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Real Estate Agent
Governing Authority
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
To get a Massachusetts real estate license in 2026, you must complete 40 hours of Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the PSI licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $419–$770 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$270
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
RE Board
Authority
⚠ Recent Changes in Massachusetts
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents and non-US residents may obtain a license. |
| Citizenship | Not required Must have a valid SSN or Tax Identification Number. |
| Background Check | Required CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check — name/DOB-based, NOT fingerprint-based. Also SORB (Sex Offender Registry Board) check. Notarized CORI form required. |
| Personal References | 3 required Three personal reference forms from non-relatives. |
| Tax Compliance | Required Must certify filing of all required state tax returns and payment of all due state taxes. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required after passing exam Must affiliate with a licensed MA broker to practice. Broker of Record submits Affiliation Notice. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Application Fee Paid to: Commonwealth of Massachusetts (via eLIPSE) | |
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
Initial License Fee Paid to: Commonwealth of Massachusetts (via eLIPSE) ⚠ Conflict: Mass.gov biennial renewal listing reports $103. $103 is the standard biennial fee. Initial fee can be up to $150 because first license period extends to 3rd birthday (up to 3 years). Some sources cite $103, others $150. | |
CORI Background Check Paid to: Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $270 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
Board-approved real estate schools (online, in-person, or hybrid)
Required Courses
Board does not publish granular hour-by-hour curriculum. Topics derived from approved school offerings and exam content outlines.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in Massachusetts.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
120
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI testing centers or via online remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Massachusetts) | 40 | 90 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Retake allowed within certificate validity period; $54 retake fee; only failed section needs retaking. 2-year window confirmed; 24-hour wait mentioned by third-party sources.
5–10 unscored pretest questions may appear. ~8–10 math questions on national section (~10%). 5 PSI test center cities in MA. Online remote proctoring available. Licenses printed same day at testing center.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
Enroll in a Board-approved school. At least 21 hours must be live instruction. Receive Certificate of Completion.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Upload Certificate of Completion, notarized CORI form, 3 personal reference forms, passport-style photo via the new eLIPSE portal (launched June 16, 2025 — paper applications no longer accepted). Pay $31 application fee.
Estimated time: 1 day
Board reviews application, conducts CORI and SORB background checks. Incomplete applications held for 180 days.
Estimated time: 4–6 weeks
Schedule via PSI website or call (800) 733-9267. Pay $54 exam fee. Pass both National (56/80 = 70%) and State (28/40 = 70%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
License printed same day at testing center. Pay license fee ($103–$150 prorated). Must pay within 30 days of passing or must retake exam.
Estimated time: Same day
Find a sponsoring broker. Broker of Record submits Affiliation Notice to the Board.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
On licensee's birthday during renewal year. Renewal window opens 90 days before expiration.
First Renewal Notes
No special first-renewal CE rules. Standard 12-hour CE requirement applies. First license is prorated — valid until 3rd birthday after issuance, then standard 2-year cycle begins.
MA attorneys in good standing with Board of Bar Overseers are exempt from CE requirement. Lapsed licenses require CE completion and reactivation form.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in Massachusetts: Continuing education details →
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Tiered Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Colorado (CO) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. Letter of Good Standing within 90 days. |
| Connecticut (CT) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Georgia (GA) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Iowa (IA) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Mississippi (MS) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Nebraska (NE) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| New Mexico (NM) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Rhode Island (RI) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Tennessee (TN) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| West Virginia (WV) | Full reciprocity — no exam required. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | Conditional: must have been licensed 2+ years, then full reciprocity (no exam). |
| New Hampshire (NH) | Conditional: may take only MA state exam; general exam and pre-licensing education waived. |
| Maine (ME) | Conditional: may take only MA state exam; brokers must have 3+ years licensure. |
Full reciprocity (11 states): no exam required — need Letter of Good Standing, CORI, photo, application fee. Conditional (3 states): exam waiver varies. All other 35 U.S. states: education waiver available (can skip 40-hour course and sit for full MA exam). Education waiver valid for 2 years.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Massachusetts with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in Massachusetts
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Official Sources
Real Estate Agent requirements in Massachusetts verified against Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
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