Massachusetts Frequently Ask Questions Real Estate License

Massachusetts salesperson license applicants must take an approved 40-hour pre-license course from a board-approved real estate school. It will cover topics such as brokerage and law of agency, contracts, valuation, federal and Massachusetts laws, licensing requirements, and disciplinary procedures.

You are required to take a 40-hour pre-license course to obtain a Massachusetts salesperson license. A board-approved real estate school must administer the course, but you can take it as a classroom or online course.

Applicants can choose between taking the course as a classroom or online learning course. Many opt to take the pre-license course online because of its flexibility and affordability.

Yes, you can take the course online as long as you choose a board-approved real estate school. Online learning is the most flexible and affordable way to earn your real estate license.

Check with your course provider if they have any high school completion requirements before taking the course.

Massachusetts-licensed attorneys with a current law license in good standing can apply for an attorney-broker license. Otherwise, your law degree credits don’t apply for the pre-license course.

Unfortunately, your college credits do not count towards the Massachusetts pre-license education course. You must take the course from an approved provider and receive the pre-license education completion form.

Yes, you will need to take and pass a pre-license course final exam to successfully complete the course. After you pass the final, you will be issued a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form.

To earn your Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form, you must take a 40-hour pre-license education course from a board-approved real estate school. You’ll need to pass the course's final exam.

The exact number of questions on your pre-license course exams will vary based on the current section of the course you are taking. Your course administrator will let you know how many questions are on the checkpoint quizzes and the comprehensive final.

Once you pass the course final exam, RealEstateU students simply log in to their account to find and download their Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate.

Refer to this list of board-approved real estate schools to find course providers. Remember, you can take the course as an online course or classroom course.

Your course provider will issue you a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form. You must include this form with your license application package submission.

No, it’s your responsibility to keep a record of your Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form and submit it with your license application.

Your Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate is valid for two years from the date on the certificate.

The requirements to apply for a Massachusetts salesperson license are as follows:
● Be at least 18 years of age
● Have a Social Security number or tax ID number
● Pass the 40-hour pre-license education course
● Obtain three character endorsements

You will need to visit PSI examination services online and download the Massachusetts Candidate Information Book. Inside the book you will find the application checklist and the application documents. Print, complete, and mail the application to PSI.

No, the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Licensing does not have an online application process at this time. You will need to download, print, and complete the documents. Once you've done so, you will mail them to PSI Examination Services.

Your Massachusetts salesperson license exam application fee is $85. You must submit this to PSI.

In order for your application to be considered complete, you must include the following documentation:
● A current picture
● Pre-license education certificate form
● Three character endorsements
● CORI acknowledgement form

It is best to file your license application as soon as you have your three character endorsements. Your pre-license education completion certificate is good for two years, but you'll want to take the test while most of the information is still fresh in your mind.

If you have an inactive license, you cannot legally engage in any real estate brokerage activities. An active license means you can work as a real estate agent, perform real estate brokerage activities, and be compensated for work as a real estate professional.

You receive an active Massachusetts Real Estate salesperson license by meeting all of the licensing requirements. This includes completing the pre-license education, submitting a license application, passing the state's background check review, and passing the state licensing exam.

To reactivate your Massachusetts license, you must complete a license reactivation form that is found on the board of Licensing website under applications and forms. Complete the form and email it to the board. It takes 2 to 3 business days to process this request, and 4 to 6 weeks to receive your wallet license.

Check your license status at any time by visiting the license database. Any updates will happen within 24 to 48 hours of issuance.

You receive a printed wall license at the PSI Testing Center when you pass the state exam. Otherwise, you will need to contact the MA Board of Licensing to receive a copy of your salesperson license.

It depends on the conviction. Major convictions such as murder, assault, and sexual crimes can disqualify you. The Board of Licensing will review other crimes. No license shall be issued unless evidence of good moral character is found as required by this section.

If you have been convicted any major crimes within the last ten years, such as murder, rape, aggravated sexual assault, assault with intent to rape, armed assault, burglary, kidnapping, arson, indecent assault or battery, unnatural acts, inducing sex with a minor. Level 3 sex offenders are disqualified.

Your prior criminal history is disclosed in the Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) acknowledgment form that is part of the license application.

Disclose your prior criminal activity to the Board of Licensing during the license application process. You are required to fill out a Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) acknowledgment form with information about your criminal history.

Massachusetts does not have a fingerprinting requirement along its path to earning a salesperson's license. You will need to approve a background check as part of the license application.

You must complete the following steps to earn your MA Salesperson’s license:
1) Complete the 40-Hour MA Pre-license Salesperson Course
2) Submit (3) Character References
3) Submit license application
4) Take and pass the state licensing exam
5) Pay for and receive your salesperson license

In total, it will cost as low as $484-531 to earn your Massachusetts real estate salesperson license. The licensing costs are spread out over the entire process and not paid all upfront.

Earn your MA broker license in approximately two months.
1) Complete the 40-hour pre-license course online: 1-3 weeks.
2) Obtain character references: 1-3 weeks
3) Apply for your license: 2-4 weeks
4) Schedule and pass the MA state exam: 1-3 weeks.

During the licensing process, you take two major tests: the final exam for the pre-license course and the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam.

No. The Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesperson requires you to mail in all applicable documents to the state’s testing vendor, PSI.

You must be at least 18 years of age to earn a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license.

A high school diploma is not a requirement for earning a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license.

There are no state residency requirements to earn a Massachusetts real estate license. You do need a social security number or tax identification number.

You can find state regulations and rules regarding real estate practice in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 112.

The Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Licensing will mail you a license renewal form to your address. If you do not receive a license renewal form, contact the board at 617-727-2373. Once you have that form, you can go online to the ePLACE portal to manage your license and complete your renewal.

The salesperson license renewal fee is $103. Renewal happens every two years around your birthday.

Your Massachusetts Real Estate salesperson license is valid for two years. Each person's expiration date is individualized, so you'll want to pay attention to the issuance and expiration date on your license.

First-time license renewals must meet the same continuing education requirements for all active license holders, which is to complete the 12 hours of continuing education prior to renewing your license. A list of classes is published here.

You do not need to take continuing education to have an inactive license, but you will need to take the 12 hours of education if you choose to reactivate your license.

To maintain an active real estate license in Massachusetts, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education before your renewal date.

The Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Licensing will mail you a license renewal form to your address. Once you have that form, you can go online to the ePLACE portal to manage your license and complete your renewal.

Your license will go on an inactive status. You must update your continuing education and fill out the Request For Reinstatement Application if you wish to reinstate. You need to pay the renewal fee plus a $57 late fee.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you can ask for it to be reinstated by completing the Request For Reinstatement Application under the “applications and forms” link on the Board of Licensing website.

A real estate license enables you to complete brokerage activities within the state of Massachusetts and be compensated for your work. This includes the purchase, sale, lease, or property management of commercial and residential real estate.

You will need to have a real estate license in Massachusetts anytime you wish to engage in real estate related brokerage activities while representing others and be compensated for your work.

You need to record your affiliation with the Board of Licensing. The broker of record will complete a form called the affiliation notice located under the applications and forms link on the board's website. It can either be mailed or faxed to the Real Estate Board.

Yes, Massachusetts does offer reciprocity with other states that have similar laws regarding the practice of Real Estate. They do not provide a specific list of states.

Applications through reciprocity have to be submitted online through the Division Of Professional Licensure ePLACE portal. Upload supporting documents, such as the certified letter of good standing by your current active state. Certificates of licensure must have been issued 90 days before the application submission.

Applications through reciprocity have to be submitted online through the Division Of Professional Licensure ePLACE portal. Upload supporting documents, such as the certified letter of good standing by your current active state. Certificates of licensure must have been issued 90 days before the application submission.

You must follow all the same steps as a Massachusetts state resident. One detail of note is that you must take the state licensing exam inside of Massachusetts. This is because they issue your license at the testing center.

Yes, Real Estate U is a recently approved pre-license course provider. We offer the 40-hour pre-license course for $199.

No. You have to submit your license application for approval before you can schedule the exam. This package requires your Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate.

Your Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate is valid for two years from the certificate date. Once you are approved to take the exam, it’s recommended you schedule as soon as possible.

After your license application is approved, online scheduling is the easiest and fastest way to set your exam appointment. Go online to www.psiexams.com and create an account. Follow all the instructions to find a test center near you and schedule the exam.

The MA real estate salesperson license exam fee is $85. Approved Veterans, Active Duty, and their spouses can waive the application processing fee, making their exam fee $54. See if you qualify in the Candidate Handbook.

You will directly pay PSI, the state’s exam provider, using a credit card. PSI accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover cards. You can also mail a check, money order, or cashier’s check. All exam fees must be received in advance of the exam.

Online scheduling is the fastest way to register and schedule your exam. You can have an exam appointment in less than an hour by visiting www.psiexams.com.

Test centers are available in Auburn, Boston, Fall River, Lawrence, and West Springfield. You must take the Massachusetts licensing exam inside Massachusetts.

You can apply for your license and receive a waiver for the state exam and the education component. Applications through reciprocity have to be submitted online through the Division Of Professional Licensure ePLACE portal.

You need to make any changes to your state exam date two days before your scheduled appointment, or you will forfeit the exam fee. Call 800-733-9267 to modify your exam appointment.

The Massachusetts Salesperson Pre-licensure Exam consists of two sections. The National section asks 80 multiple-choice questions, and the State section asks 40 multiple-choice questions. There may be 5-10 experimental questions. You need to score a minimum of 70% to pass.

You will be tested on national and state real estate-related content. Topics include property ownership, land use controls, financing, market analysis, property disclosures, and contracts. State-specific questions ask about the MA board, licensing, contracts, consumer protection laws, and MA-specific regulations.

Personal calculators are not permitted in the exam room. PSI will provide you with an online calculator, and you’ll have scratch paper.

You will need to bring (2) forms of identification. One must have a photo and signature, like a government-issued driver’s license or passport. The secondary form can be another primary ID or something with your signature, like a credit or debit card.

PSI can accommodate testing modifications in accordance with the ADA. Anyone requesting accommodations must fill out the accommodations request form from the Candidate Handbook and submit documentation from a medical authority or specialist about their limitations.

All personal items must be left in your vehicle or secured in the storage at the test center. No food, drink, or gum or allowed in the exam room. The test proctor will ask you to turn out your pockets and lift your sleeves to ensure they are empty. You can only leave the room to use the restroom and must ask permission

Yes, you can take the Massachusetts state licensing exam without being hired by a Massachusetts licensed broker.

No, because you receive your real estate license at the test center when you pass the exam. You leave the test center a licensed real estate salesperson.

You must be prepared to pay your licensing fee the same day you take your exam. Report to the testing proctor. Your licensing fee will be prorated based on Massachusetts General Law chapter 112, sections 87XX and 87ZZ. Your photograph will be taken and you will be issued a license card and wall certificate.

The Massachusetts Board Of Real Estate Licensing will know your exam results because you will be issued a license. PSI will record your new license in the system.

You must pass all sections of the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam within two years of the completion date on your educational certificate form. Otherwise, you have an unlimited number of retakes. The retake fee is $54.

You will know how you performed on the Massachusetts state real estate exam as soon as you are finished. If you have passed the exam, you will be issued your real estate salesperson license on the spot. If you did not pass, you will receive a score report with some diagnostic information.

Yes, you can retake the Massachusetts Real Estate salesperson exam. You have an unlimited number of retakes as long as you take them before your educational certificate form expires.

You need to wait 24 hours before trying to reschedule your real estate salesperson exam. After that, you can log into your PSI account to schedule the retake. The retake fee is $54.

The Massachusetts salesperson exam retake fee is $54. The fee is the same regardless of taking one section or both sections. You can reschedule your retake by going online to your PSI account.

No, you can just retake the section of the exam that you failed. Make sure you schedule your retake before your educational certificate form expires. The retake fee will be $54.