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Montana: what an unlicensed TC can do

What an unlicensed transaction coordinator may do in Montana, what needs a license, and what you may put into a contract form.

Last reviewed October 2026 from Montana Board of Realty Regulation. Montana contract deadlines →

Yes, you can work as a TC in Montana without a real estate license.Stick to administrative work under a licensed agent and their broker, and leave anything that needs a license to them. Here's where the line is.

What you can do without a license

The Board tells licensees: "you are responsible for the actions of your employees who aid or assist you in the course of performing your licensed activities." It adds that helping someone practice without a license is unprofessional conduct for the licensee.

You can do (no license needed)

  • Complete contract forms with business and factual information, with the approval of a licensee.
  • Coordinate or confirm appointments with licensees, owners, prospects, inspectors and others.
  • Schedule showings, closings or inspections for listed properties.
  • Assemble documents for a closing.
  • Act as a courier to deliver or pick up documents and keys.
  • Get copies of public records.
  • Compile listing packages, and submit listings and changes to the MLS if a licensee compiled the data.
  • Answer questions by quoting directly from published information.
  • Prepare and design ads for a licensee's approval, and place ads.
  • Open a property for appraisers, contractors or home inspectors.
  • Record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and other trust money.
  • Order routine and minor repairs to a listed property at a licensee's direction.

Needs a license

  • Explain or interpret a contract, listing, lease agreement or other document with anyone outside the company.
  • Negotiate any contract, listing agreement, rental agreement or commission.
  • Attend settlements or closings unless a licensee is present.
  • Show property, or be in a property with a potential buyer or tenant unless a licensee is with you.
  • Host open houses.
  • Contact prospective sellers, buyers, landlords or tenants to solicit a listing, buyer broker, property management or lease agreement.
  • Disclose confidential information.
  • Negotiate or attempt to negotiate a listing, sale, purchase, rental, exchange or lease for another or for valuable consideration (MCA 37-51-102(4)).
Facts and business terms only, with approvalThe Board lets an unlicensed assistant "Complete contract forms with business and factual information with the approval of a licensee." You may not "Explain or interpret a contract, listing, lease agreement, or other document with anyone outside the company" or "Negotiate any contracts." Fill in what your agent gives you, get their approval, and send questions about terms to them.

A practical example

You can:
You enter the names, legal description, price and dates your agent gave you, and your agent approves the form before it goes out.
Refer to the agent:
The seller asks you whether they should accept a shorter inspection period. Send it to your agent.

Staying on the right side of the rules

The list is not complete

The Board says its list "is not exhaustive" and "unlicensed persons cannot complete any task for which a license is required." Under Montana law, "any single act described within the definitions of 'broker' or 'salesperson' is sufficient" to be in the business (MCA 37-51-301(4)(b)).

No commissions to unlicensed people

Unless exempted, "paying a commission in connection with a real estate sale or transaction to a person who is not licensed" is unprofessional conduct for a licensee (MCA 37-51-321(1)(p)).

How Closima handles it

You can fill out contract forms in Closima. Before you send one for signature, Send to agent for approval gives your agent a link to check the filled form and approve it or ask for changes, and the file records who approved it and when. If your agent signs off another way, you can still send it, and the file notes that.

Thinking about a license?

You don't need one to work as a TC in Montana. A license lets you also do the work in the "Needs a license" column, under a broker. Here's what's involved:

To get a Montana real estate salesperson license you must be at least 18, have completed two years of high school or the equivalent, and finish 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education within the past 24 months. You pass the Montana salesperson exam (state and national portions, through Pearson VUE) within the past 12 months, must be employed by or under contract with a broker who has a supervising broker endorsement, and need errors and omissions insurance. Salespersons take 12 hours of continuing education each year. How to apply.

Quick answers

Do you need a license to be a transaction coordinator in Montana?

No. You can work as a TC in Montana without a real estate license. Stick to administrative work under a licensed agent and their broker, and leave anything that needs a license to them.

Can an unlicensed TC fill out a purchase agreement in Montana?

Yes, with approval. Montana lets an unlicensed assistant "Complete contract forms with business and factual information with the approval of a licensee," but not explain or negotiate them.

What can an unlicensed TC do in Montana?

Complete contract forms with business and factual information, with the approval of a licensee; coordinate or confirm appointments with licensees, owners, prospects, inspectors and others; schedule showings, closings or inspections for listed properties; assemble documents for a closing; act as a courier to deliver or pick up documents and keys.

What needs a real estate license in Montana?

Explain or interpret a contract, listing, lease agreement or other document with anyone outside the company; negotiate any contract, listing agreement, rental agreement or commission; attend settlements or closings unless a licensee is present; show property, or be in a property with a potential buyer or tenant unless a licensee is with you; host open houses.

How do you get a real estate license in Montana?

To get a Montana real estate salesperson license you must be at least 18, have completed two years of high school or the equivalent, and finish 70 hours of approved pre-licensing education within the past 24 months. You pass the Montana salesperson exam (state and national portions, through Pearson VUE) within the past 12 months, must be employed by or under contract with a broker who has a supervising broker endorsement, and need errors and omissions insurance. Salespersons take 12 hours of continuing education each year.

Resources

Questions about what's allowed? Ask the regulator: Montana Board of Realty Regulation, (406) 444-6880, [email protected].

Source: Montana Board of Realty Regulation, "Unlicensed Assistants Guidelines" (No date printed (PDF created January 29, 2018; still linked on the Board's Service/Links page)).

Buying or selling a home yourself? These pages are for people who work in real estate. Work with a licensed agent or a real estate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change, and your broker's policies may be stricter: confirm your duties with your supervising broker and your state's real estate regulator.

See also: Montana contract deadlines · TC duties, licensed and unlicensed · How to become a transaction coordinator

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