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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our real estate education platform.

License Requirement FAQs

How to get my real estate license in Missouri?

There are 4 steps to getting a real estate license in Missouri: take the 48-hour pre-exam course, pass the pre-exam, take the 24-hour practice course, and finally apply for your real estate license. At Career Education System, we provide all the courses you need to not only get your Missouri license but also get you ready to earn your Kansas real estate licens

How to get my real estate license in Kansas?

1. Create a KREC account and obtain your PL number
2. Submit your PL number to Career Education Systems
3. Complete the 30 hour Principles of Real Estate course.
4. Pass the licensing exam
5. Complete the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course
6. Meet Kansas fingerprinting requirements: https://www.krec.ks.gov/applicants/fingerprinting.

What education is required to be a real estate agent?

Real estate licensing laws vary by state. Kansas requires a 30-hour real estate Pre-Exam Course before you can sit for the salesperson’s test; you also must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED to be licensed. Prior to applying for a real estate license, you must also take another 30-hour real estate Practice Course, which is a course on real estate contracts, working with home sellers and buyers, etc.

Missouri requires a 48 hour Pre-Exam Course before you can sit for the salesperson’s test; you also must be at least 18 years old. Prior to applying for a real estate license, you must also take another 24-hour Practice Course, which is a course on contract forms, working with sellers and buyers, etc.

Do I have to be fingerprinted before receiving a license?

Both Kansas and Missouri require fingerprinting before obtaining a real estate license. For details on fingerprinting, go to our fingerprinting resource.

Real Estate School FAQs

How hard is the real estate exam in Kansas & Missouri?

Just like any other test, the difficulty level depends on how well you are prepared. Over the past 40 years in both Kansas and Missouri, Career Education Systems has had one of the highest exam pass rates month in and month out. Don’t let the test scare you. Just make sure you are well prepared.

How long is real estate school?

In Kansas, the Principles of Real Estate course is 30 hours long, and the Kansas Practice Course is also 30 hours, for a total of 60 hours. These courses may have gaps between them, which may extend the time it takes to complete real estate school, but many students are able to become a real estate agent within three to six months. Our course’s structure, as a real estate school, makes it easier for our students to get the second state’s license.

In Missouri, the Pre-Exam Course is 48 hours long, and the Missouri Practice Course is 24 hours. These courses may have gaps between them, which may extend the time it takes to complete real estate school, but many students are able to become a real estate agent within three to six months. Our real estate school’s structure makes it easier for our students to get the second state’s license.

Can you get your real estate license online?

Yes, both Kansas and Missouri allow the Pre-Exam and Practice Courses to be taken online or by correspondence. Sign up for online real estate courses with us and get your real estate license!

Real Estate License Test FAQs

Who gives the real estate test?

Kansas uses Pearson Vue, which is based in Philadelphia, PA, to do their testing. You can take the test at different locations in the Kansas City area, where the tests are given Monday through Saturday. They also have several locations throughout Kansas, including Wichita and Topeka, and in those locations, the test is typically offered two to three weekdays and every Saturday.

Missouri uses PSI (formerly AMP) for testing. PSI is located in Olathe, Kansas. These tests are given in Kansas City every day of the week and the third Saturday of each month. In St. Louis, the test is offered every day of the week and the second Saturday of the month, excluding the Monday following the second Saturday.

What is covered on the test & how to study for the real estate exam?

You’re in a great spot to prepare for your real estate exam. We recommend taking our Pre-Exam, Practice Real Estate Test, and/or Pre-License tests to best prepare for the tests.

The test is broken up into two parts, and in any of our real estate courses, we will teach you exactly how to study to help you pass the real estate exams. Part 1 covers general laws and principles that would be applicable across the entire United States. Part 2 covers questions that would only apply to your home state. For the salesperson’s test, the general section has 100 questions in Missouri and 80 questions in Kansas. The state law portion has 40 questions in Missouri and 30 questions in Kansas.

What if I pass one section of the exam but not the other?

You only have to go back and pass the portion you failed. Test scores in Kansas are good for six months, so you must pass both sections within that time. Missouri gives you six months from the date you complete the Pre-Exam Course to pass both sections of the real estate exam.

Do I have to pass both state tests if I want to be licensed in Kansas & Missouri?

First, you have to pass the test in your HOME state, which is defined as where you are living at the time you apply for the license. Kansas residents can get a Missouri license after receiving a Kansas license by passing the Missouri state law portion of the Missouri exam, taking the 24-hour Missouri Practice Course, and applying with the Missouri license fee.

Missouri residents can receive a Kansas license after receiving a Missouri license by passing the state law portion of the Kansas exam, taking the 30-hour Kansas Practice Course, completing an application, and paying the Kansas license fee.

Can I get both licenses at other real estate schools?

No, Career Education System is a unique real estate school because we are the only one to offer this simple process of getting both Kansas and Missouri real estate licenses. We know your life is full, so we wanted to offer our students the opportunity to get their licenses as efficiently as possible.

Broker FAQs

What is the difference between a salesperson’s license & a broker’s license?

A broker acts like an employer, i.e., a broker hires salespeople to represent the broker in making sales. A salesperson can only work for one broker at a time.

Do I have to have a real estate brokerage company hold my license?

Yes, after you have passed the real estate exam, you can apply for a license. A licensed broker must sign the application and agree to supervise you.

Can I skip the salesperson stage & become a broker immediately?

No. All candidates for a broker’s license, in either Kansas or Missouri, must have worked as a real estate licensee for two years prior to applying for a broker’s license. Those who have a lot of real estate experience can apply for a waiver of the two years, but it does not apply to most people.

How to find a broker?

Brokers frequently take on new people, and it is up to you to shop around to find a broker that meets your needs. You can get a start by contacting some offices close to where you live or work and asking if they will take on a new prodigy who wants to learn more.

Real Estate Agent Costs FAQs

How much does a real estate license cost?

Although there are several costs in getting a real estate license, you don’t usually have to pay them all at one time. Below is a list of typical costs:

  • Real Estate Pre-Exam course
    • $250 Kansas, $395 Missouri – The reason for the difference is that Missouri requires 48 hours and Kansas only 30 hours.
  • Kansas Practice License Course & Missouri Practice Course
    • $200 Kansas, $200 Missouri
  • Test fee (to testing service)
    • $82 Kansas, $75 (KS exam retake), $62 Missouri
  • License fee
    • $100-$175

Additionally, there are other up-front costs that you may incur (depending on the type of real estate career you pursue). The following amounts are approximate:

  • Board of Realtors annual dues (if your company is a Realtor member)
    • $400-$500
  • Multiple listing service initial membership costs
    • $200-$300
  • Entry-level sales training
    • $100-$200

Just like any other business, there are other ongoing costs that you will incur. (Check with your broker about other costs that may not be listed here).

How much do real estate agents make?

Unlike most businesses, real estate agents are usually self-employed and work on commission. Each brokerage company charges different amounts and shares the commission with their salespeople differently. As a general rule, the more you sell, the more you make. That is not only true due to the fact that you have more commission but that if you sell more, many brokers will give you a greater percentage of the total commission. Talking with several brokerage companies is usually the best way to find out how they handle commissions.

Note that it often takes several months after getting a license to make a sale, close the sale, and receive payment. People going into real estate need to be able to support themselves for several months before being paid. Make sure your family understands this.

Why become a real estate agent?

If you love seeing and guiding people through big moments in their lives, real estate could be perfect for you. Many individuals love real estate because they can meet many new people every week and help them get into homes. However, since buying a house is the biggest financial decision most people make, they can sometimes seem very irrational. It can be quite frustrating to work with a buyer for weeks then see them decide not to buy at all or buy through someone else. Can you handle that type of thing without feeling personally rejected? If you can, real estate could very well be the career for you.

Renewal FAQs

How often do you have to renew your real estate license?

After a new Kansas license is issued, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education prior to the first license expiration date, and then 12 hours every two years after that. The expiration date is the first day of the month that your license was issued, and it needs to be renewed every two years.

After a new Missouri license is issued, the requirement is 12 hours of continuing education that must be taken prior to the first renewal of that new license then 12 hours every two years after that. This includes both newly licensed salespersons and newly licensed brokers. All salespersons renew in September on even numbered years, and all brokers renew in June on even numbered years.

What are continuing education classes & when should they be taken?

Continuing education courses are required for each 2-year renewal for both states. Each course is 3 hours long. All courses at Career Education Systems are approved in both states. Most of the time you can take a total of 12 hours and be done for both states, depending on the renewal dates for both states and the timing of the classes. Reach out to see if all classes qualify before enrolling in continued education courses.

Kansas requires both Salespersons and Brokers to take a minimum of 3 hours of Kansas Required Core and 9 hours of electives. If you were licensed prior to 2019, the month for renewal is based on the first letter of your last name. Those licensed 1/1/2019 and after will renew on the first day of the month the license was issued every two years. You may take the continuing education classes anytime during the 2-year period between renewals. CES offers a variety of different classes at different times during each month.

Missouri requires both salespersons and brokers to take 3 hours of Missouri Core and 9 hours of electives. As previously stated, salespersons renew in September and brokers renew in June every 2 years on the even years. You may take the continuing education courses anytime between renewals.

Both states send out renewal notices prior to the end of each renewal period.

What happens if a license is not renewed on time?

For a license to be renewed on time means that the continuing education classes have been taken no later than the last day of the renewal period and that the renewal notice with fee was postmarked (or renewed online) no later than that date.


If the above did not occur, Kansas will add a $100 late fee and allow a 6-month grace period, but the license is no longer valid until everything is turned in to the state. If the 6 months go by without the renewal being completed, then the license has lapsed and the pre-license courses and test will have to be taken again.
Missouri does not have any sort of grace period. If classes are not completed and the license renewal is not postmarked (or renewed online) by the last day of the renewal period, the license lapses, and generally, the 24-hour Practice Course must be taken again. ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE MISSOURI REAL ESTATE COMMISSION to see what they will require for license reinstatement.

What happens if a license is put on inactive status?

A license on inactive status with the real estate commission is different from having a license and not being active in the business.

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