How to become a property manager in Missouri: Key requirements and duties

What is Missouri property management?

Missouri property management is the professional oversight of residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties across the state, covering daily operations and long-term planning. It typically includes managing maintenance needs, communicating with residents, facilitating board decisions, and helping properties and associations stay financially healthy and legally compliant. This can apply to individual rental properties, multifamily buildings, or community associations governed by a board of directors. Each requires a different level of service, documentation, and reporting. If you’re exploring how to become a property manager in Missouri, it helps to understand how those responsibilities can shift depending on the type of property you support.

This article is not intended to and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Board members should consult their association’s attorney to discuss the legal implications of their decisions or actions prior to proceeding.
 

What is a Missouri property manager?

A property manager handles the operational, financial, and administrative aspects of residential properties on behalf of boards or property owners. This can include everything from coordinating landscaping services to preparing annual budgets and conducting inspections.

Key property manager duties include:

• Handling routine and emergency maintenance requests
   
• Preparing financial reports
   
• Collecting assessments or dues and managing delinquent accounts
   
• Coordinating board meetings and annual elections
   
• Enforcing community rules and architectural guidelines
   
• Managing vendor contracts and supervising on-site personnel
   
• Communicating with residents through newsletters, websites, and customer care centers
   
• Serving as a key point of contact for resident questions and concerns

Property management companies act as the day-to-day stewards of a community, allowing board members to focus on strategic oversight rather than daily tasks.
 

How to become a property manager in Missouri

If you're wondering how to become a property manager in Missouri, it's helpful to understand the licensing steps and skills involved. While the day-to-day responsibilities can vary depending on the type of property you manage, the path to getting started tends to follow a consistent process.

1. Understand the licensing requirements

   In Missouri, most people who handle leasing, rent collection, or other transactional services for pay must hold a real estate license. This typically includes marketing properties, negotiating lease terms, and collecting rent.
   
   There are some exceptions. If you're only handling limited tasks like showing units or accepting applications, and you’re employed by the owner of the property, you may not need a license. Additionally, community association managers in Missouri often deal with governance, vendor coordination, and resident communication, rather than handling leasing or rent collection. Because of that, these roles may not require a broker’s license, but it’s always smart to confirm with the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) or seek legal guidance if you’re wondering how to become a property manager in Missouri.
    

2. Meet the basic eligibility requirements

   Before applying for a broker’s license in Missouri, there are a few minimum requirements to keep in mind:
    
   • Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
      
   • Background check: You’ll need to complete a background check, which includes submitting fingerprints for both state and federal review.
      
   • Experience: You must have recent experience as a licensed salesperson, with an active Missouri license held for at least 24 of the past 30 months.
   
   Many new managers begin their careers in assistant roles, portfolio support, or customer care positions before transitioning into licensed roles. These paths offer hands-on training in both operations and service delivery.
    

3. Complete the required education

   Before you can apply for a broker’s license, you’ll need to take a 48-hour pre-exam course through an accredited Missouri real estate school. This course dives deeper into the legal, financial, and operational topics that brokers are expected to understand, and helps prepare you for the state exam. This education is fundamental when learning how to become a property manager in Missouri.
    

4. Pass the Missouri broker examination

   Once your coursework is complete, the next step is passing the Missouri broker exam, which includes both national and state-specific sections. Submit your license application within six months of finishing your course, or you may need to retake the class before applying.
    

5. Maintain continuing education

   To keep your Missouri license active, you’ll need to complete approved continuing education courses on a regular basis. These courses help you stay current on regulatory updates, industry trends, and evolving best practices. Currently, Missouri requires 12 hours of MREC-approved continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including at least 3 hours of core credit, to keep your license active.
    

6. Consider professional certifications that can add value

   While not required, professional certifications can help strengthen your knowledge and credibility, especially if you’re looking to grow in the field or take on more complex properties.
    
   • Certified Property Manager (CPM): Offered by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), this designation requires qualifying experience, course completion, and a final exam.
      
   • Residential Management Professional (RMP): This certification from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) is tailored to residential property managers and emphasizes best practices and professional standards.



7. Develop essential skills

   Property management is as much about people as it is about property. Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills are essential — especially when working with residents, boards, vendors, and owners. A background in real estate, business, or finance can also be a strong foundation for success.

Why FirstService Residential is one of Missouri’s leading property management company

FirstService Residential has remained the trusted partner of associations across Missouri by delivering high-quality service backed by deep local expertise:

• Tailored management: Whether managing a traditional HOA or a high-rise building, FirstService Residential pairs each property with a local, knowledgeable team that understands its unique needs.
   
• Advanced technology: Our proprietary FirstService Residential Connect™ software and mobile app can help streamline operations, allowing real-time work order tracking, violation management, and resident communication.
   
• Comprehensive financial services: Through our affiliate FirstService Financial, communities gain access to industry-specific accounting support, banking programs with competitive rates, and CPA-supervised oversight.
   
• Round-the-clock support: Our 24/7 Customer Care team provides answers to residents’ questions and supports the management team in responding to emergencies efficiently.
   
• Cost savings: By leveraging the size of our portfolio, we can negotiate better pricing for services, which helps reduce costs without sacrificing quality.

If your board is looking for a trusted partner to simplify Missouri property management, FirstService Residential is here to help. Contact us to learn more.