Broker and real estate agent: role differences and Massachusetts broker licensing

To become a real estate broker in Massachusetts, a licensed salesperson must be at least 18, hold a current Massachusetts salesperson license, complete 40 additional hours of Board-approved education, document 3 years of experience working under an active broker at a minimum of 25 hours per week, obtain a $5,000 surety bond, and pass the broker licensing exam. The phrase "broker and realtor" often appears in search queries because the two roles are commonly confused: a broker has completed additional licensing and can operate independently, while a REALTOR is a trade association member who follows a code of ethics. Massachusetts does not require brokers to be REALTORS, and the two designations serve different purposes.

Real estate broker, agent, and REALTOR®: what each role means

In Massachusetts, a broker holds a higher-level license that permits independent operation, while a salesperson (commonly called an agent) must be supervised by a broker. The Mass.gov Consumer Fact Sheet^[1] provides the statutory definitions of each role's authority. A REALTOR® is a trade association designation, not a license type.

The state's licensing structure also covers commercial practice.

The REALTOR® designation and the broker license

No, a real estate broker in Massachusetts does not need to be a REALTOR®. The broker license is issued by the state Board of Registration, while the REALTOR® designation is a voluntary membership in NAR. A broker can practice without joining NAR, and a REALTOR® is not necessarily a broker.

According to NAR^[2], the association has approximately 1.5 million members, including brokers, salespersons, property managers, and appraisers. To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate professional joins a local NAR association and pays annual dues. Members must complete ethics training every 3 years and follow NAR's Code of Ethics.

The broker licensing process in Massachusetts

Every Massachusetts broker begins as a licensed salesperson. To upgrade to a broker license, a salesperson must gain experience under a supervising broker, complete additional education, post a surety bond, and pass a separate broker licensing exam administered by PSI. The Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons oversees the process, and candidates submit applications through the state's eLIPSE online platform.

The timeline to become a broker depends on how quickly the experience and education requirements are met, and on Board processing times for applications.

Massachusetts broker license requirements

Massachusetts requires five things to qualify for a broker license, all administered by the Board of Registration^[3]:

These requirements are established by the Mass.gov exam guide^[4] and the Mass.gov FAQ^[5].

The 3-year experience requirement

A salesperson must work for an active Massachusetts broker for at least 3 years at a minimum of 25 hours per week before qualifying for a broker license, according to the Mass.gov exam guide^[4]. The experience must be current or completed no more than 2 years prior to the broker examination. If a salesperson has worked for multiple brokers, each must sign an Employing Broker Certification Form documenting the experience. The 3-year affiliation requirement took effect June 1, 2011, under MGL Chapter 112, Section 87SS, with no exceptions or grandfathering provisions, according to the Mass.gov FAQ^[5].

Broker pre-licensing education

Broker candidates must complete 40 additional hours of coursework at a school approved by the Board, beyond the salesperson pre-licensing education. The education certificate remains valid for 2 years following completion, according to the Mass.gov FAQ^[5]. If the certificate expires before the candidate passes both sections of the exam, the candidate must retake all education and reapply as a new applicant.

The $5,000 surety bond

State law requires real estate brokers to hold a $5,000 surety bond, according to the Mass.gov Consumer Fact Sheet^[1]. The bond must be notarized and signed by both an insurance agent and the candidate. The original document is required; copies are not accepted, per the Mass.gov exam guide^[4]. The bond typically costs around $50 for 5 years of coverage through an insurance provider.

How to apply for the Massachusetts broker exam

Broker candidates submit applications through the state's eLIPSE online licensing platform, according to the Mass.gov exam guide^[4]. Required documents include the Employing Broker Certification Form, the Board-approved education certificate, a notarized CORI authorization form, and the original surety bond. The Board typically takes several weeks to process applications and approve candidates to sit for the exam.

Once approved, candidates schedule the exam directly with PSI, the state's exam vendor. The exam fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and valid for 1 year from the date paid. Incomplete applications are held open for 180 days before being considered abandoned.

The Massachusetts broker licensing exam

The broker exam consists of 115 scored questions across two sections, with 4 hours total to complete it. The exam fee is $106 per person, according to the Mass.gov exam guide^[4]. Missing a scheduled exam without canceling at least 2 days in advance incurs a $54 retake fee to reschedule. The General portion has 75 questions scored to 80 points, with 150 minutes allowed; some questions are worth up to 2 points. The State portion has 40 questions worth 40 points, with 90 minutes allowed. The minimum passing score is 70% on each section. Five to 10 unscored experimental questions may also appear, and the time for those does not count against the exam time limit, per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin^[6], updated June 12, 2025.

If a candidate passes one section and fails the other, only the failed section must be retaken while eligibility remains valid. The passing score on the passed section remains valid until the education certificate expires, according to the Mass.gov FAQ^[5].

Scores are displayed on screen at the end of the exam, and score reports are emailed to candidates, according to PSI^[7]. PSI administers the exam at approved testing centers across Massachusetts and through remote online proctoring.

After passing: license fees and activation

After passing the broker exam, the candidate pays a license fee of $142 to $200, prorated based on date of birth, plus a $12 PSI licensing fee, according to the Mass.gov reciprocity page^[8]. The license fee must be paid within 30 days of being notified of passing, per 254 CMR 2.00(5)^[5]. Failure to pay within 30 days requires retaking the exam and paying all prescribed fees again.

Licenses are valid for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years, according to the Mass.gov exam guide^[4]. The issue date is the date the candidate passed the exam, and the expiration date is the candidate's birthday. Because licenses expire on birthdays, the first license term may be longer or shorter than the standard 2-year cycle.

The Massachusetts attorney-broker license

Massachusetts attorneys licensed in good standing by the Supreme Judicial Court can obtain an Attorney-Broker license without taking the broker licensing exam, per G.L. c. 112, Sections 87PP-87DDD, according to the Mass.gov attorney-broker page^[9]. The application requires a certified letter of good standing from the court, a surety bond, a notarized CORI form, and a recent color photograph.

The Attorney-Broker application and license fee is $142, adjusted based on date of birth. The Board takes a minimum of 10 business days to review and approve applications. Once approved, the license number appears immediately and is added to the public database within 24 to 48 hours. Attorney-brokers licensed in good standing are exempt from the continuing education requirement that applies to other brokers.

Renewing your Massachusetts broker license

Massachusetts broker licenses must be renewed through the eLIPSE platform, according to the Mass.gov renewal page^[10]. The broker renewal fee is $142, and a late renewal fee of $57 applies if renewal is submitted after the expiration date, per the MA DPL fee schedule^[11]. Licenses become available for renewal 90 days before their expiration date, and a notarized CORI authorization form is required. Continuing education is required to renew as active.

Next steps

If you hold a Massachusetts salesperson license and are approaching the experience milestone, start by requesting an Employing Broker Certification Form from your employing broker to document your work history. Then enroll in the additional broker pre-licensing coursework at a Board-approved school, obtain your surety bond, and submit your application through the eLIPSE platform. Once the Board approves your application, schedule your exam with PSI and focus your study on both the General and State portions of the broker exam.