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Massachusetts Real Estate License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts


Quick Overview:

You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age and have a social security number

  1. Complete 40 Hours of Required Pre-Licensing Education
  2. Pass the Course Final Exam
  3. Gain Approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
  4. Get a Background Check
  5. Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam
  6. Find a Sponsoring Broker

BUY YOUR MASSACHUSETTS PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons
requires all potential agents to complete the following steps in order to become a licensed real estate agent. Follow the steps below to get started with your real estate career.

1. Complete 40 Hours of Required Pre-Licensing Education

Successfully complete the
required 96 clock-hour Pre-Licensing course. There are several different Kentucky real estate colleges, many offer online classes as well as learning in-person coursework. Some Massachusetts real estate schools have an option for a Free Trial that can help determine if Massachusetts real estate courses are right for you.

2. Pass the Course Final Exam

After you complete all the course materials and meet the minimum time requirement, there is a course final exam consisting of 100 questions. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass this exam.

3. Gain Approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons

Before you can take the real estate licensing exam, you must first obtain three candidate endorsements from individuals unrelated to you. These individuals do not have to be Massachusetts residents.

You will then mail your application to the PSI office to get pre-approved to take the licensing exam.

4. Get a Background Check

Massachusetts requires all real estate license candidates to pass a background check before taking the MA Real Estate Salesperson Exam. Read the “Determination of Good Moral Character Compliance for Initial Broker or Salesperson Licensure by Examination, Reciprocity, Waiver of Educational Requirement or as an Attorney Broker” section of the
Board Policies and Guidelines
for more information.

5. Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam

Next, you will take the Massachusetts Salesperson licensing exam, which is administered by PSI. The national portion of the exam consists of 80 questions to be answered within 150 minutes. The state portion consists of 40 questions to be answered within 90 minutes. To pass, you’ll need a score of at least 70%. There are
exam prep programs that can help test takers improve their scores and increase the likelihood of passing the exam on the first attempt.

6. Find a Sponsoring Broker

As you go through the process of earning your license, you’ll need to be sponsored by a Massachusetts real estate Broker. Choosing the right Broker is a key success factor for building your new career.


Quick Facts:

Common Questions About Getting Your Massachusetts Real Estate License

1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Massachusetts?

The cost of an agent license in MA can vary considerably depending on the price of your Massachusetts real estate classes and different types of fees for your licensing, etc. An individual can typically expect to pay $372-602 to get an active Massachusetts real estate license.

Average Course Tuition $269-$499
FBI Background Check $18
Application and Exam Fee $85
Licensing Fee $150
Total $522-$752

2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in Massachusetts?

The specific amount of time to complete your 40 hours of licensing can vary depending on how long each task takes you, and how long you take to complete Pre-Licensing courses. Different credit hours and requirements of each brokerage will affect each Salesperson differently.

Student Learning Pace Time Period
Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) 1 weeks
20 Hours a Week 2 weeks
10 Hours a Week 4 weeks
5 Hours a Week 8 weeks

3. If I get a real estate license in Massachusetts, where else can I work?

If you get a real estate license in Alabama, you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your Alabama license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide
for more information on reciprocity.

4. How much money can I make as a Massachusetts real estate agent?

According to Indeed, the average salary for a Massachusetts real estate agent is $111,980. This number is 7% higher than the national average.


Massachusetts Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

All licensed agents are required to maintain their knowledge in their particular field. For real estate agents,
this requirement is 12 hours of approved Continuing Education
courses, these must be completed every two years.