Part 1: Licensees From Other States Obtaining A MA License

Real Estate licensees from other states are often interested in their eligibility to do business in Massachusetts. Do you need to take 40 hours of Massachusetts required education? What about taking the exam? Is my previous experience recognized? The easy answer is…it varies!!! Let’s take a look at our New England licensed neighbors first as well as some other exemptions! (As noted on mass.gov/ Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons)

Connecticut and Rhode Island Complete reciprocity for both Salespersons and Brokers. An Applicant must remit a CERTIFIED RECORD OF LICENSE HISTORY from the appropriate State’s Real Estate Commission showing a current license along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s name, mailing address, birthday and a non- refundable application fee of $52.00 for Brokers and $31.00 for Salespersons. Certified Records are valid for 90 days and must be valid at the issuance of the Massachusetts license application. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant a Reciprocal Application. There is no examination.

New Hampshire: Salespersons and Brokers must apply for an Educational Waiver which allows the Applicant to take only the Massachusetts State portion of the examination without completing Massachusetts pre-licensure education. An Applicant must remit a CERTIFIED RECORD OF LICENSE HISTORY from the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission showing a current license along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s name, mailing address and request for an Educational Waiver. Educational Waivers are valid for two (2) years. Certified Records of License History are valid for 90 days and must be valid at the issuance of the Educational Waiver. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant a Candidate Handbook that authorizes the Applicant to take the Massachusetts State portion of the examination.

Maine: Brokers licensed for three (3) years must apply for an Educational Waiver which allows the Applicant to take only the Massachusetts State portion of the examination without completing Massachusetts pre-licensure education. An Applicant must remit a CERTIFIED RECORD OF LICENSE HISTORY from the Maine Real Estate Commission showing a current license along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s name, mailing address and request for an Educational Waiver. Educational Waivers are valid for two (2) years. Certified Records of License History are valid for 90 days and must be valid at the issuance of the Educational Waiver. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant a Candidate Handbook that authorizes the Applicant to take the Massachusetts State portion of the examination. Maine Brokers with less than three (3) years of licensure or all Maine Salespersons – See “All Other States” below.

New York: Brokers licensed for two (2) years have complete reciprocity. An Applicant must remit a CERTIFIED RECORD OF LICENSE HISTORY from the New York Real Estate Commission showing a current license along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s name, mailing address, birthday and a non-refundable application fee of $52.00. Certified Records are valid for 90 days and must be valid at the issuance of the Massachusetts license application. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant a Reciprocal Application. There is no examination.
New York Brokers with less than two (2) years of licensure and all New York Salespersons – See “All Other States” below.

Vermont; All Other States & North Carolina: An Applicant must apply for an Education Waiver which allows the Applicant to take the entire Real Estate examination at the level of licensure in the other State without completing Massachusetts pre-licensure education. An Applicant must remit a CERTIFIED RECORD OF LICENSE HISTORY from their Real Estate Commission showing a current license along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s name, mailing address and request for an Educational Waiver. Educational Waivers are valid for two (2) years. Certified Records of License History are valid for 90 days and must be valid at the issuance of the Educational Waiver. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant a Candidate Handbook that authorizes the Applicant to take the entire Real Estate examination (General portion and Massachusetts State portion of the examination). For North Carolina, a Provisional Broker is equivalent to a Massachusetts Salesperson.

Other Exemptions in MA:
Massachusetts Attorney: An Applicant must remit a LETTER OF GOOD STANDING issued by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s mailing address, birthday and a non-refundable application fee of $52.00. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant an Attorney Broker Application. Letters of Good Standing are valid for 90 days and must be valid at the issuance of the Massachusetts license application. There is no examination.
Massachusetts Law School Student: Massachusetts law school students are eligible to take the Salesperson’s examination without first taking the Real Estate Salesperson course provided he/she has completed a course in property law at an accredited Massachusetts Law School. An Applicant must remit a certified transcript from the Applicant’s Massachusetts Law School along with a cover letter that includes the Applicant’s name, mailing address and request for an Educational Waiver. Educational Waivers are valid for two (2) years. Once the Board receives and reviews the materials, the Board will mail the Applicant a Candidate Handbook that authorizes the Applicant to take the entire Real Estate Salesperson examination (General portion and Massachusetts State portion of the examination).

The information provided is the most current available from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure/ Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, For more information, contact the Board at
Mailing Address: Real Estate Board, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118
Phone Number: 617-727-2373
Email: realestateboard@mass.gov

Resources: You may use the links below from MA Real Estate Board of Brokers and Salespersons forms to assist you .

Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Waivers Request
How to apply for a reciprocal license educational waiver
What states have reciprocity with Massachusetts Board of Real Estate?

COMING NEXT:
Part 2: Massachusetts Licensees Obtaining Real Estate Licensure in Other States