How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in NH?

Knowing what the real costs are surrounding a real estate license in New Hampshire is an important place to start on your professional journey.

Without a clear idea of what each step in the process costs, you could be left without the ability to get through to the finish line.

In this guide, we break down all real estate license costs in NH so you’re not left with any surprises. We also walk you through the fees that are fixed and the ones that can be adjusted to help you save.

Let’s start with the expenses you will incur when obtaining your license in the state.

Pre-Licensing Education: $250-$500

Among the first expenses you’ll hit when getting a real estate license in New Hampshire is your educational requirement.

For those getting a salesperson license, you’re required to complete a 40-hour course from an accredited provider.

Those going for a broker license must complete 60 hours.

Many schools will offer classes in different formats, allowing you to meet in person or online, work at your own pace or through an established schedule.

This gives you flexibility to find the right class, at the right price, but it’s also important to know that the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission has classroom requirements, too.

Those getting a salesperson license must take at least 32 hours of their pre-licensing classes in a classroom. Up to eight hours can be completed as distance learning.

Background Check: $25

Since one of the general requirements for licensure is to get a background check, it’s best to take care of this on the earlier side of the process.

Just make sure you time it out right since results are only valid for six months.

To authorize your background check, you must submit a notarized authorization form. You do not have to submit fingerprints.

You will have to pay the $25 fee online via the New Hampshire Department of Safety Criminal Records portal.

Know how this process is being conducted in our article on background check for NH real estate license.

License Exam: $67 for Salesperson; $78 for Broker

When you’re ready to take the real estate license exam in New Hampshire, you’ll have to register through PSI Services, the administrator for the test.

The easiest way to do this is by setting up an online account, but you can also call 855-340-3711.

There are a few differences between the salesperson exam and the broker exam, beginning with the cost. The fee for the salesperson exam is $67, while the broker exam fee is $78.

The total number of questions also varies, although with both tests, you get 150 minutes to complete the national section and 90 minutes to complete the state section.

For the questions themselves, you’ll answer 80 in the national section of the salesperson exam and 40 in the state section.

The broker exam has 75 questions in the national exam and 40 in the state section.

To pass either exam, you need to answer at least 56 questions correctly in the national section and 28 in the state section for a total of 84.

Exam Retake: $65 for Salesperson; $75 for Broker

You have six months, and eight attempts, to pass the New Hampshire real estate exam.

If you fail to do so, you must start the process over and retake the pre-licensing education requirement.

Each time you retake, whether it’s one or both sections, you’ll pay a slightly lower fee. For the salesperson exam, it’s $65. For a broker exam, it’s $75.

Refer to our guide on how to pass the New Hampshire real estate exam the first time to avoid retakes.

License Application: $90 for Salesperson; $110 for Broker

You’re able to submit your real estate license application in New Hampshire once you’ve passed both parts of the exam.

You’ll mail in the application, along with any necessary paperwork, and pay the application fee.

The salesperson license fee is $90, while the broker license fee is $110.

Note that part of your application is getting sponsorship from a licensed broker. You may pick one from our vetted list of the best real estate brokerages in New Hampshire.

Review our guide on how to choose the right broker to work for to get an idea of what to look for in a real estate company.

Continuing Education: $150-$200

Once your application is approved, your license is valid for 24 months. During that time, you’re required to complete 15 hours of continuing education.

Three of those hours must be in an approved core class, while the other 12 can be taken in approved electives.

Cost can vary greatly for these credits since some New Hampshire real estate schools will offer individual classes you can pay for à la carte.

While this makes it easy to space out your credits, it can often total up more than purchasing a continuing education package, which is also usually offered.

License Renewal: $90 for Salesperson; $110 for Broker

Your real estate license comes up for renewal every 24 months based on the date your initial license was issued.

This makes everyone’s expiration date different. However, the exact date will always be the last day of the month that your initial license was issued in.

Renewal fees are the same as the license application fees. It’s $90 for New Hampshire real estate agents and $110 for brokers.

Seeing how expenses in getting a New Hampshire real estate license break down is essential in figuring out how best to budget for the entire process.

Not knowing what’s coming can cause unwanted stress, but so can the ultimate price tag. This is why it’s also good to know there are some ways to reduce costs.

When it comes to educational requirements, whether pre-licensing or continuing ed, you do have the ability to compare prices and find the best deal for your budget.

This is because overall costs can vary based on where you take the classes, what format the class is in, and whether you can purchase multiple classes as a package.

When choosing the format for your real estate classes, refer to our A-to-Z guide comparing online vs in-person real estate classes.

Classes may cost less if you’re working through them remotely, at your own pace. Price may also go down if you get a package deal.

The least expensive option, though, isn’t always the best choice, especially when talking about value. A slightly more expensive class may have a higher pass rate or offer extra resources.

This added value could give you more for your money than a cheaper, more bare bones option.

Taking all this into account, the best course of action is to shop around and compare prices and features until you find one that’s right for you and your bank account.

We hope this article serves as your guide as you plan your budget for acquiring your NH real estate license.

It’s also a good idea to know the time commitment involved in completing the licensing process in the state. Refer to our guide on this topic discussing how long it takes to get a real estate license in New Hampshire.

As you prepare for this career, read up on useful resources designed to help you build a successful real estate business in the state:

• What to do after passing the real estate exam
• The pros and cons of being a real estate agent
• Joining a real estate team

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.