Montana Real Estate Exam Course and Study Guide

The Montana real estate exam is a computer-based licensing test administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Montana Board of Realty Regulation. Candidates who have completed 70 hours of pre-licensing education must pass two separately scored portions — a national section and a state section — with a scaled score of 75 on each. A focused real estate exam course or structured study plan built around the official Pearson VUE content outline gives candidates the strongest preparation for both portions.

How the Montana real estate exam works

Every aspiring salesperson or broker in Montana must pass a licensing exam to receive a credential from the Montana Board of Realty Regulation^[1]. The Board contracts with a national testing vendor to develop and administer the test, which covers both general real estate knowledge and Montana-specific law.

Salesperson candidates must complete 70 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education before sitting for the exam, and broker candidates must complete 60 hours, per the Board's broker checklist^[2]. Both license types follow the same two-part exam structure. Out-of-state licensees applying through Montana's waiver process need only pass the state portion, according to the salesperson checklist^[3].

Montana real estate exam format and passing score

The Montana real estate exam consists of 135 total questions across two portions, according to the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook^[4] (January 2026 edition, content effective April 2025). The national portion allows 150 minutes, the state portion allows 90 minutes, and the combined 240-minute testing window applies when both are taken in one sitting.

The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook^[4] establishes these time limits, question counts, and the 75 scaled passing score for each portion. Pretest questions are unscored and used by Pearson VUE to evaluate items for future exams. Candidates cannot identify which questions are pretest, so every question should be answered as if it counts. Raw scores are converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 100, and the Board of Realty Regulation sets the passing threshold at 75 for each portion. The same format, time limits, and passing score apply to both the salesperson and broker exams.

Exam content: national and state topics

The national portion tests general real estate knowledge common to all states, while the state portion tests Montana-specific statutes, rules, and practices. Pearson VUE publishes detailed Content Outlines^[5] (stock number 092701) as a free PDF download, and candidates should use this document as the primary study reference.

The national portion covers property ownership, land use controls and regulations, financing, valuation and market analysis, general principles of agency, property disclosures, contracts, leasing and property management, and the practice of real estate. The state portion covers the Real Estate Licensing Agency's powers, licensing requirements, requirements governing licensees, and other Montana-specific topics including trust accounts and property management rules.

Montana real estate exam fees

Montana real estate exam fees are charged per portion, with payment due through the Pearson VUE website at the time of scheduling.

The license application fee is separate from exam fees and is paid to the Board of Realty Regulation when submitting the license application.

How to schedule the Montana real estate exam

Exam appointments are made through the Pearson VUE Montana real estate page^[5] or by calling 888-366-9520. Appointments can be scheduled up to one calendar day before the desired test date, subject to seat availability.

Pearson VUE maintains testing centers in several Montana cities, including Billings, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula, with the current list of locations available on the Pearson VUE website. Candidates should complete the required pre-licensing education before scheduling, since the exam tests material from the coursework.

What to expect on exam day

Candidates should arrive at the testing center early with a current government-issued photo ID. The exam is delivered on a computer, and personal items such as phones, calculators, and notes are not permitted in the testing room. Scratch paper is provided. The exam does not penalize for incorrect answers, so candidates should answer every question. Results are displayed on screen immediately after submission.

Montana real estate exam results and retake policy

Montana real estate exam results are available immediately upon completion. The score report indicates pass or fail for each portion and includes a diagnostic breakdown showing the percentage of correct answers in each content area.

Exam scores are valid for 12 months from the date of passage, per the salesperson licensing checklist^[3]. Candidates must submit a license application within that 12-month window, or the scores expire and both portions must be retaken.

If a candidate passes one portion but fails the other, only the failed portion needs to be retaken. Under Montana Code Annotated § 37-51-303(2)(b), the remaining portion must be passed within 12 months of passing the first portion.

Montana does not impose a maximum number of exam attempts. However, pre-licensing education is valid for 24 months for salesperson applicants and 18 months for broker applicants, per Mont. Admin. r. 24.210.611^[6]. If repeated failures cause the education to expire before the exam is passed and a license application is submitted, the coursework must be retaken.

Study strategies for the Montana real estate exam

Building a study plan around the official exam content outline is the most effective way to prepare. A structured real estate exam prep course can organize review of the material and provide practice with exam-style questions.

After studying the content outline, many candidates use flashcards for vocabulary, focused practice on real estate math problems, and timed real estate exam practice sessions to build stamina for the full exam duration. A real estate test prep course or real estate exam prep class is particularly useful for candidates who want structure and accountability. Real estate practice questions drawn from the content outline help reinforce weak areas and build familiarity with the question format.

Broker candidates follow a similar preparation path, with additional emphasis on broker-level supervision and management responsibilities.

Practice tests for the Montana real estate exam

Several practice test options exist for Montana real estate exam candidates, ranging from official vendor resources to third-party real estate exam practice materials. Understanding what each option covers helps candidates build a balanced preparation strategy.

For Montana state-specific content, candidates may supplement with a real estate license exam prep course or real estate sample test from a third-party provider. A real estate license prep course that covers both national and Montana state topics offers structured review beyond what the official practice tests provide. A real estate salesperson practice exam or real estate exam practice test that includes both portions gives the most realistic preparation.

When evaluating a real estate agent practice test or real estate exam sample test, prioritize materials that align with the current Pearson VUE Content Outline for Montana. The best practice test for real estate exam preparation mirrors the question format and content distribution used in the actual exam. Working through real estate exam practice questions and completing a real estate exam practice exam under timed conditions builds speed and confidence. Some candidates also use a real estate agent exam practice test or real estate practice quiz for quick, targeted review. Real estate test practice questions aligned with the content outline target weak areas identified in the diagnostic score report.

Next steps after passing the exam

Passing the exam is the final academic step, but a license is not issued automatically. Candidates must submit a complete application to the Board of Realty Regulation^[1] and meet all remaining licensing requirements.

The salesperson application fee is $80.00, reduced from a prior $150.00 fee effective February 12, 2022, per the Board's salesperson licensing page^[7]. Proof of errors and omissions insurance is required before the license is issued. Download the application checklist from the Board's website to ensure all required documents are included, then submit the completed application to begin your career as a licensed Montana real estate salesperson.