License guide

How to get a Massachusetts real estate license

Massachusetts licenses real estate professionals through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure). Here is the path in plain steps, checked against the official sources in October 2026.

Step by step

Take 40 hours of education
Complete 40 hours of salesperson education at a Board-approved real estate school. The school gives you a Candidate Handbook that verifies your education; the certification is valid for 2 years.
Pass the salesperson exam
Apply to the Board's test administrator using the Candidate Handbook. If you pass one portion but not the other, the passing score stays valid until the education certification expires.
Pay the license fee within 30 days
After passing, pay the license fee within 30 days of notice or you must retake the exam. You are licensed at the test center after payment.
Affiliate with a broker to work
An active salesperson is affiliated with a broker, and the broker of record reports the affiliation to the Board.

Keeping your license

12 hours of continuing education for each 2-year license term, completed before you renew as active. Partial hours do not count toward an active license.
Prelicense education cannot be used for CE.

Renewal and CE rules

Questions

Do I need a website on day one?

No, but a simple page with your photo, brokerage and contact info helps clients find you. Property Landing Pages has a free plan with one listing page and an agent site.