New Hampshire Reciprocity Requirements
The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission has a partial reciprocity policy for real estate licensing. New Hampshire’s partial reciprocity policy allows out-of-state real estate professionals to transfer their license, provided their home state’s pre-licensing requirements align with New Hampshire’s real estate licensing standards.
New Hampshire prerequisites for real estate license reciprocity applicants:
Hold an active real estate license in your state.
Pass the New Hampshire portion of the license exam.
Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing with your state’s real estate commission.
Your completed pre-licensing education (for the state in which you are currently licensed) is similar to or more robust than the 40-Hr. Pre-Licensing course 40-Hr. Pre- Licensing course requirements and curriculum.
Meet the minimum age requirement of 18.
Submit a notarized criminal record release form to the New Hampshire Department of Safety to verify your background. Ensure this is completed before applying, as processing may take several weeks.
Secure sponsorship from a licensed New Hampshire real estate broker.
New Hampshire License Portability and Reciprocity
Portability: Cooperative
Reciprocity: Full
New Hampshire has reciprocity with all 50 states. Here are the steps to get a New Hampshire real estate license via reciprocity:
You must obtain and submit a Certificate of Good Standing with your exam registration form.
If applying for a broker license you must have been licensed in another state for at least one calendar year.
Pass the required portion(s) of the licensing exam:
If you obtained a license in another state by passing a licensing exam with both national and state portions, then you only need to pass the New Hampshire-specific portion of the licensing exam.
If you obtained a license in another state by passing only a state portion of the licensing exam, then you need to pass both national and New Hampshire-specific portions of the licensing exam.
For more information on obtaining a reciprocal New Hampshire real estate license, visit the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission's website.
Steps For Getting Your New Hampshire License as an Out-of-State Real Estate Agent
Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing (or Equivalent) From the State You Are Currently Licensed In
You will need to contact your state’s governing regulatory body for real estate (e.g., your state’s real estate commission) in order to get a Certificate of Good Standing. Typically, this can be done by filling out a form online and paying a simple fee. Start by researching your state’s real estate commission’s website, and always feel free to call their office if you need more information.
While “Certificate of Good Standing” is a common industry term, not all regulatory bodies will call it that. If they ask, you simply need proof that you are a confirmed real estate agent with an active and current real estate license in your state.
Register For & Pass the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission License Exam (State Portion)
The next step will be to pass the state-specific New Hampshire Real Estate Commission Licensing exam. Most states also require you to pass a state-specific real estate exam when applying for a real estate license via reciprocity. This makes sure you are aware and knowledgeable of specific New Hampshire real estate laws and regulations.
Please Note: You MUST register for the exam online. You can no longer submit paper applications to register for the New Hampshire portion of the real estate exam.
Submit Your New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson License Application
After you pass your exam, you will be instructed on how to submit your New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson License Application.
You will submit the following:
Completed application with $90 filing fee
Completed Criminal Records Report (i.e., background check)
Proof you completed and passed the New Hampshire state portion of the real estate exam
Certificate of Good Standing from your state’s governing real estate body (e.g., real estate commission)
Broker sponsorship documentation
Once you pass the state exam and are ready to submit your application for licensure, you will need to provide broker sponsorship as part of the application. This sponsorship ensures you are affiliated with a licensed New Hampshire real estate broker and can legally practice real estate in the state.
Note: Please be sure to carefully and fully read the requirements needed in the actual application. Requirements, rules, and standards are often updated, and you don’t want to miss anything!
Tips For Getting Your New Hampshire Reciprocity Completed Faster
Review the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission’s application checklist for your New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson License.
Complete the New Hampshire Real Estate License application, a requirement for all reciprocal agents.
Complete New Hampshire’s state-specific real estate exam, which is administered through PSI, review New Hampshire’s candidate handbook for more details about how to take the exam.
Review New Hampshire’s Pre-Licensing requirements. Your state’s licensing requirements must be “substantially similar” in order to qualify for reciprocity.
