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How to get a real estate license in Maryland. 60 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $160. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
Pre-License Hours
$160
Total Gov Fees
110
Exam Questions
2 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Maryland
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
| 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. |
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.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
110
Total Time
120 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice, in-person only 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.
| 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 |
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Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Maryland with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
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
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.
4–14 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive course and fast processing. Typical: 5–8 weeks.
2024-10-01
SB 542: Brokerage agreement transparency requirements — written agreements mandatory with specific disclosures.
2024-10-01
New CE completion deadline: must be done 30 days before renewal date. Late completion results in $168 reinstatement penalty.
2024-08-01
NAR settlement: buyer agency agreements now required before showing property in Maryland.
2024-04-29
Fee schedule updated. Application fee now $98 (includes $20 Guaranty Fund).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maryland.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#30 of 49
Cost
#3 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$40,490
25th percentile
Median
$49,770
-12% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$66,670
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,530 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+50% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$49,770
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$49,770
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$82,500
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$74,760
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: MREC — Official Website
Estimated total: 4–14 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: MREC — Official Website
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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