Real Estate License from Rhode Island to Massachusetts: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Massachusetts. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Rhode Island to Massachusetts (this page): Reciprocity agreement.

Massachusetts to Rhode Island (the reverse move): Reciprocity agreement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Rhode Island matter?

Coming from Rhode Island matters here: only 12 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Massachusetts.

The others get: licensure by endorsement (38).

Reciprocity agreements

Massachusetts's reciprocity agreement list names 12 states (Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Oklahoma), including Rhode Island.

Rhode Island's reciprocity agreement list names 3 states (Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts), including Massachusetts.

Application fee

Massachusetts lists $134–$181 for an out-of-state applicant and Rhode Island lists $165 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Processing time

Rhode Island lists 1–2 weeks for the reverse move; Massachusetts has no verified processing-time figure on file, so the two cannot be compared here.

Pre-license education

Massachusetts's first-time-applicant standard is 40 hours of pre-license education; Rhode Island's is 45.

Massachusetts's is 5 education hours lower than Rhode Island's.

Exam rules on record

Massachusetts and Rhode Island carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Massachusetts (this move): 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.
• Rhode Island (the reverse move): Connecticut and Massachusetts resident salespersons obtain a reciprocal RI license with NO examination; Florida residents (mutual recognition) must pass only the RI state portion of the exam; applicants from all other states must complete RI pre-license education and pass the full salesperson exam.

What changes, Rhode Island → Massachusetts

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Massachusetts sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Massachusetts's current requirements on the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the reciprocity application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Hold an active, good-standing salesperson license obtained by examination in a reciprocal state (Oklahoma licensees must have been licensed for 2 years).
5. 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.
6. Submit a notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form signed by the applicant.
7. Provide a recent passport-style color photograph.
8. Apply online through the DOL eLIPSE portal.
9. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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