How to Get a New Hampshire Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step Guide on how to get your New Hampshire Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Manchester to Rochester or Dixville Notch to my favorite town, Portsmouth, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your New Hampshire real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all your top questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Meet the State Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of New Hampshire requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Complete Licensing Education
New Hampshire requires only 40 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Apply For Exams
New Hampshire Real Estate Commission has 2 step application process. Apply first to take the exams.
Pass the State Exam
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Pass Background Check
New Hampshire only requires a state background check and answers to some criminal history questions.
Pick a Principal Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Apply For License
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your New Hampshire Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a Social Security number.
- Must pass a background check.
- Take and Pass a New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Pass the New Hampshire State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
Print out the New Hampshire Salesperson Initial Application Checklist here.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
New Hampshire has one course that has a minimum of 40 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your New Hampshire Real Estate License:
- Salesperson Course – 40 Hours of Coursework
New Hampshire requires their Pre-Licensing classes to be held in a classroom or real-time live internet Zoom style classes, no pre-recorded programs or self paced internet learning.
After comparing the choices, I recommend The Real Estate Class for your Pre-Licensing Education. They seem to offer the best combination of value and quality. They have 2 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
The clock is ticking as soon as you start your Pre-Licensing course because you must take the examination within 6 months from the start of a 40 credit pre-licensing course.
3. Apply for Exams
New Hampshire requires you to apply to take the Real Estate Salesperson Exams and pay an examination fee.
To apply to take the New Hampshire Real Estate Licensing Exams, complete this Examination Registration Form and mail it with a check or money order for the Examination fee to: NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification – Attn: Real Estate Licensing, 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301.
The NHREC will process your exam application and send you an email when you’re approved to sit for them.
4. Pass State Exams
New Hampshire has two exams you must pass before you can apply for your New Hampshire Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson New Hampshire State Exam
The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission has contracted with PSI Services to conduct their examination program. PSI has testing locations located throughout New Hampshire. They also have testing centers nationwide making it easy for you to take the test no matter where you are.
You can download the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission License Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin here with all the details on the exam process and protocols.
For telephone scheduling, call PSI at 855 340-3711.
The biggest concern that most people have is how hard the test is and will they pass it on the first try. That’s why I recommend you purchase Pre-Licensing Education that incudes the online practice tests. If you take these practice test until you consistently score 90 or above you are guaranteed to pass the actual exams.
Don’t worry about it.
You’ll do great!All New Hampshire requires you to apply to take the Real Estate Salesperson Exams and pay an examination fee.
To apply to take the New Hampshire Real Estate Licensing Exams, complete this Examination Registration Form and mail it with a check or money order for the Examination fee to: NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification – Attn: Real Estate Licensing, 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301.
The NHREC will process your exam application and send you an email when you’re approved to sit for them.
5. Pass Background Check
New Hampshire requires a state background check for all applicants.
You can download the New Hampshire How To Obtain A Criminal Background Check Instructions here.
Basically you go to the New Hampshire Department of Safety Criminal Records Portal here and do the following:
- Click on the Request Online NH Criminal Conviction Tab.
- Create an account.
- Fill out the online Criminal Request form.
- Pay the background check fee by credit or debit card.
- Wait for an email with the report attached.
Once available, the report can be downloaded in PDF form and printed out.
In addition the the New Hampshire background check, you have to submit to the Commission a criminal record report from any other jurisdiction in which you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense that has not been annulled.
6. Pick a Principal Broker
All Realtors must work under the supervision of a Broker who’s responsible for supervising their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
A Principal Broker must sign your New Hampshire Salesperson Application Form if you’re using a paper application or the Real Estate Commission Affiliation Form if you’re planning on submitting an online application.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
7. Apply for License
You can submit your application either online or go old school and complete and mail in this New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Application Form here.
Online Applications are submitted on the New Hampshire Online Licensing Portal here.
Either way, to get your New Hampshire real estate license, the following items need to be submitted:
- Completed New Hampshire Application Form.
- Proof of completion of the Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course.
- Passing grade report for National Portion of the Exam or proof of license in another state.
- Passing grade report for New Hampshire State Portion of the Exam.
- Broker Affiliation Form (Active applicants only)
- Attestations of Character Affidavit Form.
- NH Background Check report
- Criminal history report from any jurisdiction where you have a conviction.
- Non residents of New Hampshire must provide this Service of Process Form.
- Explanation letters for any items needing further information.
8. Launch Your New Career
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
9. Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a New Hampshire realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in New Hampshire is $400,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $8500 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
New Hampshire requires 40 hours of coursework. New Hampshire requires you to take these courses in either a classroom setting or a live Zoom classroom so basically you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time or sit in front of your computer for 40 hours.
Different schools have different schedules but most meet about twice a week for 4-6 weeks depending on how long each class is. No matter what, you’re going to be sitting somewhere for 40 hours.
The New Hampshire Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $25.00
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $175.00 – $790.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $155.00
- New Hampshire Application Fee – $90.00
The cost of getting your New Hampshire real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $445.00 to as high as $1060.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $620.00.
