Jacqueline Kyo Thomas
What does it take to become a licensed real estate agent in New Hampshire, especially if you’ve decided to take advantage of the state’s reciprocity agreement?
In this guide, we'll provide answers to the most common questions we receive on becoming a real estate agent in New Hampshire.
What is real estate reciprocity?
Real estate license reciprocity is an agreement between states to let a real estate agent who has earned their license in one state to transfer that license to another state without taking additional real estate courses. In some state agreements, a licensed agent may not even need to take an additional state licensing exam.
To take advantage of the New Hampshire license reciprocity agreement, you will need to take and pass the state portion of the New Hampshire licensing exam. However, you will not need to sit for the National portion of the exam if you've also completed the full license exam and received your real estate license in another state.
What states have real estate reciprocity with New Hampshire?
Get ready for great news. The answer is “all of them!”
New Hampshire recently passed a bill that increased the scope of its real estate license reciprocity agreements. New Hampshire now recognizes all states' licenses for reciprocity. No matter which U.S. state you've earned your real estate license in, you are now eligible to apply for New Hampshire reciprocity.
How do I get a reciprocal real estate license in New Hampshire?
There are four steps to applying for New Hampshire reciprocity and getting your New Hampshire real estate license.
The first step is to have a state-issued real estate license. You must have also passed both the National and State portions of the real estate exam in the state of your licensing.
If you don't already have a real estate license in another state, New Hampshire requires that you take a 40-hour pre-licensure course before sitting for your exam. You can take the licensing course with us, from the comfort of your home. We offer the full New Hampshire real estate licensing course online here.
New Hampshire also requires that you are legally registered and cleared to do business in your state. To prove this, you'll need to receive a Certificate of Good Standing, which may go by another name in your state, such as a Certificate of Existence.
The second step is to take and pass the New Hampshire licensing exam. If you have already passed the National exam, you will not need to redo that portion of the exam. Instead, you must take the state portion to demonstrate that you know real estate laws specific to New Hampshire.
We have developed a New Hampshire real estate exam study plan to help you get up to speed with everything you need to know to pass the New Hampshire state test. In addition to the study guide, click here to get access to 25 hours of our online New Hampshire licensing course, along with practice exams and unlimited practice questions by topic.
Once you are ready, you can schedule an appointment to take the state portion of the New Hampshire real estate license exam. Apply for the exam by filling out this NH Real Estate Commission form.
Note that the exam registration form must be printed out and mailed along with the exam fee and your letter of Good Standing. The state of New Hampshire accepts personal checks, money orders, and cashier's checks by mail.
If approved, you will receive an email from PSI, which is the testing provider for New Hampshire. You can then schedule your exam. Be prepared to take the exam in person within 90 days of receiving the approval email.
After you've passed the state portion of the exam, the third step is to apply for your New Hampshire real estate license. You have six months to do so. Fill out this NH real estate salesperson application form and mail it back to the NH Real Estate Commission along with the application fee.
Be careful to follow all of the requirements listed on this page to effectively apply for your real estate license. Failure to include all required materials will cause your application to be returned.
The fourth and final step is to get your license. Fortunately, you won't have to do anything for this one, except wait. Once your application is approved, you'll be licensed as a New Hampshire real estate agent through the reciprocal license agreement.
What are the requirements to become a licensed real estate agent in New Hampshire?
The basic requirements to earn your real estate license in New Hampshire are as follows:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Take and/or have successfully completed the New Hampshire pre-licensure real estate course.
- Take and/or have successfully passed both the National and New Hampshire state real estate license exam.
- Pay all required fees.
How hard is it to get a real estate license in New Hampshire?
The basic requirements are low, but the test is probably your biggest obstacle to getting a real estate license in New Hampshire.
If you've passed a state real estate exam before, you already know what to expect. The state exam will cover topics such as New Hampshire principles and practice and regulations of licensee conduct.
The New Hampshire real estate license exam is not easy, but with the right resources, you’ll be more than capable of passing the test with no sweat.
Check out our comprehensive New Hampshire study guide and online pre-licensure course.
How many questions are on the NH real estate exam?
The New Hampshire real estate test is 120 questions long. It is broken into two sections: National and State. If you plan to take advantage of the reciprocity agreement, you only need to take the State portion of the exam, which has 40 questions. You will have 90 minutes to finish the 40-question exam.
What score do you need to pass the NH real estate exam?
In order to pass the New Hampshire real estate exam, you will need to make a minimum score of 70%. In other words, you will need to answer 28 questions correctly out of the 40 asked. If you don't pass the test, you will receive a diagnostic report that breaks down your score. Use this information as a study guide for re-taking the exam.
How many times can you take the NH real estate exam?
You have up to six months and up to eight attempts to retake the exam. The fee to retake one or both parts of the exam is $155 for a salesperson and $170 for a broker.
Learn more about the real estate commission license fees here.
How much does it cost to get your New Hampshire real estate license?
In order to get your New Hampshire real estate license, you'll need to pay the following fees:
- An examination fee of $67 (Salesperson and Broker). If registering at the Commission Office in person, you are able to pay by cash in the exact amount. Examination fees are non-refundable.
- License Application fee of $90 (Salesperson) or $110 (Broker). If applying online, acceptable forms of payment include MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, and Discover.
What skills are required to become a successful New Hampshire real estate agent?
Possessing a “can do” attitude will play a huge role in your success, but that’s not the only skill you need to have to become a top real estate agent in New Hampshire. Here are a few other skills you’ll need to have or develop:
- Communication, including the ability to read body language
- Active listening
- The ability to negotiate
- Problem-solving
- Integrity
- Persistence
- Knowledge of the local area
- Knowledge of the real estate industry
- Marketing
Final Thoughts
You can use New Hampshire’s real estate reciprocity agreement with other states to ease your path into becoming a licensed agent. Fortunately, becoming a licensed real estate agent in New Hampshire is a straightforward process.
Get started on your journey by signing up for the New Hampshire real estate exam study plan. You’ll also receive access to 25 hours of our online New Hampshire licensing course and unlimited practice questions.