Apply for a Real Estate Business License

Under state law, real estate businesses in Massachusetts must be licensed by the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. The Board issues  licenses to the following types of businesses: 

• Corporations
• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
• Limited Liability Partnerships
• General Partnerships

Please note that the board does not issue business licenses to sole proprietorships. A sole proprietorship is defined as a licensed broker who operates solely under his or her broker’s license, with no employees. However, if the licensed broker chooses to operate the sole proprietorship under a name other than their exact name, then they must submit a certified copy of the Doing Business As (DBA) Certificate issued by the city or town where the business is located. A PDF of the DBA certificate must be e-mailed to the board at RealEstateBoard@mass.gov.

Required Documents 

You must include the following documents with all applications:

• A notarized Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) form for the broker of record (the licensed professional who acts as the designated representative for a real estate firm) for all business licenses. The board will not review an application if it is submitted without a completed CORI form.
• If the business or broker of record have prior or pending disciplinary action against them in any location, either inside or outside of the United States, a document detailing those actions must be included, along with certified copies of any disciplinary documents or official records of the disciplinary action.
• If the business or broker of record have prior felony or misdemeanor convictions against them in any location, either inside or outside of the United States, a document detailing those convictions must be included along with copies of certified court records related to the conviction.
• If applicable, a copy of a certified Doing Business As (DBA) Certificate issued by the city or town in which the business is located.

• If applicable, an official letter or certificate of standing for each license held by either the business or broker of record, in any other jurisdiction. Please note that the letter or certificate must have been issued within 90 days of the date of submission of the application. 

Corporations must also submit these additional documents:

• A Certificate of Legal Existence issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office or, for a corporation located outside of Massachusetts, a Foreign Corporation Certificate of Registration, also issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office.
• A complete list of the current officers of the corporation, issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office.
• A Surety Bond in the amount of $5,000 in the exact name of the corporation (not the DBA name), issued by a Board-approved Real Estate Bond Company.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) must also submit these additional documents:

• A Letter of Good Standing (long form) issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office.
• A list of the current officers of the LLC. This list must be signed by the Broker of Record and notarized.
• A Surety Bond in the amount of $5,000 in the exact name of the LLC (not the DBA name), completed by a Board-approved Real Estate Bond Company.
• A copy of the Errors and Omissions document (E&O) for the businesses’ professional liability insurance policy, showing coverage sufficient to meet the requirements of G.L. c. 156C, § 65 and 254 CMR 2.00(12).

Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) must also submit these documents:

• A Letter of Good Standing (long form) issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office (original).
• A signed, notarized document noting the name and contact information of the General Partner.
• A Surety Bond in the amount of $5,000 in the exact name of the corporation (not the D/B/A name), completed by a board-approved Real Estate Bond Company.
• A copy of the Errors and Omissions document (E&O) for the business professional liability insurance policy, showing coverage sufficient to meet the requirements of G.L. c. 108A, § 45(8)(a) and 254 CMR 2.00(12).

General Partnerships must also submit these documents:

• A certified copy of the partnership agreement.
• A Surety Bond in the amount of $5,000 in the exact name of the corporation (not the DBA name), completed by a board-approved Real Estate Bond Company.