How to Renew a Massachusetts Real Estate License in 2026
Renewing and keeping a Massachusetts real estate license active in 2026 is very easy, as long as you understand the latest licensure requirements, which we will explain here.
How to Renew a Massachusetts Real Estate License in 2026
If your Massachusetts real estate license is coming up for renewal in 2026, you’re in the right place. Whether you hold a salesperson or broker license, the renewal process is straightforward — as long as you know the rules, complete your continuing education (CE) on time, and file through the state’s online portal before your deadline.
This guide covers everything you need to know: when your license expires, how many CE hours are required, what the renewal fees are, how to file online, and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Massachusetts Real Estate License Renewal at a Glance
| License Types: Salesperson and Broker
Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years Expiration Date: Your birthday (every other year) CE Hours Required: 12 hours Renewal Window Opens: 90 days before your expiration date Salesperson Fee: $103 Broker Fee: $142 Renewal Portal: eLIPSE (Massachusetts DOL) Governing Board: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons |
When Does Your Massachusetts Real Estate License Expire?
Massachusetts ties real estate license expiration to your birthday — making it easy to remember. Your license expires every two years on your birthday. For example, if your birthday is June 15, your license expires on June 15 of your renewal year.
The good news: you don’t have to wait until your birthday to start the renewal process. The state opens the renewal window 90 days before your expiration date. That means you can — and should — renew well in advance. Getting your renewal done early ensures you have your updated license in hand before the old one expires, so there’s no gap in your ability to practice.
Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder 3 months before your birthday in your renewal year. That’s the earliest you can submit your renewal, and starting early gives you a comfortable runway to complete your CE and gather required documents.
Who Needs to Renew?
Both real estate salespersons and real estate brokers licensed in Massachusetts must renew every two years to maintain an active license. This requirement applies regardless of how active you are in the market.
There are a few exceptions and special situations worth knowing:
- Attorney Brokers: Massachusetts real estate brokers who are also Massachusetts attorneys in good standing with the Bar are exempt from the 12-hour CE requirement. (Note: this exemption does not apply to attorneys licensed only in other states.)
- Reciprocal License Holders: Agents who obtained a Massachusetts license through reciprocity from another state are exempt from Massachusetts CE requirements — as long as they complete their home state’s CE requirement. If their home state has no CE requirement, they must complete the Massachusetts 12-hour requirement.
- Inactive License Holders: You can renew your license as inactive without completing CE requirements. An inactive license does not permit you to engage in real estate sales or brokerage activity, but it preserves your license and allows for referral fees in some circumstances. You can later reactivate your license by completing CE and filing a reactivation form.
Massachusetts CE Requirements: What You Need to Know
Before you can renew your active Massachusetts real estate license, you must complete 12 hours of state-approved continuing education. This requirement is the same for both salespersons and brokers.
The 12-Hour Curriculum
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons develops the approved CE curriculum. All 12 hours must come from courses offered by a state-licensed real estate school or a board-approved online provider.
CE courses typically cover subjects such as:
- Real estate law and regulations
- Agency relationships and disclosure
- Fair housing laws
- Contract law and transaction practice
- Ethics and professional conduct
- Technology tools and compliance in real estate
All courses approved in Massachusetts are for two hours each. You can mix and match to build your own 12 credit package, or just enroll in the individual courses you need.
Online vs. In-Person CE
Massachusetts allows licensees to complete their CE hours entirely online. Online courses must use a timing device to ensure you cannot complete them faster than the required seat time — so plan accordingly. Online CE is available 24/7 and can be completed at your own pace from any device with an internet connection.
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What You Need to Gather Before Renewing
Beyond your CE completion certificates, the Massachusetts renewal process requires a few additional documents. Plan ahead, especially for the CORI form — it requires notarization and can’t be done at the last minute.
Required Documents for All Licensees
- CE completion certificates — proof that you completed all 12 hours from a licensed provider. You will upload these directly in the renewal portal.
- Notarized CORI Acknowledgment Form — a Criminal Offender Record Information authorization form that the Board now requires for all renewals. Download the DOL CORI form from Mass.gov, have it notarized by a notary public, and upload it with your application. This step is critical — don’t skip it.
- Recent headshot — a current photo of yourself, uploaded as part of the renewal application.
Additional Requirement for Brokers
- Broker bond — brokers are required to upload their original surety bond as part of the renewal. If you received your bond through a provider and don’t have the original, contact your bond provider directly to request it. (If your bond is through CNA Surety, you can reach them at 1-800-331-6053.) Note that the original bond can only be released to the policyholder.
Massachusetts Real Estate License Renewal Fees
Renewal fees are paid through the eLIPSE portal at the time you submit your application. The current fees set by the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure are:
| License Type | Renewal Fee |
| Salesperson | $103 |
| Broker | $142 |
| Business (brokerage) | $221 |
| School | $264 |
Source: Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure — Renew a Real Estate License
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Massachusetts Real Estate License
Here is the complete renewal process from start to finish:
Step 1: Complete Your 12 Hours of CE
Before you can submit your renewal application, you must finish all 12 CE hours from a state-approved provider. Do this well before your expiration date — at least 10–14 days early is a good rule of thumb, since your CE provider needs time to report your completion to the state.
Ready to get started? Browse Keep Me Certified’s Massachusetts CE courses →
Step 2: Get Your CORI Form Notarized
Download the DOL CORI Authorization Form from the Mass.gov website, complete it, and have it notarized by a licensed notary public. This form authorizes the Board to run a criminal background check. Do not wait on this — finding a notary and getting it signed can take a few days if you’re not prepared.
Step 3 (Brokers Only): Locate Your Bond
If you hold a broker license, track down your original surety bond. If you can’t find it, contact your bond provider directly. You’ll need to upload the original as part of your renewal application.
Step 4: Log In to the eLIPSE Portal
Massachusetts processes all real estate license renewals through the eLIPSE online portal (the Division of Occupational Licensure’s digital licensing platform). If this is your first time using eLIPSE, you’ll need to register with your license number and personal information.
For a walkthrough of the portal, visit the DOL eLIPSE How-to-Guides page on Mass.gov.
Step 5: Upload Your Documents
Once logged in, you’ll complete your renewal application and upload:
- CE completion certificates
- Notarized CORI form
- Recent headshot
- Broker bond (brokers only)
Step 6: Pay the Renewal Fee
Payment is made securely through the eLIPSE platform. The fee is $103 for salespersons and $142 for brokers.
Step 7: Receive Your Updated License
Your renewed license will be issued digitally through eLIPSE. Processing the renewal is no longer immediate. The state needs to run a background check on you. Submit your renewal paperwork early to avoid any interruption in your ability to practice.
What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?
Letting your license expire is more than just an inconvenience — it means you cannot legally practice real estate or collect commissions in Massachusetts until your license is reinstated. Here’s what your options look like depending on how long your license has been expired:
Recently Expired (Less Than 2 Years)
If your license has expired but it’s been less than two years, you can still renew it online through eLIPSE. You’ll need to complete your 12 CE hours (if you haven’t already) and pay a late renewal fee in addition to the standard renewal fee.
Expired More Than 2 Years
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you’ll need to go through a formal reinstatement process by submitting a Request for Reinstatement Application directly to the Board. Contact the Board at [email protected] or call 617-701-8661 for guidance.
Inactive License
If you previously chose to renew your license as inactive, reactivation requires completing the 12-hour CE requirement and submitting a license reactivation form to the Board via email. This process typically takes four to six weeks to process, so plan accordingly if you need your license active by a specific date.
Understanding Your License Status
Massachusetts recognizes three possible license statuses for real estate agents:
- Active: Your license is current and you are authorized to practice real estate, earn commissions, and represent buyers and sellers.
- Inactive: Your license is on file with the Board but you may not actively practice real estate or represent clients. Inactive licensees can receive referral fees in some circumstances. CE is not required to renew as inactive, making this a useful option if you’re taking a temporary break from the industry.
- Expired: Your license has lapsed. You cannot practice real estate or receive any compensation until your license is reinstated.
- There is NO “referral” status, even if you just do referrals. Your license is active, inactive, or expired.
How to Check Your License Status
You can verify the status of your Massachusetts real estate license at any time through the Board’s online license lookup tool. This is also useful for checking your license expiration date if you’re unsure when your renewal is due. Visit the Massachusetts license verification page to search for your license.
How to Contact the Massachusetts Real Estate Board
If you have questions about your renewal that aren’t covered here, the Board is available to help:
- Phone: 617-701-8661 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Email: [email protected]
- In Person (New address): One Federal Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Official Renewal Page: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/renew-a-real-estate-license
Ready to Knock Out Your CE Hours?
The fastest way to get your renewal done is to complete your CE first. Once your 12 hours are in the books, the rest of the process moves quickly. Keep Me Certified is a fully approved real estate school offering Massachusetts-approved online CE courses you can complete at your own pace — complete them at home, on your phone, or anywhere in between as long as you have an internet connection.
Get started today at ma.keepmecertified.com — and check renewal off your list.
