How to Get Your Real Estate License in Massachusetts

Becoming a real estate salesperson in Massachusetts requires approved education, an application, candidate endorsements, a licensing examination, and affiliation with a Massachusetts-licensed broker. The state requires 40 hours of approved pre-licensing education for salesperson applicants. If you’re ready to begin, Leap’s Massachusetts pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education and prepare for the exam.

This guide explains the Massachusetts licensing process, expected costs, online education options, exam requirements, background review, timelines, and career considerations.

Massachusetts Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license, applicants must generally:

Be at least 18 years old.
Complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education at a Board-approved real estate school.
Obtain a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate from the approved school.
Provide three completed candidate endorsements from unrelated individuals.
Pass the Massachusetts salesperson licensing examination.
Complete the required application and pay applicable licensing fees.
Work under the supervision of a Massachusetts-licensed real estate broker.

Massachusetts also evaluates applicants under its licensing laws and may consider criminal or professional history. A past conviction does not necessarily determine the outcome of an application, but applicants should disclose information accurately and contact the Board if they are unsure how a record may affect licensure.

Step 1: Complete 40 Hours of Approved Education

Massachusetts requires 40 classroom hours of salesperson pre-licensing education before an applicant can take the licensing examination. The education must be completed through a school approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

Coursework generally covers subjects such as:

Massachusetts real estate law and regulations
Agency relationships
Contracts
Property ownership
Real estate finance
Fair housing
Conveyancing and closing procedures
Real estate math
Professional responsibilities

Applicants should retain their course completion documentation. The school must provide the official educational certificate required for the licensing process.

Online Massachusetts Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a convenient option for students who need flexible scheduling. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and specific course satisfy the Massachusetts Board’s current approval requirements.

Leap’s Massachusetts pre-licensing course is designed for people preparing to meet the state’s education requirement. Students should verify the current course format, approval status, completion procedures, tuition, and access period directly with the provider and the Massachusetts Board before registering.

An online course does not eliminate the other licensing requirements. Students must still obtain the required certificate, submit the application, provide endorsements, pass the examination, and affiliate with a sponsoring broker.

Step 2: Obtain Three Candidate Endorsements

Massachusetts requires salesperson applicants to submit three candidate endorsements. Endorsers:

Must be unrelated to the applicant.
May live outside Massachusetts.
Cannot be classmates known only through the real estate course.
Must complete the required endorsement form accurately.

Applicants should arrange endorsements early so missing or incomplete information does not delay the application.

Step 3: Submit the License Application

After completing education and gathering endorsements, submit the required application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

The application process may require:

Personal identifying information
Proof of education
Candidate endorsements
Criminal-history disclosures or CORI documentation
Examination-related documentation
Application and licensing fees

Massachusetts regulations require a candidate who passes the examination to pay the prescribed license fee within 30 days of notification. Failure to pay within that period may require the applicant to retake the examination.

Because application forms, payment instructions, and fees can change, review the Board’s current licensing instructions immediately before submitting materials.

Background Checks, CORI, and Fingerprinting

Massachusetts licensing procedures include criminal-history and character-related disclosures. The state uses a Criminal Offender Record Information, or CORI, authorization form in connection with real estate licensing and renewal procedures.

Applicants should:

Answer criminal-history questions completely and truthfully.
Follow the current instructions for notarization and submission.
Provide certified court records or explanatory documents if requested.
Contact the Board before applying if they are uncertain about disclosure requirements.

A separate fingerprinting requirement should not be assumed. The current public licensing materials reviewed for this guide identify CORI documentation and character review, but applicants should confirm directly with the Board whether fingerprinting is required for their specific application or circumstance.

Step 4: Schedule and Pass the Massachusetts Licensing Exam

Massachusetts uses PSI to administer the real estate licensing examination. Applicants must satisfy the education requirement and submit the required materials before scheduling the exam.

The exam covers state and national real estate concepts. Prepare by reviewing:

Massachusetts license law and regulations
Agency and brokerage relationships
Contracts and disclosures
Property ownership and land-use concepts
Financing and settlement
Real estate calculations
Consumer protection and fair housing

The official candidate bulletin lists a $54 examination fee for a salesperson candidate in the current bulletin, while the Massachusetts licensing page lists an $85 salesperson candidate fee. Because official materials show differing fee schedules, applicants should verify the amount displayed by PSI and the Board when scheduling.

The official bulletin also states that the salesperson education certification is valid for no more than 24 months after completion, meaning applicants should not wait indefinitely after finishing the course.

If an applicant does not pass, PSI may require a retake fee. The current Massachusetts materials identify a $54 retake fee, but applicants should confirm the applicable amount and whether one or both portions must be retaken.

Current Massachusetts License Fees and Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, exam attempts, application charges, licensing charges, background-document costs, and optional study materials.

The current official materials identify the following amounts:

| Cost | Amount or guidance |
|---|---:|
| Required salesperson pre-licensing education | Varies by approved school |
| Salesperson examination or candidate fee | Official materials list $54 in the PSI bulletin and $85 on the Massachusetts licensing page; verify before scheduling. |
| Salesperson application fee | The current PSI bulletin lists $31. |
| Salesperson license fee | Official materials indicate a range of approximately $103 to $150, depending on the applicable fee schedule. |
| Examination retake fee | $54 is listed in current Massachusetts materials; verify with PSI. |
| License renewal | $103 for a salesperson renewal, according to the Massachusetts renewal page. |
| Continuing education | Cost varies by approved provider and course format |
| Brokerage-related expenses | May include association dues, MLS access, technology, marketing, insurance, and transaction-related charges |

These figures are subject to change. Applicants should use the current Board and PSI payment pages as the final authority rather than relying on an older course advertisement, blog post, or fee chart.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

A newly licensed salesperson generally cannot practice independently. Massachusetts salespeople work under the supervision of a licensed Massachusetts broker.

Before choosing a brokerage, compare:

Training and mentorship
Commission split and transaction fees
Desk, technology, and marketing fees
Lead-generation support
Office and remote-work policies
Contract review and compliance systems
Insurance and risk-management procedures
Access to local market resources
Opportunities to specialize in residential, commercial, rental, luxury, or investment property

The broker affiliation decision can significantly affect a new agent’s training, expenses, support, and early career experience. Interview several firms and request a written explanation of all recurring and transaction-based costs.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Massachusetts Real Estate License?

The fastest timeline depends on how quickly an applicant completes the 40-hour course, gathers endorsements, submits the application, obtains approval, schedules the exam, and finds a broker.

A realistic timeline commonly includes:

Completing the 40-hour course.
Gathering the three endorsements and required documents.
Submitting the application.
Waiting for processing and exam authorization.
Scheduling and taking the PSI examination.
Paying the license fee after passing.
Affiliating with a sponsoring broker.

The state does not guarantee a single processing timeline for every applicant. Background questions, incomplete forms, exam availability, retakes, and application corrections can extend the process. Applicants should confirm current processing times with the Board and allow additional time if their application requires document review.

Post-License Education and Continuing Education

Massachusetts requires active real estate licensees to complete 12 hours of continuing education during each two-year license term before renewing an active license.

The continuing education must be completed before renewal. The Massachusetts renewal page states that licensees must also submit a notarized CORI authorization form when renewing.

Applicants should distinguish between:

Pre-licensing education: The 40 hours required before the salesperson exam.
Post-license or first-renewal education: Any additional education specifically required by the Board or applicable renewal rules.
Continuing education: The 12 hours required during each two-year license period for active renewal.

The current public sources reviewed confirm the 12-hour continuing education requirement. They do not establish a separate, universally applicable post-license course beyond the renewal and continuing education rules. Confirm any first-renewal education requirement with the Board and the sponsoring brokerage.

Advancing to a Massachusetts Broker License

A salesperson who later wants to become a broker must meet additional requirements. Massachusetts requires:

40 hours of approved broker education.
A current Massachusetts salesperson license.
At least three years of experience as a Massachusetts salesperson affiliated with a broker.
At least 25 hours per calendar week during the qualifying affiliation period.
A broker examination.
A $5,000 surety bond for broker candidates.

The experience must generally be current or sufficiently recent under the Board’s rules. Review the current broker candidate bulletin before relying on past experience for eligibility.

Potential Earnings in Massachusetts Real Estate

Real estate income varies substantially. Compensation may depend on sales volume, commission arrangements, market conditions, brokerage splits, experience, specialty, location, and whether the licensee works full time or part time.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes employment and wage information for real estate sales agents and brokers, including state-level data when available. Those figures are broad occupational estimates and are not guarantees of what a newly licensed Massachusetts salesperson will earn. New agents should budget for periods with limited or no commission income while building a client base.

Potential career paths include:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
Rental and leasing representation
Commercial real estate
Property management, where separately permitted
New construction sales
Luxury real estate
Relocation services
Real estate investment and development
Brokerage management after meeting broker requirements

Concise Step-by-Step Summary

Confirm that you meet the Massachusetts age and eligibility requirements.
Enroll in a Board-approved 40-hour salesperson pre-licensing course.
Complete the course and obtain the official educational certificate.
Gather three qualifying candidate endorsements.
Complete the Massachusetts application and CORI-related documentation.
Pay the applicable application and examination charges.
Schedule and pass the PSI licensing examination.
Pay the license fee within the required period after passing.
Affiliate with a Massachusetts-licensed sponsoring broker.
Complete 12 hours of continuing education before each active license renewal.

Final Checklist Before Applying

Verify that the school and course are currently approved.
Confirm the current exam, application, license, and retake fees.
Check the latest PSI candidate bulletin.
Prepare three eligible endorsements.
Review CORI and disclosure instructions carefully.
Confirm whether any fingerprinting applies to your situation.
Compare brokerage agreements before affiliating.
Track the 24-month education-certification deadline.
Calendar the two-year renewal cycle and 12-hour continuing education requirement.
Review Leap’s Massachusetts pre-licensing course before you register so you can compare format, schedule, and support options.

Authoritative Sources