If you’re ready for a career change and wondering how to get a real estate license in Massachusetts, we’ll take you through this relatively easy, four-step process. In no time at all, you could be selling homes from Boston to Bridgewater and from Brookline to Braintree.
Getting a Massachusetts real estate license requires 40 hours of approved prelicensing classes before you can sit for the MA license exam, as well as a number of other administrative tasks. Let’s dive in!
How to Get a Real Estate License in MA
While you don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts, you must complete a state-specific licensing process. To be eligible, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid Social Security number or a tax ID number
- Find three people who are not your relatives to vouch for your character by signing a candidate endorsement form
1. Complete a 40-hour Prelicensing Course
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Cost: $229-$525 -
Time commitment: 1 month -
Helpful resource: 5 Best Massachusetts Real Estate Schools
Before choosing a Massachusetts real estate school for your prelicensing courses, make sure it’s authorized by the state. All of the schools on this list are required to cover the same material. Here are some of the topics you’ll cover to help you better understand the financial and legal aspects of homebuying and selling in Massachusetts:
- Property rights
- Title transfers
- Basic contract law
- Agency relationships
- Brokerage operations & responsibilities
- Property disclosures
- Financing for real estate
- Property valuation
- Federal real estate laws
- Massachusetts real estate laws
- Real estate math
5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, there are three instructional formats to choose from when selecting a real estate school: in-person classes, livestream classes, or at-your-own-pace online classes. Here are the pros and cons of each type.
In-person Classes
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Livestream Classes
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Self-paced Online Classes
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2. Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam
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Cost: $85 -
Time commitment: 4 hours -
Helpful resource: PSI candidate information bulletin
Cost:
$85
Time to Complete:
4 hours
Format:
Computer-based, 120 multiple-choice questions
Bring to Testing Center:
Two valid forms of ID
Passing Grade:
70%
Once you’ve finished your classes, the next step to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts is to sit for the license exam. Visit the testing company’s website to schedule your exam and choose a testing center from the following locations:
- Auburn
- Boston
- Fall River
- Lawrence
- West Springfield
Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before the test for sign-in, and be ready with two valid forms of identification:
- One government-issued ID that has your signature and photograph
- Another ID that has your signature
You are also required to bring your candidate endorsement form, signed by three people unrelated to you. They don’t have to be Massachusetts residents, but you can’t ask people you met in your real estate classes to sign for you. The form is included on page 29 of PSI’s candidate information bulletin.
In order to pass, you need to answer at least 70% of the questions correctly. Your score will immediately appear on the screen as soon as you complete the test. If you don’t pass both sections of the MA real estate license exam, you’ll receive a diagnostic report detailing your strengths and weaknesses. This report should help you to study for your retake. You may retake the exam as many times as you need within two years following the date you completed your prelicensing classes. You’ll have to pay $54 each time you schedule a retake.
3. Complete the Licensing Process
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Cost: $103-$150 prorated license fee + $12 processing fee -
Time commitment: 1 hour -
Helpful resource: Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons website
You may receive your license immediately on site after passing the test. The fee ranges between $103 and $150 (plus a $12 processing fee) since the cost of the license is prorated depending upon your birth month. Note that they’ll only accept payments via credit card, check, or money order addressed to PSI.
4. Join a Massachusetts Real Estate Brokerage
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Cost: No cost -
Time commitment: 2-4 weeks -
Helpful resource: What’s the Best Real Estate Company to Work for?
Massachusetts law requires that real estate agents work under a broker. A broker has experience in real estate, taken additional training, and passed the broker exam.
Finding the right real estate brokerage can be challenging, which is why we recommend meeting with several brokerages before you decide where to work. Check out our guide to some of the more common real estate companies for more.
During these interviews, you’ll learn how you’ll split your real estate commissions with the brokerage. Some brokerages may offer a 50-50 split, while others may provide you with a higher percentage but will charge you a monthly desk fee. Each brokerage will also discuss your cap, or the maximum amount that the brokerage will take from your commissions within a year. Commissions that you earn on top of the cap are yours to keep.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Massachusetts Real Estate Agent?
Massachusetts Real Estate Governing Body:
Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
Prelicensing Requirements:
40 Hours
Price Range for Real Estate Licensing Course:
$229-$525
Estimated Total Costs:
$539-$600
It costs about $600 to get your Massachusetts real estate license. Some of the costs of earning your real estate license in Massachusetts are fixed, such as exam fees and application fees. Other costs are variable, such as the classes and exam prep materials you’ll need to complete the state’s requirements and pass the Massachusetts real estate exam.
Sample Massachusetts Real Estate License Costs
| Prelicensing classes (40 Hours) | $285 (through The CE Shop) |
| Exam registration | $85 |
| Exam retake | $54 |
| License application | $103-$150 (depending on your birthdate) |
| License processing fee | $12 |
| Total Cost | $539-$600 |
(Massachusetts real estate license costs as of August 2023)
The CE Shop offers readers of The Close a 35% discount. Use promo code Theclose35 at checkout to save 30% off your prelicensing packages. Click here to get started.
How Much Does a Realtor Make in Massachusetts?
According to The Close’s salary database, an average real estate agent in Massachusetts makes $69,894. Of course, this salary is entirely based on commissions earned from helping clients buy or sell properties.
It may take you some time to ramp up your real estate business, but hopefully, word will spread about how you provide amazing customer service. Until that happens, you may consider keeping your day job so you can earn an income during those building months.
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? (+ Free Guide & Videos)
How to Get a Real Estate License in MA: FAQs
We know you’re excited and ready to help families find their dream homes. Here are a few other items to consider before you get started.
Is the Massachusetts real estate exam hard?
You must get at least 70% of your answers correct on both the general and state-specific exams to get your Massachusetts real estate license. Unlike the case in some other states, Massachusetts doesn’t publish official pass rates, but some schools publish a pass rate on their websites.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts?
It takes about two or three months to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts. You can potentially finish the 40 hours of required classes in one week. The rest of the time will need to be spent studying, filling out applications, and finding a broker to work under.
Can I get my Massachusetts real estate license online?
You can take all of the prelicensing classes that you need to earn your Massachusetts real estate license online, but you’ll need to go to a testing center to take the state’s licensing exam.
What if I have a real estate license from another state?
If you have a real estate license from another state, you might be able to practice in Massachusetts without completing all of the licensing steps. Currently, only salespersons and brokers who are licensed in the following states may apply for reciprocity:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma (must have been licensed for at least two years)
If you don’t come from one of these states, you still may qualify for license reciprocity by submitting this educational waiver form. Visit the Massachusetts Real Estate Board website to learn more about applying for reciprocity.
Related article: Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide
More Career Resources From The Close
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