Montana real estate exam
Format, passing score, fees and what to study — compiled from the official candidate handbook and state sources, with a link and a confidence level for every fact. Last verified 2026-10-31.
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Montana exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Dept. of Labor & Industry) | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook January 2026 (#092700). Montana previously used PSI (older PSI materials/prep sites still reference it). | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 scored + 5 pretest. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 40 scored + 5-10 pretest (handbook table: State Salesperson 10 pretest, 40 exam). | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 240 National 150 min + State 90 min; portions booked and paid separately. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | Scaled score 75 on each portion Exam results valid three years; salesperson must have passed within past 12 months when applying (Board checklist). | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $190 $95 per portion (national $95 + state $95 = $190 for both). | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 70 Board salesperson checklist (updated 11/2025): 70 hours approved pre-licensing education completed within the past 24 months (ARM 24.210.611). | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English Handbook/bulletin describes no non-English exam version; English presumed. | Secondary source | Link |
“Official source” = read in a state agency page or the exam provider’s candidate handbook on 2026-10-31. Anything marked “Vendor claim” or “Not verified” should be confirmed before you rely on it. Fees and formats change.
What this means for your study plan
- Time per question: about 2 minutes each (240 minutes ÷ 120 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Both portions count: you must reach the pass mark on each portion — a strong national score does not make up for a weak Montana score.
- Where people lose points: math word problems, wording traps (NOT/EXCEPT), and state rules that differ from the national rule. Our formula sheet covers the math.
- Good to know: Montana is ~70% weighted to licensee-activity rules (28 of 40 state items). Authorization period to test: salespersons 5 years after passing the first education course. Exam fee is charged per portion. Montana previously contracted PSI; Pearson VUE handbook revision Jan 2026 is current.
State-portion topics published for Montana
- Real Estate Licensing Agency's Powers (3 items): investigations/hearings/appeals, sanctions, examination of records
- Licensing (3 items): activities requiring license, renewal, change in status
- Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees (28 items): advertising, broker/salesperson relationship, unprofessional conduct, compensation, disclosure (conflict, property, agency), agency duties, documents, handling monies, listings & buyer brokerage agreements, illegal inducements/ethics
- Additional Topics (6 items): E&O insurance, land description, common interest ownership/condo, landlord/tenant, foreclosure and redemption, statute of frauds
- (Broker-only extra: trust accounts, supervision, place of business, recordkeeping, closing statements - 6 items)
Sample Montana practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Montana-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
A developer plans to fill part of a wetland to build a parking lot. Which federal agency generally issues the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit?
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- The Federal Reserve
- The Federal Housing Administration
Answer: B. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires a permit for discharges of dredged or fill material into regulated waters, including covered wetlands. The Corps administers the program with oversight from EPA.
Topic: Land Use Controls & Regulations · Source: 33 U.S.C. § 1344
Under Regulation B, a creditor must notify an applicant of action taken on a completed credit application within how many days?
- 30 days
- 10 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
Answer: A. Regulation B generally requires notification within 30 days after receiving a completed application, whether the credit is approved, counteroffered or denied. A denial must include a statement of the specific reasons or the right to request them.
Topic: Real Estate Finance · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1002.9 (notifications)
Two competing brokerages agree that one will handle only the north side of the city and the other only the south side. This agreement is:
- lawful because each firm keeps its own clients
- illegal market allocation under the Sherman Act
- lawful if the firms share the same franchise
- lawful if the arrangement is disclosed to clients
Answer: B. An agreement among competitors to divide markets by territory, customers, or product type eliminates competition between them. It is an illegal restraint of trade under the Sherman Act, even if clients are told.
Topic: Fair Housing, Ethics & Federal Disclosures · Source: 15 U.S.C. § 1
Try the full 20-question Montana quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Montana real estate exam?
The Montana exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 Montana questions (120 in total) in 240 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Montana real estate exam?
Scaled score 75 on each portion (Official source).
How much does the Montana real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $190, paid to Pearson VUE. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Montana require?
70 hours for the entry-level license, according to the sources below. Pre-licensing education must come from a state-approved school; GablePrep is exam prep and is not an approved course.
Official sources for Montana
- Regulator: Montana Board of Realty Regulation (Dept. of Labor & Industry)
- Exam provider: Pearson VUE
- Official candidate handbook / content outline
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice.