What you need to do to get your Massachusetts broker license back
To reinstate a real estate broker license in Massachusetts, you must file a reinstatement request with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any conditions the Board imposed when your license was suspended or revoked. The process differs depending on whether your license expired, was suspended for a specific violation, or was revoked — and how long ago that happened.
If your license expired while inactive, reinstatement is straightforward: submit the form, pay the fee, and you're typically approved within a few weeks. If your license was suspended or revoked due to a complaint, disciplinary action, or failure to meet continuing education requirements, the Board will review your request more carefully and may require additional documentation or proof that you've corrected the underlying problem.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons directly to confirm your license status and what reinstatement requires in your specific case.
- You must submit a written reinstatement request, pay the current reinstatement fee (which varies by license type), and provide proof of any required continuing education hours.
- If your license was suspended or revoked for cause, the Board may require you to show that you've resolved the violation — such as completing ethics training, paying restitution, or addressing a trust account problem.
- Reinstatement timelines range from two to eight weeks depending on whether the Board needs to investigate your request or straightforward process a routine expiration reinstatement.
- You cannot legally practice real estate in Massachusetts or represent clients until your reinstatement is approved and your license is active again.
How to find out why your license is inactive
Before you request reinstatement, you need to know the reason your license is no longer active. Log into the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's online license lookup system or call the Board directly at the phone number listed on their website. The system will show whether your license expired, was suspended, or was revoked.
If the status shows "expired," your license lapsed because you did not renew it before the expiration date — usually the last day of your birth month in the year your license term ends. If it shows "suspended," the Board took action due to a specific violation, complaint, or failure to meet a requirement (such as continuing education). If it shows "revoked," the Board permanently terminated your license, typically after a disciplinary hearing.
Write down the exact status and any case or complaint number shown. You will need this information when you contact the Board or submit your reinstatement request.
Reinstatement for expired licenses
If your license straightforward expired and was not suspended or revoked, reinstatement is the fastest path back to active status. You must submit a written request to the Board that includes your name, license number, the date your license expired, and confirmation that you want to reinstate it. Some brokers can submit this request online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's portal; others must mail or email a letter to the Board.
You will also need to pay the reinstatement fee. In Massachusetts, the reinstatement fee for a broker license is typically lower than the cost of a new license but varies depending on how long your license has been inactive and whether you are reinstating a broker or salesperson license. Contact the Board for the exact amount before you submit your request.
If your license expired more than five years ago, the Board may treat your request as a new license process rather than a reinstatement, which means you may need to retake the broker exam and provide proof of continuing education hours from the past two years. Ask the Board whether your timeline qualifies for straightforward reinstatement or whether you need to reapply.
Reinstatement after suspension or disciplinary action
If your license was suspended due to a complaint, violation, or disciplinary action, reinstatement requires more than a fee and a form. The Board will want to see evidence that you have corrected the problem that led to the suspension.
Common reasons for suspension include failure to complete continuing education, mishandling client trust accounts, failing a trust account audit, making false statements on a license process, or violating fair housing laws. For each type of violation, the Board expects different proof before it will reinstate you.
For example, if you were suspended for not completing continuing education, you must provide a certificate showing you have completed the required hours before the Board will consider your reinstatement request. If you were suspended for a trust account violation, you may need to provide a recent audit showing the account is now in compliance, or a letter from an accountant confirming the problem has been fixed. If you were suspended for a fair housing complaint, the Board may require you to complete a fair housing training course and provide proof of completion.
Contact the Board and ask specifically what documentation they need to see before they will reinstate your license. Get this list in writing if possible, so you know exactly what to submit.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
Once you submit your request and fee, the Board will review your file. For expired licenses with no disciplinary history, approval typically takes two to four weeks. For suspended licenses or cases involving complaints, the Board may take four to eight weeks because staff will need to verify that you have met all conditions.
The Board will contact you by mail or email if they need additional information. If they ask for something, respond as quickly as possible — delays in providing documents can extend the timeline by weeks. Do not assume silence means approval; follow up with the Board if you have not heard back within the timeframe they quoted.
Once your reinstatement is approved, the Board will issue a new license certificate or update your status in the online lookup system. You cannot legally represent clients or conduct real estate business until you see your license listed as "active" in the state system.
Reinstatement after revocation
If your license was revoked, reinstatement is much harder and may not be possible. Revocation is a permanent termination, usually imposed after a disciplinary hearing for serious violations such as fraud, theft from a client, or repeated violations after prior suspensions.
In some cases, you can petition the Board to reconsider a revocation after a set period (often three to five years), but you must show that circumstances have changed significantly and that you are now fit to hold a license. This requires a formal petition, often with supporting letters and documentation, and the Board may hold a hearing to decide whether to reinstate you.
If your license was revoked, consult with a lawyer who handles real estate licensing matters before you attempt reinstatement. The process is formal and the outcome is uncertain without professional guidance.
Continuing education requirements for reinstatement
Massachusetts requires all active brokers to complete continuing education hours every two years. If your license has been inactive for more than two years, you will need to show proof that you have completed the required hours before the Board will reinstate you — or you will need to complete them when ready after reinstatement as a condition of keeping your license active.
The Board approves specific continuing education providers and courses. You cannot straightforward take any real estate course; it must be from a Board-approved provider and cover topics the Board recognizes (such as ethics, fair housing, trust account management, or Massachusetts real estate law). Check the Board's website for the list of approved providers and the number of hours required for your license type.
If you are unsure whether you have completed enough hours or whether your courses were from approved providers, ask the Board before you submit your reinstatement request. Submitting false proof of continuing education can result in denial of reinstatement and further disciplinary action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reinstatement usually take?
For expired licenses with no disciplinary history, two to four weeks. For suspended licenses or cases where the Board needs to verify you have met conditions, four to eight weeks. Contact the Board for an estimate based on your specific situation.
Can I practice real estate while my reinstatement request is pending?
No. You cannot legally represent clients, list properties, or conduct any real estate business until your license is reinstated and shows as active in the state system. Practicing without an active license is a violation and can result in fines or criminal charges.
What if the Board denies my reinstatement request?
The Board will send you a written notice explaining the reason for denial. You can request a hearing to appeal the decision, or you can resubmit your request after you have addressed the Board's concerns. Ask the Board what specific steps you need to take before reapplying.
Do I need to retake the broker exam to reinstate my license?
Not usually, unless your license has been inactive for more than five years or the Board treats your request as a new process. Ask the Board whether your timeline requires a new exam or whether reinstatement is available without retesting.
Where do I send my reinstatement request?
Contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website for the current mailing address, email, or online submission portal. Procedures change, so verify the correct method before you submit your request.