How to Start a Career in Real Estate

A career in real estate offers both personal fulfillment and professional growth--from helping clients achieve their property goals to building your own thriving business. While there’s a lot to learn early on, your REALTOR® association memberships provide invaluable support, tools, and guidance.

This page will walk you through the key steps to get started in Missouri, including how to become licensed, join a brokerage, and become a REALTOR®. You’ll also find helpful tips and an overview of member benefits.

For details on real estate licensing requirements in Missouri, contact the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) at 573-751-2628. You must obtain your Missouri real estate license before you can join a REALTOR® association. 

Step 1: Decide if Real Estate is the Right Career Choice for You

Before diving in, it’s important to understand what being a real estate agent truly involves. While it’s a rewarding and exciting career, it’s often misunderstood.

Yes, you’ll show homes, create marketing materials, and attend networking events; but those are just a small part of the job. Successful agents spend most of their time prospecting for clients, negotiating deals, managing inspections and repairs, resolving title and financing issues, and guiding clients through complex decisions.

Every transaction is unique. Properties vary, and clients come with different life circumstances--new jobs, marriages, divorces, or losses. Your role is to cut through the noise of online advice and well-meaning opinions to help clients make smart financial decisions tailored to their situation.

Beyond client service, you’ll also run your own business. Most agents are independent contractors, responsible for marketing, accounting, legal matters, administration, and taxes. Brokerages offer varying levels of support, but your success ultimately depends on your own efforts.

If you’re considering this path, talk to a current agent. Ask about his/her daily routine, what it’s like to start full-time or part-time, and how to financially prepare for a commission-based career. You’ll need startup funds, a budget, and a plan for managing income fluctuations.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Member Profile, REALTORS® with 2 years or less of experience had a median gross income of $8,100, compared to those with 16 years or more of experience earning a median gross income of $92,500.

If after doing your research and speaking with other real estate agents, you find that the opportunities and challenges that come with this career in real estate are right for you, and you have confirmed you are eligible per the requirements of the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC), jump to Step 2 to learn how to obtain your Missouri real estate license. 

Step 2: Obtain a Missouri Real Estate Salesperson License

To become a licensed real estate salesperson (agent) in Missouri, you must first complete two mandatory pre-licensing courses:  48-Hour Missouri Salesperson Pre-Examination Course and 24-Hour Missouri Real Estate Practice Course.  St. Charles REALTORS® offers these courses online, allowing you to take them when and where it works best for you.

While not required, you may find it helpful to complete a prep course before taking the exam. 

These provide practice questions to identify areas where your knowledge is strong, or areas you may want to study a bit more. 

Next, visit the “Applying for Exam” page on the MREC’s website to schedule your exam.  

After passing the exam, you can then apply for your real estate salesperson license through MREC. More information can be found on MREC’s website, including the requirement to submit fingerprints and pass a background check. 

If you currently hold a valid real estate license in another state, you only need to take the 24-Hour Missouri Real Estate Practice Course and pass the state portion of the real estate license exam. 

Step 3: Join a Real Estate Brokerage

After obtaining your Missouri real estate salesperson license, your next step is to join a brokerage. Your broker must then activate your license with the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) before you can legally begin practicing.

It’s important to understand the distinction between agents and brokers. A real estate salesperson (agent) is licensed to work under a supervising broker and cannot operate independently. A broker, on the other hand, may run their own firm and supervise agents. If you’re joining a team, confirm whether the team leader is also the supervising broker or identify who holds that responsibility.

When choosing a brokerage, consider more than just compensation. Evaluate the support, resources, and culture to ensure alignment with your goals. Key areas to explore include:

  • Legal and transactional support
  • Technology, marketing, training, and lead generation
  • Brokerage philosophy and agent support
  • Ownership of client data and leads
  • Commission splits, fees, and sales expectations

While compensation is important, a supportive environment and shared values are critical to long-term success. Some agents thrive with hands-on guidance, while others prefer independence.

If you haven’t selected a brokerage yet, start by reaching out to agents you know or contacting offices directly. As your career evolves, you may consider switching brokerages or even opening your own. However, avoid frequent changes early on--success often depends more on consistent effort and skill development than on better splits or more leads.

Thinking about becoming a broker in the future? Interview current brokers to understand the responsibilities and review licensing requirements to help shape your long-term career plan.

Additional resources: 

Step 4: Become a REALTOR®

While the terms “agent,” “broker,” and “REALTOR®” are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. A real estate agent--also called a salesperson or licensee--is someone licensed to help clients buy or sell property. A REALTOR® is a licensed agent or broker who is also a member of a REALTOR® association and adheres to a national Code of Ethics.

REALTOR® associations operate through a unique three-way structure--local, state, and national--each offering valuable resources. Membership begins at the local level (like St. Charles REALTORS®), typically determined by your broker’s affiliation. In Missouri, there are 31 local boards/associations, each offering tools and services that may complement or enhance what your brokerage provides.

Beyond tools and training, REALTOR® associations offer services that individual agents or brokers cannot provide alone, such as:

  • Legislative advocacy
  • Industry best practices and data standards
  • Dispute resolution and arbitration
  • Access to contracts, legal and tech helplines
  • Use of the REALTOR® brand in marketing

You can explore the full range of benefits offered by St. Charles REALTORS® .

Step 5: Your First Year in Real Estate

The steps outlined above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of resources for business planning, prospecting, marketing, and more, but it’s important to understand the full scope of the tasks required to get your real estate business up and running. Check out this “90 Days to Real Estate Success: A Week-by-Week Guide,” from the National Association of REALTORS®. Also, consider obtaining your Graduate REALTOR® Institute  Designation (GRI) from Missouri REALTORS® to increase your skills and knowledge across the entire landscape of real estate. GRI courses provide in-depth training in legal and regulatory issues, technology, professional standards, and the sales process. 

Congratulations on your decision to become a real estate agent and REALTOR®! It’s an exciting, rewarding profession, and we hope the information shared here gives you a better sense of the steps required to get started. Looking beyond the first year, and especially each year when your membership renews, review the programs and services available. 

Have questions? Contact Amber MacFarlane, Member Services Manager, at 636-946-4022 or amber@stcharlesrealtors.com. With so many resources available, we’re here to help you get the most out of your membership!