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RE License Guide

Michigan real estate licensing

Michigan Real Estate Individual Broker License requirements

A practical, source-checked guide to qualifying, passing the exam, applying, and keeping this license active.

Gabriel Giner

By Gabriel Giner, Editor  ·  Verified  ·  RE License Guide Editorial Desk

Source checked 4 official references Next review 2026-12-01
Required education
90 clock hours of approved broker prelicensure including at least 9 clock hours of civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing, in addition to the salesperson 40; law degree may substitute 60 (including 6 civil rights), MBA/finance master 60, bachelor's in business or finance 30
Exam fee
$79
Published fees
$143
Typical timeline
Three years of full-time related experience is the longest step
01

What to know first

A Michigan individual broker license requires much more than the salesperson 40. According to the LARA Individual Broker Licensing Guide (revision date 1/26/2026), you must be 18 and complete 90 hours of approved prelicensure, including at least 9 hours of civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing; have 3 years of full-time experience in the business of real estate or a department-determined related field; pass the PSI broker exam; and have a place of business in this state. MCL 339.2504(1) is the governing statute: the 90 hours are in addition to the hours required to obtain a real estate salesperson's license; at least 9 clock hours must be civil rights law and fair housing law; and you must complete the 90 within the 36-month period preceding the application unless you have held an active license as a real estate salesperson for that period.

Degree equivalents in the guide and R 339.22203: law degree = 60 clock hours including 6 civil rights/fair housing; master's in business administration or finance = 60; bachelor's in business or finance = 30. Not more than one broker course on the same subject counts. Experience the guide counts toward the 3 years: real estate salesperson or broker; licensed builder; real estate investor; land or condominium developer; attorney; real estate appraiser; loan or trust officer of a federal or state-regulated depository institution; loan or trust officer of a mortgage company; real estate officer of a corporation; title-insurance company officer engaged in escrow and real estate closings.

According to the PSI bulletin (updated 7/6/2026), broker candidates may pay and schedule without applying to the State of Michigan, using their social security number as the ID#. The examination fee is $79. Examination Summary Table: Broker, 115 questions (120 points), passing 75%, passing raw score 90, time allowed 210 minutes. The bulletin notes that national broker exams include questions scored up to two points, which is why 115 items carry 120 points; the passing mark is 90 of 120, not 86 of 115. Do not sit the salesperson 180-minute / raw-80 exam as a broker candidate. Per the guide, applicants are NOT required to obtain pre-approval to take the Real Estate Broker examination. After you pass, file the MiPLUS individual-broker application, $143.00 (application fee + 3-year license). Under MCL 339.2505(2), the department shall not issue a real estate broker's license to a new applicant who has been convicted of embezzlement or misappropriation of funds. A salesperson shall not be licensed as a broker or associate broker while holding a salesperson license, so the broker license replaces your salesperson license. Associate broker (principal or non-principal) is a separate LARA license held under a broker company.

02

Your path to the license

Follow these steps in order. Deadlines and affiliation requirements can make a passed exam unusable if they are missed.

  1. Document 3 years full-time related experience (the guide's list includes builder, investor, developer, attorney, appraiser, lender, title officer)

    Experience does not have to be as a salesperson. Related fields are listed in the guide.

  2. Complete 90 hours including 9 civil rights (in addition to the salesperson 40); apply degree equivalents if you have them

    The 36-month window applies unless an active salesperson license covered the period. Law degree 60 including 6 civil rights; MBA/finance master 60; bachelor's business/finance 30.

  3. PSI $79 broker exam without pre-approval: 115 items / 120 points / 210 min at 75% (raw 90)

    Use your SSN as the ID#. Do not sit the salesperson 180-minute exam. Your score is valid one year.

  4. MiPLUS individual-broker application + $143; physical Michigan business address; assumed name if used; give up the salesperson license

    Branch offices are separate MiPLUS licenses that expire with the broker license. CE afterward follows the same 18-hour requirement with 2 legal + 1 fair housing hours per year. Renewal $108.

How long the 90-hour course takes

Coursework is usually the longest step you control. Weeks below are classroom or online hours only; add application processing, fingerprint clearance, and exam scheduling from the roadmap above.

Part-time
9 weeksabout 10 hrs/week
Steady
5 weeksabout 20 hrs/week
Full-time
3 weeksabout 40 hrs/week

Overall estimate from our source review: Three years of full-time related experience is the longest step. After the 90 hours, the PSI exam and MiPLUS commonly add weeks. Scores are valid one year. The 36-month education window applies unless an active salesperson license covered it.

03

Education and eligibility

Minimum age
18 years old
Identification
A Social Security number is required. An ITIN is not confirmed as a substitute.
Residency and identification
Per the individual-broker guide, a real estate broker shall maintain a place of business in this state. Salespersons may live out of state, but the brokerage cannot be located out of state. You need 3 years of full-time related experience and 90 hours within 36 months, unless you held an active salesperson license during that period. Non-residents file a Consent to Service of Process, but the office must still be in Michigan.
Qualifying education
Per the individual-broker guide (rev 1/26/2026), MCL 339.2504(1), and R 339.22203. The 36-month window applies unless you held an active salesperson license during that period; in that case, the broker prelicensure does not expire as long as your salesperson license never lapses (FAQ 21). Not more than one broker course on the same subject counts. The approved course report is on michigan.gov/bpl. The salesperson 40 does not count toward the 90. Relicensure after more than 3 years using prelicensure requires 90 hours, including 9 in civil rights, within 12 months.
Education or filing deadline
36 months before application, unless an active salesperson license covered that period. Exam results are valid 1 year, and the application 1 year from payment. For relicensure after more than 3 years using the prelicensure option: 12 months (MCL 339.2502a).
Character review
The same fair/honest/open attestation applies. Brokers answer one more question: per the guide, if you have been convicted of embezzlement or misappropriation of funds, pursuant to MCL 339.2505(2), you cannot be licensed as a Broker in this profession. If denied, you may appeal to the Board.
Background process
MiPLUS questions, including the embezzlement/misappropriation bar. The guide lists no fingerprint fee.
Experience
Per the guide, 3 years of full-time experience in the business of real estate or in a field the department determines relevant and related — salesperson or broker; licensed builder; real estate investor; land or condominium developer; attorney; real estate appraiser; loan or trust officer of a federal or state-regulated depository institution; loan or trust officer of a mortgage company; real estate officer of a corporation; title-insurance company officer engaged in the closing of escrow accounts and real estate closings.
Broker affiliation
An individual broker must maintain a place of business in this state (per the guide). Branch-office licenses expire with the broker license, and a branch-office address cannot be changed; you apply for a new branch license instead. You can add assumed names in MiPLUS (multiple allowed); to remove one, email [email protected]. Principal associate broker (6502) and individual broker (6504) licenses cannot be transferred; non-principal associate broker and salesperson licenses can. You approve or deny employees in MiPLUS, and after removing an employee, you shred their physical wall license.

Documents to prepare

  • Documentation of 3 years full-time related experience (as listed in the guide)
  • 90-hour certificates including 9 civil rights (plus degree-equivalent transcripts if used), within the 36-month window unless an active salesperson license covered it
  • PSI broker 115 items/120 points/210 min at 75% (raw 90)
  • MiPLUS individual-broker application + $143
  • Physical Michigan business address; assumed name in MiPLUS if used
04

The licensing exam

The PSI broker exam costs $79 and runs 210 minutes. It has 115 items carrying 120 points (some national items are worth two points), and passing is 75% = raw 90. Like the salesperson exam, it is one combined exam, with a higher passing score and more time. The national broker weights shift property management to 5% and calculations to 6% and add broker-only items on supervision, trust accounts, and property-management contracts. Michigan state outline for brokers: Department/Board 3, licensing 4 (salesperson was 5), statutory activities 15 (salesperson was 10), contractual 5, additional state 13 (salesperson was 12), including usury (broker only). Topics include place of business / branch office, record keeping, ADR vs arbitration (broker only), and closing responsibilities. Experimental items (about 10%) count against your time. Results show PASS only, and your score is valid one year.

PSI (test-takers.psiexams.com/mire; (855) 579-4635). Broker candidates schedule without Department pre-approval, using their SSN as the ID#. $79. Do not sit the salesperson exam. · Fee: $79

Part Questions Minutes Pass
Broker national outline (inside the combined sitting; some two-point items) 75 210 75%
Broker Michigan state outline (inside the combined sitting) 40 210 75%
Scoring details from the candidate handbook
  • Broker national outline (inside the combined sitting; some two-point items): The table lists one combined exam: 115 questions carrying 120 points / 210 minutes / 75% = raw 90. The state outline item bands total 40, so the national share is 75 items carrying 80 points (per the bulletin, national broker exams include questions scored up to two points). The passing mark is 90 of 120 points, not 86 of 115 or 56 of 75 items. The table does not split the minutes
  • Broker Michigan state outline (inside the combined sitting): Outline bands: Department/Board 3, licensing 4, statutory activities 15, contractual 5, additional state 13 (usury broker-only). The combined cut remains 75% / raw 90 of 120 points; there is no separately scored state percentage. The state outline items total 3+4+15+5+13 = 40 of the 115. The table does not split the 210 minutes

Same $79 fee and one-year fee validity as salesperson. Passing is 75% / raw 90 of 120 points, and results show PASS only. Your score is valid one year. Retakes are unlimited while you are eligible.

What to study

  • 90-hour Michigan broker prelicensure including 9 hours civil rights / fair housing

    LARA-approved provider

    In addition to the salesperson 40. Law degree / MBA / bachelor's equivalents under R 339.22203. 36-month window unless an active salesperson license covered it.

  • PSI CIB broker table (115 items / 120 points / 210 min at 75% raw 90)

    PSI / LARA

    Includes two-point national items. Do not sit the salesperson 180-minute exam. Usury is broker-only on the state outline.

  • Place-of-business / trust-account / employee-approval MiPLUS guides

    LARA

    Physical Michigan address. Approve and remove employees in MiPLUS; shred the former wall license after removal.

05

Application costs

These are commission or testing-vendor amounts we can cite. School tuition and optional preparation products are private-market prices.

Fee Amount
Application$143
Examination$79
Initial license$143
Renewal (every 3 years)$108

Per the individual-broker guide (rev 1/26/2026), the New Application fee of $143.00 covers the application plus the 3-year license; it is not charged twice ($286). Renewal $108.00. Relicensure $163.00. Branch offices are relicensed automatically with the individual broker unless you Remove them. PSI $79. Reprint $10. Verification $15 per address. The guide lists no fingerprint fee. Confirm the total in your MiPLUS cart.

Published state fees

$365

Application, exam, initial-license, and fingerprint amounts cited above. Excludes school tuition.

Estimate your full cost →
Commission

Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (LARA Bureau of Professional Licensing)

PSI examination (855) 579-4635; BPL help [email protected] (listed in the assumed-name FAQ of the individual-broker guide). Confirm any public Board phone number on the LARA page rather than relying on a number from a school website.

Article 25 of the Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.2501 et seq., including MCL 339.2504 (40 salesperson hours with 4 civil rights / 90 broker hours with 9 civil rights in addition to the salesperson hours; 36-month education window), MCL 339.2505 (embezzlement or misappropriation bars a new broker), MCL 339.2510 (salesperson licensed to one broker). Mich. Admin. Code R 339.22203 (prelicensure equivalents: law degree 60 including 6 civil rights, MBA/finance master 60, bachelor's in business or finance 30). LARA Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Guide and Individual Broker Licensing Guide, revision date 1/26/2026. PSI Candidate Information Bulletin at test-takers.psiexams.com/mire, copyright 2026, updated 7/6/2026.
Pre-licensing

90 clock hours of approved broker prelicensure including at least 9 clock hours of civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing, in addition to the salesperson 40; law degree may substitute 60 (including 6 civil rights), MBA/finance master 60, bachelor's in business or finance 30

Per the individual-broker guide (rev 1/26/2026), MCL 339.2504(1), and R 339.22203. The 36-month window applies unless you held an active salesperson license during that period; in that case, the broker prelicensure does not expire as long as your salesperson license never lapses (FAQ 21). Not more than one broker course on the same subject counts. The approved course report is on michigan.gov/bpl. The salesperson 40 does not count toward the 90. Relicensure after more than 3 years using prelicensure requires 90 hours, including 9 in civil rights, within 12 months.

36 months before application, unless an active salesperson license covered that period. Exam results are valid 1 year, and the application 1 year from payment. For relicensure after more than 3 years using the prelicensure option: 12 months (MCL 339.2502a).
Sponsoring broker

An individual broker must maintain a place of business in this state (per the guide). Branch-office licenses expire with the broker license, and a branch-office address cannot be changed; you apply for a new branch license instead. You can add assumed names in MiPLUS (multiple allowed); to remove one, email [email protected]. Principal associate broker (6502) and individual broker (6504) licenses cannot be transferred; non-principal associate broker and salesperson licenses can. You approve or deny employees in MiPLUS, and after removing an employee, you shred their physical wall license.
Fingerprints

Same as salesperson: neither the 1/26/2026 individual-broker guide nor the 7/6/2026 PSI bulletin requires fingerprints. The additional broker screen is the embezzlement/misappropriation question (MCL 339.2505(2)) plus good moral character.
CE / renewal

The same 18-hour requirement as salespersons, with 2 legal + 1 fair housing hours per year (individual-broker renewal checklist). Complete CE before submitting, and keep evidence 4 years. Relicensure after less than 3 years: 6 hours per year or partial year elapsed, with the same 2+1. Relicensure after 3 years or more: PSI broker retake, or 90 hours including 9 civil rights within 12 months, plus the 6-hours-per-year CE requirement.

The guide lists no separate late fee. Relicensure is $163.00; confirm in MiPLUS. After revocation, you must wait 3 years after service of the final order.
Recovery fund

Same as salesperson: LARA lists no separate recovery-fund fee. The guide lists $143 new, $108 renewal, and $163 relicensure.
06

Mistakes that delay applicants

  • Sitting the salesperson 180-minute / raw-80 exam

    The broker exam is 210 minutes, 115 items carrying 120 points, 75% = raw 90, with two-point items. The passing mark is 90 of 120, not 86 of 115.

  • Counting the salesperson 40 toward the broker 90

    Under MCL 339.2504, the 90 are in addition to the 40. 9 of those 90 are civil rights / fair housing.

  • Opening a brokerage without a physical Michigan address, or using a P.O. Box as the broker office

    Per the FAQ, broker companies, individual brokers, and branch offices must have a physical address in Michigan. Salespersons may use a P.O. Box; brokers may not.

  • Applying as a new broker after an embezzlement or misappropriation conviction

    MCL 339.2505(2) is a statutory bar for new broker applicants, not a case-by-case review.

  • Keeping the salesperson license, or trying to transfer an individual-broker license to another company

    You may hold one license. Individual broker (6504) and principal associate broker (6502) licenses cannot be transferred.

  • Letting broker prelicensure expire because you let the salesperson license lapse

    Per FAQ 21, if you completed broker prelicensure as a licensed salesperson and never let that salesperson license lapse, the broker prelicensure will not expire. If it lapses, the 36-month and 12-month limits apply again.

07

Reciprocity and recognition

Partner / path Accepted exam Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity is published for this credential.

The individual-broker guide lists no reciprocity partner states. Out-of-state related experience can count toward the 3 years if it matches the guide's list, but you still take the Michigan broker exam and the 90 hours including 9 in civil rights, unless a degree equivalent applies. The physical Michigan business address requirement is not waived because another state licensed you. Ohio reciprocity rules do not apply in Michigan.

08

Renewal and staying active

The same 18-hour requirement as salespersons, with 2 legal + 1 fair housing hours per year (individual-broker renewal checklist). Complete CE before submitting, and keep evidence 4 years. Relicensure after less than 3 years: 6 hours per year or partial year elapsed, with the same 2+1. Relicensure after 3 years or more: PSI broker retake, or 90 hours including 9 civil rights within 12 months, plus the 6-hours-per-year CE requirement.

Late renewal: The guide lists no separate late fee. Relicensure is $163.00; confirm in MiPLUS. After revocation, you must wait 3 years after service of the final order.

Branch offices are relicensed automatically with the individual broker unless you Remove them. A branch-office address cannot be changed. Individual broker and principal associate broker licenses cannot be transferred.

Applicant checklist

  • 3 years full-time related experience (as listed in the guide)
  • 90 hours including 9 civil rights, in addition to the salesperson 40 (degree equivalents if applicable)
  • PSI $79 broker exam: 115 items / 120 points / 210 min at 75% (raw 90), no pre-approval
  • MiPLUS $143; physical Michigan business address; give up the salesperson license
  • 3-year renewal $108 + 18 CE (2 legal + 1 fair housing each year)
09

How Michigan is different

Ohio and Indiana brokers have different hour and experience requirements. Michigan individual broker requires 90 hours, including 9 in civil rights, in addition to the salesperson 40; 3 years of full-time related experience (builder, investor, developer, attorney, appraiser, lender, and title officer all qualify); the PSI exam of 115 items/120 points/210 min at 75% (raw 90); a $143 application; and a physical Michigan business address. Embezzlement or misappropriation is a statutory bar for new brokers.

Michigan vs neighboring states

Michigan Real Estate Individual Broker License compared with nearby states
Jurisdiction License title Pre-license hours Exam vendor Exam questions Exam fee Published state fees Renewal cycle Min. age
Michigan (this guide) Broker 90 PSI 115 $79 $365 3 yr 18
Indiana Managing Broker 24 Pearson VUE 130 $55 $55 3 yr 18
Ohio Broker 120 PSI 115 $66 $201 3 yr 18
Wisconsin Broker See guide Pearson VUE 100 $65 $185 2 yr 18

Hours are the pre-license total printed in each guide; states that count credits or named courses show “See guide.” Published state fees add the application, exam, initial-license, and fingerprint amounts the guide can cite — tuition is not included.

10

Frequently asked questions

How much experience, and does it have to be as a salesperson?
Per the guide, 3 years full-time in real estate or a related field the department determines relevant. The list includes salesperson or broker, licensed builder, investor, developer, attorney, appraiser, depository or mortgage loan/trust officer, corporate real-estate officer, and title-company closing officer. It does not have to be salesperson experience.
Are the 90 hours on top of the 40?
Yes. MCL 339.2504(1)(b)(ii): the 90 hours are in addition to the hours required to obtain a salesperson's license. At least 9 of the 90 are civil rights / fair housing.
Can I schedule PSI before I apply?
Yes, for brokers. Per the guide and PSI bulletin, broker applicants are NOT required to obtain pre-approval. Use your SSN as the ID#. Salespersons must go through MiPLUS first.
Is the national exam still 80 items / 70%?
No. The broker table lists 115 items carrying 120 points in 210 minutes at 75% = raw 90. Some national items are worth two points. Do not sit the salesperson exam.
Do I fingerprint again?
No. The 1/26/2026 broker guide lists no fingerprint requirement. The additional screen is the MCL 339.2505(2) embezzlement/misappropriation question.
Can I keep the salesperson license?
No. A salesperson shall not be licensed as a broker or associate broker while holding a salesperson license. If you are not opening your own brokerage, the alternative is an associate broker license under a company.
What CE?
The same 18-hour, 3-year requirement as salespersons, including 2 legal + 1 fair housing hours in each year of the cycle. Renewal $108. Relicensure $163.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

  1. LARA Individual Broker Licensing Guide & FAQ (rev 1/26/2026; 90 hours including 9 civil rights; 3 years; $143; Michigan business address)
  2. LARA Associate Broker Licensing Guide (same 90 + 3 years; different affiliation under a company)
  3. MCL 339.2504 / 339.2505 (90 in addition to salesperson hours; embezzlement bar)
  4. PSI CIB updated 7/6/2026 (broker 115 items/120 points/210 min at 75% raw 90; $79; no pre-approval)

Verified 2026-09-02  ·  Next scheduled review 2026-12-01

Update history

  1. Rewrote the guide text for readability and added state comparison tables. No requirements, fees, or deadlines changed.
  2. Requirements, fees, and deadlines checked against the primary sources cited on this page.

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