How to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

In this guide you’ll learn all the details you need to know to get your license and become a real estate agent in Massachusetts.

You’ll learn the basic real estate licensing requirements in Massachusetts, information about the exam including pass rates and test prep, reciprocity rules, county by county breakdowns of the most expensive real estate in Massachusetts, and more.

Okay, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s start at the beginning.

Basic Massachusetts Real Estate Licensing Requirements

Getting a real estate license in Massachusetts is rather easy compared to other states. You only need a total of 40 classroom hours of commission-approved pre-licensing courses. In comparison, to get a license in Texas, real estate licenses require applicants to complete 180 hours of courses. Here’s a quick breakdown of the real estate licensing requirements in Massachusetts:

Pre-licensing Courses Required in Massachusetts

In order to get a real estate license in Massachusetts, you will need to complete 40 hours of real estate pre-licensing courses that will cover:

• Salesperson License Class On Contracts & Brokerage
• Ethics And Mass Law
• Property Rights And Encumbrances
• Appraisal And Finance

Massachusetts Real Estate Exam Information

If you work hard and take the courses seriously you should have no problem passing the exam. If you’re looking for help studying for the test, we recommend Real Estate Exam Scholar’s Exam prep course. They offer top-notch exam prep for an affordable price. Even better, they also offer a money back guarantee if you don’t pass on the first try.

Visit Real Estate Exam Scholar

Massachusetts Pre-Licensing Exam Questions

• Total of 120 multiple-choice questions
  • 40 questions on Massachusetts law
  • 80 questions on general real estate knowledge

What to Bring to the Exam

• 2 valid forms of identification with signatures. One ID must be a government-issued Photo ID
• Confirmation number when the test reservation was made.

Passing Score

You must earn a score of 70 or higher to pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam

Massachusetts Real Estate License Fee

$103-150

Exam Fee in Massachusetts

$97

Education Requirements

You need to have at least a high school diploma or GED in order to apply for a license in Massachusetts.

Age

Applicants must be at least 18 of age or older

Residency

You are not required to be a citizen of the United States or of Massachusetts. It is necessary, however, to meet the age and education requirements, and have a Social Security number.

Exemptions

If you’re a licensed attorney in good standing in Massachusetts, you are exempt from taking the pre-license education.

Criminal Background

In order to acquire a Massachusetts real estate license, it would be best if you have a clean criminal background. While it may be more difficult to get a real estate license with a felony, in some cases, you may be granted an exemption. Simply include the details of your conviction on your application.

Online Real Estate Schools in Massachusetts

While taking your real estate pre-licensing course in person can be helpful, online courses are much cheaper and offer the exact same courses. OnCourse Learning is a solid choice.

Visit OnCourse Learning

Massachusetts Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability

If you plan on working in states besides Massachusetts, then you need to know the real estate license reciprocity and portability laws for Massachusetts.

• Reciprocity: Massachusetts has mutual recognition agreements with these 13 states:
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington
• Portability: Cooperative

To learn more about real estate license portability in Massachusetts, check out our guide on real estate license reciprocity and portability here.

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Company to Work For in Massachusetts

Let’s face it. Choosing the right brokerage to work for in any state isn’t easy. In order to make your choice a little bit easier, check out our in-depth guide on choosing the right real estate company to work for.

Once you’ve finished reading the guide, check out our buyer’s guide comparing Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Century 21 here.

If you’re curious about which Massachusetts brokerages are the most successful, check out Real Trends list of the top real estate brokerages in Massachusetts for 2016 below.

Boston/Nashua

*Data from Real Trends Market Leaders 2016

Massachusetts Counties with Highest Average Listing Price and Highest Median Sales Price 2016

Let’s face it, higher listing prices mean higher commission checks! To get a sense of which counties offer the best opportunities for big bucks in Massachusetts check out this sales data from Trulia’s Massachusetts home price page below: