How to Get a Broker License in New Hampshire

Obtaining a New Hampshire Real Estate Broker License is crucial if you’re looking to advance your real estate career. Despite the streamlined online application process, many aspiring real estate brokers find the requirements and procedures complex and challenging.

This How to Get a Broker License in New Hampshire article will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve this license and elevate your real estate career as quickly as possible.

New Hampshire Real Estate Broker License 

In order to get your New Hampshire real estate broker license and take your career to the next level, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete. These include:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Eligibility and Experience Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing the Background Check
4. Passing the New Hampshire Broker Licensing Exam
5. Submitting a License Application

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

Note: If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to check out our New Hampshire Real Estate License guide instead.

Step 1: Meet the New Hampshire Eligibility and Experience Requirements

Before proceeding with the application process for your New Hampshire real estate broker license, you’ll need to first make sure that you meet the general prerequisites outlined under NH RSA 331-A:

• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You must not have been disciplined for unprofessional conduct
• You must have a proven record of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity

In addition to the general eligibility requirements outlined above, you’ll also be expected to satisfy the following experience requirements under the Administrative Rules: Chapter Rea 100-700:

• You must have been employed full-time for at least one year by an active principal broker within the five years prior to your application, or
• You must have accumulated 2,000 part-time hours as a licensed salesperson in New Hampshire within the last five years

You’ll also need to provide documentation that clearly illustrates your involvement in at least six separate real estate transactions in which you were actively engaged and compensated.

If you’re unable to provide documentation for six real estate transactions, you may present other proof of your real estate experience. However, the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (the Commission) will determine whether or not this alternative evidence meets its standards.

Note: New Hampshire has reciprocity agreements for real estate licensing with Vermont, Massachusetts, and Georgia, meaning applicants from these states need only pass the state portion of the licensing exam.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

Beyond the general requirements mentioned earlier, you must also fulfill specific educational prerequisites under RSA 331-A:10, II(b) to be able to apply for a New Hampshire real estate broker license.

In particular, this will involve completing a total of 60 hours of real estate continuing education courses previously approved by the Commission.

These courses — which you can take through a combination of distance learning and classroom attendance — must be completed within 24 months before the date of your licensing examination.

Once you complete this coursework, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion that you must present at the exam site in order to take the state licensing exam.

Note: If you hold a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) certification or a juris doctor degree, these qualifications may serve in lieu of the standard pre-licensing course requirements.

Step 3: Pass the Background Check

In accordance with RSA 331-A:10-a, all applicants for a new broker license in New Hampshire must undergo a background check before they may take the licensing exam.

To do this, you’ll first need to submit a notarized Criminal History Record information Release Authorization Form to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police. This form authorizes the release of your criminal history to the Commission.

Once you submit this form, you can visit the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s online Criminal Records Portal. From here, you’ll need to click on the “Request Online NH Criminal Conviction Check” button, fill out the relevant details, and submit your request along with a $25 processing fee.

If you’ve ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense in any jurisdiction other than New Hampshire — and the conviction hasn’t been annulled — you’ll also need to submit a criminal record report from those jurisdictions to the Commission.

Note: Criminal record reports must be less than six months old when received by the Commission or you’ll need to obtain and submit a new report.

Step 4: Pass the Broker Licensing Exam

In New Hampshire, PSI administers this four-hour exam. It includes 115 scored questions divided across two sections: a national portion and a state-specific portion.

In order to schedule your real estate broker exam, you’ll need to make an online reservation using the PSI website. Note that you’ll need to create an account for this service if this is your first time using it, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete your reservation.

Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pay a $78 fee at the time of reservation because you can’t pay this fee at the exam center. Any future retakes come at a reduced fee of $75.

In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain a score of at least 56 out of 75 on the national portion and 28 out of 40 on the state-specific portion.

You’ll find out how you performed on this exam immediately after finishing and should receive your passing exam score sheet with a full breakdown a few days afterwards.

Note: Candidates must pass both sections of the exam within six months from their first attempt or within eight tries — whichever comes first. Failure to do so requires completion of an additional accredited pre-licensing course as stipulated by Rea 303.05.

Step 5: Submit a License Application

After passing both portions of your state licensing exam, completing your pre-licensing education and ensuring you satisfy all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move on to submitting your license application.

To do this, you must complete the Real Estate Broker Application Form, pay a $110 state licensing fee, and mail it to:

New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (NHREC)
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301

If you have any questions regarding the processing of your application, contact the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification at (603) 271-2152.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations!

The review process typically takes several business days. Once the Commission approves your application, it’ll mail you your official license.

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

New Hampshire Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your real estate broker license valid, you’ll need to renew it every two years. In New Hampshire, you can do this electronically through the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification website.

Keep in mind that this process incurs a $110 license renewal fee.

For each renewal period, you must complete 12 hours of elective continuing education (CE) courses in the following subjects:

• Purchase and Sales (P&S) Agreements
• Ethical Behavior
• Form Disclosure
• Agency Practices

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.

New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification

Mailing Address:
New Hampshire Real Estate Commission
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301-2412

Phone: (603) 271-2152

Email: OPLCLicensing2@oplc.nh.gov

Website: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/nh-real-estate-commission