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Real Estate Broker
Total cost: $1015
Governing Authority
Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), under Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
135 hrs
Pre-License Hours
3 yrs
Experience Required
Yes
Exam Required
15 hrs
CE Hours
$1015
Total Fees
Permitted
Dual Agency
Broker Pre-License Education
Mostly verifiedPre-License Hours
135 hours
College Degree Required
No
Approved Providers
Maryland-approved real estate schools, colleges, and online providers
Additional Broker Courses
Additional broker-specific courses in management, supervision, and advanced real estate topics required beyond salesperson education
Course Topics
Real estate broker education requirements include pre-license coursework covering topics such as real estate law, brokerage management, contracts, finance, and ethics. Some states require a college degree in addition to pre-license hours, while others accept equivalent experience.
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Start with the salesperson license
Broker licensing in Maryland typically requires completing your salesperson (real estate agent) license first and practicing for 3 years before you can sit for the broker exam. The pre-licensing courses below are the recommended starting point on the path to a broker license.
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Agent Experience & Transaction History
Mostly verifiedAgent Experience Required
Prior real estate sales agent experience
3 yrs
Min Years as Agent
Most states require a period of active experience as a licensed real estate sales agent before qualifying for a broker license. Some states use a points-based system or require a minimum number of closed transactions as an alternative or additional requirement.
State Broker Exam
Mostly verifiedState Broker Exam Required
Real estate broker licensing examination
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Format
PSI
Provider
70%
Passing Score
$44
Exam Fee
Exam Sections
The real estate broker exam typically includes both a national portion covering general real estate principles and a state-specific portion covering local laws and regulations. Exams are usually administered by third-party providers such as PSI or Pearson VUE at authorized testing centers.
Overall licensing difficulty: 11/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Broker Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Real Estate Broker Exam
Passing Score
70%
Format
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Administered By
PSI
Key Topics Covered
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $44Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Real Estate Broker Exam.
Study guides for the real estate broker licensing exam.
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Broker Practice Capabilities
VerifiedYes
Independent Practice
Yes
Supervise Agents
Yes
Operate Brokerage
Yes
Property Management
Yes
Escrow Handling
Yes
Dual Agency
Yes
Designated Agency
Restricted Activities
Real estate brokers have a broader scope of practice than sales agents, including the ability to operate their own brokerage, supervise agents, and handle escrow funds. Dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) and designated agency rules vary significantly by state.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee VERIFY. The $211 Broker License Original fee may include application processing. If GLM is double-counting (application $125 + license $211 = $336 total when MREC charges $211 single), update accordingly. Most likely the application/license is a single $211 charge; flagged for reconciliation. Kept at $125 pending human verification. | $125 |
Exam Fee Paid to PSI | $44 |
License Fee Per labor.maryland.gov/license/mrec/mrecaff.shtml directly: 'Broker License, Original (includes $20 GF payment): $211'. Includes $20 Guaranty Fund contribution. Updated from $148 on 2026-04-30. | $211 |
E&O Insurance Errors and omissions insurance; varies by provider | $200 |
MLS Fees MLS membership varies by local association | $500 |
Renewal Fee VERIFY against current MREC fee schedule. | $140 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, license, E&O insurance, and MLS fees | $1015 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verified2 years
Renewal Period
15 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Post-License Education
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$140
VERIFY against current MREC fee schedule.
Regulatory Board
Broker licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state real estate commission. Continuing education typically covers topics such as ethics, fair housing, agency law, and state-specific legal updates. Some states also require post-license education within the first renewal period.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
ARELLO Certification
Accepted
Reciprocal States
Reciprocity Requirements
Real estate broker reciprocity agreements allow brokers licensed in one state to obtain a license in another state with reduced requirements. ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) certification may be accepted in some states. Requirements typically include passing the state-specific portion of the broker exam.
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Compare Maryland with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Maryland requires 135 hours of broker pre-license education and 3 CONSECUTIVE years of active real estate license with no breaks (no inactive status, late-renewal reinstatements, or suspensions). MREC has reciprocity with PA (excused from exams and CE) and OK only. Required CE includes specific MD-coded topics (Legislative A, Ethics D, Brokerage Relationships H) — NAR ethics does NOT substitute for MD ethics. New brokers licensed after 10/1/2023 may have different CE requirements. Late CE incurs $168 reinstatement penalty per Titles 17-314/17-315 effective 10/1/2024.
Maryland requires 135 hours of pre-license education for broker licensure (or 9 semester credit hours of instruction) per MREC.
Experience: 3 CONSECUTIVE years of active real estate license immediately prior to applying. NO breaks in licensure permitted (no inactive status, late-renewal reinstatements, or suspensions).
15 CE hours required per 2-year renewal cycle (for Brokers/Designated Branch Office Managers/Team Leaders initially licensed prior to 10/1/2023; brokers licensed after 10/1/2023 may have different requirements).
Required CE topics (cannot be substituted): (A) Legislative; (D) Ethics — must include MD Code of Ethics, flipping and predatory lending, professionalism (NAR ethics is NOT a substitute); (H) Principles of Brokerage Relationships and Disclosure / MREC Commercial Agency.
Supervisory licensees (Broker/Designated Branch Office Manager/Team Leader) must complete MREC Required Supervision Course (1.5 hrs) within 90 days, if not completed during previous renewal.
Effective 10/1/2024 (Titles 17-314 and 17-315): CE courses must be completed 30 days prior to license renewal date to avoid reinstatement fee. CE Providers have 14 days from completion to upload credit hours. Late CE incurs $168 reinstatement penalty.
Effective 10/1/2024 (SB 542): Brokerage agreement transparency requirements — written agreements mandatory with specific disclosures.
Effective 8/1/2024 (NAR settlement): Buyer agency agreements required before showing property in MD.
License can be expired up to 3 years before retest required; cannot be inactive or expired more than 3 years.
MREC has reciprocity ONLY with Pennsylvania (excused from exams and CE) and Oklahoma.
Dual agency is permitted with proper disclosure in Maryland.
Real Estate Broker Schools in Maryland
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Maryland requires 135 hours of pre-license education and 3 years of agent experience for broker licensure. A state broker exam is required. All licensing is managed through the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), under Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state real estate commission.