StateLicensed

Real Estate Agent License Requirements in New Hampshire

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
40 hrs
Upfront cost
$99
Exam
New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National and State portions)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    40-hour pre-licensing course (see training)., pass a criminal background check. Applicants must submit a New Hampshire criminal background check and a criminal history report from any state where they have an unannulled conviction, dated within 6 months of application, plus Attestations of Character. A specific minimum age was not found stated on the Commission's own eligibility checklist or fee pages. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 40 hours of training at a state-approved program. 40-hour pre-licensing course; up to 8 of the 40 hours may be distance education, with the remainder in-person classroom or real-time internet live-class instruction. Candidates must take the licensing examination within 6 months of the start of the 40-hour course (Rea 301.03). [1]

  3. 3

    New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National and State portions)

    Pass the New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National and State portions). The Commission no longer accepts exam registration forms or payments directly; candidates register and pay PSI online. Neither the Commission's Examination Information page nor PSI's Candidate Information Bulletin publishes a fixed dollar fee, so it is recorded as null rather than guessed. Candidates must pass both the National and State portions to be eligible for licensure. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) with the $99 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) issues your Real Estate Salesperson License for New Hampshire.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $99
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $99
New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Examination (National and State portions) [2] None specified
Amendment fee (e.g. broker transfer/activation) [3] $20

The Salesperson application fee ($99) covers original license issuance; there is no separate license-issuance fee beyond the application fee. Renewal and reinstatement are also $99.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 15 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Licenses renew on a 2-year cycle. Active licensees must complete at least one 3-hour Commission-approved core continuing education course plus 12 elective hours (15 hours total) each renewal period, tracked through CE Broker. RSA 331-A:25(IX) requires the Commission to mandate specific elective topics for salespersons renewing for the first time, pending rulemaking; until then, 12 accredited elective hours satisfies the requirement.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

The Real Estate Commission accepts licensing by reciprocity (endorsement). Under HB 594 (effective August 27, 2023), OPLC issues licenses to professionals presenting an active license in good standing from another jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially similar to New Hampshire's, without resubmitting transcripts, exam results, or experience evidence, once implementing rules for the real estate profession are finalized. Non-Nevada-style state-by-state lists do not apply; this is a general 'substantially similar' endorsement standard rather than a fixed roster of partner states.

Cost calculator

  • $99
Total$99

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of pre-licensing education does New Hampshire require?

40 hours, of which up to 8 hours may be distance education; the exam must be taken within 6 months of starting the course.

Who administers the New Hampshire real estate exam?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with the Real Estate Commission. Candidates must pass both the National and State portions.

How often must a New Hampshire salesperson license be renewed?

Every 2 years, with at least one 3-hour core continuing education course plus 12 elective hours (15 hours total) required each cycle.

Does New Hampshire offer reciprocity for out-of-state real estate licensees?

Yes. Under HB 594, OPLC issues a license by endorsement to applicants holding an active license in good standing from a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements, without needing to resubmit transcripts, exam results, or experience documentation.

Is a background check required for a New Hampshire real estate license?

Yes. Applicants must submit a New Hampshire criminal background check plus a criminal history report from any jurisdiction where they have an unannulled conviction, dated within 6 months of application.

Sources

  1. [1] oplc.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt441/files/inline-documents/rec-checklist-salesperson_v2.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] oplc.nh.gov/find-board/nh-real-estate-commission/real-estate-examination-information — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] oplc.nh.gov/find-board/nh-real-estate-commission/real-estate-license-fees — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] oplc.nh.gov/find-board/nh-real-estate-commission/real-estate-education-requirements — accessed 2026-07-12
  5. [5] oplc.nh.gov/reciprocity-licensing — accessed 2026-07-12