Test 11: Massachusetts Licensing Regulation

appointed by the Governor.

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons has five members who are appointed by the Governor. Three members must be actively engaged in the real estate business and two members represent the public.

the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons investigates and disciplines real estate licensees who violate real estate licensing laws and regulations. A licensee can appeal the Board’s decision to state court.

40 hours

To obtain a Massachusetts real estate salesperson’s license, the applicant must complete 40 hours of prelicense education. To obtain a broker’s license, the applicant must, in addition to the 40 hours of prelicense experience, verify three years’ experience as a salesperson and obtain a $5,000 bond.

two years.

An initial license expires in two years plus the time until the licensee’s birthday. Thereafter a license is valid for two years and expires on the licensee’s birthday.

12 hours

To renew a Massachusetts real estate license the licensee must complete 12 hours of continuing education within the two-year term of the license.

Three years

An applicant for a broker’s license must hold a current salesperson license and have been actively associated (working at least 25 hours a week) with a broker for at least 3 years prior to applying for the broker license. Further, the 3 years of experience must be no more than 2 years old.

complete 40 hours of prelicense education.

An applicant for a broker’s license must complete 40 hours of prelicense education and within the previous five years have three years active experience as a real estate salesperson.

$5,000

An applicant for a broker’s license must post a $5,000 surety bond.

An arrest for a felony

A mere arrest will not cause the Board to screen an application.

A reciprocal licensee who complies with continuing education requirements in the licensee’s home state

A reciprocal licensee who complies with continuing education requirements in the licensee’s home state is not required to otherwise complete Massachusetts continuing education requirements. In addition, a licensee on inactive status is not required to complete continuing education requirements unless and until the licensee applies for reactivation.

Superior Court

An appeal to a Board decision is heard by the Superior Court and must be filed within 20 days of the final notification.

an estimate of the price at which a property will sell at a particular time

A real estate licensee is not qualified to make an estimate of market value. The cost of constructing a duplicate of the subject property is the reproduction value. The value estimated by a taxing authority is the assessed value.

The broker’s legal representative when the sole proprietor of a real estate firm dies

When the sole proprietor of a real estate firm dies, the broker’s legal representative can obtain a temporary license for one year. The license can be issued without the need for education or examination completion, but the surety bond must be posted and appropriate fees paid.

Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Board).

Disciplinary actions against a Massachusetts real estate licensee are heard by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Board). Appeals are heard by the Superior Court.

is not required to have any real estate license or certificate.

A personal assistant is not required to have any real estate license or certificate, but it is important that the assistant does not engage in any activities that require a license. If an assistant does perform duties that require a license, the assistant must be licensed and work under a broker.

placed on inactive status.

A license will be placed on inactive status if a licensee has completed continuing education requirements but not paid the renewal fee. No real estate related activities that require a license can be conducted with an inactive status.