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How to Get Your Massachusetts Real Estate License
Start your new career with Armstrong Field Real Estate School and Aluxety Real Estate — the trusted source for Massachusetts real estate education, licensing, and continuing education.
Whether you’re launching a new career or adding a valuable license to your professional toolkit, getting your Massachusetts real estate license is more straightforward than most people expect. With just 40 hours of required coursework, you can be fully prepared to take — and pass — your licensing exam, often within 2 to 4 weeks.
Massachusetts Real Estate License Requirements
Before enrolling, make sure you meet the state’s eligibility criteria. To qualify for a Massachusetts real estate license, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Provide three character references (non-relatives)
If you meet those requirements, you’re ready for the next step: completing a state-approved 40-hour pre-licensing course. See more about the Massachusetts requirements for the real estate pre-licensing course.
Step 1: Complete Your 40-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
At Armstrong Field Real Estate School, we make it easy to meet this requirement. Our online courses let you complete your 40-hour coursework anytime, anywhere — from home or the office, at your own pace.
Once you’ve finished your course, you’ll receive a Candidate Handbook and certificate of completion with instructions to schedule your licensing exam.
Note: The Massachusetts real estate exam must be taken within two years of completing your class, or you’ll need to retake the course.
Step 2: Take and Pass the Real Estate Exam
The Massachusetts Real Estate Exam includes both national and state sections. You’ll need a minimum score of 70% to pass. Results are provided immediately upon completion, and if you pass, you’ll receive your license on the spot.
Step 3: Maintain Your License with Continuing Education
Once you’re licensed, Massachusetts requires 12 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. At Armstrong Field Real Estate School, we offer approved Massachusetts real estate CE classes you can complete at your convenience — online or in person.
Salesperson License vs. Broker License: What’s the Difference?
Most people use “real estate agent” and “REALTOR®” interchangeably, but Massachusetts actually recognizes two distinct license types: salesperson and broker. Every new agent starts out with a salesperson license — the process outlined above. A salesperson works under the supervision of a licensed broker.
Getting a Massachusetts real estate broker’s license is a separate, optional path you can pursue later in your career. To qualify, you’ll need:
- An active Massachusetts salesperson license
- At least 3 years of experience working for a Massachusetts broker, at a minimum of 25 hours per week
- An additional 40 hours of real estate education
- A notarized $5,000 surety bond
- A passing score on the broker licensing exam
A broker can operate independently or open their own brokerage; a salesperson works under a broker’s supervision. Plenty of successful agents build long careers as salespersons and never pursue a broker’s license — it’s entirely optional, and really only necessary if you plan to off on your own. Just keep in mind that there are more expenses and much more responsibilty than with a salesperson's license.
What Does It Cost to Get Licensed?
Here’s a breakdown of the fees set by the state, current as of this writing:
- Salesperson exam fee: $85
- Broker exam fee: $106
- Missed-exam retake fee: $54
On top of the state exam fees, you’ll pay for your 40-hour pre-licensing course and a license fee at the testing center once you pass. See the current course pricing.
What to Expect on Exam Day
The Massachusetts real estate exam is administered by PSI Exams and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions — 80 covering national real estate principles and 40 covering Massachusetts-specific law. You’ll need a score of at least 70% on each section to pass; if you fall short on one section, you only need to retake that section, not the whole exam.
You can take the exam either in person at a PSI testing center or online with a live remote proctor. Either way, you’ll have up to four hours to complete it, though most candidates finish well before that. If you pass, your license is issued on the spot at an in-person testing center; if you test remotely, PSI will provide instructions for receiving your license.
After You’re Licensed: What Comes Next
Passing your exam is a huge milestone, but there are a few more things most new agents need before they’re ready to start working with clients:
- Join a brokerage. Massachusetts salespersons must work under a licensed broker — this is where you’ll get hands-on mentorship as you start your career.
- MLS access. Most agents join their local Multiple Listing Service to search and list properties.
- Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. This protects you against claims related to mistakes made in the course of your work — many brokerages require it.
- REALTOR® membership (optional). Joining the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through your local board is what makes you a REALTOR® — it’s a separate, optional step from getting your license.
Ready to Begin Your Real Estate Career?
Get started today with Armstrong Field Real Estate School, the trusted leader in Massachusetts real estate education. The CE Shop's team of experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way — from exam prep to license renewal.
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Pre-licensing and continuing education classes for most states, including Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Florida, and most other states. Visit AFRealEstateSchool.TheCEShop.com for all the states we have classes for and our current course offerings.