Real estate license requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education and a PSI exam, but its stand-out feature is reciprocity with all 50 states — a genuinely unusual benefit most states don’t offer.
Education
The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education before you can sit for the exam. That figure is well-corroborated across sources and consistent with the state’s licensing statute (RSA 331-A), though we didn’t pull it directly from a .gov PDF this pass.
| Requirement | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course | 40 | Approved provider, salesperson track |
New Hampshire’s 40-hour requirement is lighter than many neighboring states. Confirm your course provider is Commission-approved before you enroll.
What New Hampshire calls your first license
New Hampshire’s entry-level license is simply “Salesperson” — confirmed both on the application form and in the PSI candidate handbook, which lists exactly two tiers: Salesperson and Broker. The license runs on a two-year period.
The licensing exam
New Hampshire contracts with PSI, not Pearson VUE, to administer its licensing exam.
| Portion | Items | Time | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 items | 150 min | 56 correct (70%) |
| New Hampshire state law | 40 items | 90 min | 28 correct (70%) |
| Combined sitting (option) | 120 items | 240 min | 84 correct (70%) |
We could not confirm New Hampshire’s current PSI exam fee from a primary source this pass — secondary sources cite figures in the $65–67 range, but that hasn’t been verified against PSI’s current fee schedule, so we’re not publishing a specific number. Check PSI’s New Hampshire candidate handbook directly before you schedule.
New Hampshire recognizes an active license from all 50 states, effective August 1, 2022. If you're licensed elsewhere, you can skip New Hampshire's pre-licensing education and the national exam portion entirely — you only need to pass the New Hampshire state-law portion.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | Not published | PSI — confirm current pricing before scheduling |
| Application & license fee | $99 (or $90) | See discrepancy note below |
| Background check | Required, fee not published | NH Dept. of Safety / State Police |
New Hampshire’s own published figures disagree on the application/license fee: the Commission’s fee-schedule page lists $99.00, while a separate application-form PDF shows $90.00 (possibly an older figure or an extraction error). We’re presenting both rather than picking one — treat $99 as the more likely current figure, but confirm directly with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before you pay.
How to apply, step by step
New Hampshire’s process runs education, then exam, then application, then a post-licensing course before your first renewal.
From an approved New Hampshire provider.
To the NH Dept. of Safety/State Police, along with any required fee (the state hasn't published a specific vendor or fee for this).
Both the national and New Hampshire state-law portions.
To the NH Real Estate Commission, with the application/license fee.
You'll need an affiliation with a licensed New Hampshire broker.
12 hours across four mandatory topics plus the standard 3-hour Core Course, due before your first renewal.
After you’re licensed: staying current
Effective February 1, 2024, New Hampshire salespersons (not brokers) must complete 15 hours of post-licensing education before their first renewal, within the standard two-year license period.
| Requirement | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Four mandatory topics | 12 | Purchase & Sale contracts, ethical behavior, disclosure forms, agency |
| Standard Core Course | 3 | Same core course required of all licensees |
| Total before first renewal | 15 | Applies to salespersons only, not brokers |
Reciprocity
New Hampshire recognizes an active real estate license from all 50 states, effective August 1, 2022, per the PSI candidate handbook. If you’re licensed elsewhere, the national exam portion is waived and no New Hampshire pre-licensing education is required — you only take the state-law exam portion. We couldn’t independently confirm the specific rule citation (likely Rea 305) or a reported carve-out for one type of Maine license, so don’t rely on that carve-out claim without checking with the Commission first.
Common questions
Is New Hampshire's reciprocity really with all 50 states?
Yes — this is confirmed via PSI’s official New Hampshire candidate handbook, effective August 1, 2022. It’s an unusually broad policy; most states either have no reciprocity or a short list of partner states.
Why does New Hampshire's application fee show two different numbers?
The Commission’s fee-schedule page lists $99.00, but a separate application-form PDF shows $90.00. We haven’t been able to resolve which is current, so confirm directly with the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before paying.
Does New Hampshire require fingerprints?
You’ll submit a notarized Criminal Record Release Authorization to the Dept. of Safety/State Police along with a required fee, but the specific vendor and fee amount aren’t published anywhere we could confirm.
Is the 15-hour post-licensing requirement the same as continuing education?
No — it’s a distinct, one-time requirement (12 topic hours + 3-hour Core Course) for salespersons before their first renewal, on top of whatever standard CE applies afterward.
What exam vendor does New Hampshire use?
PSI, not Pearson VUE. You can take the national and state portions separately or in one combined 240-minute sitting.
Next step
NH Real Estate Commission (c/o NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) — https://www.oplc.nh.gov/find-board/nh-real-estate-commission
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