Interested in a real estate career in Michigan?
Don’t know where to begin?
Well, the first step is to get your real estate license.
To obtain this license, there are requirements that you need to complete.
In this article, I’m going to give you a complete guide on how to get a real estate license online in Michigan. This way, you can get started right away.
So are you ready?
Let’s begin!
Type of Real Estate Courses in Michigan
There are 3 main real estate courses in Michigan. These are:
Pre-licensing
Broker
Continuing education
Pre-licensing Real Estate Course
To obtain a real estate license, you only need to complete one course - the pre-licensing real estate course.
This course teaches you all the fundemtanl real estate knowledge that you’ll need to be a successful real estate agent, as well as help you ace your final licensing exam.
Broker Real Estate Course
A broker real estate course is for established agents with at least 3 years of experience who are looking to run their own brokerage.
This course isn’t necessary, but if you want to take your real estate career to the next step, then the broker real estate course is available.
Continuing Education Real Estate Course
Continuing education courses keep you up to date with new real estate laws and regulations, as well as trends.
So to stay relevant, you need to complete 2 hours of CE courses each year.
Now, in Michigan, your real estate license needs to be renewed every 3 years on October 31. To renew it, you need to complete 18 hours of CE credits.
The 4 Steps on How to Get A Real Estate License Online in Michigan
To be eligible for a license, you must:
Be at least 18-years old
Hold a high-school diploma or GED
As for how to get your license, follow these steps:
Take and pass the pre-licensing real estate course
Submit an application to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Pass the final Michigan real estate licensing exam
Get sponsored by a broker
Let’s take a deeper look at each step below.
Step 1: Take and pass the pre-licensing real estate course
The first step on your journey is to take the required 40-hour pre-licensing real estate course.
To obtain a certificate of completion, you have to pass the course exam by getting a minimum score of 70%.
The pre-licensing course is crucial in helping you become a successful real estate agent, as well as helping you ace your final licensing exam on the first try.
If you want only the best education, we highly recommend AceableAgent.
This online real estate school is taking the industry by storm with its engaging, interactive, and exciting course content, including videos, animations, and more.
Better yet, it has its own mobile app, allowing you to study it wherever and whenever. You can say goodbye to the inconvenience of attending a traditional real estate school.
Step 2: Submit an application to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
After you’ve received the course completion certificate, you’ll have to apply for the final real estate licensing exam to the LARA.
In the application, you’ll need to provide proof of course completion, along with your Social Security number and other documents to confirm your identity.
The cost of applying is around $88, which you can pay through your credit card on their online portal (if applying online).
Note: it can take up to 8 weeks to receive application approval, so it’s best to apply as soon as possible if you want to get done with the final exam ASAP.
For more information regarding the application process, you can access the LARA licensing guide.
Step 3: Pass the final Michigan real estate licensing exam
After approval from LARA, you’ll be allowed to take the final Michigan real estate licensing exam conducted by the PSI.
Apply for the exam at the PSI website. Make sure you provide your LARA approval and course certificate of completion, along with an examination fee of $79.
For the exam itself, you’re given 3 hours to answer 115 questions. To pass, you need to get a score of at least 70% (which means around 80 correct answers).
What if you fail?
Don’t worry. You can always retake it, but you’ll have to schedule it again and pay the fees.
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
The last step is to find a sponsoring broker. And finally, you will be able to receive your real estate license at the exam site.
By this step, you probably can’t wait to get over it, but it’s best not to rush this process.
Keep in mind that selecting the wrong broker could hurt your future career.
This is because each broker is unique and has different management styles, commissions, and experiences that you’ll want to judge before making a final decision.
It is recommended that you look at all the available options in your area and check the reputation of the firm before committing.
Real Estate License Online in Michigan FAQs
How long is the pre-licensing course in Michigan?
In Michigan, the pre-licensing course is 40 hours.
Unlike in most states, these courses have timers, meaning you have to spend a minimum of 40 hours studying it (you can’t finish it faster). Of course, you’re allowed to go over 40 hours, that’s just the minimum time.
When do I need to take continuing education courses?
As mentioned earlier, you need to take 2 hours of CE credits each year.
For every 3 years, you need to complete 18 hours of CE credits to renew your real estate license.
Looking for a real estate school that provides approved CE courses in Michigan?
Check out McKissock.
McKissock more than just provides the requirements. They go above and beyond with their membership package, which includes webinars, job aids, coaching tools, boot camps, and more to advance your real estate career.
The best part is that you get 1-year unlimited access to all CE courses in the state, along with everything we just mentioned, for only $111.
Should I take the pre-licensing course online or in-person?
While in-person schools have their benefits, such as direct interaction from your instructor, it can be very inconvenient.
Imagine having to find time to attend a classroom lecture when your schedule is already full.
This is the beauty of online courses. You get to study it anytime, anywhere.
Not only that, but online pre-licensing courses are also more interactive with engaging features, minigames, animations, and more. This keeps you interested and helps you better retain information.
And the best part? If you do not prosper with self-studying, some online schools, such as Colibri Real Estate, offer online LIVE lessons, allowing you to interact with your instructor from the comfort of your home.
How much does the pre-licensing real estate course cost in Michigan?
The cost of a pre-licensing course will depend on the school and learning method you choose.
In-person schools are normally more expensive, averaging around $500.
Online courses, on the other hand, offer you many different packages to suit every budget. Courses range from as low as $200 to highs of just under $500.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to get your Michigan real estate license online, then all you need to do is follow the 4 steps above.
It’s as easy as that.
But of course, the whole process will require time and dedication.
So get started right now by selecting a real estate school for your pre-licensing requirements.
Good luck!