Maryland real estate classes: 60-hour pre-licensing course guide

Maryland requires every real estate salesperson candidate to complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course from a provider approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) before sitting for the state licensing exam. The course must include a 3-hour ethics module and covers real estate principles, property law, contracts, finance, agency relationships, and fair housing. MREC permits multiple delivery formats, including classroom instruction, online coursework, and home study, giving students flexibility in how they complete their real estate classes.

Maryland's 60-hour pre-licensing course requirement

Applicants for a Maryland salesperson license must be at least 18 years old and of good character and reputation, according to the Maryland OneStop salesperson license page^[1]. The same page outlines the pre-licensing education requirement that candidates must fulfill before they may schedule the state exam.

The MREC licensing FAQs^[2] confirm that education may be completed with any provider listed on the MREC website under Approved Education Providers. Once the course is finished, candidates receive a certificate of completion that opens eligibility to schedule the licensing exam through PSI Examination Services, the Commission's testing vendor.

Maryland does not require post-licensing education after the pre-licensing course. According to the MREC education requirements page^[3], Maryland does not recognize post-licensing education. New licensees move directly into the continuing education cycle at their first renewal rather than completing a separate post-license course.

Course delivery formats in Maryland

MREC permits multiple delivery methods for the 60-hour pre-licensing course, as specified on the Maryland OneStop salesperson license page^[1].

There is no state-imposed limit on the number of hours that may be completed online. Students can satisfy the entire 60-hour requirement through internet-based coursework, making online real estate courses a practical option for working professionals who need flexible scheduling.

In-person real estate classes remain available through community colleges and local real estate schools. The Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS®^[4] operates a pre-licensing school in Timonium, Maryland, offering evening, daytime, and Saturday sessions that run approximately 8 to 9 weeks. Community college programs typically span about 3 months with scheduled evening classes and require full attendance.

Course access windows vary by provider. Most online schools grant six months of access from the date of purchase, with some offering extensions for an additional fee. Students should confirm the access window and extension policy before enrolling, as providers set their own expiration and re-enrollment terms.

What the pre-licensing syllabus covers

The 60-hour course covers the knowledge areas tested on both the national and state portions of the Maryland real estate exam. PSI's real estate exam guide^[5] identifies the core content areas as property law, real estate finance, contracts, agency relationships, ethics, and state-specific regulations. The HUD Fair Housing Act overview^[6] identifies fair housing law as a required curriculum component, and Maryland's pre-licensing course integrates fair housing principles throughout the coursework.

The 3-hour ethics module is embedded within the broader curriculum rather than offered as a standalone course. The MREC education requirements page^[3] states that NAR ethics training does not satisfy Maryland's required ethics course. The state mandates its own ethics curriculum, distinct from the National Association of REALTORS®' ethics program.

The national portion of the state exam tests general real estate knowledge applicable across all states, while the state portion focuses on Maryland-specific laws and regulations. The pre-licensing course prepares candidates for both portions, with some providers organizing their curriculum into national and state units to mirror the exam structure.

Course final exam requirements

The pre-licensing course concludes with a final exam that candidates must pass to receive their certificate of completion. The Maryland Real Estate Commission sets a minimum passing score of 70% on the course final exam. Individual schools may set higher thresholds at their discretion, as long as they do not fall below the state minimum.

The final exam is typically proctored, meaning a neutral third party verifies the student's identity and supervises the testing session. Online providers generally offer remote proctoring through a webcam-based system, while in-person programs administer the exam on campus. After passing, students sign an affidavit verifying their identity before the certificate is issued.

Most providers allow a maximum of two attempts on the final exam. The exam typically consists of approximately 110 questions drawn from the full 60-hour curriculum. Students who do not pass within the allowed attempts may need to re-enroll in the course.

The course final exam is separate from the state licensing exam administered by PSI. Passing the course final exam earns the certificate of completion, which then grants eligibility to schedule the state exam.

Approved education providers in Maryland

The MREC education page^[7] publishes Student Success Rates by School as an Excel download, showing exam pass rates for each school. MREC states that this data is provided for informational purposes only and carries no guarantee of accuracy, and should not be construed as an endorsement of any particular institution.

Schools fall into several categories. National online providers offer self-paced courses accessible from anywhere in the state. Community colleges provide structured schedules with instructor-led instruction and included textbooks. Local real estate schools and brokerage-affiliated institutes offer classroom-based courses with schedules tied to local market activity. Students searching for a real estate school near me should verify that any provider they consider appears on the MREC approved list before enrolling.

Choosing a course provider and format

Selecting the right provider depends on learning style, schedule, budget, and career goals. Community college programs tend to be the most expensive option, reflecting included textbooks and instructor-led classroom instruction.

When evaluating providers, consider the following factors:

• Delivery format: Online self-paced courses offer flexibility, while classroom courses provide structure and live instructor interaction.
• Course access window: Most online providers grant six months of access. Confirm the extension and re-enrollment policy before purchasing.
• Included materials: Some providers bundle textbooks, exam prep tools, and practice questions. Others charge separately for these resources.
• Support after exam failure: Some schools extend access to study materials if a student does not pass the state exam on the first attempt, sometimes for up to 18 months.
• Proctoring logistics: Online providers may charge a separate fee for remote proctoring sessions. Confirm whether proctoring is included in the course price.

Students should also confirm that the provider reports course completions directly to PSI. Most approved providers handle this reporting automatically, but students typically need to provide their Social Security number for the reporting process.

From course completion to exam readiness

After passing the course final exam, the provider issues a certificate of completion and reports the completion to PSI, which opens the candidate's eligibility to schedule the state licensing exam. Course completion certificates carry an eligibility window — candidates typically have one year from the date of completion to pass the state exam before they must retake the pre-licensing course.

Many students supplement their coursework with additional exam preparation materials to reinforce specific content areas and practice test-taking strategies.

After passing both portions of the state exam, candidates have one year from the exam date to apply for their license, according to the MREC licensing FAQs^[2]. The next steps — finding a sponsoring broker and submitting the license application — follow the exam. For agents who later want to advance, Maryland offers a separate broker pre-licensing pathway with its own experience and education requirements, as outlined on the Maryland OneStop broker license page^[8].

To get started, visit the MREC website's Approved Education Providers list, choose a delivery format that fits your schedule, and confirm the course includes the required ethics module before enrolling.