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Real Estate Agent
To get a Maryland real estate license in 2026, you must complete 60 hours of Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC)-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the PSI licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $309–$660 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$160
Total Gov Fees
110
Exam Questions
2 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC)
Authority
⚠ Recent Changes in Maryland
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a license. |
| Citizenship | Not explicitly required Statute does not mandate citizenship. SSN or TIN needed for practical purposes. |
| Background Check | Self-disclosure Maryland does NOT require fingerprinting for salesperson applicants. Relies on self-disclosure of criminal history on the application, with case-by-case review by MREC. UNVERIFIED: Exact fingerprinting/background check fee not published by MREC — estimates range $50-$70 if required. |
| Character | Required Must be of good character and reputation per GBO 17-303(a)(2). |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must have a sponsoring broker before applying. Broker's registration number needed on application. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application/License Fee Paid to: MREC ⚠ Conflict: Maryland OneStop portal (outdated) reports $90. Maryland OneStop still lists $90. Official MREC Forms and Fees page (April 2024) confirms $98 including $20 Guaranty Fund. Using $98 as authoritative. | |
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $160 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
Education Requirements
VerifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
MREC-approved schools (in-person and online/distance learning)
Required Courses
Course cost typically $249–$500 depending on provider and format.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in Maryland.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
110
Total Time
120 min
Format
Computer-based, in-person at PSI test centers.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 90 min | 70% |
| State (Maryland) | 30 | 30 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes within 1-year education validity window. 24-hour wait between attempts. $44 per attempt. Only failed section needs retaking.
Exam scoring note: The exam has 110 questions but 135 total points — some national questions are worth up to 2 points for scenario-based items. Passing: 56/80 national points + 21/30 state points. Test centers: Baltimore, College Park, Crofton, Hagerstown, Lanham, Salisbury. Results delivered on-screen immediately.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
Enroll in an MREC-approved 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing course (classroom or online). Includes mandatory 3-hour ethics component.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Register via PSI website or call 1-800-733-9267. Pay $62 exam fee. Pass both National (56/80 points) and State (21/30 points) sections. Note: national section uses weighted scoring (up to 2 points per scenario question).
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
After passing, MREC emails a registration number within 3–5 business days.
Estimated time: 3–5 business days
Secure affiliation with a licensed Maryland broker. Broker's registration number required on application.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Apply online via MREC. Pay $98 application fee (includes $20 Guaranty Fund, effective April 29, 2024).
Estimated time: 2–5 business days processing
Renewal Details
VerifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Biennial from date of issuance. CE must be completed 30 days before renewal date (effective Oct 1, 2024).
First Renewal Notes
Licensees obtaining license after Oct 1, 2023 have 6 mandatory CE topic areas for first renewal totaling 15 hours. Out-of-state CE cannot be substituted.
Late CE completion results in $168 reinstatement penalty. Transfer to another broker: $28 fee.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in Maryland: Continuing education details →
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Limited Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (PA) | Reciprocal license — must meet MD requirements and pass MD state exam. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | Reciprocal license — must meet MD requirements and pass MD state exam. |
| () | |
| () |
All other out-of-state licensees undergo individual Out-of-State License Recognition evaluation (10–12 business days processing). Must pass MD state exam.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maryland with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in Maryland
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Official Sources
Real Estate Agent requirements in Maryland verified against Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
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