How to Get Your Real Estate License in New Hampshire (2026)
Compare 5 NHREC-approved real estate schools in New Hampshire. Find the best live-instruction course, understand the 40-hour requirement, and get licensed faster.
Course Cost
$250 – $500
Time to License
4 – 10 weeks
Avg Salary
$65,000 – $90,000/yr
Required Hours
40 hours (live)
NH-Specific Rule: New Hampshire requires at least 32 of the 40 pre-license hours to be completed via in-person or real-time live online instruction. Only up to 8 hours may be self-paced distance education. Fully self-paced online courses do not qualify on their own.
Top 3 New Hampshire Real Estate Schools at a Glance
1. Barry School of Real Estate
NH's most established pre-license school. 40 hours of live Zoom instruction with morning & evening options. Includes 90 extra NH state practice questions and recruiting placement assistance.
from $299
3 package tiers
2. Freedom Trail Realty School
Most flexible option with a pass-or-don't-pay guarantee on select plans. Live Zoom instruction, unlimited practice tests, networking group, and job board access.
from $299
3 package tiers
3. Ann Flanagan NH Real Estate School
Most affordable NH-approved option. FLEX schedule lets you choose any available class times. Multiple NH locations or fully live online via Zoom.
from $300
Flat fee — all-inclusive
Best Real Estate Schools in New Hampshire
All 5 schools are New Hampshire NHREC-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
Barry School of Real Estate
Best for Job PlacementStarting at
$299
- NH's most established pre-license school
- 40 hours of live Zoom instruction
- Morning & evening class options
- Flexible self-paced schedule — attend classes in any order
- Recruiting placement assistance included
- 90 extra NH state practice questions
Available Packages (3)
Option A
- 40-hr NH pre-license course (live Zoom)
- 6-month unlimited class access
- PSI candidate bulletin
- 90 extra NH state practice questions
- Recruiting placement
- Quizzes
Freedom Trail Realty School
Most FlexibleStarting at
$299
- Pass or don't pay guarantee (Peak & Summit)
- Recruitment assistance & access to job board
- Networking group & alumni support
- e-Books & audiobook included
- Unlimited practice tests
- Live webinars included in all plans
Available Packages (3)
Base Trail
- 40-hr NH pre-license course (live Zoom)
- 45 hrs live streaming access
- 6-month access
- Study guide & audio book
- 500+ practice questions
- Job board access & broker recruiting
Ann Flanagan NH Real Estate School
Most AffordableStarting at
$300
- Most affordable NH-approved pre-license course
- FLEX schedule — choose any available class times
- Multiple NH locations or fully online via Zoom
- Accredited by NH Real Estate Commission
- Textbook available for separate purchase
Available Packages (1)
40-Hr Salesperson Pre-License Course
- 40-hr NH pre-license course (live Zoom)
- NH state-specific material included
- FLEX schedule — morning, evening, or weekend options
- Textbook (Modern Real Estate Practice, 21st ed.) sold separately
The CE Shop
Most ComprehensiveStarting at
$349
- Live scheduled online course (required by NH)
- Exam Prep Edge — National & NH (select plans)
- Pass guarantee (select plans)
- Business e-books & career resources included
- Digital flashcards & real estate glossary
- 5-day free trial available
Available Packages (4)
Courses Only
- 40-hr NH pre-licensing (live online schedule)
- Business eBooks
- Career resources
- Downloadable resources
- Digital flashcards
- Real estate glossary & study schedule
Verani School of Real Estate
NH's Premier SchoolStarting at
$365
- NH & MA accredited — take one course for both licenses
- 10 live Zoom classes, morning or evening
- Attend sessions in any order
- Digital textbook included
- No hidden costs — all-inclusive flat fee
- Partnership with The CE Shop for CE renewals
Available Packages (1)
NH Pre-Licensing Course
- 40-hr NH (or MA) pre-license course — live Zoom
- 10 instructor-led Zoom sessions (40 hrs)
- Morning or evening class options
- Digital textbook included
- All materials included — no hidden fees
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in New Hampshire?
Average Annual Income
$65,000 – $90,000
ZipRecruiter: $83,434 statewide (2024–2025)
Top Earners
$120,000+
Experienced agents in Manchester & the Seacoast
Commission Structure
New Hampshire real estate agents typically earn 2.5%–3% commission per transaction. On a $504,000 home (NH statewide median), that's approximately $12,600–$15,120 per sale. New agents on a 70/30 split with their brokerage would keep $8,820–$10,584 per deal. Closing just 6–8 transactions in your first year can put you well above $60,000. NH's high home prices mean fewer deals are needed to build a strong income.
Top-Earning New Hampshire Markets
Is a New Hampshire Real Estate License Worth It?
👍 Pros
- + High Home Prices: NH's median home price of $504,000 means each sale generates substantial commission — far above the national average.
- + No Income Tax: New Hampshire has no state income tax on earned wages, so agents keep more of their commission.
- + Full Reciprocity: NH has reciprocity with all 50 states (as of 2022), making it easy to expand your business beyond state lines.
- + Low Entry Requirements: No degree required, and total licensing costs are under $700. Live Zoom courses make it accessible statewide.
👎 Cons
- - Live Instruction Required: Unlike many states, NH mandates at least 32 of 40 course hours be live or in-person — fully self-paced courses don't qualify.
- - Commission-Only Income: No salary — you don't get paid until a deal closes.
- - Competitive Market: High home prices attract experienced agents; new agents face real competition in desirable Seacoast and Nashua areas.
- - Partial Reciprocity Only: Even with an out-of-state license, you must still pass the NH state-specific exam portion.
How to Get a Real Estate License in New Hampshire
Meet Eligibility Requirements
Confirm you are at least 18 years old and have a good reputation for honesty and trustworthiness as required by N.H. Stat. § 331-A:1. No college degree is needed, but felony convictions may affect your application — contact NHREC at (603) 271-2152 if you have concerns.
Complete 40 Hours of NHREC-Approved Pre-License Education
Enroll in a 40-hour pre-licensing course approved by the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission. Important: no more than 8 of the 40 hours may be completed via distance education — at least 32 hours must be classroom-based or real-time live online (Zoom). Courses cover both national real estate principles and NH-specific law. Upon completion, you'll receive an Affidavit of Completion required to register for the state exam.
Register & Pass the NH Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI)
Submit the Examination Registration Form and your Affidavit of Completion to PSI and pay the $67 exam fee. The exam has 120 multiple-choice questions — 80 national and 40 NH-specific — over 4 hours. You must score at least 56/80 on the national portion and 28/40 on the state portion (70% each independently). Test centers are available in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth, or test online with live remote proctoring.
Complete a NH Background Check
After passing the exam, visit the NH Department of Safety Criminal Records Portal and request an online NH Criminal Conviction Check for $25. You'll receive results via email as a downloadable PDF. If you have convictions from other states, you'll also need to submit criminal history reports from those states dated within six months of your application.
Find a Licensed Principal Broker to Sponsor Your License
Before submitting your application, secure a sponsoring principal broker — a licensed NH real estate professional who will supervise and mentor you. Your chosen broker will complete a Principal Broker Affiliation Form, which is required as part of your application. Choose someone whose business model aligns with your goals.
Submit Your License Application & Pay the $99 Fee
Submit a completed Universal Application for Initial Licensure along with the Salesperson application, your background check report, PSI exam score report, broker affiliation form, and the $99 application fee to OPLC. Once approved, your license is active and you can begin practicing real estate in New Hampshire under your sponsoring broker.
New Hampshire Real Estate License Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Good reputation for honesty & trustworthiness
- No college degree required
- Must pass NH background check ($25)
- Must affiliate with a licensed principal broker
Education & Exam Requirements
- 40-hour NHREC-approved pre-license course
- At least 32 hours must be in-person or live online
- Max 8 hours via distance/self-paced education
- Pass PSI exam: 120 questions, 70% on each section
- Affidavit of Completion required to schedule exam
New Hampshire Real Estate License Cost
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to get your New Hampshire real estate license in 2026:
| Pre-License Course (40 hours, live) | $250 – $500 | Use CertLaunch discount to save on course cost |
| State Exam Fee (PSI) | $67 – $67 | $65 for each retake attempt |
| NH Background Check | $25 – $25 | NH Dept. of Safety Criminal Records Portal |
| License Application Fee (OPLC) | $99 – $99 | Salesperson initial licensure fee |
| Out-of-State Background Check | $0 – $25 | Only required if you have out-of-state convictions |
| Estimated Total | $441 – $691+ | Save with CertLaunch discount codes |
The New Hampshire Real Estate Exam
Exam Details
- Format: Multiple-choice (national + state sections)
- Questions: 120 total (80 national + 40 state)
- Time limit: 4 hours (240 minutes)
- Passing score: 70% on each section independently (56/80 national, 28/40 state)
- Provider: PSI Exams
- Cost: $67 (first attempt); $65 retakes
Exam Topics
- Contracts (17% of national section)
- General Principles of Agency (13%)
- Practice of Real Estate & Fair Housing (13%)
- Property Ownership & Land Use Controls (13%)
- Financing & Mortgage Basics (10%)
- NH Regulation of Licensee and Agency Conduct (22 state questions)
- NH Principles, Practice & Commission Rules (18 state questions)
💡 Exam Prep Tip
The NH exam requires a 70% score on each section independently — a perfect national score won't save you if you fall short on the state questions. Focus particular attention on NH-specific regulations, agency rules, and license law. Schools like Freedom Trail Realty School and The CE Shop include dedicated exam prep with NH-specific practice questions. The first-attempt pass rate is approximately 70%, so use every practice tool available.
How Long Does It Take to Get a NH Real Estate License?
4–5 weeks
Full-time
Attend class 6–8 hrs/day; complete 40-hour course in ~5–7 days, then schedule and pass PSI exam
6–8 weeks
Part-time
Attend classes 3–4 hrs/day; complete course in 2–3 weeks, then exam and application
10–14 weeks
Casual pace
Attend 1–2 sessions/week; complete course over 4–6 weeks, then exam and application
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in New Hampshire?
Total costs typically range from $441 to $691. This includes the pre-license course ($250–$500), PSI exam fee ($67), NH background check ($25), and the OPLC license application fee ($99). CertLaunch discount codes can help you save on the course portion, which is often the largest expense.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in New Hampshire?
Most candidates complete the process in 4–10 weeks. The 40-hour pre-license course typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on pace. After that, you'll schedule your PSI exam (usually within 1–2 weeks) and submit your application. Keep in mind that at least 32 of the 40 required hours must be classroom-based, which affects how quickly you can progress through a course.
What are the requirements to get a real estate license in New Hampshire?
You must be at least 18 years old, have a good reputation for honesty and trustworthiness, complete a 40-hour NHREC-approved pre-license course (max 8 hours online), pass the PSI real estate exam with 70% on each section, pass an NH background check, and be affiliated with a licensed principal broker. No college degree is required.
Is the New Hampshire real estate exam hard?
The NH real estate exam is considered moderately challenging, with a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 70%. The exam has 120 questions over 4 hours and requires a 70% score on each section independently — meaning you can't compensate for a weak national section with a strong state section. Thorough preparation with practice exams is strongly recommended.
Can I take the New Hampshire real estate course online?
Partially. NH regulations require that at least 32 of the 40 pre-license hours be completed in a classroom or live setting — only 8 hours can be fulfilled through distance education. This means a fully self-paced online course won't satisfy the state requirements. Look for a school that offers live Zoom instruction, which qualifies. After completing your course, you can take the PSI exam online with live remote proctoring.
How much do real estate agents make in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire real estate agents earn an average of $65,000–$90,000 per year, with ZipRecruiter reporting a statewide average of $83,434 (2024–2025). Top agents in Manchester and the Seacoast area can earn $120,000 or more. With NH's statewide median home price around $504,000, a single sale at 3% commission yields approximately $15,000 — making strong transaction volume very lucrative.
Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license in New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire does not require a college degree to obtain a real estate salesperson license. You only need to be 18 years old, meet the good character requirements, complete the 40-hour pre-license education, pass the PSI state exam, and affiliate with a licensed broker.
What is the best real estate school in New Hampshire?
Several schools serve NH candidates. Barry School of Real Estate and Freedom Trail Realty School both start at $299 and offer live Zoom instruction. Ann Flanagan NH Real Estate School is the most affordable at $300 with flexible scheduling. Compare all schools on CertLaunch to find the best combination of price, format, and pass-guarantee policies.
Does New Hampshire have real estate license reciprocity with other states?
Yes — New Hampshire has reciprocity with all 50 states as of August 1, 2022. However, reciprocity is partial: even with an active license from another state, you must still pass the NH state-specific portion of the PSI exam and meet NH's application requirements. You may be exempt from the pre-license education requirement if your home state's requirements align with NH standards.
Can I get my New Hampshire real estate license if I have a criminal record?
It depends on the nature and severity of the offense. The NH Real Estate Commission reviews each application on a case-by-case basis under good moral character standards. Felonies and violent misdemeanors may disqualify applicants, but minor or older offenses are not automatic bars. Contact NHREC at (603) 271-2152 before enrolling in a course to understand how your record may affect your eligibility.