How to get a Salesperson license in New Hampshire

New Hampshire real estate agent licenses

New Hampshire issues 4 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the New Hampshire real estate agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old¹

Background check

Background check required¹
A New Hampshire State Police criminal record authorization must be filed before applying, plus a criminal record report from any other jurisdiction where the applicant was convicted of a misdemeanor or felony; the Commission then decides eligibility.¹

Residency or citizenship

No New Hampshire residency required; nonresidents qualify on the same terms and file an irrevocable consent to service of process.¹

Social Security number

A Social Security number must be given on the exam registration form (Rea 301.03(b)(3), citing RSA 161-B:11, VI-a).²

Also required

Application must include affidavits from 3 character references, none related to the applicant by blood or marriage.¹

Also required

No record of unprofessional conduct, and evidence of a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness and integrity.¹

How to apply

1. Pass the PSI licensing exam (national and New Hampshire portions; out-of-state licensees who passed national and state exams take only the New Hampshire portion).⁴
2. Before applying, file the New Hampshire State Police criminal history record authorization (with its fee), plus a criminal record report from any other jurisdiction where you were convicted of a misdemeanor or felony.¹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years²

Approved courses

Courses must be accredited by the Commission and directly related to New Hampshire real estate practice.¹

From another state

2. Every license level except Salesperson

Requirements

Education or training

At least 60 clock hours¹
60 hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing study, completed before the exam¹
Who may teach it: Preparatory courses must be accredited by the Commission.¹

Experience

At least 1 year¹
Full-time employment by an active principal broker for at least one year within the 5 years before applying, or at least 2,000 part-time hours as a licensed New Hampshire salesperson within 5 years, or experience the Commission accepts as equivalent.¹
Supervision: Employed by an active principal broker¹
Substitute: 2,000 part-time hours as a licensed NH salesperson within 5 years¹
Substitute: Equivalent experience proved to the Commission¹

Experience

Evidence of at least 6 separate compensated real estate transactions in which the applicant was actively involved, or equivalent experience.¹

Exam

Real estate broker licensing examination (national and New Hampshire portions)¹
Given by: PSI, Inc.⁴
Passing score: Minimum score of 70 on each portion (uniform/national and New Hampshire)²
When you can take it: After completing the 60 hours of approved study¹
National portion¹
New Hampshire (state) portion¹
Retakes: To retake, submit a new exam fee and the failing score report; a passed portion need not be retaken. Both portions must be passed within 6 months of the original exam (and within 8 attempts), or the candidate must take another accredited pre-licensing course and retake the whole exam.²
Time limit: After passing, you must become licensed within 6 months of the exam date or retake the exam.¹
Exam waived: Licensees of other jurisdictions who passed national and state exams take only the New Hampshire portion (RSA 331-A:11-a).¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Meet the broker experience rule (one year full time under a principal broker, 2,000 part-time salesperson hours, or equivalent; plus 6 compensated transactions) and complete 60 hours of Commission-accredited broker pre-licensing study.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$110² (Associate, Principal and Managing Broker)

Required topics

3-hour core course (changes in state and federal real estate, housing, financing, consumer protection, zoning and subdivision law): required for active and inactive renewal¹
12 elective hours: required for active license renewal only¹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $60²
Reinstatement fee: $110⁵

From another state

3. Salesperson and Associate Broker

How to apply

1. Apply to the Real Estate Commission on its application (now through the OPLC licensing portal) with 3 character-reference affidavits and the application fee, within 6 months of passing the exam.¹

4. Managing Broker and Principal Broker

Requirements

Surety bond

$25,000¹

Business requirements

A firm (corporation, partnership or association) applying for a broker license must designate a licensed broker as its principal broker; corporations attach their certificate of incorporation.¹

How to apply

1. Apply to the Real Estate Commission on its application (now through the OPLC licensing portal) with 3 character-reference affidavits and the application fee, within 6 months of passing the exam. Principal and managing brokers also file a $25,000 surety bond.¹

Who needs a Salesperson license

Performs brokerage activities (selling, buying, leasing, listing, negotiating, collecting rent, advertising real estate for others for compensation) only while licensed under, and supervised by, a broker.¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Owners who are not licensees (and their regular employees) dealing with the owner's own property are exempt.¹

Requirements for a Salesperson license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 40 clock hours¹
40 hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing study, completed before the exam¹
Who may teach it: Preparatory courses must be accredited by the Commission.¹

Exam

Real estate salesperson licensing examination (national and New Hampshire portions)¹
Given by: PSI, Inc.⁴
Passing score: Minimum score of 70 on each portion (uniform/national and New Hampshire)²
When you can take it: After completing the 40 hours of approved study¹
National portion¹
New Hampshire (state) portion¹
Retakes: To retake, submit a new exam fee and the failing score report; a passed portion need not be retaken. Both portions must be passed within 6 months of the original exam (and within 8 attempts), or the candidate must take another accredited pre-licensing course and retake the whole exam.²
Time limit: After passing, you must become licensed within 6 months of the exam date or retake the exam.¹
Exam waived: Licensees of other jurisdictions who passed national and state exams take only the New Hampshire portion (RSA 331-A:11-a).¹

Also required

Must be licensed under a broker; a salesperson cannot practice independently.¹

How much a Salesperson license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Complete 40 hours of Commission-accredited salesperson pre-licensing study.¹
2. Work only under a licensed New Hampshire broker.¹

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$90²

Required topics

3-hour core course (changes in state and federal real estate, housing, financing, consumer protection, zoning and subdivision law): required for active and inactive renewal¹
12 elective hours: required for active license renewal only¹
Before the first renewal, a salesperson's 12 hours are in topics or courses the Commission specifies.¹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $60²
Reinstatement fee: $90⁵

Moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state

These are the routes the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission publishes for the Salesperson license.

Associate Broker

Holds a broker license but works for, and under the supervision of, a principal broker.¹

Requirements

Also required

Associate brokers do not file the broker surety bond (bond applies to principal and managing brokers).¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Managing Broker

A broker who manages a branch office; must keep a surety bond.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Principal Broker

The individual broker (including the broker a firm designates) whom the Commission holds responsible for the licensees assigned to them; must keep a surety bond.¹

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license

A temporary broker license exists only for the legal representative (or their designee) of a principal broker who dies or is totally incapacitated, for up to one year.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Associate BrokerState license only: the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) licenses salespersons and brokers statewide.⁴

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a real estate agent in New Hampshire, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in New Hampshire is on the New Hampshire license lookup page.

Look up a license

forms.nh.gov⁴

File a complaint

oplc.nh.gov⁴

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• RSA 331-A (New Hampshire Real Estate Practice Act)
• RSA 331-A:10 (qualifications), 331-A:10-a (criminal records check), 331-A:11 (examinations), 331-A:11-a (recognition for licensure), 331-A:12 (application)
• RSA 331-A:25, IX (continuing education minimums)
• N.H. Admin. Rules Rea 100-700 (Real Estate Commission): Rea 301.02 fees, 301.03 exam filing and passing score, 303 exams, 401-403 renewal and CE
• N.H. Admin. Rules Rea 301.02
• RSA 331-A:14 (broker surety bond)

Rule changes since January 2024

• October 1, 2024: Commission changed the requirements for a salesperson's first renewal.⁴

Common questions

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