How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Massachusetts (2026 Guide)

Ready to get your Massachusetts real estate license?

Breaking into the Bay State’s booming property market is faster than you might think. If your goal is to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts, you’re looking at one of the shortest paths to licensure in the nation. With just 40 hours of pre-licensing education standing between you and the state exam, you can launch a lucrative new career in a matter of weeks.

Below, we breakdown the exact step-by-step process—from coursework to candidate endorsements—so you can secure your Massachusetts salesperson license without the guesswork.

We’ll cover:


4 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons has a few requirements to become a salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number — notably, Massachusetts does not require a high school diploma. If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 40-Hour Salesperson Pre-License Course

  • Massachusetts’ 40-hour requirement is one of the lowest in the nation, and most online schools let you finish in 2 to 4 weeks. You’ll need a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate from your school, and you’ll also need to gather 3 candidate endorsements from people who aren’t family members or classmates.

STEP 2 | Submit Your Exam Application

  • Submit your Board application through eLIPSE along with your educational certificate, candidate endorsements, and CORI (background check) authorization. The Board application fee is $31.

STEP 3 | Schedule + Pass the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam

  • Once approved, you can schedule your exam with PSI. The exam fee is $54, paid directly to PSI when you schedule.
  • The exam has 120 questions (80 national, 40 Massachusetts-specific), and you’ll need a score of 70% on each section independently to pass. You’ll have 240 minutes total, and you must pass within 2 years of completing your pre-license education. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 4 |  Pay For + Receive Your License

  • If you’re prepared to pay at the exam site once you pass, you can complete your license on the spot. Otherwise, you’ll have 30 days to apply by mail using a License Application Instruction Form. Your license fee is prorated based on your birthdate, since Massachusetts licenses expire on your birthday rather than a fixed date — expect to pay somewhere in the $100–$200 range depending on timing. Massachusetts doesn’t require a sponsoring broker to submit your initial application, but you’ll need to affiliate with one before your license becomes active.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 2 to 4 weeks to complete your 40-hour Massachusetts pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks to gather your candidate endorsements and submit your Board application
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring broker

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.  We also highly recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, Massachusetts has one of the shortest paths to licensure in the country — it’s realistic to become a real estate agent here in about 4 to 8 weeks.


Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Massachusetts

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts:

Licensing ExpenseEstimated Cost
40-Hour Pre-Licensing Course$250–$600
Salesperson Application Fee$31
Massachusetts Real Estate Exam$54
Initial Salesperson License Fee$103–$150
Exam Prep Courses or Materials (optional)$25–$150

Total Cost to Get Licensed: $438–$835

The estimated total includes the required expenses listed above but does not include optional exam preparation. With optional exam prep, budget approximately $463–$985.

The initial license fee is prorated because a new Massachusetts salesperson license expires on the licensee’s birthdate. The exact fee depends on when the license is issued and how long it will remain active before its first expiration. Current application and examination fees are available through the Massachusetts real estate examination information.

More Costs to Expect as a Brand-New REALTOR®

Getting your Massachusetts real estate license is only the beginning. New agents are essentially opening a small business, which means there may be additional education, association, MLS, brokerage, and marketing expenses to consider.

New Agent ExpenseEstimated Cost
Continuing Education – 12 Hours$100–$250
Salesperson License Renewal$103 every two years
Local, State and National REALTOR® DuesVaries by association
MLS PINApproximately $420 annually
SentriLock or Supra eKey$100–$200 annually
Business Cards and SignageVaries
Marketing and AdvertisingVaries
Brokerage Joining Fee$0–$500
Monthly Brokerage Fee$0–$350 per month

Massachusetts salespersons must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education before renewing an active license. Licenses are renewed every two years and expire on the licensee’s birthday. Current renewal fees are available through the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure.

For an example of REALTOR® association costs, the Northeast Association of REALTORS® charges $682 in annual dues for 2026, including national, state, and local membership:

2026 NEAR DuesCost
National Association of REALTORS®$201
Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®$191
Northeast Association of REALTORS®$290
Total Annual Dues$682
One-Time REALTOR® Application Fee$99

Dues are prorated based on the month an agent joins, so a new member may pay less than the full annual amount. Please note that the full amount is typically due as soon as you activate your license with your new brokerage.

Est. Cost to Become a Massachusetts Real Estate Agent: Approx. $1,750–$2,900+

This estimate includes licensing, NEAR membership as an example, MLS PIN, a lockbox or eKey, and possible brokerage start-up fees. It does not include monthly brokerage charges, ongoing marketing, business supplies, or optional exam preparation, so individual costs can be higher.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT EXPENSES TO EXPECT >

Find the Top Massachusetts Real Estate Schools

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. There are dozens of approved real estate schools throughout the state. Most are online, others in person, and a few do a combination of the two. Please note that some of the school links below are affiliate links. If you enroll through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Here are a few of the most popular:

SEE OUR SCHOOL COMPARISON GUIDE >

When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to consider — since Massachusetts only requires 40 hours, every hour needs to count:

  • Do they share their “pass rate”? This will tell you what percentage of their students passed the state exam on the first try.
  • Does the school offer any guarantees if you don’t pass? For example, one school will pay the fee for you to retake the state exam.
  • Are practice tests given to the students or is there any additional charge?
  • Do they offer a separate exam prep course or a weekend cram course?


How to Select a Massachusetts Real Estate Broker

In Massachusetts, you must affiliate with a broker in order to actively help home buyers and sellers. Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list. The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents.

Since Massachusetts’ education requirement is so light, a strong brokerage’s training program matters even more here. Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you? All important things to consider when you are ready to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts!

Getting a Massachusetts Real Estate License: FAQs

How is Massachusetts’s 40-hour pre-licensing education structured, and can I take it online?

Yes, you can complete all 40 hours online through a state-approved school. Massachusetts allows both live-stream webinar classes and asynchronous self-paced online courses. The 40-hour curriculum covers essential topics like agency relationships, contracts, Massachusetts-specific license law, consumer protection, and fair housing laws. Once you complete the coursework and pass your school’s final exam, the school issues an official Education Certificate, which is valid for 2 years to apply for and pass the licensing exam.

How difficult is the state real estate exam?

The exam has 120 questions (80 national, 40 Massachusetts-specific), and you’ll need a score of 70% on each section independently to pass. Because the education requirement is only 40 hours — among the lightest in the country — make sure you’re actually retaining the material rather than just getting through it, since there’s no room for surface-level understanding on exam day.

What if I fail the real estate exam in Massachusetts?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself! You’ll need to reschedule and pay the exam fee again for the section (or sections) you didn’t pass. Just remember you have 2 years total from completing your education to pass both sections.

How is the Massachusetts PSI exam structured, and what happens when I pass?

The PSI Salesperson exam consists of 120 scored questions (80 National and 40 State questions, plus 10 unscored practice items) with a 4-hour time limit. You must score at least 70% on both sections independently to pass. The state portion heavily tests local laws, such as tenant lead paint disclosures, mandatory agency relationship disclosures (at first personal meeting), and Massachusetts fair housing laws.

(GOOD) State Quirks: Immediately upon passing the exam at the PSI center, you pay your initial licensing fee on-site and are issued your physical real estate license right at the test center.

What are the unique application requirements in Massachusetts (like Candidate Endorsements)?

Unlike states where you register directly for the exam after finishing school, Massachusetts requires you to submit an online application via the eLIPSE portal (MyMassGov) to get approved before scheduling your PSI exam. As part of your application, you must provide:
3 Candidate Endorsements: Official sign-offs from three individuals who are not related to you and were not classmates in your real estate course.
CORI Background Clearance: A Criminal Offender Record Information acknowledgment form.
Tax Compliance: Certification that you are up-to-date on all state tax obligations.

Can I get a Massachusetts real estate license if I have a misdemeanor or felony on my record?

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. The Board reviews and must approve your criminal record before licensure, evaluating each situation individually rather than applying a fixed list of disqualifying offenses. If you have concerns about your background, we’d recommend contacting the Board directly before investing in a pre-license course.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Massachusetts offer reciprocity?

Yes! Massachusetts has reciprocity or expedited licensure with 13 states, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. If you were licensed by examination in one of these states, you won’t have to take the Massachusetts exam. If you’re licensed somewhere else not on the list (like Florida), you may still qualify for an educational waiver, but you’ll need to pass the Massachusetts exam. Contact the Board directly to confirm what applies to your specific license.

How much do real estate agents make in Massachusetts?

According to Indeed.com, the average Massachusetts real estate agent makes about $103,166 a year. Keep in mind real estate agents are commission-based, so your actual earnings depend heavily on how many homes you sell and the price points in your market — the Greater Boston area and its western suburbs tend to be among the state’s highest-earning markets.

PRO TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example, if the median sales price in your area is $550,000 and you earn 2.5% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be about $13,750 per sale. To earn the Massachusetts average, you’d have to sell about 8 homes.

Is Getting a Real Estate License Worth It?

Honestly, it depends on what your goals are.  If you just want to sell a few homes each year to friends and family, you’ll have to crunch the numbers to see if the cost of getting and maintaining your real estate license is worth it.

If you plan to jump in and make a career in selling homes in Massachusetts, then absolutely!  The Greater Boston market in particular has stayed strong, and Massachusetts has one of the lowest barriers to entry of any state in the country.  It can be a challenge moving from a salaried position to a commission-based business, so it’s important to have at least six months of savings in the bank.  If you don’t have that yet, then you may want to keep your current job for a short period of time until you lay the foundation for your new real estate business.