How to get a Massachusetts real estate license
Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam requirements: hours, vendor, national vs state portions, and how to prepare for the licensing exam — from the official commission.
- Salesperson hours
- 40
- Broker requirement
- Additional 40 hours of broker pre-license education + 3 years licensed/active as MA salesperson (min 25 hrs/week; experience must be current or no more than 2 years old at time of exam), plus a notarized $5,000 surety bond signed by an insurance agent and the candidate
- Exam vendor
- PSI Services LLC (per Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons candidate handbook)
- Exam structure
- 120 multiple-choice questions total: national/general portion 80 questions (150 min), MA state portion 40 questions (90 min), scored separately; plus 5-10 unscored pretest questions
- Passing
- 70% each portion (56/80 national; 28/40 state)
Preparing for the Massachusetts exam
PrepTempo's Salesperson and Broker courses cover the national portion — property, contracts, financing, agency, and practice — which is the same in Massachusetts and the larger share of the exam. Study your Massachusetts state-law portion from the commission on top of the core.
Massachusetts real estate license FAQ
How many hours are required for a Massachusetts real estate license?
40
What does the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam cover?
120 multiple-choice questions total: national/general portion 80 questions (150 min), MA state portion 40 questions (90 min), scored separately; plus 5-10 unscored pretest questions
How do I become a realtor in Massachusetts?
Complete required pre-license education (40), pass the licensing exam (PSI Services LLC (per Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons candidate handbook); 120 multiple-choice questions total: national/general portion 80 questions (150 min), MA state portion 40 questions (90 min), scored separately; plus 5-10 unscored pretest questions), meet any broker affiliation rules, and apply through the Massachusetts real estate commission. PrepTempo covers the national exam portion with free sample questions and free Chapter 1.
Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the Massachusetts real-estate commission. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state commission or exam vendor.