50-State Real Estate Broker Licensing Compliance Guide
An overhead view of a woman signing forms

Massachusetts Real Estate License

A real estate agent giving a tour of a modern house

Licensing requirements for Massachusetts brokerage firms.

A business entity offering real estate brokerage services to the public typically must register with the real estate commission before conducting business activity. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Company Licenses

Massachusetts Real Estate Company Licenses

Massachusetts Real Estate Company License

Agency:Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
Law:

G.L. c. 112, §§ 87RR, 87SS, 87TT, 254 CMR 2.00(11)

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Limited Liability Partnerships 
  • General Partnerships 
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Insurance Requirements:

Limited Liability Companies/ Limited Liability Partnerhsips: must attach a copy of the Errors and Omissions document (E&O) for the business professional liability insurance policy, showing coverage sufficient to meet the requirements of G.L. c. 108A, §45(8)(a) and 254 CMR 2.00(12).

Bond Requirements:

A Surety Bond in the amount of $5,000 in the exact name of the corporation/limited liability company/limited liability partnership/general partnerhsip (not the DBA name),
issued by a Board-approved Real Estate Bond Company.

Notes:

The Board does not issue business licenses to sole proprietorships. For the Board’s purposes, a sole proprietorship is defined as a licensed broker who operates solely under his or her broker’s license, with no employees. However, if the broker choses to operate the sole proprietorship under a name other than the licensed broker’s exact name, then the broker must submit a certified copy of the doing business as (DBA) certificate issued by the city or town where the business is located. A PDF of the DBA certificate must be e-mailed to the Board at RealEstateBoard@state.ma.us. 

Initial Registration

Form:

Corporation, LLC, LLP and General Partnership Applications

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$271

Turnaround:

Please note that it takes a minimum of ten (10) business days for the Board to review and approve a real estate business application. The Board only will review complete applications. Failure to submit all required information or supporting documents will result in your application being deemed incomplete or denied. 

Once approved, the Board will mail an approval letter to the mailing address provided by the applicant during the application process. Your license information will be added to DPL’s public “Check a License” database within twenty-four (24) hours of issuance.

Before you Apply:
  • Effective February 2018, all real estate business applications must be submitted online through the
    Division of Professional Licensure’s (DPL) ePLACE portal
  • In addition to completing the informational portions of the online application, applicants are required to upload electronic copies of all supporting documents required for the type of business license for which they are applying. Please review the list below for a summary of the required documents, organized by type of business license. Applicants are advised that they should retain original copies of all supporting documents and that they may be required to submit original copies to the Board at a later date if requested.
Required Attachments:
  • Corporations:
    • A Letter of Legal Existence issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office or, for a corporation located outside of Massachusetts, a Certificate of Foreign Corporation, also issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office.
    • A complete list of the current officers of the corporation, issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office.
    • A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Authorization Form completed and signed by the Broker of Record.
    • If applicable, an official letter or certificate of standing for each license held by either the business or broker of record, in any other jurisdiction. Please note that the letter or certificate must have been issued within 90 days of the date of submission of this application. 
    • If applicable, a copy of a certified doing business as (DBA) certificate issued by the city or town in which the business is located.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior or pending disciplinary actions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic. Please include certified copies of any disciplinary documents or official records of the disciplinary action.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior felony or misdemeanor convictions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.
      • Please include copies of certified court records related to the conviction. 
  • Limited Liability Companies:
    • A Letter of Good Standing (long form) issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office. 
    • A list of the current officers of the LLC. This list must be signed by the Broker of Record and notarized.
    • A copy of the Errors and Omissions document (E&O) for the businesses’ professional liability insurance policy, showing coverage sufficient to meet the requirements of G.L. c. 156C, § 65 and 254 CMR 2.00(12). 
    • A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Authorization Form completed and signed by the Broker of Record.
    • If applicable, an official letter or certificate of standing for each license held by either the business or broker of record, in any other jurisdiction. Please note that the letter or certificate must have been issued within 90 days of the date of submission of this application. 
    • If applicable, a copy of a certified doing business (DBA) certificate issued by the city or town
      in which the business is located.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior or pending disciplinary actions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic. Please include certified copies of any disciplinary documents or official records of the disciplinary action.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior felony or misdemeanor convictions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.
      • Please include copies of certified court records related to the conviction. 
  • Limited Liability Partnerships:
    • A Letter of Good Standing (long form) issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office (original). 
    • A signed, notarized document noting the name and contact information of the General Partner
    • A copy of the Errors and Omissions document (E&O) for the business professional liability insurance policy, showing coverage sufficient to meet the requirements of G.L. c. 108A, §45(8)(a) and 254 CMR 2.00(12).
    • A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Authorization Form was completed and signed by the Broker of Record. 
    • If applicable, an official letter or certificate of standing for each license held by either the business or broker of record, in any other jurisdiction. Please note that the letter or certificate must have been issued within 90 days of the date of submission of this application.
    • If applicable, a copy of a certified doing business as (DBA) certificate issued by the city or town in which the business is located.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior or pending disciplinary actions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic. Please include certified copies of any disciplinary documents or official records of the disciplinary action.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior felony or misdemeanor convictions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic. Please include copies of certified court records related to the conviction. 
  • General Partnerships:
    • A certified copy of the partnership agreement. 
    • A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Authorization Form completed and signed by the Broker of Record.
    • If applicable, a copy of a certified doing business as (DBA) certificate issued by the city or town in which the business is located. 
    • If applicable, an official letter or certificate of standing for each license held by either the business or broker of record, in any other jurisdiction. Please note that the letter or certificate must have been issued within 90 days of the date of submission of this application. 
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior or pending disciplinary actions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic. Please include certified copies of any disciplinary documents or official records of the disciplinary action.
    • If applicable, an explanatory document detailing all prior felony or misdemeanor convictions against either the business or broker of record in any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic. Please include copies of certified court records related to the conviction. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Online

Agency Fee:

$271

Due:

Biennially by the initial registration date.

Individual Licenses

Massachusetts Individual Real Estate Licenses

Massachusetts Real Estate Broker License

Agency:Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Due:

Biennially

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson License

Agency:Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Due:

Biennially

Learn about real estate licensing in other states:

Associate Broker - Associate brokers are qualified to work independently as a broker, but choose to work under the authority of a designated broker.

On-Site Manager - A broker or salesperson who oversees the operations of a branch office under the authority of the designated broker.

Qualifying Broker/Designated Broker - An experienced and licensed real estate broker responsible for management and operation of a real estate firm.

Real Estate - Land, buildings, and their permanent improvements and fixtures. Also called "real property" in contrast to personal property.

Real Estate Agent - This term refers generally to any licensed real estate professional.

Reciprocity - Reciprocity makes it easier for out-of-state real estate firms to gain approval to operate in a foreign state by streamlining some licensing requirements.

Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO)
Offers a license verification database accross 43 jurisdictions.

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Agencies
Aid education, research, and advocacy efforts in the real estate industry.

National Association of Realtors
Real estate trade organization that provides information and resources for development of the real estate industry.

Urban Land Institute
Research and education association concerned with responsible land use and creating sustainable communities.