How to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has one of the most active real estate markets in New England–and it’s not just Boston driving demand. From Worcester and Lowell to the South Shore, Cape Cod, and Western Mass, buyers and sellers rely on licensed real estate professionals who understand local markets, regulations, and timing. If you’ve been thinking about turning your interest in real estate into a career, getting licensed in Massachusetts is the first real step.

The good news? Getting licensed in Massachusetts is very doable when you know what to expect. The process follows a clear path set by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (the Board), and once you understand the steps, it’s much easier to move forward. 

Here’s a brief overview of the steps to become a licensed real estate salesperson in Massachusetts:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 40 hours of prelicensing education
• Complete and submit your real estate license application
• Receive authorization to test
• Pass the Massachusetts real estate exam
• Affiliate with a sponsoring broker

Table of Contents:

• Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Real Estate Continuing Education and License Renewal
• Massachusetts Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons
• How Massachusetts Licensees Can Use Reciprocity in Neighboring States

Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

Massachusetts licensing follows a defined sequence, and each step unlocks the next. Here’s how the process works from start to finish:

Step 1: Meet Massachusetts’ Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before enrolling in a course or submitting an application, you’ll need to make sure you meet the state’s basic eligibility requirements. To qualify, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Be current on Massachusetts tax obligations
• Complete any required background checks

Step 2: Complete 40 Hours of Approved Prelicensing Education

To qualify for a Massachusetts real estate license, you must complete 40 hours of state-approved prelicensing education. This coursework introduces the legal, financial, and practical concepts you’ll be tested on–and expected to use once you're licensed.

Your prelicensing course must be approved by the Board and typically covers:

• Real estate agency relationships
• Contracts and property ownership
• Massachusetts real estate law and regulations
• Fair housing and consumer protection laws
• Real Estate finance and valuation basics

Once you finish the 40 hours, your education provider will issue proof of completion, which you’ll need to submit with your license application before you can move on to the exam.

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Step 3: Submit Your Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson License Application

After completing your prelicensing education, the next step is to submit your Massachusetts real estate salesperson license application. Unlike many states, Massachusetts requires the application to be approved before you’re allowed to take the licensing exam. 

Your application is submitted to the Board and typically requires:

• Proof of complete 40-hour prelicensing education
• A completed application form from your education provider
• Personal and eligibility information required by the state

Once submitted, the Board will review your application and determine whether you’re eligible to move forward in the licensing process. 

Step 4: Receive Authorization to Take the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam

After your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive your authorization to test. This approval allows you to schedule the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam with the state’s testing provider, PSI. 

Your authorization confirms that you’ve met all education and application requirements and are cleared to take the exam. You’ll need this approval before you can register for an exam date, so it’s an important milestone in the process. 

Step 5: Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam

The Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam tests both national real estate principles and Massachusetts-specific laws and practices. You must pass both sections of the exam to continue toward licensure. Key details about the exam include:

• A passing score of 70 on both the national and state portions
• The exam must be passed within the state’s required timeframe
• Retakes are allowed if you do not pass on your first attempt

Passing the exam confirms that you understand the legal and practical knowledge needed to work as a real estate agent in Massachusetts. 

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Step 6: Affiliate With a Sponsoring Massachusetts Real Estate Broker

After passing the exam, you must affiliate with a licensed Massachusetts real estate broker to activate your license. Salespersons in Massachusetts cannot practice independently and must work under a broker’s supervision. 

When choosing a sponsoring broker, you’ll want to consider:

• Training, mentorship, and onboarding support
• Commission structure and brokerage fees
• Office culture and local market focus

Once your broker affiliation is submitted and approved, your Massachusetts real estate license becomes active, and you can legally begin working with clients. 

Massachusetts Real Estate Continuing Education and License Renewal

After earning your Massachusetts real estate salesperson license, staying compliant with the state’s continuing education (CE) and renewal requirements helps you maintain an active license and legally serve clients across the Commonwealth. 

Every real estate salesperson in Massachusetts must complete CE and renew their license on a regular schedule to continue practicing. The Board requires active license holders to complete CE before each renewal period and to file renewal applications on time. 

Massachusetts Continuing Education Requirements

Massachusetts real estate salespersons must complete 12 hours of state-approved CE during each two-year license term before renewing their license as active. The 12 hours must include topics from the state-required curriculum, which may include subjects such as:

• Fair housing and equal opportunity
• Accessibility for individuals with disabilities
• Agency law and ethical obligations
• Environmental issues in real estate
• Zoning, building codes, and land use regulations
• Real estate appraisal and financing fundamentals
• Property tax assessments and valuation
• Massachusetts real estate board regulations

All CE must be taken through Board-approved providers and completed within the 24 months preceding your renewal date to qualify for an active renewal. Licenses are typically renewed by your birthday every two years, and proof of completion must be submitted as part of the renewal process. If you fail to complete the required CE, your license will be renewed with an inactive status, meaning you cannot practice real estate until the requirement is satisfied.

License Renewal Requirements

Massachusetts real estate salesperson licenses must be renewed every two years through the Board’s online portal. To renew your license as active, you must:

• Complete the 12-hour CE requirement before your renewal deadline
• Submit the renewal application via the state’s eLIPSE system
• Upload any required forms
• Pay the applicable renewal fee

Renewals open 90 days before your license expires, and renewal fees for salespersons are set by the Board. If CE isn’t completed before renewal, the Board will renew your license as inactive. An inactive license means you cannot conduct any real estate activities that require an active license, though you may receive referral fees in limited circumstances. 

Massachusetts Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

If you’re already licensed as a real estate salesperson in another state, Massachusetts reciprocity may allow you to earn a Massachusetts real estate license without starting from scratch. Reciprocity is designed to recognize comparable licensing standards in other states and reduce duplicate education or testing for experienced agents. 

Through reciprocity, the Board may waive certain licensing requirements, such as prelicensing education, depending on where you’re currently licensed and whether you’ve passed a state licensing exam. This option can be especially helpful for agents relocating to Massachusetts or expanding their business into the state. 

States With Massachusetts Reciprocity Agreements

Massachusetts has formal real estate license reciprocity agreements with the following states for salespersons:

• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• West Virginia
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Colorado
• Georgia 
• Pennsylvania
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma (only if the licensee has been actively licensed for at least two years)

If you’re licensed and in good standing in one of these states, you may qualify for a reciprocal Massachusetts real estate salesperson license. 

How the Massachusetts Reciprocity Process Works

To apply for a reciprocal real estate license in Massachusetts, you generally must:

• Hold an active real estate license in a reciprocal state
• Have passed a real estate licensing exam in your home state
• Submit a certified license history or a letter of good standing
• Complete the Massachusetts reciprocity application 
• Pay the required fees

Once approved, your Massachusetts real estate salesperson license is issued without repeating the full licensing process.

If Your State Does Not Have Reciprocity

If your state does not have a formal reciprocity agreement with Massachusetts, you may still qualify for an education waiver. This allows some applicants to bypass prelicensing education, though you may still be required to pass the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam. 

Since eligibility can vary based on your licensing history and exam background, be sure to check directly with the Board to confirm whether you qualify before applying. 

How Massachusetts Licensees Can Use Reciprocity in Neighboring States

Massachusetts real estate agents don’t have to limit their business to one state. Through reciprocity, eligible Massachusetts licensees can pursue real estate licenses in neighboring states like Rhode Island and Connecticut using fast, more direct licensing paths:

Rhode Island Reciprocity for Massachusetts Licensees

Rhode Island offers a clear reciprocity path for licensed professionals looking to expand into the Ocean State without repeating full prelicensing coursework. If you already hold an active Massachusetts real estate license, reciprocity may allow you to meet Rhode Island’s requirements through a streamlined process rather than starting from scratch.

Through reciprocity, eligible applicants may be able to:

• Use their existing Massachusetts license to satisfy educational requirements
• Complete only the Rhode Island-specific steps instead of the full prelicensing
• Move more quickly toward an active Rhode Island real estate license
  

Kaplan offers a Rhode Island reciprocity course for Massachusetts licensees that focuses on Rhode Island-specific licensing requirements, so you can meet the state’s expectations without duplicating what you’ve already done in Massachusetts. 

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Connecticut Reciprocity for Massachusetts Licensees

Connecticut also recognizes Massachusetts licensure and provides a reciprocity option for qualified applicants seeking a Connecticut real estate license. This pathway is ideal for agents who want to work in border communities or expand their client base into Connecticut without completing another full licensing program.

Applicants pursuing Connecticut licensure through reciprocity may be able to:

• Leverage their Massachusetts licensing background
• Bypass standard Connecticut prelicensing education
• Focus only on Connecticut-specific licensing requirements

Kaplan offers Connecticut real estate licensing options specifically for applicants using Massachusetts reciprocity. This route supports eligible Massachusetts licensees through Connecticut’s reciprocity requirements, including application guidance and any state-specific steps needed to obtain a Connecticut real estate license.

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