How to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

In order to kickstart your real estate career in Massachusetts, it’s essential to obtain a Massachusetts Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.

For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.

Massachusetts Real Estate License

In order to get your Massachusetts real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Obtaining Authorization
4. Passing the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam
5. Issuing Your License

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Meet the Massachusetts Real Estate License Requirements

Before continuing ahead with your application for a Massachusetts real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time you submit your application
• Obtain three complete candidate endorsements from individuals who are not related to you; these individuals do not need to reside in Massachusetts, and cannot be acquaintances from your real estate course
• Certify that you have filed all required state tax returns and paid all due state taxes to the best of your knowledge and belief
• Be able to provide a valid Social Security number or Tax Identification number

It should be noted that under 254 CMR 2.00, the Massachusetts board may grant a real estate salesperson or broker’s license to individuals licensed in other states without needing to fulfill education and examination requirements.

However, this only applies to states with similar real estate laws that also offer reciprocity to Massachusetts licensees.

Note: Currently application by reciprocity is only offered to licensed real estate salespersons in Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and those licensed for two years in Oklahoma.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Massachusetts real estate license.

In particular, you’ll be expected to complete 40 hours of pre-licensure salesperson education on courses approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

The Board further mandates that of the total required time, at least 21 hours must be completed through live online instruction, with the remaining hours able to be completed online at your own pace and in any order.

After completing the required education, you will have up to two years to apply for and pass the real estate license exam.

Step 3: Obtain Authorization

After completing the pre-licensing education, you will need to obtain authorization from the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons to take the state licensing exam. To do this, you will have to submit a registration form to PSI in one of the following two ways:

• Email Submission: You will need to download and complete the Application for Examination form, which can be found at the end of the Candidate Information Bulletin, before submitting it by email
• Standard Mail Submission: Alternatively, you can fill out the Application for Examination paper form and send it by mail to the address listed below.

For mail deliveries, you’ll be required to make submissions to the following address:

18000 W 105th St
Olathe KS 66061

Keep in mind that you will also need to include an $85 fee, which covers the authorization and your first exam attempt. Any subsequent attempts you may need after your first will instead cost $54.

The processing and review of your application will take between four to six weeks, after which you will receive an email from PSI granting you permission to take the examination.

Note: Applications requiring further scrutiny will be held by the Board; approval to take the exam will be issued only after all concerns are thoroughly addressed.

Step 4: Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam

Once you receive authorization from the board, the next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Massachusetts Real Estate exam, which consists of two sections:

• General Portion: This section consists of 80 questions that lasts 150 minutes. It focuses on fundamental real estate principles, including property management, real estate finance, and national laws affecting the industry
• State-Specific Portion: This section consists of 40 questions and lasts 90 minutes. It focuses on the legal aspects of real estate practice specific to Massachusetts, covering state laws, regulations, and essential practices

In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation. Alternatively, you can schedule your exam by calling PSI directly at (855) 340-3704.

Keep in mind that you will need to achieve a minimum score of 70% on both sections in order to pass.

If you pass one portion of the exam and fail the other, you will only need to retake the section you did not pass. The retake fee is $54, regardless of whether you are retaking one or both sections of the exam.

Note: You will find out whether you passed or failed this exam immediately after completing it. If successful, you’ll be able to proceed with the process of having your license issued at the test center.

Step 5: Issue Your License

Upon successful completion of the Massachusetts Real Estate exam, candidates who meet all licensing requirements can immediately receive their license at the test center.

To do this, you will need to pay a licensing fee ranging from $103 to $150; the specific amount depends on the proration schedule set under M.G.L. c. 112, § 87ZZ, which varies according to the month you obtained your license.

Along with paying the fee, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A valid government-issued ID
• Proof of completed pre-licensing education
• The application form provided by the test center

If all your documentation and fees are in order, you will receive your license at the test center that day.

Should there be any reason your license can’t be issued on-site, you’ll need to send the original passing score report and the required documents to PSI. Once they receive these items, you can expect your license to be issued within two to three weeks.

Note: For further assistance or to request a duplicate License Application Instruction Form post-examination, candidates can contact PSI directly via email or by phone.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! Upon satisfying all licensing requirements and submitting your application, the test center will issue you a photo identification card and a wall certificate; these serve as your official licensing documents and enable you to practice fully as a licensed real estate professional.

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Note: If you have been issued a Massachusetts license in the past, you must renew or reinstate that license rather than obtaining a new one. Any attempt to acquire a new license instead of renewing or reinstating an existing one will result in the new license being invalid and voided by the Board.

Massachusetts Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every two years.

To do this, you will need to visit the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) ePLACE portal, and complete the following steps:

1. Log In or Create an Account: You will have to visit the portal and set up an account if you don’t have one already.
2. Link Your License: Once logged in, you will need to link your existing license to your account by selecting “Link your license, permit, or certificate” from the options available.
3. Enter Your Details: You will need to provide your Record ID and authorization code, which you can find on the ePLACE Authorization Code Retrieval page.
4. Complete the Renewal: You will have to follow the on-screen prompts to update any necessary information and submit your renewal application.

It should be noted that you will need to pay a renewal fee of $103 in order to complete the license renewal process.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

Note: In Massachusetts, salespersons will have to complete 12 hours of continuing education classes from a qualified real estate business each renewal period before their real estate licenses can be renewed.

Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure

Mailing Address:

Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118

Phone: (617) 701-8661

Fax: (617) 727-0139

Email: realestateboard@mass.gov

Website: https://www.mass.gov/real-estate-brokers-and-salespersons-licensing