Mass real estate license reciprocity: states, waivers, and how to apply

Massachusetts real estate license reciprocity allows licensed brokers and salespersons from qualifying states to obtain a Massachusetts license without retaking the pre-licensing course or state exam. Under 254 CMR 2.00^[1], the state grants full reciprocity to licensees from 11 states and conditional reciprocity to Oklahoma, while applicants from all other jurisdictions can request an educational waiver to sit for the Massachusetts exam.

Which states have reciprocity with Massachusetts

Massachusetts grants full reciprocity to brokers and salespersons from 11 states, allowing them to obtain a Massachusetts license without completing the pre-licensing course or taking the state exam. Oklahoma also qualifies, but only for licensees who have held their license for at least two years.

Mississippi holds full reciprocity with Massachusetts; Michigan does not, despite occasional online listings that abbreviate Mississippi incorrectly as "MI." The Board's FAQ page^[2] references a broader count of "reciprocity or expedited licensure" states, which may include additional states with conditional arrangements beyond the full reciprocity list. Applicants should verify their state's current status on the Board's application page^[1] before submitting materials.

Additional requirements for reciprocal broker applicants

Broker applicants must provide a surety bond before submitting their application. This requirement does not apply to salesperson applicants.

As of August 2026, the Board's reciprocity page^[1] lists the following fees:

Brokers who passed their original licensing exam in a qualifying state are exempt from Massachusetts testing. Those from non-qualifying states must obtain an educational waiver and pass the Massachusetts exam if approved.

How to apply for a reciprocal Massachusetts real estate license

All reciprocal applications are submitted online through the eLIPSE platform^[1]. Applicants must gather several documents before starting the application.

Required documents include:

• Certified letter of Good Standing from the original licensing state, issued within 90 days of the application submission date. The letter must include the issue date, expiration date, how the license was issued, any disciplinary history, and current license status.
• Notarized CORI form, available from the Board's licensing hub^[3].
• Recent color passport-style photograph.
• For broker applicants: an original $5,000 surety bond (not a copy), issued before submitting the application.
• If applicable, an official letter or certificate of standing for each professional license held in any other jurisdiction, issued within 90 days of submission.
• Applicants with pending or past disciplinary action must include certified copies of disciplinary documents.
• Applicants with prior felony or misdemeanor convictions must include certified court records.

The Board holds incomplete applications open for 180 days from the date of receipt. After 180 days, an incomplete application is considered abandoned, and the applicant must submit a new application and payment.

Educational waivers for non-reciprocal states

Applicants licensed in states without a reciprocity agreement can request an educational waiver to sit for the Massachusetts real estate exam. The waiver process uses the same documents and submission method required for a standard reciprocal application.

The Board evaluates each waiver request individually and determines whether the applicant must take the full exam or only the state portion. If the Board does not approve the educational waiver, the applicant must follow the standard Massachusetts licensing process.

Approved waiver applicants must pass the Massachusetts exam administered by PSI Services LLC^[4], the state's testing vendor as of February 1, 2024. The minimum passing score is 70%.

Does New York have reciprocity with Massachusetts

The status of New York reciprocity with Massachusetts is uncertain because official state pages provide conflicting information. New York does not appear on the current reciprocity application page^[1], though the Board's FAQ page^[2] references "thirteen (13) States" for reciprocity or expedited licensure, a count that exceeds the states listed on the application page.

The Board's educational waivers document has historically listed New York brokers with two or more years of licensure as eligible for conditional reciprocity, meaning they would not need to take the Massachusetts exam. The current application page omits New York, suggesting its status may have changed.

New York salespersons and New York brokers with less than two years of licensure must apply for an educational waiver, as any conditional reciprocity would apply only to brokers with two or more years of licensure.

Applicants holding a New York license should contact the Board of Registration^[5] directly to confirm current reciprocity status before submitting an application.

Real estate license reciprocity vs. portability

Reciprocity and portability are distinct concepts in real estate licensing. Reciprocity allows an agent to obtain a full license in a new state based on their existing license, while portability allows an agent to conduct a single transaction across state lines without becoming licensed in that state, according to the National Association of REALTORS®^[6].

The NAR identifies three types of portability: cooperative, physical location, and turf. Massachusetts generally follows the physical location model, meaning out-of-state agents may represent clients in Massachusetts transactions provided they work remotely and are not physically present in the state during the transaction. Agents seeking to work in Massachusetts on an ongoing basis must obtain a reciprocal or standard license rather than relying on portability.

What to expect after your reciprocal application is approved

The Board takes a minimum of 10 business days to review and approve a completed reciprocal application, according to the reciprocity application page^[1]. Once approved, the license number appears on the applicant's eLIPSE account immediately. License information is added to the public Check a License database within one to two business days, and a physical license card is mailed to the address on the application.

Reciprocal licensees must meet the same renewal and continuing education requirements as standard Massachusetts licensees.

Salespersons who receive a reciprocal license must affiliate with a Massachusetts broker to practice actively.

Next steps for reciprocal applicants

Verify your state's reciprocity status on the Board's application page^[1], then request a certified letter of Good Standing from your current licensing state. Submit the completed application through eLIPSE with all required documents. If your state does not have reciprocity, request an educational waiver to determine whether you must take the full exam or only the state portion.