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Discover the process for earning a real estate license in Maryland, including required classes, examination steps, state application requirements, and beginning work with a brokerage.
By Leap Real Estate Team | 8 minutes read
Getting a real estate license in Maryland involves more than passing a test. You must complete Maryland-approved education, pass both sections of the state licensing exam, secure a broker affiliation, and submit your application to the Maryland Real Estate Commission.
Maryland calls its entry-level credential a real estate salesperson license. Salespersons may represent buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants, but they must conduct licensed activity through and under the supervision of a Maryland-licensed real estate broker.
This guide explains the Maryland licensing process from start to finish, including education, exam registration, broker sponsorship, application requirements, estimated costs, and the first steps toward building a real estate business in the state.
Before enrolling in a course, make sure you satisfy Maryland’s basic eligibility standards. A salesperson applicant generally must:
Maryland does not generally require a college degree for a salesperson license. A traditional high school diploma or GED is also not listed as a standard salesperson licensing requirement, although education providers may impose their own enrollment policies.
If you have a criminal conviction, prior license discipline, or an out-of-state real estate license, review your situation with the Commission before choosing a course or submitting an application.
The Maryland process typically follows this order:
Unlike some states, Maryland generally expects applicants to pass the exam before completing the final license application. Your broker affiliation is also part of the original salesperson licensing process.
Maryland requires salesperson applicants to complete a 60-hour basic real estate course approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission. Courses may be offered in person, online, or through another delivery method authorized by the Commission. If you are comparing options, start with a Maryland real estate pre-licensing course that is approved for the state exam.
The course introduces the legal, financial, and practical concepts you will need for the licensing exam and your first transactions.
Maryland’s required education generally includes:
The basic course must also include a Commission-approved three-hour ethics course. Confirm with the school how the ethics requirement is incorporated into its curriculum.
When comparing providers, look beyond tuition. Evaluate:
A low-cost course may not be the best value if it provides little support for the Maryland-specific portion of the exam. Ask whether the course includes practice questions that resemble the PSI testing format.
The education provider will usually require you to pass a course final exam before issuing your completion certificate. This test is not the same as the Maryland salesperson licensing exam.
Save your certificate and any education records. The Commission or PSI may require proof that you completed the approved course.
After completing the education requirement, you can schedule the salesperson examination through PSI, Maryland’s examination vendor.
The Maryland exam has two sections:
You must pass both portions before applying for the salesperson license.
Prepare for both sections rather than treating the state portion as an afterthought. Important subjects include:
Maryland-specific topics can include rules involving broker supervision, advertising, disclosures, client funds, and the relationship between salespersons and brokers.
The registration process generally requires you to:
Testing locations and remote-exam availability may change. Check the current PSI candidate instructions before scheduling.
Your legal name should match the identification you plan to use on test day. Arriving without acceptable identification or missing an appointment can result in additional costs or a lost examination fee.
If you pass one section and fail the other, Maryland’s retesting process may allow you to retake only the unsuccessful section. Confirm the current retesting deadline, fee, and registration steps with PSI.
Use the score report to identify weak areas. Review Maryland law separately from general real estate concepts before attempting the exam again.
Maryland regulations generally give applicants one year from course completion to pass both portions of the examination. If you do not meet the applicable deadline, you may need to repeat the pre-licensing course. Verify the current rule before relying on a previous course certificate.
Maryland requires salesperson applicants to meet character and reputation standards and to disclose certain criminal convictions or prior professional discipline.
A criminal record does not automatically mean that you cannot become licensed. However, incomplete or inaccurate disclosures can create additional problems.
Depending on your circumstances, the Commission may request:
Applicants with criminal convictions may need to contact the Commission to request the appropriate paper application and documentation instructions.
Maryland does not generally use routine fingerprinting as the standard salesperson application step. That does not eliminate the need to disclose criminal history or provide records when the Commission requests them.
Before submitting the application:
If your history is complex, consider obtaining advice from a licensing attorney familiar with Maryland real estate law.
After passing both exam sections, you need a commitment from a licensed Maryland real estate broker. The broker agrees to affiliate with you if the Commission grants your salesperson license.
A Maryland salesperson cannot operate an independent brokerage or practice outside the authority of the affiliated broker.
Your first broker may affect your:
Interview more than one brokerage before making a decision. A new agent often benefits from strong supervision and practical coaching, even if another company advertises a higher commission split.
Ask each broker about:
Get the broker’s commitment and affiliation information in writing. Make sure the broker understands your application timeline and any background disclosures that may be required.
Once you have passed both exam portions and secured a broker commitment, submit the salesperson license application through the process specified by the Maryland Real Estate Commission.
The application generally asks for:
Successful candidates generally receive registration or license instructions after passing both parts of the exam. The timing and delivery method can change, so follow the current instructions provided by the Commission.
Before submitting the application:
An incomplete application can delay approval or result in a request for additional documentation.
The total cost varies based on the education provider, exam attempts, and brokerage expenses. Plan for the following categories:
State fees may be listed separately or combined depending on the form or online system. Because charges can change, verify current amounts with the Maryland Real Estate Commission, PSI, and your education provider before budgeting.
Passing both sections does not by itself authorize you to practice real estate.
You generally must:
Do not begin performing licensed services, negotiating transactions, or advertising yourself as an active Maryland salesperson until your license status and broker affiliation are confirmed.
Maryland is not one uniform real estate market. Conditions and client expectations can differ significantly between Baltimore City, the Washington, D.C., suburbs, the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, and Western Maryland.
Instead of trying to master the entire state, begin with a focused service area. Study:
For example, a new agent serving Montgomery or Prince George’s County may need to understand commuter patterns and condominium rules, while an agent on the Eastern Shore may encounter more rural properties, waterfront concerns, septic systems, and land-use questions.
Ask your broker to train you on:
Maryland transactions can involve specific disclosure, inspection, and settlement considerations. Rely on your broker and approved forms rather than adapting documents from another state.
Start with people who already know you:
Let your contacts know that you are beginning a Maryland real estate career. A straightforward announcement and consistent follow-up are often more effective than an expensive marketing campaign during the first few months.
Real estate income may be irregular, especially before your first closing. Budget for:
A financial reserve gives you more time to develop a client pipeline without making rushed decisions.
Maryland salesperson licenses generally renew every two years. To renew, licensees must complete the required continuing education and submit the renewal application and fee by the applicable deadline.
Salespersons generally need 15 hours of approved continuing education during each renewal cycle. Required subjects may include:
Maryland’s current rules require continuing education to be completed before renewal, and licensees may need to finish courses well in advance so providers have time to report the credits. The Commission recommends verifying the current deadline and reporting process rather than waiting until the final days.
Renewal requirements can differ for residential-only and commercial-only licensees. Confirm the appropriate course categories with the Maryland Real Estate Commission.
A real estate class is not automatically acceptable for licensing. Confirm that the provider and course meet Maryland Real Estate Commission requirements before paying.
The national exam covers general real estate principles, but Maryland’s state section tests local laws, regulations, and practices. Schedule dedicated study time for the state portion.
Maryland imposes time limits related to course completion and passing both exam sections. Track your course-completion date and plan your exam schedule early.
Applicants with convictions may need court documents and a broker letter. Gather records before applying to avoid delays.
A high split may come with limited training, substantial fees, or little supervision. Compare the full cost and support package.
Passing the exam does not automatically authorize licensed activity. Wait until the Commission and your broker confirm that your Maryland salesperson license is active.
Maryland education providers may need time to upload completed credits. Finish early enough for your records to appear before renewal.
You must generally be at least 18 years old to apply for a Maryland salesperson license.
Maryland generally requires a Commission-approved 60-hour basic real estate course, including a three-hour approved ethics component.
No. A college degree is not generally required for a Maryland salesperson license.
Yes. An original Maryland salesperson license generally requires a commitment from a licensed real estate broker. Salespersons must work through that broker.
Routine fingerprinting is not generally the standard requirement for Maryland salesperson applicants. However, applicants must answer character and criminal-history questions and may need to provide court records or other documentation.
The exam has a national portion and a Maryland-specific state portion. You must pass both.
Maryland rules generally give applicants one year from course completion to pass both exam portions. Confirm the current deadline with the Commission before scheduling.
The usual process is to pass both exam sections, obtain the broker commitment, and then submit the salesperson license application.
Maryland salesperson licenses generally renew on a two-year cycle. Licensees must complete the required continuing education before renewal.
Salespersons generally need 15 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period. Required topics and deadlines can change, so check the Commission’s current renewal instructions.
Use this checklist to track your progress:
The Maryland Real Estate Commission is the final authority on licensing requirements, fees, examination procedures, application deadlines, and renewal rules. Verify current information with the Commission and PSI before enrolling in a course, scheduling the exam, or submitting an application.
Explore our Maryland real estate pre-licensing course to review available course options and licensing education.
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