After finishing your 40-hour real estate course and submitting your background check, it’s time to book the exam. The exam is administered by PSI, the national state licensing exams provider.
You’ll submit the registration form, which you can find at the bottom of the NHREC License Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin pre-licensing course certificate,1 and a $155 exam fee. The fee should be paid to the Treasurer, State of New Hampshire.
It will take 5 to 10 days for the commission to process your application. If accepted, the PSI will notify you via email.
The next step will be to schedule the exam.
You can do this online on the PSI website. Create an account, and choose your preferred exam center and date.
Remember the examination date must fall within three months from the exam registration date. Here is a list of examination centers to choose from.
- Portsmouth, the H&R Block office
775 Lafayette Road
- Concord, Brainseed Testing Center
2 Whitney Road, Suite 24
- Manchester, the H&R Block office
865 Second St.
- Nashua, 300 Main St.
Suite 410
What happens if something comes up on the exam date? Can you reschedule?
Yes, you can reschedule the exam at least two days before the exam day. You can reschedule through the PSI website or by calling PSI customer care.
However, if you reschedule less than two days before the exam date, your spot will still be reserved, and you will be treated as a person who failed to show up to take the exam. You’ll have to reapply and pay another examination fee.
The same will also happen if you are late for the exam or lack proper identification.
On the exam day, arrive on time, at least half an hour before the scheduled time. This will give you enough time to sign in and settle down. You will need to show two types of identification: one issued by the government, like a valid passport, State ID, or driver’s license, and another with your signature and a pre-printed legal name, like a credit card.
If you cannot produce the identification documents, call at least 3 weeks before the exam date for further directions.
Taking the Examination
To curb cheating, the PSI doesn’t allow any electronic device or personal items into the exam room. You might be disqualified if you are found cheating, or with unauthorized devices and study material within the exam room.
For the exam, you’ll be given an online calculator, a pencil, and scratch paper upon entry into the exam center.
The exam will be done on a computer, and you’ll have a 15-minute tutorial on how to do the exam. You will get your score immediately after finishing.
The New Hampshire salesperson real estate exam pass mark is 70%. There will be a total of 120 questions.
80 questions are nationally based, and 40 are State based. The time limit for both tests is 4 hours: 2.5 hours for the national-focused question and 1.5 hours for the state-focused questions.
If you pass both sections of the exam, you can move forward to look for a sponsoring brokerage and then apply for a real estate license. But if you don’t, you’ll have 6 months to retake the test and eight attempts.
Failure to pass the exam with eight attempts or the 6 months period elapses without taking the exam, you’ll have to retake the pre-licensing course and then apply afresh for the exam.
How Do You Prepare To Ensure You Pass the Exam?
There is no formula to pass the New Hampshire real estate examination. The trick is choosing an accredited school with a learning module that fits your schedule.
You should also ensure you attend all the classes with a fresh mind to grasp the lesson. Moreover, ask questions you don’t understand and participate in group discussions with your coursemates when possible.
Additionally, don’t cover the course in a rush. Although you might be in a rush to acquire the license, it would be disastrous if you failed the test.
Instead, take your time, read, and take mock exams to gauge your understanding.
Sample Questions for the NH Real Estate Examination
If you have prepared well, hitting the 70% pass mark should not be a problem. The test will basically cover the course topics mentioned above, and the questions are multiple-choice.
You can also check out the complete breakdown of the topic outline for the entire course on the NHREC License Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin.1
Below are three sample questions.
Which statement below is the MOST accurate meaning of “rescission of a contract”?
A. A ratification of a contract by all parties.
B. A review of the contract by the legal counsel of either party that may result in a cancellation without penalty or further obligation.
C. A return of all parties to their condition before the contract was executed.
D. A transfer or assignment of a particular responsibility from one of the parties to another.
Answer: C
Which clause in a mortgage enables the lender to request repayment of the loan when the borrower sells the property?
A. Prepayment
B. Acceleration
C. Defeasance
D. Alienation
Answer: D
Which one of the single-family residences below would get the MOST accurate appraisal by using the reproduction cost approach to value?
A. A vacant property
B. A historic property
C. A rental property
D. A new property
Answer: B
Applying for NH Real Estate Commission License (Five Steps)
Applying for an NH Real Estate Commission license is straightforward. All you have to do is follow these easy 5 steps:
- Finish the 40-hour NH Real Estate pre-licensing Course
- Submit your background check
- Schedule the state exam
- Pass the state licensing exam
- Apply for your NH real estate license
Because steps 1 to 4 have already been covered above, it’s time to discuss step 5. If you have passed your exam, the next thing is to find a brokerage to sponsor your application.
The principal broker at your sponsoring brokerage will help you fill out part V of the license application,2 and you’ll fill in the rest. If you have a criminal record, consider looking for real estate agents that work with felons.
Ensure the application is fully signed and dated and meets all requirements by cross-checking against the checklist on the commission website. Pay a $90 license application fee.
If you pass all the requirements, the license will be out in five to ten days. Remember, New Hampshire real estate license renewal is done every 2 years.
So, what do you do after you get your real estate license? There is so much you can do.
Start by working for your sponsoring brokerage to gain experience. And when you gain enough experience you can apply for a New Hampshire real estate broker license or look for other opportunities.
Fees and Costs for NH Real Estate Commission
Basically, it’ll cost you $400–$600 to get a real estate license in NH. The $150 to $350 will go to pre-licensing education, $155 for booking the exam, $25 for the background check, and $90 for the license application.
What’s the Duration of the Real Estate Application Procedure?
As mentioned above, the time it’ll take to get your real estate license will depend on how fast you finish the pre-licensing education and take and pass the exam. It usually takes 5 to 10 to receive your license after a successful application.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Real Estate Agent License?
The time it takes to get a real estate agent license will vary depending on your availability and how soon you finish your real estate course. Overall, it can take about four to six months.
References
1PSI Services LLC. (2023, May 23). New Hampshire Real Estate Commission License Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from <https://www.oplc.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt441/files/inline-documents/rec-candidate-examination-handbook-may-2023.pdf>
2State of New Hampshire. (2023). Real Estate Salesperson Application Form. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from <https://www.oplc.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt441/files/inline-documents/sonh/rec-salesperson-application.pdf>