How to Get Your New Hampshire Real Estate License

New Hampshire offers Salesperson and Broker licenses through the Real Estate Commission.

Salesperson License Requirements

• Complete 40 hours of accredited pre-licensing education (32 classroom hours plus up to 8 hours of distance education within 1 year prior to your exam)
• Pass the Salesperson exam (120 scored questions, 84/120 combined passing)
• Submit a criminal record release authorization and, if applicable, disclose any misdemeanor or felony offenses
• Submit your registration form and exam fee to the Commission before scheduling with PSI
• Apply for licensure within 6 months of receiving your passing exam results

Broker License Requirements

• Satisfy an experience requirement: either full-time employment by an active principal broker for at least 1 year within 5 years, or at least 2,000 part-time hours as a licensed salesperson within 5 years (or petition the Commission for a waiver with equivalent experience)
• Submit evidence of at least 6 separate compensated real estate transactions via a Real Estate Transaction Verification Form
• Complete 60 hours of approved study, satisfiable through several distinct paths: a JD from an accredited law school with active real estate practice, a bachelor's degree with a real estate major, an associate's degree in real estate, or completion of CCIM/GRI designation requirements — plus various combinations of continuing education and college coursework
• Pass the Broker exam (115 scored questions: 75 national worth up to 2 points each, 40 state)

Reciprocity

Candidates holding a valid license from another state may be eligible for a New Hampshire license through reciprocity — contact the Commission directly for current terms.

Step 1: Confirm both portions are passed

If you split your results, make sure you've cleared both within your 8-attempts/6-month window before applying.

Step 2: Submit your original score reports with your application

Send your original passing score report(s) along with a completed license application to the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission.

Step 3: Complete your criminal background check

Required as part of the licensure process, including disclosure of any misdemeanor or felony offenses.

Step 4: Affiliate with a sponsoring broker

Your license needs a supervising New Hampshire broker to activate.

Step 5: Wait for license issuance

Typical processing runs 3-6 weeks for a complete application.

Realistic income expectations

Median New Hampshire agent income runs around $52,000; brokers average $72,000.

• Year 1: $25K-$45K
• Year 2-5: $45K-$78K
• Top 25%: $78K-$140K+

The Seacoast region (Portsmouth), Manchester-Nashua, and the Lakes Region are New Hampshire's strongest markets, with roughly 20,000 home sales a year statewide across about 9,500 active licensees — a market that's grown as remote work has drawn buyers north from Massachusetts.

The first 30 days

Week 1: Set up MLS access, learn your brokerage's systems. Week 2: Announce your license to your network. Week 3: Shadow your sponsoring broker on active transactions. Week 4: Start prospecting.