From the vibrant city of Missoula to the rugged landscapes of Glacier National Park, there are plenty of reasons to consider a real estate career in Montana. But to connect Treasure State residents with the properties of their dreams, you’ll need to learn how to get your real estate license first. And that’s where I come in! I’ve put together the steps of how to become a real estate agent in Montana and the top five best real estate schools in MT. Let’s get started!

Do you know how to get a license and are ready to get straight into the best schools in Montana? I’ve got you covered! Click here to jump to the “Best Real Estate Schools” section below.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Montana

Step 1: Meet Montana Eligibility RequirementsYou must:
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have received credit 2 years of full curriculum study at an accredited high school or equivalent
Step 2: Complete Prelicensing Courses
Step 3: Pass the Montana Real Estate Exam
Step 4: Obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance
Step 5: Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage
Step 6: Apply for Your Montana Real Estate License
  • Required documents:

    • Prelicensing education completion certificate

    • Proof that you passed the Montana real estate exam

    • Official license verification from states and jurisdictions in which you hold (if applicable)

    • A detailed explanation and documentation if you answered yes to any discipline questions


  • Cost: $80
  • Helpful resource: Montana Board of Realty Regulation licensing checklist
Step 7: Start Your Real Estate Career in Montana

As of writing, Montana has no reciprocal agreements with any state. This means that even if you are licensed in another state, you’ll still need to complete Montana’s required prelicensing hours, pass the licensing exam, and apply for your license before you can practice. For more information, read our Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability Guide.

The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in Montana

Now that you know how to become a real estate agent in Montana, you must pick the best school for your learning style, needs, and budget. Read through to discover our top five picks.

Our Top Picks
Starting Price
Promo Code
Read More Below
Colibri Real Estate: Best for exam prep
$355
TheClose30—Save 30%
Colibri Real Estate↓
The CE Shop: Best for continuing education
$339
TheClose35—Save 35%
The CE Shop↓
360training Agent Campus: Best for affordability
$299
No promo code
360training Agent Campus↓
Connole-Morton Real Estate School: Best for in-person classes
$725
No promo code
Connole-Morton Real Estate School↓
Cooke Real Estate School: Best for self-paced learning
$349
No promo code
Cooke Real Estate School↓

Best for Exam Prep: Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate
Pros
  • Expertly designed curriculum
  • Easy-to-use online platform
  • Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee
  • Self-paced course format
  • One-year access to Career Booster Pack included in top-tier prelicensing package
Cons
  • Test prep materials not included in the basics
  • No networking opportunities
  • No access to local real estate brokerages
The Close Score
4.5
Value:
3.5
Learning Format & Accessibility:
3.5
Course Features:
4.0
Help & Support:
3.0
Reputation:
4.0
Expert Score:
5.0
out
of
5

My Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate is my pick for the best online real estate school in Montana for exam preparation. What truly stands out about Colibri’s Exam Prep Live package is its Q&A sessions with experienced instructors and the Exam Crammer Webinar series. For students preparing for the Montana real estate exam, the chance to interact directly with instructors and receive immediate feedback is a big help. This type of support sets students up for success come exam day.

💡Room for Improvement: Colibri Real Estate offers only six months of course access, which can be limiting for students who need extra time to absorb the material. Extending course access would allow a more flexible learning experience, accommodating students with busy schedules and full-time jobs.

Colibri Real Estate Cost

Colibri Real Estate’s course packages include test prep materials like audio review guides, simulated exams, and flashcards.

Type of Education
Price Range
Standout Features
Prelicensing
$355-$627
  • Online self-paced and livestream course packages are available
  • Exam Crammer series and instructor Q&A included in two plans
  • One-year access to Career Booster Pack included in top-tier prelicensing package
Continuing Education
$109
  • Online self-paced format
  • Mandatory and elective courses available
  • NAR Ethics course
  • Narrated audio with adjustable speeds
Exam Prep
$115-$219
  • Audio review guides
  • Flashcards and simulated exams
  • Exam Crammer webinar series and instructor Q&A included in top-tier options

Use Promo Code: TheClose30—Save 30%

Best for Continuing Education: The CE Shop

The CE Sho
Pros
  • Five-day free trial offered
  • Exam Prep Edge is included in three of four prelicensing packages
  • Lots of bonus resources
  • Kickstarter Professional Development included in Value and Premium packages
  • 12-hour continuing education course included in the Premium Package
Cons
  • No livestream course format
  • No networking opportunities or job placement
  • No access to live instructors
The Close Score
4.4
Value:
3.5
Learning Format & Accessibility:
2.5
Course Features:
4.0
Help & Support:
4.5
Reputation:
4.0
Expert Score:
5.0
out
of
5

My Expert Opinion on The CE Shop

Besides its comprehensive prelicensing courses, The CE Shop specializes in continuing education courses. It’s still too early to mention this if you’re not yet licensed—but after securing your Montana real estate license, you’ll be required to complete continuing education hours. And, if you’re a Montana agent wanting to stay ahead of the game, The CE Shop has got you covered with all the CE requirements. From environmental awareness to safeguarding your transactions, The CE Shop’s offerings will make you a better agent.

💡Room for Improvement: The CE Shop could further upgrade its program by adding networking opportunities, like virtual meetups or collaborations with local industry experts. These extras would allow students to build genuine connections and grow their professional networks.

The CE Shop Cost

All The CE Shop courses may be taken at your own pace. Each package includes downloadable resources, digital flashcards, a real estate glossary, and a study schedule to keep you on track.

Type of Education
Price Range
Standout Features
Prelicensing
$339-$625
  • Self-paced online course format
  • Business e-books
  • Career resources
Continuing Education
$39-$189
  • Individual and packaged courses
  • Available for both salesperson, broker, and supervising broker
  • NAR Ethics course
Exam Prep
$79-$135
  • Individual lessons by topic
  • Simulated exams
  • Real-time dashboards

Use Promo Code: TheClose35—Save 35%

Best for Affordability: 360training Agent Campus

360training Agent Campus
Pros
  • Budget-friendly courses
  • Courses may be accessed 24/7 on your computer, phone, and tablet
  • Live chat, phone, and email support
  • Money-back guarantee
Cons
  • No live instruction option
  • No job placement assistance or networking opportunities
The Close Score
3.9
Value:
3.5
Learning Format & Accessibility:
1.5
Course Features:
3.4
Help & Support:
4.0
Reputation:
3.9
Expert Score:
4.5
out
of
5

My Expert Opinion on 360training Agent Campus

360training Agent Campus is my top choice for students seeking budget-friendly Montana real estate license classes. Its affordability doesn’t compromise quality, as its basic prelicensing course package includes a free real estate math practice course. If you want to save more money, 360training Agent Campus recommends purchasing the premium option, which already includes an exam prep course. This way, you won’t have to buy it separately.

💡Room for Improvement: 360training Agent Campus could enhance its course packages by including bonus features like downloadable guides, digital flashcards, or essential real estate statistics to help students navigate their self-paced courses and give them more insights.

360training Agent Campus Cost

360training offers competitive pricing for all its self-paced courses.

Type of Education
Price Range
Standout Features
Prelicensing
$299-$424
  • Covers all state-required topics
  • Self-paced course format
  • Exam prep and real estate math practice included
Continuing Education
$80
  • Three CE course packages
  • Available for salespersons and brokers
  • Flexible online format
Exam Prep
$79
  • National and state exam prep are offered separately
  • Unlimited practice questions
  • Certificate of completion

Best for In-person Classes: Connole-Morton Real Estate School

Connole-Morton Real Estate School
Pros
  • Live instruction
  • Pass guarantee
  • In-person classes may be taken in Missoula, Billings, and Bozeman
  • Courses taught by expert local instructors
Cons
  • Pricey
  • No additional exam prep materials aside from review questions
  • No continuing education offerings
  • No networking opportunities
The Close Score
3.9
Value:
2.0
Learning Format & Accessibility:
3.5
Course Features:
3.6
Help & Support:
2.5
Reputation:
4.9
Expert Score:
4.1
out
of
5

My Expert Opinion on Connole-Morton Real Estate School

For those pursuing a real estate license Montana, Connole-Morton Real Estate School offers an in-person learning experience that’s hard to beat. Connole-Morton is for you if you’re someone who thrives in a classroom environment and prefers nothing but in-person interaction. Sitting in a room surrounded by like-minded peers and getting instant answers from instructors makes everything click. But, if you like live instruction but don’t have time to go to Connole-Morton’s locations, the school has live online classes via Zoom.

💡Room for Improvement: Connole-Morton Real Estate School could improve by offering continuing education courses, giving licensed agents a convenient way to stay current and maintain their licenses.

Connole-Morton Real Estate School Cost

Connole-Morton’s in-person classes may be taken at any of its three locations in Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula.

Type of Education
Price Range
Standout Features
Prelicensing
$725
  • Classes are taught in-person at three Montana locations or live online via Zoom
  • Hundreds of review questions
  • Comprehensive course outline

Best for Self-paced Learning: Cooke Real Estate School

Cooke Real Estate School
Pros
  • State-approved curriculum
  • Self-paced course format
  • Textbooks included in all course plans
  • Customer support through phone and email
Cons
  • Prelicensing packages lack bonus resources
  • No networking opportunities
  • No access to local brokerages or agents
  • No continuing education offerings
The Close Score
3.7
Value:
3.0
Learning Format & Accessibility:
3.5
Course Features:
2.0
Help & Support:
4.5
Reputation:
4.1
Expert Score:
3.6
out
of
5

My Expert Opinion on Cooke Real Estate School

Cooke Real Estate School is ideal for prospective agents looking to earn a state of Montana real estate license at their own pace. The program’s flexible structure allows students to dive into the material whenever it suits their schedule—during a lunch break or after a daytime shift. Textbooks are also included in all course plans to ensure students have the resources for their study sessions.

💡Room for Improvement: Cooke Real Estate School can improve its Montana real estate course by incorporating more interactive elements. The school should add bonus features like career resources and Q&A sessions to its course packages to make the process more enjoyable and digestible.

Cooke Real Estate School Cost

Although lacking in additional features, Cooke Real Estate School’s accredited courses are all affordable and offered in a self-paced format.

Type of Education
Price Range
Standout Features
Prelicensing
$349-$599
  • 70 hours of required prelicensing education
  • Textbooks included in all course plans
  • Exam prep materials included in three of four packages
Broker Prelicensing
$419-$599
  • 60 hours of required broker courses
  • Textbooks included in all course plans
  • 12 months of course access
Exam Prep
$99-$139
  • National and state exam prep are offered separately
  • Textbooks included
  • Practice questions and flashcards

How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Montana

In terms of our methodology at The Close, our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors created a weighted rubric that evaluates each school. Our experts have done hours of research to analyze dozens of real estate schools to determine the best for our readers. The features we explored are essential for students to become successful brokers and agents in the real estate industry. 

Our detailed criteria included:

  • Course Features 25%
    • This comprises items that assist agents and brokers in completing their education, like pass and refund guarantees, career and instructor support, coaching, training, interactive study groups, and course extensions.
  • Value 20%
    • Pricing and availability of coursework are important factors to assess. This accounts for real estate school offerings in prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, broker prelicensing, and exam prep. 
  • Learning Format & Accessibility 20%
    • Real estate professionals must consider the best format for their learning, which includes self-paced, on-demand video, live stream, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines the convenience for users. 
  • Expert Score 15%
    • The Close closely reviews each course for stand-out features, details, ease of use, and the value for money spent from a real estate expert’s perspective. 
  • Help & Support 10%
    • If students need additional support, knowing the customer service options through phone, email, live chat, and ticket system is necessary. 
  • Reputation 10%
    • This examines the reputation of each real estate school through the lens of current and past students, reviewing the customer reviews and popularity of each provider. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)




Your Take

Now that you’ve learned how to become a real estate agent in Montana, it’s time to take action. At The Close, we’re here to guide you through every step and encourage your professional growth. Have any questions about getting your realtor license Montana? Let us know in the comments!