HOW TO GET A REAL ESTATE LICENSE IN Michigan
Step by Step Guide on How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Michigan in 2024
By: RealEstateUUpdated: 6 January 2023
In a nutshell here is how to get your real estate license in Michigan.
Pre-requisites
- You must be 18 years old or above.
- You must be a resident of Michigan. If you are a non-resident of Michigan, you must submit a Consent to Service of Process with the Michigan Licensing & Regulatory Authority.
Step 1:
Complete the 40-hour MI Real Estate Licensing course. This course must be approved by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs(LARA).
Step 2:
You will need to meet the LARA requirements before you begin the process of getting your Michigan Real Estate License.
Step 3:
Create your Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) account. This will help you apply for your Michigan License.
Step 4:
Using the MiPLUS account, you can submit your Michigan Real Estate License Application.
Step 5:
Pass the Michigan Real Estate State Exam.
Step 6:
Find a MI sponsoring broker, with whom you will begin your real estate career.
Now let’s cover each of these steps in detail.
CHAPTER INTRO:
How To Get A Real Estate License in Michigan: Introduction
Welcome to this step-by-step guide on how to get your real estate license in Michigan!
Are you looking to change careers in Michigan? Would you like to know more about the real estate industry? If your answer is yes, then this guide will help you find answers to your questions like:
- Who needs a real estate license in Michigan?
- What are the basic qualifications you need before you can apply for a real estate license in Michigan?
- What are the educational qualifications that you need to get a Michigan real estate license?
- How much will this change in career cost you?
- How much time will it take you to get your real estate license?
- and more…
If you are looking to save time and money while studying to become a real estate agent in Michigan, you will love this updated guide!
CHAPTER 1:
How to Get A Real Estate License in Michigan: The Basics
In this chapter, you will learn about the basics of real estate licensing in Michigan.
First, you will learn why you must have a real estate license in Michigan. You will also understand why it is useful to have one!
Next, you will learn how you can have a successful career in real estate in Michigan.
Who Needs a Real Estate License in Michigan?
If you’re looking to work in real estate in the state of Michigan, then you will need to get a real estate license first. This is true even if you already have a valid real estate license from another US state. If you want to buy, sell, or rent properties in the state of Michigan, you need to get a Michigan real estate license.
Michigan offers real estate Salesperson and Broker licenses.
Who is responsible for licensing and regulating real estate salespersons and brokers in Michigan?
That would be the job of the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), an independent government agency.
How Much Can a Real Estate Agent in Michigan Earn?
According to Indeed.com, the average annual pay for a real estate agent in Michigan is around $80,386. This information gets updated on a regular basis, so you should look up indeed.com yourself.
How can you do this?
- Access the Indeed.com website using your browser.
- In the What box, type “Real Estate Agent”.
- In the Where box type, “Michigan”.
Scroll down and you will see a list of the highest paying cities and what an agent is expected to earn in Troy, Farmington Hills, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Livonia, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Taylor, and Shelby Charter Township.
What are the Types of Real Estate Licenses?
The state of Michigan offers two types of licenses. They are:
- Real estate Salesperson license
- Real estate Brokers license
If you want to be a real estate professional in Michigan, you will first need a real estate Salesperson license. You will need to be sponsored by a licensed Broker to start working as a real estate agent.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Broker, you will be able to learn and establish yourself in the field of real estate.
You will be ready to apply for your Broker’s license only after you have done the following:
- Completed working as a full-time real estate Salesperson in Michigan for three years and
- Filed an experience verification form with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
This guide will focus only on how to get your real estate salesperson license in Michigan.
CHAPTER 2:
How to Get A Real Estate License in Michigan: Becoming Licensed
To become a licensed real estate agent in Michigan, you will need to follow six steps.
In this chapter, you will learn exactly what these 6 steps are.
Let’s dive right in!
Step #1:
Complete the Michigan 40-Hour Real Estate License Course
You will begin your journey towards getting a Michigan real estate Salesperson license by first completing a 40-hour pre-licensing course.
The pre-licensing course is offered by education providers who are approved by the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing.
The course final exam can be taken online from anywhere you choose.
You can find the list of all approved schools by visiting their website Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)website and click on the Reports drop down list, where you will see the Real Estate Approved Courses option.
Once you click on the approved courses option, a pop-up window will open displaying the list of approved pre-license course providers in Michigan.
For example:
Here is how you can see that RealEstateU is an approved real estate school.
Once you successfully complete the 40-hour course, there is a school final exam which you need to pass.
Note:
Please do not confuse the school final exam with the Michigan real estate state exam. There are two separate exams.
Your school will submit your completion information to the state. You will then be ready to apply online for your Michigan real estate state exam.
The state of Michigan does not offer reciprocity if you already have a license from a different state. You will have to complete the Michigan pre-licensing education from a school certified by the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Step #2:
Meet the LARA Requirements
Before you start the process of getting a real estate Salesperson license, it is necessary that you fulfill all the conditions set by the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
In order to check the conditions laid out, you will need to:
1. Visit the LARA website and click on the Bureaus dropdown, and then choose the Professional Licensing option.
2. Next, scroll down and click on Occupational Licensing.
3. Next, scroll down on the page and select Real Estate Broker/Salesperson under the list of Licensed Occupational Professions.
4. On the next screen, you will need to click on ‘Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Guide’.
5. You will see all the requirements you need to meet before you can apply for a real estate Salesperson license.
Step #3:
Create your MiPLUS account
Your next step is to sign up on the state’s online portal Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS).
Using this account, you will be able to apply for your Michigan real estate license and pay the license application fee.
To register with (MiPlus) you will have to do the following:
1. Log on to the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory affairs website. Click on Register for an Account.
2. Make sure you read and accept the terms set by the Bureau of Professional Licensing before you click on Continue Registration.
3. You will have to create a username and password for your account.
4. Enter your contact information which will include your address.
5. You will receive a notification that confirms your account has been successfully created.
Now, get ready to apply for your real estate license online!
Step #4:
Submit your Michigan Real Estate License Application
The MI online license application is available through the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPlus) website.
You can begin applying for your license by clicking on the Licenses option.
Read and accept the terms set by the Bureau of Professional Licensing. Then click Continue Application.
Select Real Estate and then Real Estate Salesperson Application from the drop down menu.
Next, click Continue Application.
Next Select from Account to open up your account information.
Tick the box next to your name to verify that it is your account.
Then click Continue.
Select Yes/No to confirm Good Moral Character in the first block. Tick the box if you are applying for the Armed Forces Fee Waiver.
Click Continue Application.
Use the drop down list to select the school from where you completed your pre-licensing education.
Next, select the date on which you completed your course exam. Click Continue Application.
Click Add and upload supporting documents such as:
- Your Michigan real estate license course certificate of completion
- Consent to Service of Process, if you’re a non-Michigan resident
- Social Security Affidavit, if you do not have a U.S. Social Security Number
- DD214 or DD215, if you are requesting the Armed Forces Fee Waiver
After you have successfully uploaded the required documents, click Continue Application.
Tick the box to confirm that your certificate is valid and is issued by a Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs approved school.
Pay the license application fees of $88. You can use a credit/debit card with the VISA, MasterCard or DISCOVER symbol.
Your application process on MiPLUS is complete….yey!
Note:
Once your application has been processed, you will receive an email allowing you to sit for the state license exam.
You can also review your Record Details if required.
You can see helow an example of how the record number looks like.
Step #5:
Pass the Michigan Real Estate State Exam
Once you receive an email approving your Michigan license application, you will need to reserve your seat to take the Michigan real estate State exam.
The Michigan real estate examination must be taken through PSI Services.
PSI Services offer a lot of different examination programs throughout the country.
You can register for the license examination in two ways:
- Schedule online, or
- Schedule via telephone
How to Schedule the Michigan Real Estate State Exam Online?
Go to the PSI Services website and do the following:
- register for an examination
- pay the examination fee
- schedule your examination
- take the license examination online
If you don’t already have an account with PSI, then this is the time to create your own account.
Here is how to sign up for PSI to take your Michigan real estate State Exam.
A. On the PSI Exams website PSI exam, click Create an account.
B. Next you have to fill in the details and personal information requested. Click Submit once you are done.
C. To schedule your exam you will need to visit the link labeled Government/State Licensing Agencies, on the homepage of the PSI website.
D. Select Michigan from the drop down Select Jurisdiction.
E. Choose MI Real Estate under Select Account and MI Real Estate Salesperson under Classification.
F. You can now follow the site instructions to pay the examination fee of $79. You can sign into your account and schedule your exam.
After scheduling your exam date, you will have to choose the location of your exam.
All the locations that are registered exam centers are on the PSI Website, with addresses and directions to the centers.
How to Schedule the Michigan Real Estate State Exam
Via Telephone?
You can call PSI on (855) 579-4635 to schedule an examination appointment.
This toll-free number is answered from Monday-Friday between 7:30am and 10pm, or Saturday-Sunday between 9:00am and 5:30pm, Eastern Time.
You will be given available dates for scheduling your Michigan real estate state examination.
The exam fee must be paid by a valid credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).
You need a minimum score of 70% to pass the exam. Below is a table showing the amount of questions and duration of the exam.
Step #6:
Find a Sponsoring Broker in Michigan
Licensed real estate Salespersons in Michigan are required to work under a sponsoring broker. This simply means you need to be employed by a licensed broker or brokerage firm in Michigan.
According to the law, the broker that sponsors you will receive your license.
If your employing broker is confirmed at least 48 hours before the exam date, you can recieve your photo license at the PSI exam site after successfully completing your exam.
If you did not confirm a broker before the exam, you can do it afterwards through LARA's website.
The broker must fill the Employing Broker Notification form.
Once your MI sponsoring broker receives your license, you can start operating as a real estate salesperson!
CHAPTER 3:
How to Get A Real Estate License in Michigan: The Costs
Getting your Michigan real estate license will cost money. This Chapter will help you understand how much you would be looking to spend.
There are fixed and variable costs.
Fixed costs are what you will spend for the MI application fee, the examination fee, and the fee for background checks.
Variable costs are what you will spend for the MI real estate license course you need to take.
Online courses are cheaper than in-person classroom courses. Also, the fees you pay will depend on the school you choose.
Ready to learn the details?
What are the Variable Costs Associated with Getting Your Online Michigan Real Estate Licensing Courses?
The online courses for the Michigan real estate Salesperson license can cost between $99 and $400. The cost varies depending on the course provider. You will generally pay less if you choose an online class over a classroom course.
Taking the MI course online will also help you study per your own schedule and pace.
For a quick reference we have included courses from various schools below. They follow the same curriculum provided by the state. Most of these courses are similar.
NOTE:
Please do your own research as the prices may change after the publication of this page.
RealEstateU offers the 40-hour Michigan Real Estate License Course for $99. We believe that this is the most affordable course available in Michigan.
Michigan Institute of Real Estate offers its MI online real estate license course for $395.
The CE Shop provides the Michigan 40-Hour Real Estate Licensing Course for $149.25. They also offer additional packages that range from $209.25 to $321.75.
Kaplan Real Estate Education offers its MI Real Estate Salesperson License Course for $399.
Real Estate Express offers its Michigan 40-hour Real Estate Online Course from $115.20 to $253.20. They also offer livestream packages at $253.20
Michigan Real Estate Physical Classroom Licensing Courses
You can also opt for an in-person class to complete the Michigan pre-licensing education requirements.
In-person classes tend to have a higher fee structure. You also have to consider traveling to the education center and studying according to a regimented schedule. That could be time consuming.
Here are a few examples of in-person courses.
Michigan Real Estate Salesperson Course provided by Michigan Institute of Real Estate for $355.
Holloway’s Real Estate Institute offers its classroom course for $295.
What are the Fixed Costs Associated With Getting Your Michigan Real Estate License?
Some costs are fixed and are set by the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs,
They are:
| No | Details | Cost | Notes |
| 1 | Application Fee | $88.00 | |
| 2 | State Exam | $79.00 | Per attempt |
| Total | $167.00 |
Now that we have both the variable and the fixed costs, we can calculate the total applicable costs for acquiring a Michigan Real Estate Salesperson License.
| No | Details | Cost | Notes |
| 1 | RealEstateU Pre-Licensing Education | $99.00 | |
| 2 | Application Fee | $88.00 | |
| 3 | State exam | $79.00 | Per attempt |
| Total | $266.00 |
Knowing the cost to obtain a Michigan real estate license, let’s look at the time required to get one.
CHAPTER 4:
How To Get A Real Estate License in Michigan: Time Needed
The last few pieces of information you’re probably wondering about are:
- How much time would I need to study for the Michigan real estate license?
- How long would the MI application process take?
- When can I expect to receive the MI state exam results?
That’s what this Chapter will focus on.
Let’s jump right in!
Estimated Time for Completing the Education Requirements
30 Days to 2 months (depends on you)
The time it takes to get a Michigan real estate salesperson license can depend on how much time you can dedicate to studying.
Some students can finish the course in about 2 weeks while others can take a couple of months to complete the requirements and qualify for the state exam.
Creating your own schedule can make a big difference in how quickly and efficiently you can complete the course.
Application Process, State Exam, and Background Checks
The application process from start to finish can take 3 to 4 weeks.
You can verify your application status on the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.
And there you have it. If you have questions please Contact Us.