The Board of Registration: Duties, Records and Sanctions
Area I is worth 5% of the Massachusetts state portion, two items, and the bulletin gives it only two subtopics: examination of records and sanctions. Both live in M.G.L. c.112.
Examining records
M.G.L. c.112 s.87BBB(A) empowers the Board to conduct investigations and hearings and to require by summons the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers. If a licensee refuses, the Board applies to the superior court for the county where the investigation is carried on, or where the witness resides or has his principal place of business, and that court can order him to appear and produce. The Board does not seize records itself.
Hearings and appeals
No renewal may be refused and no license suspended or revoked except after a hearing, with at least ten days' written notice stating the grounds and enclosing the complaint. The licensee may appear personally and by counsel, cross-examine, and produce evidence. An aggrieved licensee appeals to the superior court sitting in equity within twenty days of receiving notice of the decision, and that appeal does not stay the suspension or revocation while it is pending.
Sanctions
Section 87AAA lists the grounds on which the Board may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew, and adds one mandatory sanction: once the Commission Against Discrimination has made a final finding that a licensee committed an unlawful practice under c.151B in the course of his occupation, the Board shall suspend forthwith for sixty days, and for ninety days if the violation came within two years of a prior final violation. Racial solicitation under clause (k) also carries a fine of $1,000 to $2,500, up to six months, or both, and unlicensed practice carries a fine of up to $500 under s.87CCC.
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State-specific details
State exam facts
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Prelicensing education
- 40 additional broker education hours (beyond the 40-hour salesperson course)
- Passing score
- 70%
- Scored questions
- 120
Who regulates real estate brokers in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, within the Division of Occupational Licensure, licenses brokers. The Board contracts with PSI to deliver the licensing exams.
What experience do I need before the Massachusetts broker exam?
Broker applicants generally must have worked as an affiliated salesperson under an active Massachusetts broker for at least three years (a minimum of about 25 hours per week) and complete an additional 40 hours of broker education. Confirm the current requirement with the Board.
How is the Massachusetts broker exam structured?
The Massachusetts broker exam has about 120 questions split into a general portion and a state portion, delivered by PSI, and a score of at least 70% is required to pass.
Sources: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/prepare-for-and-schedule-your-real-estate-license-exam, https://www.psiexams.com/test-takers/massachusetts-real-estate/
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