Getting your Massachusetts Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Massachusetts. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Massachusetts real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines the process to get your MA Real Estate License in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts

Becoming a real estate agent in Massachusetts is as simple as getting your license, finding a broker sponsor, and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Massachusetts Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts are:

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a Social Security Number

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Massachusetts

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

You must successfully complete 40 hours of approved real estate pre-license education at a school licensed by the Massachusetts Real Estate Board.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs.

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

Massachusetts does not require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course.

Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

Step 2. Real Estate License Application

Once your required pre-licensing education is completed, the school will provide you with a “Candidate Handbook,” which will contain verification of your completed education and information to make an appointment to take the salesperson examination with the Massachusetts Real Estate Board’s test administrator.

Before you can take the real estate licensing exam, you must complete the application checklist, which can be found at the end of the Candidate Handbook.

Complete and email the application forms to MA.ApplicationProcessor@psionline.com or mail them to:

PSI Examination Services
ATTN: Examination Registration MA RE
3210 E Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89121

Application Fee includes: $54 Exam Fee and $31 Exam Application Processing.

All candidates who have met the licensing requirements established by the Massachusetts Real Estate Board will receive their license immediately following successful completion of the exam. Licenses will include the candidate’s photograph and candidates will receive a license card and a wall certificate.

Salesperson licensing fees are between $103 and $150 plus a $12 PSI licensing fee.

Any “yes” answer to the discipline questions on the application – which is found at the end of the Candidate Information Bulletin – may affect the candidate’s ability to become licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

At this time, the Massachusetts Real Estate Board does not license applicants who are currently on probation or parole. To view the Board’s Good Moral Character Policy, go to the Determination of Good Moral Character for Initial Broker or Salesperson Licensure by Examination, Reciprocity, Waiver of Educational Requirement or as an Attorney Broker.

The denial must outline the applicant’s right to request a limited hearing on the Board’s rationale for the denial. This must include requiring the applicant to file, in writing, a request for a hearing within fourteen days of the date of the denial letter – or any amendment thereof. The applicant must also be notified that this request must specifically refute the facts upon which the Board has based its decision.

If the applicant does this, then they are entitled to a hearing; if they do not, they should be provided with a notice that their request is denied and notify them of their appellate rights.

Step 3. Massachusetts Real Estate License Exam

Next, you will take the Massachusetts salesperson licensing exam, which is administered by PSI. You must apply for and pass the licensure exam within two years of completing the required salesperson education.

The fee to take the exam is $54 per attempt.

The Massachusetts Real Estate Exam consists of 120 questions. This includes 80 for the National section and 40 for the State section.

You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 150 minutes (2.5 hours), and the State section time is 90 minutes (1.5 hours)A passing score for the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 56/80 on the National section and 28/40 on the State section.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

You can register to take your exam on the PSI Massachusetts Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Step 4. Application Review

Real estate candidates who meet all of the licensing requirements and who pay the licensing fee will receive a license at the test center immediately following successful completion of the licensing exam.All candidates must be prepared to be licensed at the test center at that time.

If you have any questions at this point, The Massachusetts Real Estate Board has partnered with PSI to process applications, notify candidates, and conduct examinations. You may contact them at (855) 340-3704 or by email at ma.applicationprocessor@psionline.com.

Congratulations! 

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

Step 5. Real Estate License Sponsorship

When you receive your initial Real Estate License in Massachusetts, your license will be in an “inactive” status. This means that you cannot transact real estate yet.

In order to “activate” your license, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed real estate broker in Massachusetts.

If you already have a broker in mind or have an agreement with a real estate company, your employing broker can fill up the Employing Broker Certification Form that can be found on the Candidate Handbook.

If you don’t have a broker to work with yet, check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate broker opening in your area.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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