How to Get a Maryland 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 your Maryland Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Baltimore to Annapolis or Hagerstown to my favorite town, Ocean City, 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 Maryland 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 Maryland requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Complete Licensing Education
Maryland requires only 60 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass the State Exams
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Maryland Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Apply For A License
Almost there, submit your final application to the Maryland Real Estate Commission and they will issue you your Real Estate License.
Pick an Affiliated 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.
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.
Go To Step 6 >
So, How Do You Get a Maryland Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your Maryland Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Be of good character and reputation.
- Provide a Social Security license number.
- Must pass a background check.
- Take and Pass a Maryland approved Real Estate Salesperson Course.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Pass the Maryland State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Maryland has one course that has a minimum of 60 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your Maryland Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson Course – 60 Hours of Coursework
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the Maryland Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
3. Pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exams
Maryland has two exams you must be pass before you can receive your Maryland Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson Maryland State Exam
Maryland Real Estate tests are proctored by PSI Testing. You can download the State of Maryland Real Estate Commission Candidate Information Bulletin and Application Forms here to get all the testing procedures and protocols. Make sure you follow all the security procedures because PSI takes them very seriously.
Once you compete your Pre-Licensing education course, your real estate education school will notify PSI that you’re eligible to take the Maryland Real Estate Salesperson exams.
After your school has submitted your file to PSI, you’ll receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to pay and schedule for the examination.
You can schedule a time and place to take the test by going to the PSI Website here. You can also schedule a test by calling PSI at (855) 834-8748. PSI has testing centers nationwide so you should have no problem finding a testing center near you no matter where you are.
Once you pass both of the exams, PSI will give you a Confirmation Notice at the exam site. You’ll need this notice to apply for your real estate license. Follow all the instructions on the notice when submitting your application for your real estate license.
The most common question I get is from people wondering how hard the Maryland Salesperson Exams are. This is why I recommend you only buy a Pre-Licensing Education course that includes the online practice tests. These tests guarantee that you’ll pass the exams the very first time as long as you keep taking the practice tests over and over until you consistently score a 90 or above.
Don’t worry about the tests. You’re gonna do great!
4. Apply For A License
You can submit your final Real Estate License Application online at the MREC online portal here unless you have some adverse criminal or license discipline history.
To get your Maryland real estate license, the following items need to be submitted to the Maryland Real Estate Commission:
- Completed Maryland Salesperson Application Form.
- Proof of completion of the Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course
- Confirmation Notice that you passed the exams given to you by PSI.
- Answer Criminal History Questions. (see below).
- Pay the appropriate fees.
Maryland asks about any criminal history or license discipline you may have received when you apply, but a felony or misdemeanor conviction does not automatically make you ineligible for a real estate license. The MREC encourages everyone to apply for a license.
Each conviction is weighed on a case by case basis, and you’ll have the right to file an appeal should your application be denied. When applying, you’ll need to submit True Test copies of the proceedings surrounding the conviction with your application.
If a criminal offense or previous real estate disciplinary action is involved you can’t apply for a real estate license online. You’ll have to submit a paper application. To request a paper application, e-mail your name and mailing address to dlmrec-labor@maryland.gov or call 410-230-6230.
5. Pick An Affiliated 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.
Before your real estate salesperson license can be activated, affiliation with a licensed Maryland real estate broker is required. You’ll need your intended broker’s registration number, along with the branch office location if applicable to submit to the MREC. An inactive license can be requested when you submit your application and in this case no affiliation with a broker is needed but no real estate licensed activities can be performed.
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.Wyoming out to the “Attorney General” must be sent with the fingerprint cards for a processing fee.
6. Launch Your New 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.
7. 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 Maryland realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Maryland 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 $8600 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.
Maryland requires 60 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 60 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 Maryland 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 – $206.00 – $545.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $44.00.
- Maryland Application Fee – $90.00
The cost of getting your Maryland real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $340.00 to as high as $679.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $433.00.
