Michigan Real Estate License: Broker and Real Estate Agent Guide
13 min read·
To get a Michigan real estate license, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 40 hours of state-approved prelicensure education, pass a PSI-administered exam, and secure a sponsoring broker to activate your license. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) manages the process through the MiPLUS online portal. Michigan issues the license under the official title "real estate salesperson," the statutory term for what is commonly called a real estate agent, and the roles of broker and real estate agent are structurally linked: a salesperson must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice independently. The process involves five steps, from coursework to license activation, and the full licensing cost includes the $88 application fee and the $79 exam fee.
Michigan real estate license requirements
Michigan law does not require a high school diploma or GED for a real estate salesperson license. The LARA Salesperson Licensing Guide[1] lists the qualifying criteria without any formal education prerequisite beyond the prelicensure course. You must provide a Social Security number at the time of application, and non-Michigan residents must submit a Consent to Service of Process form, which allows legal documents to be served through the state on the applicant's behalf. Michigan's Occupational Code (MCL 339.2504)[2] sets the statutory basis for these requirements.
To get a Michigan real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character, complete 40 hours of state-approved prelicensure education (including at least 4 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing), pass the PSI-administered salesperson exam, and have a licensed broker sponsor your license. The application fee is $88 for a 3-year license, and the exam costs $79 per attempt. You submit the application through the MiPLUS online portal at michigan.gov/miplus.See the answer for every state
To get a Michigan real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character, complete 40 hours of state-approved prelicensure education (including at least 4 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing), submit an application through the MiPLUS portal ($88 fee), pass the PSI salesperson exam ($79), and secure a licensed broker to sponsor your license. After passing the exam, you enter your sponsoring broker's 10-digit license number in MiPLUS; once the broker approves, the license is issued.See the answer for every state
Salesperson, agent, and broker: what the terms mean in Michigan
Understanding how to become a real estate agent in Michigan starts with the terminology. Michigan's Occupational Code, Article 25[3] creates two distinct license tiers with different authority levels and obligations.
In Michigan, a real estate salesperson (agent) must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice independently or be licensed to more than one broker at a time. A broker has completed additional education and experience requirements and can operate independently, sponsor salespersons, and collect a share of commissions from agents' transactions. Salesperson licensure requires 40 hours of prelicensure education and a 70% passing score on the state exam, while broker licensure requires 90 hours of education, 3 years of full-time real estate experience, and a 75% passing score on the broker exam.See the answer for every state
In Michigan, "real estate salesperson" is the official statutory title for what is commonly called a "real estate agent." The Michigan Occupational Code licenses individuals as salespersons, not agents, and the two terms describe the same role: a licensee who works under a licensed broker to help clients buy, sell, or rent real estate for compensation. The salesperson license requires 40 hours of prelicensure education, passing the PSI exam, and sponsorship by a licensed broker.See the answer for every state
Complete the 40-hour prelicensure education course
Michigan requires state-approved prelicensure education covering real estate fundamentals such as property ownership, financing, contracts, and state regulations. LARA publishes a list of approved prelicensure course providers[4] through the MiPLUS system, and courses are available from numerous approved schools. Your prelicensure education is valid for 36 months from the date of completion for initial licensure, per LARA's real estate FAQs[5]. If you do not apply within that window, you must retake the course.
Yes, Michigan allows pre-licensing courses to be completed online. LARA's approved prelicensure courses list includes both online and in-person formats from approximately 30 approved education providers. Online self-paced courses generally cost less than in-person or livestream formats for the 40-hour salesperson course.See the answer for every state
Michigan requires 40 hours of approved prelicensure education for a salesperson license, including at least 4 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing. For a broker license, the requirement is 90 hours of approved prelicensure education, including at least 9 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing. Prelicensure education must be completed within 36 months before the application date, unless the applicant held an active salesperson license during that period.See the answer for every state
LARA publishes a list of all state-approved real estate prelicensure course providers, accessible through the MiPLUS system under Reports by selecting the "Real Estate Approved Courses Report." Both online and in-person course formats are available from approved providers across the state. The salesperson prelicensure requirement is 40 hours, and the broker requirement is 90 hours.See the answer for every state
Submit your salesperson application through MiPLUS
After completing the prelicensure course, submit your application through the MiPLUS online portal, per the LARA Salesperson Licensing Guide[1]. You must upload your prelicensure course completion certificate as part of the application. Once LARA approves your application, PSI Services will email you an Exam Candidate ID number so you can register for the exam, according to LARA's real estate FAQs[5].
The salesperson application fee is $88, which includes both the application processing fee and the 3-year license fee. The broker application fee is $143, also a combined total for the application and 3-year license. The PSI exam fee is $79 per attempt for both the salesperson and broker exams. Prelicensing course costs vary by provider and format, with salesperson courses generally costing less than broker courses, which require 90 hours of education. After licensure, salesperson renewal costs $78 per 3-year cycle and broker renewal costs $108 per 3-year cycle.See the answer for every state
Michigan requires 40 hours of approved prelicensure education for a salesperson license, which most candidates complete within a few weeks to a few months depending on study pace. After submitting the application through MiPLUS, PSI sends an email with the Exam Candidate ID within 24 to 48 hours of approval. LARA does not publish an official total processing timeline, but a focused applicant can move through the coursework, application, exam, and broker sponsorship steps in several weeks. Exam results are valid for 1 year from the date of passing, and the application is valid for 1 year from the date of payment.See the answer for every state
Pass the Michigan real estate exam
The Michigan real estate salesperson exam is administered by PSI under contract with LARA, per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin updated October 8, 2024. The exam covers both national real estate topics and Michigan-specific laws. You can register through PSI's online portal or by phone at 855-579-4635.
Exam results are valid for 12 months from the date of passing, per LARA's real estate FAQs[5]. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you can retake the exam by paying the exam fee again.
The Michigan real estate licensing exam is a computer-based test administered by PSI Services, LLC. The examination fee is $79 per attempt for both salesperson and broker candidates. Broker applicants may register directly with PSI without obtaining pre-approval, while salesperson applicants must first submit their application and upload their 40-hour prelicensure certificate through MiPLUS before becoming eligible to schedule the exam. Exam results are valid for one year from the date of passing.See the answer for every state
PSI Services, LLC administers the Michigan real estate licensing exam for both salespersons and brokers. Candidates can register and schedule exams through PSI's website at psiexams.com or by calling 855-579-4635. Salesperson applicants must first submit their application through MiPLUS and upload their 40-hour prelicensure certificate before PSI sends an eligibility email with a Candidate ID, typically within 24 to 48 hours of approval. Broker applicants do not need pre-approval and can register directly with PSI.See the answer for every state
Secure a sponsoring broker to activate your license
After you pass the exam, the final step is to affiliate with a licensed broker who will sponsor your license. The broker must approve the affiliation through MiPLUS before LARA issues your salesperson license. You must complete this step while your exam results remain valid. The license allows you to work for a licensed broker for compensation but does not permit independent practice.
A sponsoring broker is required to activate a Michigan real estate salesperson license but is not required before taking the state exam. After passing the exam, the applicant logs into MiPLUS, selects "Modification" next to the application number, and enters the employing broker's 10-digit license number. The broker then approves the request, and the license is issued with email notification. A salesperson cannot be licensed to more than one broker at the same time. Holding companies, which are licensed Michigan broker companies that hold licenses for salespersons not actively practicing, are another option, though the state does not maintain a list of them.See the answer for every state
Good moral character and criminal history
Michigan requires real estate license applicants to meet a good moral character standard. LARA reviews criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis rather than imposing a blanket prohibition. A conviction for embezzlement or misappropriation of funds prevents issuance of a broker license, per LARA's real estate FAQs[5]. A person whose real estate license has been revoked cannot apply for a new license for at least 3 years after service of the final order.
Michigan does not require upfront fingerprinting or a separate background check fee as a standard part of the real estate licensing process. LARA relies on good moral character self-disclosure through the MiPLUS portal. If LARA determines fingerprinting is needed based on your disclosures, a fee set by state statute applies, per MCL 28.273.
Does Michigan offer real estate license reciprocity?
No. Michigan does not offer reciprocity with any other state, according to LARA's real estate FAQs[5]. An applicant must meet the education, experience, and examination requirements in place at the time of application, regardless of any existing out-of-state license. Out-of-state agents who want to practice in Michigan must complete the full licensing process from scratch.
Becoming a REALTOR® in Michigan
REALTOR® membership is separate from state licensure and is optional. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) grants the REALTOR® trademark to members only, per NAR's membership page[6]. The Michigan REALTORS®[7] state association provides additional resources for licensees who join.
To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent or broker joins a local REALTOR® association, which also provides membership in the state and national associations. Members must pay annual dues and agree to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. For 2027, NAR national dues are $156 plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign, totaling $201 per member. Principals of a real estate firm must join before non-principals can join.See the answer for every state
The path from salesperson to broker
After gaining experience as a licensed salesperson, you can pursue a broker license, which allows you to practice independently, supervise agents, and operate a real estate company. The broker application fee is $143, per the LARA Broker Licensing Guide[8], which outlines the full education, experience, and exam requirements.
To become a real estate broker in Michigan, you must be at least 18, complete 90 hours of approved prelicensure education including 9 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing, have 3 years of full-time experience in real estate or a related field, and pass the PSI-administered broker exam. Broker applicants do not need pre-approval and can register directly with PSI. The new broker application fee is $143, which covers a 3-year license, and the broker must maintain a place of business in Michigan.See the answer for every state
Your next steps
Start by choosing a LARA-approved prelicensure course provider and enrolling in the coursework. Complete the course, then submit your salesperson application through MiPLUS with your completion certificate. Once LARA approves your application and PSI emails your Candidate ID, schedule and pass the exam. After passing, find a sponsoring broker, confirm the affiliation through MiPLUS, and LARA will issue your license. Consider joining a local REALTOR® association for MLS access and professional resources as you begin your career.
To become a real estate agent in Michigan, you must be at least 18, complete 40 hours of approved prelicensure education including 4 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing, submit a $88 application through MiPLUS, pass the PSI-administered licensing exam, and secure a sponsoring broker to activate your license. Agents earn income through commissions on property transactions, with NAR's 2025 Member Profile reporting a median gross income of $58,100 for REALTORS® nationally and $8,100 for those with two years or less of experience. New agents typically start on a commission split with their broker, with common splits ranging from 50/50 to 70/30 in the agent's favor.See the answer for every state
