| Requirement | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 40 hours |
| Exam administrator | PSI |
| License / application fee | n/a |
| Exam fee | $85 (commission website, crawled Jul 2026) |
| Regulator | Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 4,530 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | n/a |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Massachusetts
To get a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license you complete 40 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Massachusetts real estate license?
Massachusetts requires 40 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in Massachusetts?
Getting licensed in Massachusetts takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 40 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons.
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 40 hours of pre-license education
Massachusetts requires 40 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Massachusetts salesperson exam
The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus Massachusetts law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons.
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Massachusetts salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons, then activate under your broker.
How much does a Massachusetts real estate license cost?
Massachusetts's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); $85 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons before applying.
What are Massachusetts’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 10 Massachusetts housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $669,639 as of September 2026, from $377,450 in Springfield to $5.87M in Nantucket; 4 of 10 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $784,778 | -3.4% | 43 | 9,017 |
| Worcester, MA | $549,946 | -0.6% | 45 | 1,615 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $899,000 | -2.5% | 56 | 1,247 |
| Springfield, MA | $377,450 | +2.0% | 39 | 641 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $549,950 | +3.8% | 70 | 609 |
All tracked markets: Massachusetts housing market hub.
Massachusetts real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires 40 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons requirements.
How much does a Massachusetts real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); $85 exam fee (commission website, crawled Jul 2026). Course tuition varies by school. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Massachusetts real estate exam?
PSI administers the Massachusetts salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons licenses and regulates Massachusetts real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons before enrolling.