnesota does not require fingerprinting for real estate salesperson licensing.

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Minnesota real estate salesperson license.

Minnesota does not have any general education requirements, such as a high school diploma, GED, or college coursework.

The time needed to earn your Minnesota license depends on how long it takes you to complete the required 90-hour pre-license courses, pass the state exam, and find a sponsoring Minnesota real estate broker. The entire licensing process may be as short as 6 weeks.

No. Minnesota has no residency requirements to qualify for a real estate salesperson license.

The costs associated with obtaining your Minnesota real estate salesperson license are as follows: All three 90-hour pre-license courses:
RealEstateU offers the 90-hour course bundle for $299.
State Exam Fee: $63.
License Application Fee: $110.
Total Cost: $472

A criminal record does not necessarily prevent you from receiving your MN license. You will be asked to provide written statements and supporting documentation with your application. Your real estate broker will notify you if your application has been approved or denied.

In Minnesota, you must be at least 18 years of age, pass the 90-hour pre-license course bundle, and pass the state real estate exam. Next, you must find a licensed real estate broker to work with; they will submit your application.

First, you must pass the final exams of the three required Minnesota pre-license courses. The final exams are 155 questions. Second, you must pass the state licensing exam. You must score at least a 70 to pass the state exam.

To apply for your MN real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years of age. After that:
Step 1: Complete 90-Hour Minnesota Salesperson Pre-license Course Bundle
Step 2: Apply for the State Exam
Step 3: Take and Pass the State Exam
Step 4: Find a Sponsoring Licensed Real Estate Broker

Generally speaking, the application will ask about any prior criminal convictions, criminal charges, withheld or deferred judgment, or administrative actions. If you answer affirmatively to these, you will need to submit an additional written statement and documentation.

The MN real estate commissioner has the right to deny an application on the grounds of any misleading statements made on the application, engagement in fraudulent practices, failure to comply with state statutes, been shown to be financially irresponsible or untrustworthy.

The Minnesota real estate salesperson application asks questions regarding criminal history. As part of the application, you must submit a written statement explaining each incident, a copy of the charging document, and a copy of a document that demonstrates the resolution of the charges or final judgment.

Active real estate license holders and residents of Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma are eligible for reciprocity. Wisconsin license holders need to take a 13-hour course and the state exam. All other active license holders must meet the course and exam requirements.

Yes, you can apply for a Minnesota real estate salesperson license even if you live in another state. However, you’ll still need to work under a Minnesota-licensed real estate broker and comply with the salesperson license requirements.

Minnesota has no citizenship requirements for obtaining your real estate salesperson license. You must be at least 18 years of age, pass the 90-hour Minnesota Pre-license Course Bundle, and successfully pass the state exam. You will need a Social Security number as part of the application process.

Full reciprocity holders will need to contact a Minnesota-licensed primary broker to submit their application. In addition, you must email a letter of current license certification no older than 90 days at the time of the application. Partial reciprocity holders will take an additional 13-hr course.

Licensed non-residents in a non-reciprocal state must complete the 90-hour Minnesota pre-license course bundle, pass the state portion of the salesperson exam, and find a Minnesota-licensed broker to submit the application.

During the two years your license is active, you must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education. 15 of those hours must be in the year before your renewal. You must also take one hour of anti-discrimination laws training and one hour on laws or regulations concerning agency representation.

Your Minnesota real estate broker will submit your renewal application on your behalf. The renewal fee for a salesperson license totals $70. The Department of Commerce will notify your broker when the renewal application is approved.

The fee for renewal is $70. The fee breakdown is $40 for the renewal, $20 for the real estate education, research, and recovery fun, and a $30 technology surcharge.

Your license is expired if not renewed by the due date. If you do not renew your salesperson license within two years of your license expiration, your license will be canceled.

Ask your broker about missing requirements. You must meet these requirements before applying to reactivate your license. You’ll need to pay the $70 renewal fee plus a $20 reactivation fee. This must be done before two years lapse, or you will need to begin the Minnesota salesperson licensing process again.

Your real estate license can become inactive for failing to complete continuing education, ending your association with a licensed broker, for outstanding tax or child support obligations, an enforcement action, or if your associated broker’s license becomes inactive.

Ask your new Minnesota licensed real estate broker to apply for a transfer of license. You can transfer your license as long as your renewal deadline has not passed.

Yes. You must meet the continuing education requirements in order to have your salesperson license reinstated.

Your Minnesota real estate salesperson license is good for two years. You must stay associated with an actively licensed Minnesota real estate broker and meet the continuing education requirements.

A Minnesota real estate salesperson license enables you to legally be able to earn a commission or other compensation, or the expectation of a commission or other compensation, by representing sellers and buyers in the selling, purchasing, listing, exchange, leasing, renting, or leasing option on any real property.

A Minnesota real estate salesperson license is required to represent a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction and earn a commission or compensation for the services. The license enables the licensee to advertise and market real estate properties and their services.

Yes, RealEstateU is an approved Minnesota course provider. Its Minnesota pre-license coursework is fully approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Schedule your exam by visiting www.pearsonvue.com or calling 833-273-1946. You must reserve your exam at least 24 hours before your desired date.

The current list of test centers, including specific location details and directions, is available on the back cover of the Real Estate Candidate Handbook or searchable online at PearsonVUE.

Registration is easily done online by visiting the PearsonVUE website. Once you create an account, you can have your exam scheduled within a few minutes. You can also schedule your exam by calling PearsonVUE at (833) 273-1946

If you are licensed in another state, and your licensed state does not have full reciprocity with Minnesota, you will need to take the state portion of the exam. You will schedule the exam through PearsonVUE. Search their website for a testing center near you. The state exam fee is $39.

If you must schedule or cancel your state exam, you must call (833) 273-1946 at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance, or your exam fee will be forfeit. Credit card refunds will be processed immediately, while electronic checks and vouchers take 2-3 weeks.

By missing your exam or canceling within 48 hours, you forfeit your exam fee and need to reschedule your exam. You will need to submit a new registration and pay the exam fee if you need to reapply for a missed exam.

Be prepared to provide your full name as it appears on an official government ID. Include your email, phone, and address for contact purposes. You will also need to provide payment details.

Yes. The only requirements to take the Minnesota state salesperson exam are to pass Course I. You will need to be associated with a Minnesota licensed broker to apply for your license.

The Minnesota Real Estate Commission contracted with PearsonVUE to administer the real estate salesperson licensing examination.

It is advisable to schedule your exam as far ahead of your desired date as possible. You must register at least 24 hours in advance when scheduling your exam online. Walk-in exams are not available.

The fee for taking the state licensing exam is $63 for scheduling both portions of the exam or $39 if you only need to take one portion. Payment must be made ahead of time. PearsonVUE accepts credit card, debit card, and electronic check. You may also purchase and use a pre-paid voucher.

PearsonVUE accepts credit card, debit card, and electronic check. You may also purchase and use a prepaid voucher. You will need to pay for your exam at the time you schedule it. Exam fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

No personal belongings will be allowed in the exam room. Any personal belongings brought to the test center must be secured in the proper storage provided before entering the exam room. Personal items prohibited include electronic devices, watches, wallets, purses, and writing devices, as well as notebooks.

Any break policies are established by the exam sponsor. Most sponsors allow unscheduled breaks. To request an unscheduled break, raise your hand to get the administrator’s attention. You will not get extra exam time if you choose to take a break. You must leave the testing room, but not the floor or building.

For questions or requests about the exam itself, refer to PearsonVUE Real Estate Candidate Handbook. Otherwise, contact PearsonVUE Customer Service at pearsonvuecustomerservice@pearson.com. You can also make a written inquiry addressed to: Pearson VUE/Minnesota Real Estate 5601 Green Valley Dr., Bloomington, MN 55437

No recording devices of any type are allowed in the testing area. You will be asked to deposit personal belongings in secure storage at the testing center. Any guests must immediately depart the premises after dropping you off.

No personal items are allowed into the testing center other than keys and wallet. You will be provided with secured storage to place personal belongings before entering the exam room. In addition, no food or drink is permitted into the exam room.

No, eating and drinking are not allowed in the test center. Chewing gum is also prohibited.

You are permitted to bring a non-scientific calculator that is separate from a cell phone or any other electronic device. The test administrator will also provide you with materials for doing calculations.

Plan to arrive at your test center no later than 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. This provides adequate time to sign in, provide identification and your Course I completion certificate, and familiarize yourself with the exam process. If you are late, your exam fees will be forfeited.

Residents of Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma qualify for reciprocity and are exempt from the exam. All other license holders will need to take the state portion of the exam.

You will leave your test center with an official score report in hand. Your report will be marked “pass” or “fail.” Passing candidates will have information on how to apply for the salesperson license. Candidates who fail one or both sections will receive details for scheduling a retest.

If you failed one or both portions of the real estate salesperson licensing exam, the official score report will include instructions for retesting. Wait 24 hours, then register for the exam as you did the first time, by going online at https://home.pearsonvue.com/mncommerce or by contacting PSI at 833-273-1946.

On your official score report, you are provided with a diagnostic report for the general section of the test before leaving. It will show your strengths and weaknesses on each exam question type. Unfortunately, if you failed the state exam, you will not receive further information.

There is not a specified limit on the number of times you can retake the Minnesota salesperson exam. You do need to wait 24 hours before scheduling your retake. You will need to pay the exam fee each time you take the exam, either $63 for the full exam or $39 for one section.

The questions are divided between the general (or national real estate) portion and the state portion. The national portion includes 80 scored questions and (5) unscored pretest questions. The state salesperson portion includes 50 scored questions and 5-10 unscored pretest questions.

The exam content for the general and state portions will cover real property characteristics, forms of ownership, brokerage license law, contracts and disclosures, conveyance procedures, and financial instruments.