Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-License FAQ
For more detailed information about the licensing process in Massachusetts, visit the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons website.
Prior real estate knowledge is NOT required to participate in the real estate pre-license salesperson course.
The basic distinction between a Salesperson and Brokers license is that a salesperson may not work independently nor have other real estate agents working for them. A Broker may work independently. There are other distinctions that will be covered in class. To obtain a broker’s license, you must work as a salesperson for a real estate brokerage firm for at least three years, complete 40 additional hours of instruction and pass the broker’s license exam.
Yes! The Board of Registration recently approved that the pre-license classes can be presented in an online format but at least half of the 40 (forty) hour class must be presented with a live instructor. Half of the class is self-directed with pre-recorded videos and the other half via the scheduled webinars with a live instructor.
There will be 5 (five) days of 4 (four) hour scheduled webinars. Prior to each class we suggest that students view videos and complete other activities online to be prepared for the live webinar class.
Yes. Our online option has the webinar portion conducted during the week.
All of our classes have 40 (forty) hours of participation as required by the Board of Registration. The online and classroom options will require 20 (twenty) hours of video presentation and related activities and 20 (twenty) hours with an instructor, in either a classroom environment or webinar. The online and classroom options could be completed over a 2 (two) to 3 (three) week period.
Browse the class calendar to determine the format you prefer (Classroom, Online or Saturday) and then select the start date of the live lecture portion of your class. Click that date and it will provide you with more details and a link to register for the class.
All materials are provided online for the online and classroom options. If you prefer to have a hard copy of the book you can purchase it online.
We want you to be completely satified with your course. You can read our full cancellation policy here
Of course, this depends on your individual learning style. Students learn in different ways and at different paces. It is highly recommended that you set aside time to study and prepare for the exam outside of your classroom time. We cover a lot of material during class, and most people need to revisit the material on their own time to be ready to take the exam with confidence. Our instructors are well-versed in adult learning techniques and will share with you strategies to help you establish effective study habits.
The exam Salesperson exam is $85.00. (PSI Exam Fee: $54 + MA Application Fee: $31) and the Broker exam is $106.00
Please Note: PSI Services, LLC is the vendor for the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam. To learn more about the new company and their procedures, please visit "PSI Frequently Asked Questions."
Please Note: PSI Services, LLC is the vendor for the Massachusetts Real Estate Exam. To learn more about the new company and their procedures, please visit "PSI Frequently Asked Questions."
There are two parts to the exam, the general section and the Massachusetts law section. You need to get 70% on both parts of the exam. If you fail one part, you need only retake the section you failed. The cost to retake is $54.00.
Our Guarantee: Our goal is for you to pass the State Real Estate exam the first time - but, if for some reason you don’t - you may retake the course option you purchased for FREE!* You have up to 2 (two) years from completion of your initial course to pass both sections of the exam. We also suggest you call us so we can talk about which subjects areas might need extra attention and we’ll help you create a study plan that addresses these areas. Learn more about our policies here.
The salesperson license is issued immediately after passing the exam. The fee is prorated based on the day you pass the exam and your birthday. The fee ranges from $103 - $154. The reason for the pro-ration is your new license will be valid for two years from your next birthday at which time you will need to renew. Your only requirement to renew your license will be to complete 12 hours of continuing education classes.
When you apply to take the exam you will be required to complete a CORI form. If you are concerned about past offences on your record you can review the MA Real Estate Board website for more details.
Online Continuing Education (CE) FAQ
Yes, our school is bonded and licensed by the MA Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons as well as the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission. You can view our approvals under NH Continuing Education Post-Licensing Courses
Yes, we offer fully-approved for CE credits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Online classes were not allowed before 2010. The new law that allows approved real estate schools to teach online classes went into effect February 1, 2010.
You are not required to take the REALTOR® Code of Ethics class to renew your Salespersons or Broker license for the state of Massachusetts. It is only required to maintain membership in the National Association of Realtors. NAR recently changed the requirement to take the course every three years from the previous two year requirement.
Yes, Deborah Bailey, owner of New England Real Estate academy is approved to offer the REALTOR® Code of Ethics 2 1/2 Hour course. When you take the course with us you will recieve two certificates. One for the state and the other for your local board. You can confirm Massachusetts approved instructors here: https://www.marealtor.com/code-of-ethics-training/
The MA Board of Registration does not distinguish between residential and commercial agents. You may select any of our course offerings, as they are fully-approved for both residential and commercial agents.
No, the continuing educations requirements are the same for salespersons and brokers.
The MA Board requires that you complete 12 hours of approved continuing education classes every two years. The Board’s approved classes are all in two-hour segments so you would need to take six, two-hour classes. There are no tests or quizzes with CE Classes.
New Hampshire requires 15 hours of approved continuing education every two years with a 3 hour core course and 12 hours of elective courses.
If you are licensed in both states you can select the online MA / NH CE Renewal bundle and save time!
New Hampshire requires 15 hours of approved continuing education every two years with a 3 hour core course and 12 hours of elective courses.
If you are licensed in both states you can select the online MA / NH CE Renewal bundle and save time!
Our classes are produced in a multi-media video format offering a combination of recorded instructor presentation and PowerPoint slides. After registering for our classes, you will log into our school website and watch the videos for each class at your own pace. You may start and stop the videos at any time, as our system keeps track of where you left off. There is no required reading or any tests to pass. You may watch the videos on most devices (desktop computer, laptop, iPad, etc.). You have access to our videos anywhere there is an internet connection.
Massachusetts: No. There are no tests or quizzes except for REALTOR® Code of Ethics, which is required by NAR. Just watch the videos, and at the conclusion of the courses, you will be asked to acknowledge that you watched the videos yourself. You will then be able to print your certificate of completion from our system to keep for your records. If you take the REALTOR® Code of Ethics you will receive a separate certificate to send to your local REALTOR® board after you pass the test.
New Hampshire: Yes. You do need to pass a test with a minimum grade of 80%. You can repeat the test as needed until you pass.
New Hampshire: Yes. You do need to pass a test with a minimum grade of 80%. You can repeat the test as needed until you pass.
Yes, our classes are fully functional on iPads, Macs, PC’s and most tablets and smart phones.
It takes three easy steps to get started.
- Go to our online real estate school page and set up an account.
- Go to the ‘Catalog’ tab and choose your classes.
- Pay with a credit card and begin watching the videos.
You will have 180 days from your registration date to complete the course and go back to review the videos.
No. When you complete your courses online with us, you will be able to print a certificate of completion right from our system to keep for your records, but you DO NOT send this certificate to the Board at this time. You will communicate your fulfillment of the requirements to the Board by indicating “Yes” on the renewal form “under the pains and penalties of perjury” that you have completed your 12 hours of continuing education courses. You would only need to send your Certificate of Completion to the Board if you receive an audit letter. The Board uses a quasi-honor system and will periodically audit a number of agents. We also keep a detailed record of your classes in our database, and you may contact us if you need proof of your CE credit completion.
Approximately 2 months before your license renewal date, you will receive a renewal letter in the mail from the MA Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. It will contain your "Record ID and an Authorization Code". You will need this information when you renew your license online.
You must complete your renewal online prior to your renewal date, along with a one-time renewal fee. The form includes a section to indicate (“Yes” or “No”) if you have completed the 12-hours of continuing education credits required for renewal. If you answer “Yes”, your license will be renewed and considered to be “active.” If you answer “No” or fail to answer the question, your license will be renewed as “inactive.” When you answer this question, keep in mind that you are attesting to the truth “under the pains and penalties of perjury” and there are consequences for falsifying this information.
It may be helpful to have your certificate available to reference to answer any questions the board may have in the online renewal form.
If you do not have your letter you can contact the board. Explain in the email that you need a "Record ID and an Authorization Code" in order to renew your license. The easiest way is to email them at dplauthcodes@mass.gov
or you can call them at 617-727-2373
Yes, to avoid late fees, you may send in your renewal application before completing your 12-hours of continuing education classes. If you would like to renew your license, but have NOT yet completed the courses, you would answer “No” to the question regarding the completion of continuing education credits and mail the application and renewal fee to the Board. It’s important to understand, however, that your license will be considered current, but “inactive” until you complete the CE requirements and notify the Board.
If your license is current (meaning you have paid the renewal fee), but “inactive” (because you did not complete the CE credit requirements by the renewal date), you will receive a notice informing you that your renewal is “inactive." This form will have a section to indicate "under the pains and penalty of perjury" that you have completed the continuing education requirements and you want to make your license “active.” The completed form is mailed to the Board. If for some reason you do not receive the “inactive” notice from the Board, you can download a License Reactivation Form from on the Board’s website and mail it to them. Note: There is no additional fee charged when mailing the inactive status notice or License Reactivation form.
When your license expires. You have 2 years from the expiration date to reactive your license and pay a late fee. There is no paperwork that you need to complete. Everything is online now. To reactivate your license you need to go to the boards website and pay for your license renewal online. If you don't have an account you should contact the board. The easiest way is to contact them is via email. dplauthcodes@mass.gov
No. Taking the Broker Pre license class alone will not fulfill the CE requirements for a salesperson. However, if you take the broker class and pass the broker exam prior to your license renewal date, your salesperson license is upgraded to a broker’s license and your next license renewal date will be two years from your next birthday.