How to Get a Maine Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step Guide on how to get a Maine Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Portland to Presque Isle or Bangor to my favorite town, Bar Harbor, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your Maine real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all your burning questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Meet the State Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of Maine requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Complete Licensing Education
Maine requires only 55 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass the State Exam
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Maine Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Pick a Designated Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Submit the Application
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Pass a Background Check
It takes a few days to process your background check once you submit your application for review.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your Maine Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your Maine Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Have a reputation for honesty, truthfulness, fair-dealing, and competency.
- Have a Social Security number.
- Have a Drivers License or other Government issued identification.
- Must pass a background check.
- Take and Pass a Maine approved Real Estate Salesperson Course.
- Pass the Maine Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Pass the Maine Law Exam.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Maine has one course that has a minimum of 55 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your Maine Real Estate License:
- Sales Agent and Maine Law Course – 55 Hours of Coursework
You have a choice of completing all of your real estate pre-licensing education online or you can do a hybrid course that has both online and classroom sessions. I recommend that you chose the online course because it gives you the freedom to take the classes anytime you can fit it into your schedule.
They have both types of instruction, online and hybrid.
I also recommend that you take the Maine real estate exam and Maine Law prep classes too.
These exam prep courses include practice tests to help you pass both the Real Estate Exam and Maine Law Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the exams on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
3. Pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exams
After you’ve completed your Pre-licensing Education, you’ll need the original Course Completion Certificate that you will receive from your Sales Agent pre-licensing course to schedule the exams.
Maine has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your Maine Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Maine State Law Exam
Maine Real Estate tests are proctored by Pearson VUE. You can download the Maine Real Estate Candidate Handbook here that has all the information on taking the exams. Pearson VUE offers both in person testing or an online proctored test option.
You can schedule a time and place to take the exam by going to the Pearson VUE website here or calling them at (207) 624-8521.
The most frequently asked question about the entire process is how to pass the exams the very first time. This is why I recommend that you buy the exam prep classes that includes the online practice tests. These tests guarantee that you’ll pass the exams the first time if you take them until you score a 90 or above.
Get the practice tests and don’t worry about the exams, you’re gonna do great.
4. Pick a Designated Broker
All Realtors must work under the supervision of a Broker who’s responsible for supervising their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
You have to make arrangements to affiliate with a licensed real estate agency before you apply for a license. You’ll need to submit a signed and dated Designated Broker Authorization of Agency Affiliation Form when applying for your real estate license online or have them sign your paper application if you are going to mail in your application.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from rookie agent to seasoned pro.
5. Submit Your Application
Once you’ve passed the real estate salesperson exams you can submit your final real estate license application starting the day after you pass the exams and scores have been transmitted to the Commission by Pearson.
You can apply online at the Maine Real Estate Commission website here or go old school and use the paper MREC Individual License Application available here.
To get your Maine real estate license, the following items need to be submitted to the Maine Real Estate Commission:
- Complete the Maine Salesperson Application Form.
- Submit your Pearson VUE examination score report.
- Submit your original transcript from The Sales Agent Course.
- Submit a signed recommendation from your designated broker.
- Answer the criminal and license history questions.
- Pay the license application fee by check or card.
6. Pass a Background Check
Once your application is received by the MREC, they’ll look at your criminal and license history and run your personal information through the state and national criminal history and license history databases.
If the MREC has any questions or require any additional documentation they will contact you.
7. Launch Your New Real Estate Career
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
8. Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a Maine realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Maine is $370,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $8650 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
Maine requires 55 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 55 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as two weeks but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The Maine Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $450.00-$575.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $49.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $85.00
- Background Check Fee – $21.00
- Maine Application Fee – $100.00
The cost of getting your Maine real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $656.00 to as high as $929.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $804.00.
