Becoming a licensed real estate salesperson in New Hampshire requires following a structured process set by the state’s regulatory body. This career allows professionals to assist clients with the purchase, sale, and leasing of property under the guidance of a licensed broker. Navigating the requirements, from initial qualifications to final application, is the necessary first step. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of each stage required to obtain an active license.
Meet Basic Eligibility and Background Requirements
Applicants must meet foundational standards set by the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate to qualify for licensure.
An early step is completing a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which must be initiated before the final license application. Applicants submit a notarized criminal record release authorization form and the required fee to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police. Since this process can take several weeks, the resulting report must be included in the final application package.
Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Course
All salesperson applicants must successfully complete a mandatory 40-hour pre-licensing education course. This instruction must be provided by a school accredited and approved by the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission. The curriculum covers property law, agency relationships, real estate contracts, and state-specific regulations.
Candidates can choose between traditional in-person classes or live-online instruction formats. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite, and the candidate must receive an affidavit from the school proving eligibility to take the state licensing examination.
Pass the NH Real Estate Examination
After completing the mandatory education, candidates must pass the New Hampshire real estate licensing examination, administered by the third-party vendor, PSI. Candidates must register and schedule the exam appointment through PSI’s system within six months of starting the pre-licensing course.
The licensing exam is a multiple-choice test consisting of two distinct sections. The national portion contains 80 scored questions covering general real estate principles and practices. The state-specific portion includes 40 scored questions focused on New Hampshire’s laws and regulations.
To pass, a candidate must achieve a score of at least 70% on both portions individually (56 correct on national, 28 on state). If a candidate fails one or both parts, they may retake only the failed portion up to eight times within six months of the first attempt.
Officially Apply for Your License and Affiliate with a Broker
After successfully passing both sections of the examination, the final step is submitting the formal application to the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission. Candidates must gather all necessary documentation, including the passing score report and the completed criminal background check authorization form. The application and required fee must be submitted to the Commission within six months of passing the exam.
A salesperson license cannot be issued in an active status until the agent affiliates with a licensed New Hampshire Principal Broker. This affiliation, or sponsorship, is a legal requirement ensuring the new agent operates under the supervision of an experienced broker. Identifying a sponsoring broker should begin early, as the broker must sign the final application paperwork.
Practical Considerations: Initial Costs and Time Investment
The financial commitment for obtaining a New Hampshire real estate license varies based on the educational provider and study materials chosen. Pre-licensing course fees range from $250 to over $600. Fixed costs include the criminal background check fee (about $25) and the examination fee (around $67 for the initial attempt).
The final state license application requires a payment of approximately $90 to the Commission. Total mandatory costs generally range from $450 to $800. The entire process, from starting the 40-hour course to receiving an active license, usually takes between three and six months, depending primarily on the speed of course completion and background check processing time.
Maintaining and Renewing Your New Hampshire License
After obtaining the initial license, agents must meet ongoing requirements to maintain active status. Licenses are issued for a two-year period, with renewal dates based on the original issuance date. To renew, active licensees must complete 15 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years.
This mandatory education includes a three-hour core course covering current changes in state laws and regulations. The remaining 12 hours must be completed as elective courses covering approved topics. Salespersons applying for their first license renewal have an additional requirement: the 12 elective hours must be fulfilled through approved post-licensing courses designated by the Commission.