How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Mississippi (2026 Guide)

Ready to get your Mississippi real estate license?

If you want to become a real estate agent in Mississippi, here is your simple step by step guide. The process is fairly simple and can typically be finished in 2 to 3 months. Your legal title will be “salesperson” and you’ll need to complete 60 hours of pre-licensing courses, pass the state exam, get fingerprinted, and find a sponsoring broker.

We’re going to walk you through the entire process and help you get your Mississippi real estate license so you can start your new career.

We’ll cover:

5 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Mississippi

The Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) has a few requirements to become a salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old and a Mississippi resident at the time you submit your application. If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 60-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

Take your 60-hour pre-licensing course through an MREC-approved school. You’ll also need two passport-style photos (one full-face, one side profile) for your application, along with your certificate of completion.

STEP 2 | Submit Your License Application

Submit your Resident Salesperson License Application to MREC along with your certificate of completion, photos, and a $120 application fee. You can deliver it in person to MREC’s office in Jackson or mail it in.

STEP 3 | Get Fingerprinted

Submit fingerprints for your state and federal background check, which costs about $50. This can typically be scheduled around the same time as your application.

STEP 4 | Schedule + Pass the Mississippi Real Estate Exam

Once MREC approves your application, you’ll receive a letter authorizing you to schedule your exam with PSI. You’ll have only a 2-month window to schedule and pass, or you’ll need to reapply. The exam fee is $75 for both portions, paid directly to PSI.

The exam has 120 questions: 80 national (2.5 hours, need 70% to pass) and 40 Mississippi-specific (1.5 hours, need 75% to pass). There may also be 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions mixed in. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 5 | Find a Sponsoring Broker

Once you pass your exam, you’re not allowed to practice real estate or engage in any related activities until you receive your official temporary license from MREC and have a sponsoring broker in place. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Mississippi?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Mississippi, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately. Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take. Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 3 to 8 weeks to complete your 60-hour Mississippi pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks for MREC to review and approve your application
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get fingerprinted and receive your background check results
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled (within your 2-month window)
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring broker

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go. Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.

We also highly recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam. All in all, most Mississippi applicants complete their salesperson license in about 2 to 3 months.

Cost to Get a Real Estate License

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Mississippi…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $150 to $350
  • State Exam Fee (PSI) – $75
  • License Application Fee (MREC) – $120
  • Fingerprinting / Background Check – $50
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Est Cost to Get Licensed = $400 to $750

More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Mississippi. Keep in mind you are officially opening your own business, so there are always start-up costs involved.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Mississippi:

  • 30-Hour Post-License Education (due within 12 months of your temporary license, required before your permanent license is issued) – $150 to $300
  • Continuing Education (16 hours, due every 2-year renewal cycle; up to 6 extra hours from the last 3 months of a cycle can carry over) – $100 to $250
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years) – $100 to $150
  • Local Board of Realtors
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly (sometimes this is built into your annual Board dues)
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $200 annually
  • Business cards and real estate signs – varies
  • Marketing materials and advertising – varies
  • Brokerage joining fee – $0 to $500 (average is about $250)
  • Monthly Brokerage fee – ranges from $0 to $350 monthly

** Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Mississippi = $1,220 to $2,420

OTHER EXPENSES TO EXPECT AS AN AGENT >>

Find the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Mississippi

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission. There are many approved real estate schools throughout the state and a large percentage can be taken online or virtually.

Here are a few of the most highly-rated schools:

Finding the best online real estate school requires looking beyond the price tag. Before evaluating any course, verify that the provider is fully approved by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission—only accredited courses qualify for your 60-hour pre-licensing requirement.

Once you’ve confirmed state approval, use these criteria to evaluate your options:

  1. First-Time Pass Rates: Ask the provider for their student pass rate on the PSI exam. High first-time pass rates indicate a strong, up-to-date curriculum.
  2. Pass Guarantees: Find out if the school stands behind its curriculum with a money-back offer or by covering your state exam retake fee if you don’t pass right away.
  3. Comprehensive Practice Tests: Check whether full-length practice exams and sample questions are included in tuition or require an extra purchase.
  4. Targeted Review Options: Look for schools that offer standalone exam prep software, live virtual Q&As, or weekend cram sessions to help lock in key real estate law and math concepts.

How to Select a Mississippi Real Estate Broker

In Mississippi, you must be sponsored by a licensed broker in order to legally help home buyers and sellers. Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list. The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents.

Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you? All important things to consider when you are ready to become a real estate agent in Mississippi!

Mississippi Real Estate License: Commonly Asked Questions

How difficult is the state real estate exam?

Since MREC and PSI don’t publish official pass-rate statistics, estimates from course providers put the first-time pass rate somewhere between 50% and 70%. The exam has 80 national questions (need 70% to pass) and 40 Mississippi-specific questions (need a tougher 75% to pass) — most candidates find the state-specific portion more challenging because of both the higher bar and the unique Mississippi statutes it covers.

How long does it take to get licensed in Mississippi?

Most of it depends on how quickly you are able to take your real estate course, but most people are able to get licensed in about 2 to 3 months.

What if I fail the real estate exam?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself! You’ll need to pay the $75 exam fee again to retake it, and you must still schedule and pass within your original 2-month eligibility window — if that window closes, you’ll need to reapply to MREC for new eligibility.

Can I get a Mississippi real estate license if I have a misdemeanor or felony on my record?

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. MREC requires a fingerprint-based background check as part of your application and reviews each situation individually. If you have concerns about your background, we’d recommend contacting MREC directly before investing in a pre-license course.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Mississippi offer reciprocity?

It’s not a simple yes or no. Mississippi doesn’t maintain standing reciprocity agreements with a fixed list of “partner states” the way some states do. Instead, if you’re licensed elsewhere, you’d apply through MREC’s Non-Resident/Reciprocal License Application, and each case is reviewed individually — you may be exempt from some testing or education requirements if an active reciprocal arrangement applies to your situation, but this isn’t guaranteed.

Simply holding a license in another state doesn’t automatically waive Mississippi’s requirements. Contact MREC directly at (601) 321-6970 to find out what applies to your specific state and license.

How much do real estate agents make in Mississippi?

According to Indeed.com, the average Mississippi real estate agent makes about $96,445 a year. Keep in mind real estate agents are commission-based, so your actual earnings depend heavily on how many homes you sell and the average home price in your market — the Gulf Coast (Gulfport/Biloxi) and Jackson metro tend to be among the state’s strongest markets.

PRO TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example, if the median sales price in your area is $220,000 and you earn 2.5% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be about $5,500 per sale. To earn the Mississippi average, you’d have to sell about 18 homes.

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