Maryland Real Estate License Requirements & Costs
In this article, we will cover the steps needed to meet the Maryland real estate license requirements. We have also researched the Maine real estate licensing costs as well as answered many of your frequently asked questions.
You can get started by selecting a Maryland real estate licensing topic in our table of contents below or keep reading from start to finish. Let’s get started.
Maryland Real Estate License Requirements
The prerequisites for getting your Maryland real estate license are pretty simple and straightforward. Every aspiring real estate agent in Maryland must be at least 18 years old and have good character. Assuming you meet both of those prerequisites here are the step-by-step Maryland real estate licensing requirements.
Step 1: Complete A 60-hour Maryland Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course
If you meet Maryland’s prerequisite requirements, you are eligible to take the pre-licensing courses.
The 60-hour Maryland real estate educational requirement can be completed in-person or online through an accredited and recognized Maryland real estate school.
How Much Does the Maryland Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course Cost?
The Maryland pre-licensing courses range in price from $199 to $328. Your cost will depend on the specific real estate school and course package you choose (there are several).
For example, the Basics pre-licensing Maryland course package by Colibri Real Estate is for sale at just $160.30. The CE Shop’s least expensive Maryland pre-licensing course is currently listed at $254.25.
So, as you will see, there is no set cost for Maryland real estate pre-licensing. The current costs you’ll see below are subject to change because these schools are often adding or removing discount promotions.
Colibri Real Estate’s Maryland Pre-Licensing Course Costs:
The CE Shop Maryland Pre-Licensing Course Costs:
The following topics will be covered in the Maryland Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses:
- Valuation and Market Analysis
- Financing
- General Principles of Agency
- Maryland Property Disclosures
- Maryland Real Estate Contracts
- Leasing and Maryland Property management
- Transfer of Title
- Calculations for Real Estate
- The Maryland Real Estate Commission’s Responsibilities and Powers
- Maryland Real Estate Licensing Requirements
- Relationship of Brokering Business Conduct
- Ethics
It is key to keep in mind that active and licensed attorneys in the state of Maryland can be exempted from the education requirements and will simply take the Maryland exam to become real estate agents in Maryland. To qualify, you must submit an original ‘Letter of Good Standing’ from the Maryland Court of Appeal and a cover letter, and your contact information.
What Are The Best Maryland Real Estate Pre-Licensing Schools?
We prefer taking real estate classes online because it just gives you so much more flexibility in your daily schedule. Here are two popular real estate pre-licensing schools offering accredited online classes in Maryland:
If you prefer an in-classroom setting here is a full list of Maryland Real Estate Commission-approved real estate schools.
Step 2: Take and Pass the Maryland Real Estate Exam
After completing all of your education requirements, you must also pass your Maryland real estate exam to obtain your Maryland real estate license. You will be scheduling the Maryland real estate exam here.
The real estate exam is divided into two sections; the national and state sections. To proceed with obtaining your Maryland real estate license, you must pass both of these sections.
The national section of the Maryland real estate exam has a passing rate of 52%, while the state section has a passing rate of 56%.
You can take the exam on your computer and will know whether you passed or failed the exam immediately after taking it. If you only pass one or both sections of the exam, you can retake it as many times as you need within a year. It is possible to reschedule it within 24 hours.
What To Expect On The Maryland Real Estate Exam?
- Test Format: Multiple choice
- Test Length: 110 questions which consist of 80 nationally focused questions and 30 state-specific questions
- Exam Duration: 120 minutes
What Items Should You Bring To The Maryland Real Estate Exam?
Two signature-based types of identification are acceptable:
- One of the IDs must be a government-issued photo ID with a signature and they can be a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- The second must have your signature and your legal name preprinted
What Is The Passing Score For The Maryland Real Estate Exam?
Passing the Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Exam requires a 70% passing score. You will need to get at least 56 out of 80 answered correctly on the national exam and 21 out of 30 answered correctly on the state section.
Quick Tip: Check out our PrepAgent reviews. This exam prep course can give you a better chance of passing the state exam on the first attempt. Here is the Maryland PrepAgent link.
How Do You Schedule The Maryland Real Estate Exam?
After you complete the Maryland real estate pre-licensing requirements, your real estate school will send your certificate of completion to PSI, the provider of the Maryland real estate license exam and a national provider of state licensing exams across the country.
After you have submitted your information to PSI, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to schedule your exam.
To begin scheduling, you must first register for an account on the PSI Maryland real estate website, which will grant you access to the scheduling portal. You will be given a copy of the Maryland Candidate Information Bulletin for additional testing information.
How Much Does It Cost To Take The Maryland Real Estate Exam?
It costs $44 to take the Maryland real estate exam and this can be paid directly on the PSI website with a credit or debit card.
Step 3: Pick a Maryland Real Estate Brokerage Company to Work For
To activate your Maryland real estate license, you must first find a sponsoring brokerage to which you can affiliate your license.
Choosing the right Broker is critical to your success as a Maryland real estate agent. Here are some factors to consider when looking for the best brokerage firm:
• What is their reputation on a local and national level?
• Which types of real estate agents do they prefer to work with?
• Do they have cutting-edge technology?
• What methods do they use to educate and train their agents?
• Do they have a commission structure in place?
• Do they give their agents any leads and marketing materials?
• Does the brokerage offer opportunities for advancement?
Here are some of the top Maryland brokerages to work for based on sales volume:
- Waldner Winters Team of Keller Williams
- The Kilner and Kirk Group
- The W Home Group
- The Bev Langley Keller Williams Team
- The Maryland & Delaware Group of Long & Foster
- The Sky Group of Long & Foster Real Estate
- Pakulla Professionals with RE/MAX
- The Laurie Karll Vision Group of Keller Williams
Step 4: Apply for Your Maryland Real Estate License
Before beginning your real estate career, the final step is to apply for a license. The Maryland licensing application process can be completed entirely online by visiting the Maryland Department of Labor website, where you will fill out the Original License Application.
The Maryland real estate application fee is $90, which can be paid online with a credit or debit card.
If you’ve confirmed the sponsoring brokerage with which you’ll be affiliating your license, you’ll apply for an active license and provide your broker information. If you’re still looking for an affiliated brokerage, you’ll apply for an inactive license.
You can change your license status on the MREC website once you’ve found an affiliated brokerage.
In either case, you must apply for your license within one year of passing the Maryland real estate exam. If you’ve applied for inactive status, you’ll have three years to decide which brokerage to join.
The MREC will conduct a background check to see if you are eligible for a real estate license.
It is important to note that a felony or misdemeanor conviction will not automatically bar you from obtaining a Maryland real estate license. For your court case and conviction to be reviewed, you must submit all records and documentation. Your application may be denied, but you have the right to appeal.
What is the Maryland Real Estate Commission?
The Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) is a valuable resource for real estate professionals and consumers in Maryland.
The commission’s website provides information about license requirements, complaint procedures, and news and events in the real estate industry.
The Maryland Real Estate Commission is a great resource for you. For more information, please visit the commission’s website or contact the office directly.
Which States Have Reciprocity With Maryland?
Oklahoma and Pennsylvania have reciprocity treaties with Maryland. This means that real estate agents who are already licensed in these states are exempt from taking MREC’s pre-licensing course or exam but must still pass a background check and submit the Original Reciprocal Form to obtain their license.
It is also worth noting that Maryland is a cooperative state regarding portability. It not only allows out-of-state real estate agents or brokers to physically enter Maryland, but it also allows them to conduct real estate business.
On the other hand, out-of-state agents must have a co-brokerage agreement with a Maryland licensee to work on a real estate transaction.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Maryland Real Estate License?
A Maryland real estate license can be obtained for less than $400. When compared to the typical cost of technical training programs and college degrees, the cost is very reasonable.
- Maryland Prelicensing Classes (60 hours): $199 (on average)
- Maryland Real Estate Exam Fee: $44
- Maryland Real Estate Salesperson License Application Fee: $90
- Total Costs: $392
Maryland Real Estate License Requirements FAQs
Now that you have an overview of how to get a real estate agent in Maryland, keep reading to find more answers to frequently asked questions.
Is it possible to obtain my Maryland real estate license online?
Yes, you can complete all of your Maryland real estate classes online via pre-licensing education providers such as Colibri Estate Express or one of these online real estate schools.
To complete your salesperson exam, you must visit one of the PSI exam testing centers.
What if I have a real estate license from another state?
Real estate agents with licenses from Pennsylvania or Oklahoma can become licensed in Maryland without having to go through the entire real estate license application process.
However, if you have a real estate license in Maryland, you can work as a real estate agent in any of these states without having to go through all of the steps of the real estate licensing process that we have outlined above:
Alabama
Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
Georgia
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Washington
How much time does it take to become a real estate agent in Maryland?
You can obtain your Maryland real estate license in about three or four months. Completing the 60 hours of prelicensing classes is usually the most time-consuming part of the process. Another factor that contributes to the length of time is the time it takes for the Maryland Real Estate Commission to approve your application.
What is the Maryland real estate licensing exam like?
The official Maryland licensing exam is administered by PSI, a third-party testing company with locations throughout Maryland. You must answer 80 national topic questions in 1.5 hours and 30 Maryland-specific questions in 30 minutes.
Before you leave the exam center, you will be informed of your exam score. If you pass only one section of the exam, you will only have to retake the section you failed.
The passing score is usually valid for a year after the completion of your course. If you fail to pass both sections of the exam within this period, you will be required to repeat your pre-license coursework.
You must pass the Maryland real estate license exam within a year of completing your pre-license course.
Can I become a real estate agent in Maryland with a criminal record?
It is possible to become a real estate agent in Maryland despite a criminal record. If you have a criminal record and want to get a real estate license in Maryland, you must fill out a manual application and send it to The Maryland Real Estate Commission.
The Maryland Real Estate Commission will review your application to see if you are eligible to apply for a real estate license. You must submit True Test copies of the proceedings surrounding the conviction along with your application.
If you get a denied application, you may file an appeal with the commission.
How many times may I retake the Maryland real estate license exam?
If you fail the exam, you have 24 hours to request a retake. You can retake the portion that you failed until you pass both parts.
The Maryland real estate exam can be retaken an unlimited number of times.
On the other hand, the prelicensing course is only valid for one year after completion. This implies that you must pass the exam within this time frame. If you do not do this, you will be required to take a new prelicensing course before you can take or retake the Maryland real estate exam.
Maryland Real Estate License Requirements – Final Thoughts
It’s exciting to be an aspiring Maryland real estate agent and we wish you all the best in your potential real estate career.
We hope you enjoyed our easy-to-follow instructions that will help you obtain your Maryland real estate license faster.
Ensure that you have all the required documentation in place, as well as the fees that are needed for every step. Armed with all the above knowledge, there is simply no reason why you cannot become an established real estate agent in Maryland. Good luck!
Get started with the Maryland Real Estate Express Pre-Licensing Course or The CE Shop. Then take the PrepAgent course before taking the final state exam.
Check out our real estate license requirements guide to learn about another state.
About The Author: This article was researched and published by Tim Schroeder. As a husband and wife real estate team residing in Florida, Tim Schroeder brings deep expertise with over 8 years of experience as a licensed real estate agent.
Deb and Tim Schroeder have earned numerous real estate industry awards and recognitions. They have been recognized by Orlando Magazine as a “Top 100 Real Estate Professional” as well as earned Top Producer Designations with the Orlando Realtor Association for 6 years straight.