1.2 Massachusetts License Requirements
Key Takeaways
- Salesperson applicants must be at least 18, complete a 40-hour Board-approved pre-license course, and submit three character endorsements through eLIPSE
- The licensing exam is administered by PSI: 120 questions total (80 national, 40 state) with a 4-hour time limit
- Passing requires 70% on EACH portion separately: 56 of 80 on national AND 28 of 40 on state
- Broker applicants need 3 years of active salesperson experience at 25+ hours per week, 40 more education hours, and a notarized $5,000 surety bond
- License terms run two years and renewal requires 12 hours of continuing education
Salesperson Eligibility
Massachusetts has one of the lightest education burdens in the country, but every box still gets tested.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 years old |
| Education | 40 hours, Board-approved school |
| Endorsements | Three character endorsements (non-relatives, non-classmates) |
| Exam | Pass national AND state portions |
| Application | Filed via eLIPSE portal |
The 40-Hour Course
The pre-license curriculum is set by 254 CMR and blends national principles with Massachusetts law. Board rules require a meaningful share of real-time, two-way instruction even in online sections (commonly cited at roughly 21 hours of live instruction).
| Component | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|
| License law and 254 CMR | Board authority, conduct standards |
| Law of agency | Disclosure, mandatory consumer relationship form |
| Contracts and property | Offers, P&S agreements, deeds, title |
| Fair housing | Federal plus Chapter 151B state protections |
| Financing and math | Mortgages, proration, commission math |
Trap: Choices listing 60, 75, or 90 hours are wrong for Massachusetts. The salesperson pre-license requirement is exactly 40 hours.
The PSI Examination
The exam is delivered by PSI (Psychological Services Inc.). Since June 2025 candidates apply to test through the state eLIPSE portal before scheduling with PSI.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Vendor | PSI |
| National questions | 80 |
| State questions | 40 |
| Total questions | 120 |
| Time limit | 4 hours |
| Passing score | 70% on EACH portion |
| National pass mark | 56 of 80 |
| State pass mark | 28 of 40 |
Worked example: A candidate scores 60/80 national (75%) but 26/40 state (65%). Overall that is 86/120 (about 72%), which looks passing, but it is a FAIL because the state portion is below 70%. The two scores never average; each must independently clear 70%.
Fees and Money
Fees changed with eLIPSE, so verify current amounts on the PSI bulletin before testing.
| Item | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam fee (PSI) | ~$54-$85 |
| Salesperson license | Pro-rated by birth month (~$103-$150) |
| Renewal | Set by Board, paid each 2-year cycle |
The license fee being pro-rated to your birth month is a uniquely Massachusetts twist; the first license can cost less than a full term because it aligns you to the staggered renewal calendar.
Broker Upgrade Requirements
A salesperson cannot jump straight to broker. The path adds experience, education, an exam, and a bond.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Experience | 3 years active as a salesperson, 25+ hours/week, under a MA broker |
| Recency | Experience must be no more than 2 years old at exam time |
| Education | 40 additional approved hours (80 total) |
| Surety bond | Notarized $5,000 surety bond required at licensure |
| Exam | 120 questions (80 national, 40 state), 70% each portion |
Trap: The $5,000 surety bond applies to brokers, not salespersons. Watch for a question that attaches the bond to a new salesperson, that is wrong.
Application Steps (Salesperson)
- Complete the 40-hour Board-approved course and pass its final.
- Gather three character endorsements from non-relatives, non-classmates.
- Apply to test through eLIPSE and schedule with PSI.
- Pass both portions (70% national, 70% state).
- Pay the pro-rated license fee on-site when you pass.
- Affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate practice.
Renewal at a Glance
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Term | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 12 hours per cycle |
| Portal | eLIPSE |
Exam-Day Logistics and Retakes
The PSI exam is computer-based and delivered at PSI test centers or by approved remote proctoring. Bring two forms of valid ID matching your application name. The clock is a single 4-hour block covering both portions; manage time so the easier 40-question state section is not rushed at the end.
| Logistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, multiple choice |
| ID | Two valid IDs, names must match |
| Result | Pass/fail given on-site after testing |
| License pickup | Pay pro-rated fee on-site when you pass |
If You Fail One Portion
Massachusetts scores the two portions independently, which has a practical upside: in many sittings a candidate who passes one portion and fails the other may need to retake only the failed portion within the allowed window, rather than the whole exam. Always confirm the current retake rule in the PSI bulletin, because policies and waiting periods change.
Worked example: A candidate passes national 58/80 but fails state 25/40. They keep the national pass and re-sit only the state portion, paying the exam fee again for that attempt.
Common Requirement Traps
- "75 hours" education: that is a different state. Massachusetts salesperson is 40 hours.
- "Average the two scores": never; each portion needs 70% on its own.
- Salesperson surety bond: there is none; the $5,000 bond is broker-only.
- Broker with 2 years' experience: insufficient; brokers need 3 years at 25+ hours/week, and the experience must be recent (no more than 2 years old at exam time).
A Massachusetts candidate answers 64 of 80 national questions correctly but only 27 of 40 state questions. What is the result?
Which requirement applies to a Massachusetts BROKER applicant but NOT a salesperson applicant?