Earning a Maryland real estate salesperson license requires completing a 60-hour pre-licensing course, passing a two-part exam administered by PSI, and affiliating with a licensed broker who sponsors your license. The Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) regulates approximately 40,000 active licensees and sets the requirements that every broker and real estate agent in the state must meet. The process involves five main steps: meeting eligibility requirements, completing pre-licensing education, passing the state exam, applying for your license, and activating it through broker affiliation.
Maryland real estate license requirements
Maryland's qualifications for a real estate salesperson license are established under Title 17 of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Code and administered by the Maryland Real Estate Commission[1]. The requirements cover age, character, education, examination, and broker affiliation.
To obtain a Maryland salesperson license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and of good character and reputation, complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course (including a 3-hour ethics module) from a Commission-approved education provider, pass both the national and state portions of the PSI-administered exam with a score of at least 70% on each, and obtain a commitment from a licensed real estate broker to affiliate with. After passing the exam, the applicant has one year from the exam date to apply for the license.See the answer for every state
To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Maryland, you must be at least 18 years old, be of good character and reputation, and complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course from a Maryland Real Estate Commission-approved education provider, including a 3-hour ethics component. After completing the course, you schedule and take the state exam through PSI, which costs $44 per attempt and consists of national and state portions, each requiring a minimum score of 70%. After passing both portions, you have one year from the exam date to apply for your license. The original salesperson license fee is $98, which includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment, effective April 27, 2026.See the answer for every state
No high school diploma or GED required
Maryland does not require a high school diploma or GED for a real estate salesperson license. The Maryland OneStop government portal[2] lists the eligibility requirements without mentioning any minimum education level beyond the pre-licensing course.
Criminal history and background checks
Maryland does not require a formal background check or fingerprinting for real estate licensure. Applicants self-disclose any criminal history on the application. According to the MREC licensing FAQs[3], a felony or misdemeanor conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant. MREC reviews each case individually, and denied applicants can file an appeal.
If you have a criminal conviction, you must request a paper application by calling 410-230-6200 and include a letter from your sponsoring broker acknowledging the charges and a true test copy of the court proceedings.
Complete the required pre-licensing education
Maryland requires pre-licensing education from an MREC-approved provider before you can schedule the state licensing exam. The real estate pre-licensing course covers real estate law, title transference, contracts, brokerage and agency, financing, lending principles, land use, and environmental laws.
Maryland requires a 60-hour pre-licensing course from an MREC-approved education provider before a candidate may schedule the state licensing exam through PSI. The course must include a 3-hour course in real estate ethics approved by the Commission. Approved delivery methods include classroom instruction, online or internet-based learning, home study, and other delivery systems the Commission authorizes. A proctored final exam is required by MREC for course completion.See the answer for every state
Online and in-person course formats
Maryland approves multiple delivery systems for the pre-licensing course, including classroom instruction, online or internet-based instruction, home study, and other Commission-approved methods. This flexibility lets you choose a real estate school that fits your schedule.
Yes, Maryland allows pre-licensing courses to be completed online. The Commission approves multiple delivery systems, including classroom instruction, computer-based instruction over the Internet, home study, and any other delivery system approved by the Commission. There is no limit to the number of pre-licensing hours that may be taken online.See the answer for every state
Finding an approved education provider
The MREC website publishes a list of approved education providers for the pre-licensing course.
Pre-licensing courses are offered by education providers listed on the MREC website under Approved Education Providers. The 60-hour course may be taken through classroom instruction, online or internet-based delivery, home study, or other delivery systems approved by the Commission. Community colleges and private schools throughout Maryland offer the course in various formats, and some providers offer both in-person and online options.See the answer for every state
Some brokerages offer free pre-licensing education programs as part of their recruitment efforts, covering the 60-hour Maryland pre-licensing requirement. Students should confirm that any free program is approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission before enrolling, as only MREC-approved courses satisfy the pre-licensing education requirement.See the answer for every state
Pass the Maryland real estate exam
You must achieve at least 70% on each portion of the licensing exam, per the MREC exam information page[4]. Each attempt costs $44. The computer-based test runs for 2 hours.
PSI Examination Services administers the real estate licensing exam for the Maryland Real Estate Commission. The exam is offered by appointment, Monday through Friday, at PSI testing centers in Baltimore, College Park, Crofton, Hagerstown, and Lanham. The standard exam fee is $44 per attempt, paid directly to PSI.See the answer for every state
If you pass one portion but fail the other, you retain credit for the passed portion for one year. There is no limit on the number of exam retakes. Your exam eligibility expires one year from the date it is issued by your education provider.
PSI Examination Services, the official exam vendor for the Maryland Real Estate Commission, offers a national real estate salesperson practice test through its online store with 100 questions covering the national portion of the exam. The practice test features timed mode, a single attempt, and 365 days of access, and mirrors the national test's objectives. The practice test does not cover state-specific law or protocol.See the answer for every state
Yes, free real estate exam practice questions and sample tests are available from various online study resources. PSI, the official exam vendor for Maryland, also sells a national practice test with 100 questions through its online store, though that product covers only the national portion and not state-specific Maryland law.See the answer for every state
Apply for your salesperson license
After passing both portions of the exam, MREC sends an email within 5-7 business days containing your registration number and instructions to apply online through the Commission's electronic licensing system. You must submit your license application within one year of your exam date, or your passing score expires and you must retake the exam. Application processing takes approximately 5 days, per the Maryland OneStop portal[2].
To get a Maryland real estate salesperson license, you must complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course from a Commission-approved education provider, then schedule and pass both the national and state portions of the exam through PSI with a score of at least 70% on each portion. After passing, you receive an email within 3-5 business days with your registration number and application instructions, and you must obtain a commitment from a licensed broker to affiliate with. The original license application fee is $98 (including a $20 Guaranty Fund payment), effective April 27, 2026, and the license is valid for a two-year term from the date of issuance.See the answer for every state
Earning a Maryland real estate salesperson license requires completing a 60-hour pre-licensing course, passing a two-part exam administered by PSI, and submitting a license application. The 60-hour course typically takes 2 to 8 weeks depending on study pace, with full-time students finishing in about 2 weeks and part-time students needing 4 to 8 weeks. After passing both exam portions, the Maryland Real Estate Commission sends a registration email within 3 to 5 business days, and the state's OneStop portal lists a 5-day application approval time. Most candidates complete the full process within a few months, though the timeline can range from several weeks to over six months depending on pacing and exam scheduling availability.See the answer for every state
The fixed regulatory costs to obtain a Maryland salesperson license are a $44 exam fee paid to PSI and a $98 original license fee, which includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment, effective April 27, 2026. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and delivery format, with online self-paced courses generally costing less than in-person or community college programs. Including course tuition, the total cost depends on the education provider chosen.See the answer for every state
Activate your license through broker affiliation
Your salesperson license is issued on inactive status. To practice real estate in Maryland, you must affiliate with a licensed broker who sponsors your license. The broker commitment is a statutory requirement under Title 17[2]: you must obtain a written commitment from a licensed broker stating that the broker will affiliate with you upon granting of the license.
If you want to work immediately, affiliate with a broker as soon as your license is issued. If you prefer to wait, you can keep your license on inactive status for up to three years from the date it is issued before you must affiliate with a broker, according to the MREC licensing FAQs[3].
From salesperson to REALTOR® and broker
Once your license is active, you can pursue additional professional designations and career advancement. The most common next steps are joining a REALTOR® association and, eventually, upgrading to a broker license.
Becoming a REALTOR®
NAR membership is separate from the ethics module required for Maryland licensure. The National Association of REALTORS® requires its own Code of Ethics commitment, described on the NAR membership page[5].
To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent or broker must join a local REALTOR® association, which provides membership in the state and national associations. The principal of a real estate firm must join first; once the principal joins, affiliated agents, brokers, and appraisers may join as members. National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) dues are $156 for 2027, plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign, and members must abide by the NAR Code of Ethics. Only NAR members may use the REALTOR® designation.See the answer for every state
A real estate agent is licensed to help clients buy, sell, and rent property but must work under the supervision of a licensed broker. A broker has additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and oversee transactions. In Maryland, broker applicants must complete a 135-hour pre-licensing course and hold an active salesperson license for at least 3 consecutive years, while salesperson applicants complete a 60-hour course.See the answer for every state
License renewal cycle and fees
Maryland real estate licenses operate on a rolling renewal cycle, per the MREC website[6]. The renewal fee is $78, per the MREC Forms and Fees page[7]. If a license lapses, reinstatement is available without re-examination for up to three years from the last valid expiration date, subject to a $168 reinstatement fee, per the MREC renewal page[8].
Continuing education requirements
Maryland real estate licenses are granted for a two-year term beginning on the date of issuance, and renewal requires completing 15 hours of continuing education at least 30 days prior to the renewal date. The renewal fees are $78 for salespersons, $123 for associate brokers, and $191 for brokers, effective April 27, 2026. Licensees can renew online through the Maryland Real Estate Commission's electronic licensing system. Broker renewal applicants must also submit a full credit report, including the public record section, that is no older than six months.See the answer for every state
Maryland requires 15 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle for all license types, including salespersons, associate brokers, and brokers. The CE must be completed at least 30 days prior to the license renewal date to avoid a reinstatement fee.See the answer for every state
Yes, Maryland real estate continuing education courses can be completed online. The state imposes no limitation on the number of CE hours that may be taken online, so all 15 required hours can be satisfied through online delivery.See the answer for every state
Upgrading to a broker license
After holding an active salesperson license for at least three consecutive years with no breaks in licensure, you can pursue a broker license by completing a 135-hour broker pre-licensing course and passing the broker exam administered by PSI, per the MREC licensing FAQs[3].
To get started, enroll in an MREC-approved pre-licensing course and plan your exam date with PSI. The steps in this guide cover the full process from meeting eligibility requirements to activating your license with a broker.
Becoming a successful real estate agent in Maryland begins with completing the 60-hour pre-licensing course, passing the state exam, and affiliating with a licensed broker who can provide training, mentorship, and industry tools. New agents should expect their first sale to take four to six months or more, as building a client base takes time and persistence. According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Member Profile, the median gross income for REALTORS® is $58,100, with agents holding 16 or more years of experience earning a median of $78,900 annually, while those with two years or less earned $8,100. Maintaining an active license requires completing 15 hours of continuing education every two years, and many agents pursue further professional development through NAR designations and local association resources.See the answer for every state
