Massachusetts Real Estate Exam Topics: Full Breakdown

Massachusetts Real Estate Exam Topics

The Massachusetts salesperson exam is 120 questions — 80 national and 40 state. Here is a complete topic-by-topic breakdown based on PSI's content outline.

National Section (80 Questions)

1. Property Ownership (~8%) — Types of ownership, estates in land, water rights, air rights, easements, encumbrances.

2. Land Use Controls (~5%) — Zoning, eminent domain, police power, deed restrictions, subdivision regulations.

3. Valuation and Market Analysis (~7%) — Three appraisal approaches (sales comparison, cost, income); CMA; market value definition.

4. Financing (~10%) — Mortgage types, loan terms, PMI, RESPA, TILA, qualifying ratios, foreclosure methods.

5. General Principles of Agency (~13%) — Fiduciary duties, types of agency, buyer agency, dual agency, disclosure.

6. Property Disclosures (~6%) — Seller disclosure obligations, lead paint disclosure (federal), environmental hazards.

7. Contracts (~17%) — Validity elements, listing agreements, purchase agreements, option contracts, contingencies, breach.

8. Transfer of Title (~8%) — Types of deeds, closing process, title insurance, recording requirements.

9. Practice of Real Estate (~13%) — License law, advertising, antitrust, NAR Code of Ethics overview.

10. Calculations (~10%) — Commission, proration, property tax, GRM, loan calculations.

State Section (40 Questions)

Board of Registration — 7 members (5 brokers, 2 consumers); jurisdiction under Division of Occupational Licensure; role and authority.

Massachusetts License Law — General Laws Chapter 112, Sections 87PP–87DDD; 40-hour pre-license requirement; 2-year renewal; 12 CE hours per cycle.

Massachusetts Agency Law — Mandatory buyer agency agreement for buyer representation; agency disclosure requirements; dual agency rules.

Offer to Purchase — Binding pre-contract used in Massachusetts before the Purchase and Sale Agreement; includes earnest money; legally enforceable.

Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S) — The more detailed contract signed after the Offer, typically post-inspection; replaces (and supersedes) the Offer to Purchase.

Massachusetts Lead Law — Chapter 111 lead paint requirements; deleading obligations for rental properties with children under 6; distinct from federal HUD lead paint rules.

Attorney State Rules — Massachusetts attorneys do NOT receive automatic real estate license exemptions for brokerage activity.

Registered vs. Recorded Land — Massachusetts has two systems of land title: the regular recording system and the Torrens/registered land system (Land Court). Both systems record transfers but work differently.

Massachusetts Foreclosure — Massachusetts is a mortgage state requiring judicial foreclosure proceedings. Right of redemption exists for a period after foreclosure.

Massachusetts Fair Housing — Federal 7 classes plus Massachusetts additions: marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, military service.

Study Priority

Focus most study time on: 1. Contracts (17% of national) 2. Agency (13% of national + state rules) 3. Offer to Purchase vs. P&S distinction (Massachusetts-specific, heavily tested) 4. Board of Registration structure 5. Massachusetts Lead Law

Practice by Topic

[CARealestate.com/states/massachusetts](https://carealestate.com/states/massachusetts) has Massachusetts topic-specific practice questions. 5 free questions — no signup needed.