Transfer Your Real Estate License to Massachusetts: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my real estate license transfer to Massachusetts?
Massachusetts recognizes real estate licenses from 12 named states (Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Oklahoma). Licensees from those states apply to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure) under the agreement — Salespersons who passed their licensing examination in a reciprocal state are licensed in Massachusetts WITHOUT taking the Massachusetts exam or the 40-hour course (reciprocity is granted on the strength of the home-state exam and an active good-standing license). Applicants who passed an examination in a NON-reciprocal state may apply to sit for the Massachusetts exam with an educational waiver (submitting a certified letter of Good Standing) - i.e., the 40-hour education can be waived but the Massachusetts exam must be passed. From any other state, you apply as a new applicant. Fee: $134–$181 (Reciprocal Salesperson Application Fee $31 plus a Reciprocal Salesperson Initial License fee prorated by the applicant's date of birth in the range $103-$150 (two-year cycle), for a combined $134-$181. A separate vendor convenience fee applies to online payments.).
Moving to Massachusetts from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Reciprocity with 12 states
Massachusetts's agreement is a list, and the list is the law: if your state appears on it, the streamlined track below applies; if not, no amount of experience substitutes — you use the new-applicant track. Check the list before anything else, and remember it describes states Massachusetts recognizes, which says nothing about the reverse direction.
Per 254 CMR 2.00 the Board recognizes exam-passing licensees from 11 named states plus Oklahoma (Oklahoma requires 2 years of licensure): Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. IMPORTANT: Arizona and California are NOT on the Massachusetts reciprocity list (contrary to the seed fact) - reciprocal applicants from those states do not qualify, though they may apply for the educational waiver and sit for the Massachusetts exam. The 12-state list is the current official roster; there is no ~13-state list including AZ/CA.
Massachusetts requirements at a glance
| Pre-license education | 40 hours of pre-license education |
|---|---|
| Fees | $134–$181 (Reciprocal Salesperson Application Fee $31 plus a Reciprocal Salesperson Initial License fee prorated by the applicant's date of birth in the range $103-$150 (two-year cycle), for a combined $134-$181. A separate vendor convenience fee applies to online payments.) |
| Processing time | Board does not publish a processing time; applications and required documents are submitted and reviewed through the eLIPSE portal |
Step by step
- Confirm Massachusetts's current requirements on the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure) website — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity/endorsement application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active, good-standing salesperson license obtained by examination in a reciprocal state (Oklahoma licensees must have been licensed for 2 years).
- Submit a certified letter of Good Standing from the reciprocating state showing issue date, expiration date, how the license was issued, any discipline, and current status.
- Submit a notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form signed by the applicant.
- Provide a recent passport-style color photograph.
- Apply online through the DOL eLIPSE portal.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Massachusetts:
Nearby states
Real Estate license transfer into the states bordering Massachusetts:
Massachusetts for other professions
- Nursing in Massachusetts
- Cosmetology / Barber in Massachusetts
- Contractor in Massachusetts
- Teaching in Massachusetts
- CPA / Accounting in Massachusetts
- Electrician in Massachusetts
- Plumber in Massachusetts
- Engineering in Massachusetts
- Pharmacy in Massachusetts
- Physical Therapy in Massachusetts
- Psychology in Massachusetts
- Counseling in Massachusetts
- Social Work in Massachusetts
- Occupational Therapy in Massachusetts
Frequently asked questions
Which states does Massachusetts have real estate reciprocity with?
Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Oklahoma (12 states, verified 2026-07-21 against the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure)). Licensees from all other states use the standard application.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Massachusetts DOL - Apply for reciprocity as an out-of-state Real Estate Broker or Salesperson License (reciprocal state list per 254 CMR 2.00, requirements, and fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Massachusetts DOL - Prepare for and schedule your real estate license exam (salesperson must complete 40 hours of real estate education) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Massachusetts DOL - Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons Licensing (hub) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · Corrections log · spot an error? hello@licensereciprocity.com