How to get a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license
12 min read·
Getting a real estate salesperson license in Massachusetts involves five steps: meeting eligibility requirements, completing pre-licensing coursework at a Board-approved school, submitting an application through the eLIPSE online platform, passing a licensing exam administered by PSI, and paying a license fee. The Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons[1] oversees the process, which typically takes a few months depending on study pace.
To obtain a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education at a Board-approved school. After completing the course, the applicant submits an application online through the eLIPSE platform with a Certificate of Completion, 3 candidate endorsements, and a notarized DOL CORI form. Once the Board approves the application, the candidate schedules and takes the licensing exam through PSI, which consists of 120 questions (80 general and 40 state-specific) with a 4-hour time limit and a minimum passing score of 70%. The salesperson exam fee is $85, and the initial license fee ranges from $103 to $150, prorated based on the applicant's birthday. The license is issued after the exam fee is paid within 30 days of passing.See the answer for every state
Who qualifies for a Massachusetts real estate license
Massachusetts does not require a high school diploma, GED, or U.S. citizenship for real estate licensure.
To obtain a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education from a Board-approved school, and provide a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate of Completion. The applicant must also obtain 3 candidate endorsements from individuals who are not relatives or fellow classmates, submit a notarized DOL CORI form through the eLIPSE platform, and pass the licensing exam with a minimum score of 70%. A valid Social Security number or Tax Identification Number is required, and the applicant must be current on Massachusetts tax obligations. U.S. citizenship is not required.See the answer for every state
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin[2], hosted on Mass.gov, also requires an SSN or TIN and current compliance with state tax obligations. The Bulletin accepts Green Cards and Permanent Resident Visas as valid primary identification, confirming that non-citizens can apply.
The Board additionally requires a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) authorization form submitted through the Division of Occupational Licensure. Massachusetts uses a name-based background check rather than fingerprinting, and no separate fee is published for the CORI process in official sources.
Complete the 40-hour pre-licensing education
The state mandates 40 hours of pre-licensing coursework from a Board-authorized real estate school before a candidate can register for the licensing exam. The Board publishes a directory of approved real estate schools[3] on Mass.gov.
Massachusetts requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education at a Board-approved real estate school to qualify for the salesperson license exam, covering subjects such as property ownership, contracts, agency, financing, and fair housing. More than half of the 40 hours must involve live instructor interaction, with the remaining hours permitted as self-paced or on-demand content. The education certificate remains valid for 2 years from the completion date, and the exam must be passed within that period.See the answer for every state
Yes, Massachusetts allows online pre-licensing courses, but state regulations require more than half of the 40 hours to include live instructor interaction. Board-approved schools offer the course in hybrid formats that combine scheduled live online sessions with self-paced modules. This live instruction requirement applies to all state-authorized pre-licensing courses in Massachusetts.See the answer for every state
Massachusetts requires pre-licensing education to be completed at real estate schools authorized by the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. The Board maintains an Authorized Real Estate Schools page on Mass.gov, which includes a downloadable CSV file of all currently licensed schools, and recommends using the Check-A-License feature for the most current information. Courses are offered in both classroom and online formats, with online courses requiring at least 21 of 40 hours to include live instructor interaction.See the answer for every state
After completing the course, the school issues a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate of Completion. This certificate remains valid for two years from the completion date, per the Board's FAQ page[4]. If the certificate expires before the candidate passes the exam, the candidate must retake the entire 40-hour course and reapply as a new applicant.
The Massachusetts real estate licensing process typically takes a few months from start to finish, though the timeline depends on how quickly the 40-hour pre-licensing course is completed and how long the state takes to review the application. After course completion, candidates submit an application through the eLIPSE platform, and once approved, they schedule and take the PSI exam. After passing the exam and paying the license fee, the license is issued digitally through the eLIPSE platform.See the answer for every state
Pre-licensing course prices vary by provider, format, and package level. A separate guide covers the full cost breakdown of getting licensed in Massachusetts.
Submit your license application through eLIPSE
Candidates submit their license application through the eLIPSE online platform[5] maintained by the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. The total fee for a salesperson candidate is $85, comprising a $31 application fee and a $54 examination fee, as detailed in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin[2] hosted on Mass.gov. The exam fee is non-refundable and valid for one year from the payment date.
Fee type
Amount
Application fee
$31
Examination fee (salesperson)
$54
Retake or reschedule fee
$54
The application requires the following materials:
Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate of Completion
Three candidate endorsement forms
A recent color photograph
A DOL CORI authorization form
Incomplete applications are held open for 180 days from the date of receipt, after which the application is considered abandoned, per the Mass.gov exam preparation guide[6].
The Massachusetts real estate licensing exam is a multiple-choice test administered by PSI on behalf of the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. The salesperson exam has 120 scored questions (80 national and 40 state-specific) with a 4-hour time limit, and candidates must score at least 70% to pass. The broker exam has 115 scored questions (75 general and 40 state) with the same 4-hour limit and 70% passing threshold. PSI offers the exam at approved test centers across Massachusetts and remotely via online proctoring.See the answer for every state
Yes, PSI offers the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam through both in-person testing at approved test centers across the state and remote online proctoring. The salesperson exam consists of 120 scored questions (80 general and 40 state-specific) with a 4-hour time limit and a minimum passing score of 70%. Scores are displayed on screen at the end of the exam, and score reports are emailed to the candidate.See the answer for every state
If a candidate passes one portion but fails the other, the passing score remains valid until the education certificate expires, per the Board's FAQ page[4]. The retake fee is $54 per attempt.
A separate guide covers exam preparation strategies, study resources, and practice tests in detail.
Receive your license and start practicing
After passing the exam, the candidate must pay the license fee within 30 days of being notified of the results, or the candidate must retake the exam, per the Board's FAQ page[4].
The salesperson exam fee is $85, and the initial license fee ranges from $103 to $150, prorated based on the licensee's birthday. Pre-licensing course costs are set by individual Board-approved schools and vary widely depending on the provider and package. Including coursework, the total out-of-pocket cost generally ranges from several hundred dollars to about one thousand dollars.See the answer for every state
The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin[2] states that candidates pay the license fee through the eLIPSE platform and receive a digital license shortly after payment. A physical wallet license arrives by mail in four to six weeks. Licenses are valid for two to three years: the issue date is the exam pass date, and the expiration date is the licensee's birthday, per the Mass.gov exam preparation guide[6].
A salesperson license permits the holder to conduct real estate transactions only under a broker's supervision. The salesperson cannot hold escrow funds or run an independent brokerage, per the Mass.gov consumer fact sheet[7].
Special pathways: attorneys and out-of-state applicants
Massachusetts offers two alternative pathways that bypass some standard requirements.
Massachusetts attorneys licensed in good standing are exempt from the 40-hour pre-licensing education requirement, the licensing exam, and the continuing education requirement for renewal, per the Board's FAQ page[4]. Attorneys can apply for a broker license directly through the Board.
Massachusetts also has reciprocity with 12 states, allowing licensees from those states to obtain a Massachusetts license without retaking the exam. A separate guide covers the full reciprocity process, including eligible states, application fees, and requirements.
Becoming a REALTOR®
REALTOR® membership is voluntary and separate from the state licensing requirement. Joining requires selecting a local association, paying dues, and agreeing to the NAR Code of Ethics[8]. Only NAR members may use the REALTOR® mark.
To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate professional must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues, which also provides membership in the state and national associations. The principal of a real estate firm must join before any non-principal agents at that firm can become members. NAR national dues for 2027 are $156 per member plus a $45 special assessment, totaling $201 annually, with additional state and local association dues that vary by board.See the answer for every state
Massachusetts real estate licenses must be renewed every two years on the licensee's birthday through the state's eLIPSE online platform. To renew as active, licensees must complete 12 hours of Board-approved continuing education and upload a notarized CORI authorization form. The salesperson renewal fee is $103 and the broker renewal fee is $142; a $57 late fee applies per license if renewal is received after the expiration date. The renewal window opens 90 days before the license expiration date.See the answer for every state
Next steps
After receiving the salesperson license and affiliating with a broker, new agents can begin working with buyers and sellers under the broker's supervision. The license opens the door to several career pathways.
A real estate salesperson (commonly called an agent) must be affiliated with a broker and work under the broker's supervision, and cannot operate an independent real estate business or control escrow funds. A broker is licensed to manage their own business, accept and escrow all funds, finalize transactions, and supervise salespersons. In Massachusetts, a salesperson must work for a broker for at least 3 years at a minimum of 25 hours per week, complete 40 additional hours of education, and obtain a $5,000 surety bond before qualifying for a broker license.See the answer for every state
To become a real estate broker in Massachusetts, you must be at least 18, currently hold a Massachusetts salesperson license, complete 40 additional hours of broker pre-licensing education at a Board-approved school, and pass the broker exam. You must also have at least 3 years of experience working for an active Massachusetts broker at a minimum of 25 hours per week, documented on an Employing Broker Certification Form, and obtain a notarized $5,000 surety bond. The work experience must be current or completed no more than 2 years prior to the broker examination.See the answer for every state
To practice as a real estate agent in Massachusetts, you must be at least 18, complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education at a Board-approved school, obtain 3 candidate endorsements, pass the licensing exam with a minimum 70% score, and affiliate with a licensed broker. The National Association of REALTORS® states that most people begin as sales trainees in a brokerage firm and that a first sale can take 4 to 6 months or more. To keep the license active, agents must complete 12 hours of continuing education each 2-year term and renew on their birthday.See the answer for every state
If you are ready to start, enroll in a Board-approved pre-licensing course. The Board's directory of approved real estate schools[3] on Mass.gov is the official source for finding a provider. Once the course is complete, submit the application through eLIPSE, schedule the exam with PSI, and pay the license fee within 30 days of passing.
