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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts in 6 Easy Steps

Whether grabbing a Dunks on the go or catching the Sox at Fenway, getting your real estate license in MA is a smart move for starting a successful career.

Written By

Aloun Khountham

Reviewed By:

Melanie Patterson

Sep 24, 2024

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Whether grabbing a Dunks on the go or catching the Sox at Fenway, getting your real estate license in MA is a smart move for starting a successful career. Just envision yourself with the opportunity to show homes on the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill to the sandy shores of Cape Cod once you nail down your license. Sounds like a dream, right? Kickstart your real estate journey by following my six steps below on how to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts.

Quick Facts & Costs for Massachusetts Licensees

Title: Quick Steps to Get a Massachusetts Real Estate License (+ Costs)

Step 1: Meet Massachusetts Requirements (No Cost)

Step 2: Choose a MA Real Estate School (Cost: $229+)

Step 3: Apply for a Real Estate License (Cost: $31)

Step 4: Pass the MA Real Estate License Exam (Cost: $85)

Step 5: Join a Real Estate Brokerage (No Cost)

Step 6: Start a Successful Career (No Cost)

Types of Licensees in Massachusetts & How Much They Earn

Licensed real estate salesperson (Salary range: $65,000 to $109,000): Assists clients in buying, selling, and renting properties under the supervision of a licensed broker.
Licensed real estate broker (Salary range: $71,000 to $136,000): Oversees transactions, manages agents, and operates independently or owns a real estate firm.
Real estate instructor license (Salary range: $47,000 to $75,000): Allows individuals to teach pre-licensing and continuing education courses to aspiring real estate agents and brokers.

Step-by-Step Breakdown: How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts

If you’re ready to begin your journey to becoming a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts, follow these essential steps to get started:

Step 1: Meet Massachusetts Requirements

To be eligible for a real estate license in MA, you need to:

Be at least 18 years old
Have a Social Security number
Have three people not related to you or enrolled in real estate courses with you to provide a candidate endorsement

Step 2: Choose a MA Real Estate School

Cost: Starting at $229
Time commitment: 40 hours
Helpful resource: 5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Massachusetts

Picking the best Massachusetts real estate school is the start of obtaining your license. Look for a school approved by the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate with flexible schedules and good reviews from previous students.

Most schools will cover subjects like Massachusetts real estate laws, contracts, financing, property management, and ethics. You will also be learning federal regulations, such as the Fair Housing Act, which are important for practicing agents to know. A good real estate school will prepare you to succeed in your real estate career, not just pass the state exam.

Screenshot of student learning dashboard — Learning dashboard (Source: Colibri Real Estate)

An excellent option for those who plan on getting a Massachusetts real estate license is Colibri Real Estate. Known for its flexibility, Colibri provides online courses that fit any schedule, so you will easily balance studying with all your other commitments. Its course curriculum covers topics on Massachusetts-specific real estate laws, ethics, and contracts, ensuring you are well-prepared for the state exam. Colibri is a great option for interested Bay State agents, backed by solid student support.

Visit Colibri Real Estate

Step 3: Apply for a Massachusetts Real Estate License

Cost: 31
Time commitment: 1 hour
Helpful resource: Massachusetts Examination Candidate Information Bulletin

Prospective agents are required to apply before taking the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam. This involves a completed Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate form. You’ll need to provide three candidate endorsements from individuals unrelated to the applicant. The endorsers do not have to be residents of Massachusetts, but they cannot be classmates who have taken the real estate course. Once the application is complete and approved, students will receive permission to register for the test with PSI.

Step 4: Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate License Exam

Cost: $85
Time commitment: 4 Hours
Helpful resource: 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Real Estate Exam and PSI Massachusetts Candidate Information Bulletin

Test Format and Number of Questions	Multiple choice format and 120 total questions
Where to Register for Exam	PSI exam
Items to Bring to Testing Center	Two valid forms of identification Social security card
Passing Grade	70%

Upon passing the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam, which you may take virtually or live at a testing site, your license will be directly issued to you. You should bring the licensing fee to the test site to complete your license issuance. In cases where you are testing virtually, PSI will provide instructions on obtaining your license upon completing a successful exam.

Some people do not pass the Massachusetts real estate exam on their first try, and that is okay. You can retake the exam through PSI. Each retake will incur a fee, but you can keep trying as many times as it takes to pass the exam within two years after finishing your pre-licensing education.

Step 5: Join a Real Estate Brokerage

Once you have obtained your license, align yourself with a real estate brokerage. New agents in Massachusetts will want to consider working under the guidance of a licensed broker who can provide support and access to important resources like the MLS listings. Take the time to interview brokerages and research which brokerages will best suit your goals in the career path you will be undertaking.

Start looking for brokerages in the areas you’d like to work in to jump-start your new career. Check out our Best Real Estate Company to Work For in 2024 guide to learn about some of the larger firms.

Step 6: Start a Successful Career in Massachusetts

Now that you are licensed and in association with a brokerage, it is time to start your very successful real estate career. Here is how to get started:

Network with others: Socialize with clients, other agents, and people associated with the industry.
Utilize social media: Know how to use Instagram and Facebook for your listings in building your brand.
Keep learning: Taking courses, seminars, and real estate certifications are wonderful ways to further your education and stay competitive.
Apply technology to your real estate business: Tools like CRMs and lead generation tools will make your life easier.
Mentorship: Coordinating with senior agents will help in getting the knowledge and tactics needed for success.
Focus on customer service: It’s the surest way of getting referrals and repeat business.

FAQs

The time needed to obtain a real estate license in Massachusetts depends on how quickly you work through the steps for licensure. The pre-licensing education consists of 40 hours of coursework that can be completed in a few weeks based on your schedule. Once you have finished the course, you must apply, get your exam eligibility, and then schedule your exam with PSI. Depending on how quickly you move through the process, it could take many weeks up to months.

Your cost for a Massachusetts real estate license cost breaks down into a few components. Most courses cost anywhere from $200 to $500. The exam fee via PSI is about $85, and to get your license, it’s an additional $50 to $100. Besides that, most agents pay for continuing education, marketing materials, and MLS fees once they’re up and running, so the total initial costs can be around $1,000 or more.

The salaries of real estate agents in Massachusetts also vary depending on experience, location, and several closed transactions. The average annual salary of a realtor and/or real estate agent can range from $60,000 to $90,000 while successful agents can become higher earners which would make this number significantly higher. Agents working in high-demand areas like Boston or Cape Cod may have higher earning potential because of the higher property values and increased market activity.

Back to You

By understanding how to become a real estate agent in MA, you’ll get the opportunity to work in the bustling housing market of Boston to picturesque Cape Cod. With the proper education and support of a brokerage, you’ll have ongoing success helping clients buy and sell properties. Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Massachusetts is a great career path due to flexibility, good earning potential, and satisfaction from guiding others through one of the most important life decisions.

Aloun Khountham

Aloun Khountham is a freelance real estate contributor to The Close and Fit Small Business. She brings a spark of innovation and a wealth of experience from the heart of New York City's real estate scene. With over five years as an operations executive at a growing brokerage, Aloun has been at the forefront of revolutionizing real estate operations. Her efforts were pivotal in integrating state-of-the-art technology and refining operational procedures. Beyond her executive role, Aloun was licensed as a real estate agent. She used her knowledge to empower her team from lead generation to deal closures, showcasing her comprehensive understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts in 6 Easy Steps

Quick Facts & Costs for Massachusetts Licensees

Title: Quick Steps to Get a Massachusetts Real Estate License (+ Costs)

Types of Licensees in Massachusetts & How Much They Earn