Looking to get into a career in real estate?
Confused with the whole licensing process?
Don’t fret!
If you’re looking for some up-to-date information about licensing in Massachusetts, then I’m here to help!
I’ve done the research and created a step-by-step guide on how to get a real estate license online in Massachusetts. This way, you’ll have the directions you need to get started.
Let’s begin!
Types of Real Estate Courses in Massachusetts
Different types of real estate courses exist in Massachusetts, but you won’t need to take all of them to get your license.
The 3 main real estate courses in Massachusetts are:
Pre-licensing
Broker
Continuing education
Pre-Licensing Real Estate Course
A pre-licensing real estate course is the course required to get your real estate license. This course fills you in on all the fundamental real estate knowledge needed for your career and to ace the final licensing exam.
Broker Real Estate Course
This is a course that isn’t necessary.
A broker real estate course is only taken if a real estate agent wants to set up their own broker agency. This is often taken by established agents. Again, it is entirely optional.
Continuing Education Real Estate Courses
Continuing education real estate courses are studied within every license renewal period, which, in Massachusetts, is every 2 years. Failure to complete these courses before the renewal deadline may result in license suspension.
These courses go over any updates to real estate law, along with new real estate trends and a few important topics from the pre-licensing course.
The 4 Steps on How to Get Real Estate License Online in Massachusetts
To be eligible for a real estate license in Massachusetts, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Hod a high school diploma or GED
If you fall under the category, here’s a summary of the steps required to obtain a license:
Step 1: Take and pass a pre-licensing real estate course
Step 2: Gain approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
Step 3: Pass the final Massachusetts licensing exam
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
Let’s take a deeper look at each step below.
Step 1: Take and pass a pre-licensing real estate course
In Massachusetts, you’ll have to complete a 40-hour pre-licensing course. Once you finish, you then have to pass the course exam and get a score of at least 75%. This is to gain your certificate of completion.
If you’re looking for a good real estate school in Massachusetts, we highly recommend Colibri Real Estate.
Colibri Real Estate provides one of the best online real estate pre-licensing courses in the state. This online school gives you a convenient, flexible, and quick way to learn. Since it is 100% online and available 24/7, you can study it anywhere, anytime.
Step 2: Gain approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
After you’ve obtained your certificate of completion, you’ll have to apply for approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration.
Here, you’ll have to provide a recommendation from 3 people guaranteeing your trustworthiness. Note that these 3 people should be unrelated to you.
The process will also include a background check. While felons may still be eligible to receive a real estate license, the decision rests entirely with the board.
You can find the application form in the PSI handbook.
Step 3: Pass the final Massachusetts licensing exam
If the board approves your application, you can sit for the final licensing exam conducted by the PSI.
Before taking the exam, you need to fill out a form and provide documented proof of approval and other required documents, e.g. valid Social Security number or Tax identification number. You also need to pay the exam fee which costs around $54.
For the application form and more information regarding the exam consult the PSI Handbook.
The final licensing exam is broken into two sections - the national portion (80 multiple choice questions) and the state portion (40 questions).
You’re given 4 hours to complete all 120 questions. To pass, you need a score of at least 70%.
What if you fail the exam?
Don’t worry. You can always retake it, but you’ll have to pay another exam fee of $54.
You have up to 2 years to pass the exam (since your certificate of completion of the 40-hour pre-licensing course expires after 2 years).
Now, if you take the exam in person, you’ll receive your real estate license immediately from the testing center, that is, if you passed. If you take it online, you’ll have to collect it from a collection center near you.
However, your real estate license will remain inactive until you complete the next step.
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
You need to be sponsored by a broker approved in Massachusetts to activate your license.
While you may be itching to get started on your new career, you should take your time selecting the best broker for you. This is because every broker is different and each may have different corporate culture.
Some brokers may expect you to dress formally and follow set work hours, while others are more lenient and allow you to manage your work as you see fit.
You should check all available brokers in your area and look into their reputation and terms and conditions.
Make sure you know what you want, and find a broker that will best fit your needs and preferences.
After selecting a broker, you’ll be ready to use your real estate license and get started.
Real Estate License in Massachusetts FAQs
When do I have to complete continuing education courses?
Massachusetts requires all its real estate agents to complete 12 hours of CE courses every 2 years. Make sure you finish the courses before your license renewal deadline.
Looking for a reliable real estate school that provides Massachusett CE courses?
McKissock, the sister company of Colibri Real Estate, provides the most valuable CE education. This is because they offer a membership package that includes all the CE courses in the state, plus extra webinars, coaching tools, boot camps, and more to take your career to the next level.
The best part is that you have unlimited access to these throughout the year for only $130.
Should I choose online or in-person real estate courses?
While you may benefit from direct interaction with your course instructor, in-person lectures can be difficult to attend due to the rigid class timings, this is especially true if you’re on a tight schedule.
Online courses solve this by providing you access to your course content 24/7 from any device.
Online courses also tend to add interactivity with fun minigames and bite-sized quizzes to keep you alert and interested in the lessons.
Additionally, if you prefer instant responses from your instructors, some online schools, such as Colibri Real Estate, offer a real-time video-based course. This allows you to experience the classroom at home.
How much do real estate courses cost in Massachusetts?
The cost of real estate courses depends on the school and learning style you’re selecting.
In-person courses are normally more expensive starting from around $400-$500. Online courses, on the other hand, are much cheaper with prices as low as $250.
Online courses also offer you more package options that can suit every budget.
Conclusion
The step-by-step guide listed above includes all the requirements to get licensed in Massachusetts.
Sure, it does take time and dedication, but if you really want to start this new career, it will be worth it.
So what are you waiting for?
Sign up for a real estate course and get one step closer to that desired real estate license.
Good luck!