Getting your New Hampshire Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in New Hampshire. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your New Hampshire 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 NH 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 New Hampshire

Becoming a real estate agent in New Hampshire 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.

New Hampshire Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in New Hampshire are:

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Must have a high school diploma or the equivalent GED

How to Get Your Real Estate License in New Hampshire

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

New Hampshire requires that real estate sales agents complete 40 hours of pre-license coursework before sitting for their exam.

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.

New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire Real Estate License Exam

To register for the exam, you must complete and submit the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam Registration Form along with the examination fee and completed pre-licensing course affidavit, if applicable, to the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission.

The fee to take the exam is $155 per attempt.

The New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 56/80 on the National section and 28/40 on the State section.

All candidates must take the examination within six months from the start of a pre-licensing course.

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 New Hampshire Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Step 3. Background Check

All applicants for a new salesperson need to submit a criminal records check to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police.

To request an in-state criminal history records check, you must mail a completed Criminal History Record Information Authorization Release Form (DSSP 256**) along with a check or money order for $25 to the following address:

New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

Alternatively, you can bring the completed Criminal History Record Information Authorization Release Form (DSSP 256**) yourself, along with a check, cash, or credit card for $25, to the public counter at the address mentioned above.

Please note that notarization of the form is no longer required. Credit cards are only accepted at the public counter, not with mailed-in requests.

Step 4. Real Estate License Application

The last step to getting your real estate license in New Hampshire is to complete your license application.

You need to submit the completed application form along with the $90 application fee to the following address:

New Hampshire Real Estate Commission
7 Eagle Square
Concord NH 03301

Before you mail your application to the Commission’s Office, please make sure you attach the following documents:

• Proof of completion of required pre-licensing education
• Proof of passing score of the state exam
• Thorough explanation and supporting documents if you answered “yes” to Part IV of the Application Form (Questions 1-6)

Step 5. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will only need to wait for your background report to come back as a pass. In most cases, this process should take between 5-10 business days. After this, you should receive an email from NHREC with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact NHREC at (603) 271-2748 or Ann.M.Smethurst@oplc.nh.gov.

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 6. Real Estate License Sponsorship

Applicants applying for an active license are required to have Part V of the Application Form be completed and certified by your principal broker.

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

NHOPLC – New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification

Mailing Address: 

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

Phone: (603) 271-0240

Email: Ann.M.Smethurst@oplc.nh.gov

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