Massachusetts Real Estate License Requirements

You’ve got everything you need to know about getting your Massachusetts real estate license right here. We’ll cover licensing requirements, exam details, fees, and the documents you need for both salespersons and brokers.

What you need to get your real estate license in Massachusetts

Salespersons:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Forty hours of pre-licensure salesperson education.
• A completed Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form, which a Board-approved Real Estate School must complete.
• Three endorsements from candidates who are not related to you. These endorsers do not need to be Massachusetts residents, but classmates from the real estate course are not permitted to sign.
• Complete the licensing exam application and pass the exam within two years of finishing the required salesperson education.
• Have a valid social security number.
• Application fee: $31.

Brokers:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Forty hours of pre-licensure broker education.
• Hold a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license and have worked with a Massachusetts broker for three years. This experience must be within two years of taking the exam.
• A completed Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form, which a Board-approved Real Estate School must complete.
• Have a current Massachusetts salesperson license.
• A $5,000 surety bond using the original form provided. The form must be completed by the insurance agent and contain their signature and the principal candidate/examinee’s signature. The form must also be witnessed. Copies are not accepted.
• Three endorsements from candidates who are not related to you. These endorsers do not need to be Massachusetts residents, but classmates from the real estate course are not permitted to sign.
• Complete the licensing exam application and pass the exam within two years of finishing the required salesperson education.
• Application fee: $52.

What is the passing score for the Massachusetts real estate license exam?

Both the salesperson and broker exams comprise 120 total questions. The national portion contains 80 questions, and the state-specific portion 40 questions.

A minimum passing score of 70% is required. Your score will be shown on-screen after the exam, and a score report will be emailed to you. If you do not pass, a diagnostic summary of your strengths and weaknesses by exam section will be included in the emailed report. Email scorereport@psionline.com to request a duplicate score report.

What is the time limit for the Massachusetts real estate exam?

The time limit for both the salesperson and broker exams is 240 minutes. The national portion allows 150 minutes, and the state-specific portion 90 minutes.

What to bring for the state of Massachusetts real estate license exam?

Two forms of identification that must be valid and bear your signature.

PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION (with photo) – Choose One

• Government-issued driver’s U.S. Department of State Driver’s License.
• U.S. Learner’s Permit.
• National/State/Country Identification Card.
• US Government Issued Passport or Passport Card.
• US Government Issued Military Identification Card.
• US Government Issued Military Identification Card for spouses and dependents.
• US Government Issued Alien Registration Card.

SECONDARY IDENTIFICATION – Choose One

• Credit/Debit Card.
• Social Security Card.
• Any of the IDs that appear on the Primary list.

What is the format of the exam

The exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions, is taken on a computer.

What is the exam content?

The national portion of the salesperson and broker real estate exams contains the following topics:

• Property Ownership (Sales 10%, Broker 10%).
• Land use Controls (Sales 5%, Broker 5%).
• Valuation (Sales 8%, Broker 8%).
• Financing (Sales 10%, Broker 9%).
• Contracts (Sales 19%, Broker 19%).
• Agency (Sales 13%, Broker 13%).
• Property Disclosures (Sales 7%, Broker 7%).
• Property Management (Sales 3%, Broker 5%).
• Transfer of Title (Sales 6%, Broker 6%).
• Practice of Real Estate (Sales 12%, Broker 12%).
• Real Estate Calculations (Sales 7%, Broker 6%).

The national portion of the salesperson and broker real estate exams contains the following topics:

• Duties and Powers of the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.
• Licensing Requirements.
• Requirements Governing Licensees.
• Contracts.
• Consumer Protection Laws.
• Environmental Issues and Hazardous Materials.
• Massachusetts Fair Housing Law.
• Landlord Tenant Law.
• Additional Topics.

Sources

• Massachusetts Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin
• PSI examination online AMP
• Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons