Loading...
Loading...
How to get a real estate license in Massachusetts. 40 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $270. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
Governing Authority
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
18% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$270
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Massachusetts
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
| 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. |
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.
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
Unlimited retakes within 2-year education certification period. 24-hour wait between attempts. $54 per retake. Only failed section needs retaking; passed section remains valid until education certification expires.
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.
| 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 |
Ready to get started in Massachusetts?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Massachusetts with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
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
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.
6–52 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive course (~1 week) + 4–6 week application review + quick exam. Application processing (4–6 weeks) is the longest wait. Typical: 2–3 months.
2025-06-16
Licensing portal transitioned from ePlace to eLIPSE. All applications, renewals, and reinstatements now processed through eLIPSE. Paper applications no longer accepted.
2025-08-01
Residential Rental Broker Fee Law: broker fees must be paid by the party who hired the broker. Landlords cannot require tenants to pay landlord's broker fee.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Massachusetts.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#35 of 49
Salary
#3 of 49
Cost
#24 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$59,890
25th percentile
Median
$85,170
+51% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$101,310
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+2% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$85,170
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$85,170
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$112,180
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$87,280
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 6–52 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
Report incorrect data — help us keep LicenseMap accurate.
Massachusetts requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education. Compare approved online schools and start your real estate career.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.