Missouri requires 72 hours of approved pre-licensing education split into two parts – a 48-hour pre-exam course and a 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) course. The MREP can be taken before or after the state exam, which gives you flexibility in how you sequence your education. This guide covers what Missouri requires, how the two courses fit together, and what the whole license costs.
Quick Facts
Required: 72 hours (48-hr pre-exam + 24-hr MREP) | MREP can be before or after exam | Passing scores: 70% national, 75% state | 6-month deadline from course completion
Table of Contents
What Missouri Requires
You need 72 hours from a MREC-approved school, delivered in two parts:
- 48-Hour Salesperson Pre-Exam Course – Covers real estate principles, contracts, financing, property law, fair housing, agency, and Missouri-specific topics. Must be completed before sitting for the state exam.
- 24-Hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) – Covers practical topics like listing presentations, showing property, writing offers, and working with clients. Can be completed either before or after the state exam.
- Both required for license – You need both the 48-hour course and the 24-hour MREP completed before you can apply for your license, regardless of the order you take them in.
Two Different Passing Scores
Missouri’s state exam has separate passing thresholds: 70% on the national portion and 75% on the state portion. You must pass both sections. Many students study for the national content and underestimate the higher bar on the Missouri-specific questions.
Missouri Pre-License Course Providers
Missouri’s 72 hours come as two separate courses, and how a school packages them changes the real price more than the headline number does. We keep the school-by-school comparison on a single page instead of restating it here: see our comparison of the national online real estate schools, where every price and policy is read off the school’s own site with the date it was checked.
How to Choose the Right School
Verify MREC Approval
Every school must be approved by the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC). Verify before enrolling – courses from non-approved providers won’t count toward your 72 hours.
Check if Both Courses Are Included
Some schools bundle the 48-hour pre-exam course and the 24-hour MREP together; others sell them as two separate purchases. Always compare the total cost for both courses, not just the headline price for the pre-exam portion.
Best Value Strategy
A bundled package ($300-$400) that includes both the 48-hour and 24-hour courses plus exam prep gives you the best value. Buying courses and exam prep separately from different providers usually costs more and creates a disjointed study experience.
Format and Flexibility
- Self-paced online – Most popular. Study on your schedule, 24/7 access. Most MREC-approved providers offer this format.
- Live online – Structured classes with a real instructor on a fixed schedule. Fewer providers offer this than self-paced.
- MREP timing – Consider taking the MREP before the exam. The practical content reinforces theory and helps with exam prep, even though the state doesn’t require it first.
What It Actually Costs
Education is just one piece of the total cost. You’ll also need to budget for the state exam fee ($62), license application ($90), and background check/fingerprinting ($40+). See our complete Missouri licensing guide for the full breakdown.
How Long Will It Take?
| Study Pace | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Full-time (fastest) | 3-4 weeks |
| Moderate (15-20 hrs/week) | 5-7 weeks |
| Part-time (5-10 hrs/week) | 3-5 months |
Missouri’s 72-hour total is on the lighter side nationally. The 6-month deadline from course completion to passing the exam is generous but real – don’t let it sneak up on you. Most people studying while working finish the coursework in 1-3 months, then take the exam within a few weeks.
Free Exam Prep Resources
Whether or not your school includes exam prep, these free resources are worth using for extra practice:
- PrepAgent – Free practice questions covering national and state-specific content
- Real Estate License Wizard – Free Missouri-specific practice questions
- Real Estate Exam Ninja – 550+ free questions
- Quizlet – Missouri real estate exam flashcards
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Course
- Study the state portion harder. The 75% passing score on the Missouri section is higher than the 70% national threshold. Give extra time to Missouri-specific topics like MREC regulations, license law, and state contract requirements.
- Take the MREP before the exam. Even though you can take it after, the practical content in the 24-hour MREP reinforces concepts you’ll see on the state exam. It’s essentially free exam prep.
- Don’t waste the 6-month window. Schedule your exam within 2-4 weeks of finishing the coursework while the material is fresh. Students who wait months to test consistently score lower.
- Practice with timed tests. The state exam is timed, and pacing matters. Use practice exams that simulate real test conditions so you’re comfortable with the clock.
