Cost of Becoming a Real Estate Agent in New Hampshire
The total cost of becoming a real estate agent in New Hampshire typically runs about $490, covering the pre-licensing course, state licensing exam, background check, and application fee paid to the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). Course tuition accounts for most of the expense, while the exam and application fees are fixed by the testing vendor and state regulator. After licensing, expect renewal fees, continuing education, and optional REALTOR® association dues that add several hundred dollars every two years.
Total cost to get a New Hampshire real estate license
The cost for a real estate license in New Hampshire breaks down across four required expenses, outlined in the table below. Course tuition accounts for the largest share, followed by the state application fee, the exam fee, and the background check.
| Item | Cost | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course (40 hours) | ~$300 | Commission-approved school |
| Salesperson exam (both portions) | $66 | PSI |
| Background check | ~$25 | NH State Police |
| License application | $99 | NH OPLC |
| Total | ~$490 |
Course costs vary by provider and delivery format. New Hampshire permits pre-licensing courses only through live, synchronous webinars, and self-paced online study is not an option. The exam and application fees are fixed by the testing vendor and state regulator.
Pre-licensing course cost in New Hampshire
The price of pre-licensing education in New Hampshire is not regulated by the state and depends on which school and format you choose. The cost for a real estate course varies because New Hampshire requires online pre-licensing to be delivered as live, synchronous webinars with a state-approved instructor, so self-paced online courses are not available. The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission's education and training page[1] lists approved schools.
Pre-licensing course costs in New Hampshire vary by provider and delivery format, and are not set by the state. Salesperson pre-licensing courses (40 hours) are available at various price points depending on the school. Courses must include live instruction, either in-person or via live-streaming webinars; self-paced online study is not permitted. The course cost is separate from the exam fee and license application fee, which are set by the state and its testing vendor.
How much real estate classes cost tends to run higher for live webinar formats than for self-paced options in other states, because they require a real-time instructor on camera. Course tuition is the largest single expense in the licensing process, so comparing approved providers can yield meaningful savings.
New Hampshire real estate exam fee
PSI administers the New Hampshire real estate exam at centers in Concord, Nashua, and Portsmouth, with the Manchester site closed since February 16, 2024, per the OPLC's testing provider page[2]. Candidates register and schedule exams through PSI's real estate portal[3].
The salesperson licensing exam costs $66 for both portions combined, and the broker exam costs $70 for both portions combined. Reciprocity candidates who take only the state portion pay a reduced fee. These fees are paid directly to PSI, the official testing vendor, because the NH Real Estate Commission no longer accepts exam registration forms or payments.
License application and background check fees
Applying for a salesperson license in New Hampshire requires a $99 fee to the OPLC, submitted through the online application portal[4]. The OPLC fee schedule[5] also lists a $20 amendment fee for changes to an active license, a $40 fee for a temporary broker license, and a $99 reinstatement fee for expired salesperson credentials.
The New Hampshire salesperson license application fee is $99, and the broker application fee is $121, both paid through the OPLC online portal. The salesperson licensing exam costs $66 for both portions combined, and the broker exam costs $70, both paid directly to PSI, the state's testing vendor. Pre-licensing course costs vary by education provider, and applicants must also complete a background check.
A background check is required for all applicants, per the OPLC salesperson license checklist[6]. Applicants with an unannulled conviction must submit a criminal history report from the relevant state or jurisdiction. The background check is processed through the NH State Police, not the OPLC, so its cost is separate from the application fee.
License renewal and continuing education costs
New Hampshire requires license renewal every 2 years, completed through the OPLC's online portal. The cost to renew real estate license credentials includes both the renewal fee and continuing education expenses, with additional post-licensing requirements for first-time renewals.
The New Hampshire salesperson renewal fee is $99, and the broker renewal fee is $121, paid to the OPLC. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years. Licensees receive an email renewal notification 90 days before expiration. Active renewal requires 15 hours of continuing education per cycle: a 3-hour core course plus 12 elective hours. For first-time salesperson renewals, 12 hours of post-licensing education in specified topics are required in addition to the 3-hour core course. Inactive renewal requires only the 3-hour core course.
Salespersons renewing for the first time face an additional post-licensing education requirement before they can renew in active status.
New Hampshire requires 15 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle for active license renewal: one 3-hour core course plus 12 elective hours. For a salesperson's first renewal, 12 hours of post-licensing education covering required topics (P&S Contracts, Ethical Behavior, Disclosure Forms, and Agency) must be completed in addition to the 3-hour core course. For inactive renewal, only the 3-hour core course is required.
CE course prices vary by provider and format. The OPLC education requirements page[7] provides details on core and elective course offerings, and all CE is tracked through the CE Broker system.
Ongoing costs of being a real estate agent
Beyond initial licensing and renewal, active agents face recurring costs for professional association membership, Multiple Listing Service (MLS) access, insurance, and brokerage affiliation. These fees associated with being a REALTOR® vary widely depending on the brokerage model, market area, and membership choices.
The cost to become a REALTOR® includes national, state, and local association dues. Membership starts at the local association level, per the NAR membership page[8].
MLS access typically costs $500 to $1,000 per year, and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance runs about $500 annually. Brokerage desk fees range from $25 to $600 per month, depending on the brokerage model and services provided.
New Hampshire salespersons pay a $99 license renewal fee every two years, and brokers pay $121. Active renewal requires 15 hours of continuing education per cycle: one 3-hour core course and 12 elective hours. Optional NAR membership costs $201 per year in national dues as of 2027 ($156 in dues plus a $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign assessment). Additional expenses such as MLS access, errors and omissions insurance, and local association dues vary by provider and brokerage.
Broker license cost in New Hampshire
Upgrading from salesperson to broker in New Hampshire requires additional pre-licensing education, a separate broker exam, and a higher application fee. The cost to become a real estate broker exceeds the initial salesperson licensing investment, and broker course prices vary by provider.
The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission charges a $121 application fee for a broker license. Broker candidates must also complete a 60-hour approved pre-licensing course, the cost of which varies by education provider, and pass the broker licensing examination administered by PSI, with exam fees paid directly to PSI during online registration. A background check is required, and active principal or managing brokers must obtain a surety bond. The OPLC lists accredited broker course providers on its education and training page.
The broker exam is administered by PSI, the same vendor that handles the salesperson exam. Broker candidates submit their application through the OPLC online portal after passing the exam.
Commission rates and income in New Hampshire
Real estate agent commission rates in New Hampshire average about 5.5% of the home's sale price, below the national average. The listing side typically earns about 2.9% and the buyer's agent a comparable share, though rates are always negotiable between the parties.
Real estate commissions are negotiable. Nationally, the average buyer's agent commission rate declined from about 3% in the late 1990s to about 2.7% by 2023, and commission rates tend to be lower in the Northeast, according to the Federal Reserve. Following the March 2024 NAR settlement, sellers no longer advertise commission rates to buyers' agents in MLS listings, and buyers' agents must sign a written agency agreement before providing services. New Hampshire has required a buyer representation agreement since 1996.
On a median-priced New Hampshire home of approximately $523,000, the total commission runs about $29,000, split between the listing and buyer's agents.
Income varies widely by experience. The NAR Member Profile 2025[9] reports that the average REALTOR® earns $58,100 annually, while those with two years or less of experience earn $8,100. Agents with 16 or more years of experience report annual income of $78,900. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[10] reports a national median annual wage of $54,300 for real estate sales agents as of May 2023, with the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH metro area showing a mean annual wage of $108,620.
Are New Hampshire real estate licensing fees tax deductible?
Most expenses involved in obtaining and maintaining a real estate license, including course tuition, exam fees, application fees, continuing education, and association dues, are generally tax deductible as business expenses for licensed agents operating as independent contractors. The NAR Member Profile[9] reports that REALTORS® spent a median of $8,010 on business expenses in 2024, which includes licensing fees, CE courses, association dues, marketing, and transportation. Agents should consult a tax professional for guidance specific to their situation.
Next steps
Start by reviewing the OPLC fee schedule[5] and the salesperson license checklist[6] to confirm current requirements. Then compare approved pre-licensing course providers on the OPLC education and training page[1] to find one that fits your budget and schedule. Plan for both the one-time licensing expenses and the ongoing costs of renewal, continuing education, and optional association memberships.
Sources
- NH OPLC — RE Commission Education and TrainingGovernmentMay 2026
- NH OPLC — RE Commission Testing Provider (PSI)GovernmentMay 2026
- PSI — Real Estate GuideGovernmentAugust 2026
- NH OPLC — Real Estate License ApplicationsGovernmentAugust 2026
- NH OPLC — Real Estate License FeesGovernmentMay 2026
- NH OPLC — Salesperson License ChecklistGovernmentAugust 2026
- NH OPLC — Real Estate Education RequirementsGovernmentMay 2026
- NAR — How to Become a REALTORGovernmentMay 2026
- NAR — Agent IncomeGovernmentAugust 2026
- BLS — Real Estate Sales Agents OES (May 2023)GovernmentMay 2026