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Maryland Real Estate License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Maryland


Quick Overview:

You need to be 18 years of age and of good character and reputation. Then you must:

  1. Complete
    60 Hours of Approved Pre-Licensing Education
  2. Pass the Course Final Exam in the Presence of a Proctor
  3. Pass the Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Exam
  4. Find a Sponsoring Broker
  5. Complete the Application Online

BUY YOUR MARYLAND PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in Maryland

The Maryland Real Estate Commission requires all potential agents to complete the following steps in order to become a licensed real estate agent in the state. Follow the steps below to get started with your real estate career.

1. Complete an Approved 60-hour Maryland Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education Course

Successfully complete the
required 60-hour Pre-Licensing course
. There are several different Maryland real estate colleges, many offer online classes as well as learning in-person coursework. Some Maryland real estate schools have an option for a
free trial that can help determine if Maryland real estate courses are right for you.

2. Pass the Course Final Exam (with a Proctor)

After you have completed your coursework, you must pass the course’s final exam in the presence of a proctor. The exam consists of 110 questions and a passing score of 70% or greater is required. Before you take your exam, you’ll need to
schedule an appointment with a proctor in advance.

3. Pass the Maryland State Real Estate Exam

Once you’ve passed your course exam, the next step is passing
the Maryland real estate exam. You have up to a year from passing your course to take and pass the state exam. The exam consists of two parts, an 80-question national portion that candidates have 90 minutes to complete, and a 30-question state portion that test takers have 30 minutes to complete. The exam is administered by PSI and the exam fee is $44.

If some time has passed between your coursework and your state exam or you just want to improve your chances of passing the licensing exam on the first attempt, consider investing in a
Maryland-specific Exam Prep course.

4. Find a Sponsoring Broker

All real estate agents work on behalf of a brokerage. In Maryland, you must be sponsored by an active Maryland real estate Broker before completing your license application.
Choosing the right Broker
to work with is a key factor to becoming a successful Maryland real estate agent, so it’s important to find a good fit.

When searching for a sponsoring Broker, here are some questions to consider:

  • Do they have a good reputation, locally and nationally?
  • Are they looking for a specific type of real estate agent?
  • What kind of education and training do they offer?
  • What does their fee and commission structure look like?
  • What kind of benefits do they offer?

5. Complete Your Application

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations, you’re just an application away from full licensure. The final step in getting a Maryland real estate Salesperson license is to
apply with the Maryland Real Estate Commission. The application fee for an original Maryland real estate Salesperson license is $90.


Quick Facts:

  • Real estate licenses are managed by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) under the
    Maryland Department of Labor.

  • The state of Maryland does not require Post-Licensing education.

  • Exams can be proctored online.

Common Questions About Getting Your Maryland Real Estate License

1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Maryland?

The cost of an agent license in Maryland can vary considerably depending on the price of your Maryland real estate classes and different types of fees for your licensing, etc. An individual can typically expect to pay $434-$798 to get an active Maryland real estate license.

Average Course Tuition $275 – $639
Course Exam with Proctor $25
State Exam $44
License Application Fee $90
Total $434-$798

2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in Maryland?

The specific amount of time to complete your 60 hours of licensing can vary depending on how long it takes the student to complete each task, and how long they take to complete their Pre-Licensing courses.

Student Learning Pace Time Period
Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) 1.5 weeks
20 Hours a Week 3 weeks
10 Hours a Week 6 weeks
5 Hours a Week 12 weeks

3. If I get a real estate license in Maryland, where else can I work?

If you get a real estate license in Maryland, you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your Maryland license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide
for more information on reciprocity.

4. How much money can I make as a Maryland real estate agent?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Maryland real estate agent is $108,590.


Maryland Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

There is a
15 hour Continuing Education requirement which must be completed during each biennium. A biennium begins on the first day of the month following your birth month and ends on the last day of your birth month two years later.