Apply for a Real Estate License

Please use the guide below to understand how to apply for and receive approval from the Commerce Department for real estate licenses in Minnesota.

Guide to Real Estate Licensing

Notice Regarding the Technology Surcharge
Minnesota Statutes § 45.24 (f) – Effective May 1, 2020, the technology surcharge is reduced to $25.

Abstracter Company and Abstracter Individual Proprietor
1. Submit the license application at https://www.pulseportal.com/
  - The license fee is $50.
2. You must email your surety bond or liability insurance after submitting the application to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us.
  - Applicants having cash or securities on deposit with the state of Minnesota in an amount equal to the required bond or insurance policy, will be exempt from furnishing the bond or an insurance policy, but will be liable to the same extent as if a bond or insurance policy has been given and filed. Applicants claiming this exemption must attach proof of the cash or securities on deposit with the state of Minnesota.
  - Applicants that are title insurance companies regulated by Minnesota Statutes 68A and licensed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 60A.02 and 60A.06, subdivision 1, clause (7), and their employees, are exempt from furnishing the bond or an insurance policy, but will be liable to the same extent as if a bond or insurance policy has been given and filed.
Abstracter Individual
1. Pass the Abstracter prelicense exam. Schedule the exam at Pearson Vue 1-833-273-1946
  - The exam results will be sent to us electronically from Pearson Vue
  - The exam must have been taken on or after July 1, 2009.
2. Submit the license application at www.pulseportal.com
  - The license fee is $50.
Broker | Limited
1. Submit the license application at www.pulseportal.com.
  - The license fee is $180.
2. If you meet the requirements to waive the trust account notice, submit a completed Trust Account Notice Waiver Certification. The form must be attached to the online limited broker application.
Broker | Nonresident
Broker - Nonresident from a Reciprocal State

Must reside in and hold an active broker license in a Reciprocal State: Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin*.
1. Submit a license application on www.pulseportal.com.
  - The license fee is $210.
2. Email a Letter of Certification (no more than 90 days old) documenting that you are currently licensed as a broker and reside in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, or Wisconsin to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us with “Real Estate Application” in the subject line.
3. *Wisconsin applicants only
  - Complete the 13 hour Wisconsin to Minnesota Reciprocal Prelicense course. You can find course offerings at www.pulseportal.com.
  - Pass the state portion of the broker exam. You can schedule your exam with Pearson Vue at 1-833-273-1946.
Broker - Nonresident from a Non-Reciprocal State

Must reside in and hold an active broker or salesperson license in a Non-Reciprocal State.
1. Submit the Request for Waiver of Salesperson Experience to sit for Broker Exam to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us. After receiving approval you may proceed with the next steps.
2. Complete the 30 hour broker course.
  - Course offerings can be found at www.pulseportal.com.
3. Pass the state portion of the broker exam.
  - Schedule your exam with Pearson Vue, 1-833-273-1946.
4. Submit a license application at www.pulseportal.com.
  - The fee is $210.
5. Email your salesperson experience waiver approval letter to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us.
Broker | Resident
1. You must have at least 3 years of licensed real estate salesperson experience in Minnesota or another state with comparable requirements within the 5 years prior to the date of application for the broker's examination.
  - If this experience was obtained in another state, you must first submit a Request for Waiver of Salesperson Experience to sit for Broker Exam form. Applicants who wish to be considered for a waiver of the salesperson experience requirement must submit this form to the Commerce Department and receive approval prior to taking the broker exam. If the waiver is approved, attach copy of the department approval letter with the broker application.
2. Complete the 30 hour broker course.
  - Course offerings can be found at www.pulseportal.com.
3. Pass the broker exam
  - You can schedule the exam at Pearson Vue 1-833-273-1946
4. Apply for the license at www.pulseportal.com.
  - The license fee is $190.
5. Applicants who wish to be considered for an additional broker's license must first determine whether they qualify. Review the Additional Broker's License Request form and ensure that you are able to check one of the boxes on it and meet the other listed requirements. If you believe that you qualify, complete the entire form and submit it to the Commerce Department. After you have been approved and have submitted the second broker application on www.pulseportal.com you will need to email a copy of the department approval letter and a copy of your application confirmation page to the department with “Real Estate Licensing” in the subject line.
Active Duty Military, Veterans, and their Spouses

You may qualify for a waiver of the real estate licensing experience requirement for the broker's examination under certain special circumstances. Review the Request for Waiver of Salesperson Experience Waiver to sit for Broker Exam (Military) form and ensure that you meet all of the listed requirements. If you believe that you qualify, complete the entire form and submit it to the Commerce Department to request approval to take the broker exam. Once we complete our review, we will notify you in writing. If the waiver is approved, attach a copy of the department approval letter with your broker application.
Closing Agent
1. Complete the required eight-hour prelicensing Closing Procedures course.
  - Course offerings can be found at www.pulseportal.com.
2. Apply for the license at www.pulseportal.com.
  - The license fee is $115.
3. If the closing agent meets the requirements to waive the trust account notice, a completed Trust Account Notice Waiver form must be attached to the closing agent application, in place of obtaining a trust account.
Company
1. Submit the license application on www.pulseportal.com.
  - The license fee is $180.
  - All companies must have at least one elected officer who is individually licensed to act as the primary broker.
  - Nonresident real estate companies must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Minnesota Secretary of State and email it to us after the license application is submitted.
2. If you meet the requirements to waive the trust account notice, a completed Trust Account Notice Waiver Certification form must be emailed to us.
Salesperson | Nonresident
Nonresident with an Active License in a Reciprocal State

The applicant must reside in and hold an active real estate license in one of the following reciprocal States: Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma.
1. Contact a Minnesota-licensed primary broker in order to submit an application for licensure on www.pulseportal.com. Only a Minnesota-licensed primary broker can submit an application for a nonresident salesperson’s license.
  - The license fee is $130.
2. Email a Letter of Certification (no more than 90 days old) documenting that you are currently licensed as a salesperson in a reciprocal state.
Nonresident with an Active License in Wisconsin

The applicant must reside and hold an active real estate license in Wisconsin.
1. Complete the 13 hour Wisconsin to Minnesota Reciprocal Prelicense course.
  - You can find course offerings at www.pulseportal.com.
  - The course cannot be more than one year old at the time of application for licensure.
2. Pass the state portion of the salesperson exam.
  - Schedule the exam with Pearson Vue (1-833-273-1946).
3. Contact a Minnesota-licensed primary broker in order to submit an application for licensure on www.pulseportal.com. Only a Minnesota-licensed primary broker can submit an application for a nonresident salesperson’s license.
  - The license fee is $130.
4. Email a Letter of Certification (no more than 90 days old) documenting that you are currently licensed as a salesperson in Wisconsin.
Nonresident with an active license in a Non-Reciprocal State

The applicant must reside and hold an active license in a non-reciprocal state.
1. Complete pre-licensing education Course I, Course II, and Course III.
  - Course offerings can be found at www.pulseportal.com.
2. Pass the state portion of the salesperson exam.
  - Schedule the exam with Pearson Vue (1-833-273-1946).
3. Contact a Minnesota-licensed primary broker in order to submit an application for licensure on www.pulseportal.com. Only a Minnesota-licensed primary broker can submit an application for a nonresident salesperson’s license.
  - The license fee is $130.
4. Email a Letter of Certification (no more than 90 days old) documenting that you are currently licensed as a salesperson in non-reciprocal state.
Salesperson | Resident
1. Complete pre-licensing education Course I, Course II, and Course III.
  - Course offerings can be found at www.pulseportal.com.
2. Pass the required state and national portions of the license exam.
  - Schedule the exam at Pearson Vue (1-833-273-1946).
  - You must apply for your salesperson's license within one year of passing the examination. Otherwise, you will need to retake the examination and pass it again.
3. Contact a licensed primary broker to submit an application for licensure. Only a licensed primary broker can submit a license application for you.
  - The license fee is $130.