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LicenseReciprocity

Real Estate License from Massachusetts to North Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) ↗

A real estate license transfers from Massachusetts to North Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC), verify your Massachusetts license, and meet North Dakota's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

North Dakota publishes no agreement covering Massachusetts, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on North Dakota's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.

What changes, Massachusetts → North Dakota

Side-by-side: Massachusetts vs North Dakota (Real Estate (salesperson/broker)), verified 2026-07-21
Massachusetts (current)North Dakota (destination)
Training hours4090
Application fee$134–$181 (Reciprocal Salesperson Application Fee $31 plus a Reciprocal Salesperson Initial License fee prorated by the applicant's date of birth in the range $103-$150 (two-year cycle), for a combined $134-$181. A separate vendor convenience fee applies to online payments.)$150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.)
Processing timeBoard does not publish a processing time; applications and required documents are submitted and reviewed through the eLIPSE portal.NDREC states timing is applicant-dependent and publishes no end-to-end range; criminal-history results run ~1-2 weeks and application status is viewable 7-10 days after submission.
Licensing authorityMassachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (Division of Occupational Licensure)North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — North Dakota sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm North Dakota's current requirements on the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Be at least 18 years old and licensed in good standing in another state.
  5. Complete a statewide and nationwide fingerprint-based criminal history record check and a credit history check.
  6. Submit an original Certificate of Licensure (less than 3 months old) from each state where licensed.
  7. Pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam (nonresident non-reciprocal); reciprocal MN/IA/GA applicants take no ND exam.
  8. Associate with a North Dakota broker/firm and carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance to hold an active license.
  9. Pay the fees ($150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.)) and allow NDREC states timing is applicant-dependent and publishes no end-to-end range; criminal-history results run ~1-2 weeks and application status is viewable 7-10 days after submission..

Official links

North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) ↗North Dakota application ↗

Related guides

Real Estate in MassachusettsReal Estate in North DakotaAll real estate states

Frequently asked questions

Does North Dakota accept a Massachusetts real estate license?

A real estate license transfers from Massachusetts to North Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC), verify your Massachusetts license, and meet North Dakota's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam..

Which exams will I take moving from Massachusetts to North Dakota?

Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam..

What does the move cost?

$150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.) (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.).

Can I keep selling in Massachusetts after I'm licensed in North Dakota?

Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Massachusetts license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]