Real Estate Agent License Requirements in Maryland
- Training hours
- 60 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $98
- Exam
- Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Meet the eligibility requirements set by the issuing board. The MREC licensing FAQ page does not state a specific minimum age or a mandatory criminal background check/fingerprint requirement as part of the standard salesperson application; a felony or misdemeanor conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant, but is weighed case-by-case with an appeal right if denied. Notably, MREC's own May 2025 business-meeting minutes state the Commission had only just begun 'the process to submit the background check/fingerprint bill to legislation,' indicating Maryland did not yet have a statutory fingerprint/background-check mandate for real estate licensees as of that date. A license must be affiliated with a sponsoring broker to be active; a license can sit on inactive status for up to 3 years after an original application before affiliation is required. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 60 hours of training at a state-approved program. Applicants must complete the 60-hour Principles and Practices of Real Estate for Salespersons course with an approved education provider. The course covers real property principles, landlord-tenant relationships, real estate contracts, agency and listings, transfer of title, title insurance and settlements, appraising fundamentals, real estate finance, Maryland real estate law, MREC regulations and Code of Ethics, fair housing/human rights law, real estate math, property condition disclosure, and hazardous substance law. Maryland does not recognize post-licensing education. [1]
- 3
Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Examination
Pass the Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Examination. The exam has national and state-specific portions, both of which must be passed. The exam fee (paid to PSI, not MREC) was not published on the MREC pages reviewed. Once you pass has passed, you have one year from the exam date to apply for a license. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing issues your Real Estate Salesperson License for Maryland.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | None specified |
| License fee [2] | $98 |
| Renewal fee [2] | $78 |
| Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Examination [1] | None specified |
There is no separate application fee; the original Salesperson license fee is $98 (includes a $20 General Fund payment), and the biennial renewal fee is $78, per MREC's official fee schedule effective April 27, 2026. A $75 late CE fee and a $168 reinstatement fee apply if a license lapses (licenses can be reinstated up to 3 years after expiration before retesting is required).
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 15 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Licenses are valid for 2 years, expiring April 30 of even-numbered years. Salespersons must complete 15 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle: Legal and Legislative Update (3 hrs), Fair Housing or ADA for commercial-only (2 hrs), Ethics (3 hrs), Electives (4 hrs), and Principles of Brokerage Relationships & Disclosure (3 hrs). Licensees whose first renewal falls after an October 1, 2023 initial license instead complete a fixed first-renewal curriculum totaling 15 hours (Contracts, Brokerage Relationships, Real Estate Practice, Property Management/Landlord-Tenant, Professionalism, Financing). CE must be completed at least 30 days before submitting the renewal application; there is no grace period, but reinstatement is possible up to 3 years after expiration.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Maryland has distinct formal reciprocal-licensing procedures with Oklahoma and Pennsylvania (e.g. Pennsylvania applicants submit a raised-seal certificate of licensure directly from the PA Commission plus a license history form and broker supervision letter). Applicants originally licensed in any other state may qualify through Maryland's separate 'Out-of-State License Recognition' pathway rather than the OK/PA reciprocal process. A real estate license that has been expired for more than 3 years requires retesting regardless of reciprocity.
Cost calculator
- $98
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of pre-license education does Maryland require?
60 hours: the Principles and Practices of Real Estate for Salespersons course from an MREC-approved provider, followed by the PSI exam (national and state portions).
How much does an original Maryland salesperson license cost?
$98 for the original license (includes a $20 General Fund payment); biennial renewal is $78.
How often does a Maryland salesperson license renew, and what CE is required?
Every 2 years, expiring April 30 of even-numbered years. Licensees must complete 15 hours of continuing education per cycle, covering mandated topics like Legal Update, Ethics, Fair Housing, and Brokerage Relationships.
Does Maryland offer reciprocity with other states?
Maryland has specific formal reciprocal agreements with Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Applicants from any other state can pursue licensure through Maryland's separate Out-of-State License Recognition process.
How long can my Maryland license stay expired before I have to retest?
Up to 3 years. A license expired longer than 3 years cannot be reinstated and requires the applicant to retest.
Sources
- [1] dllr.state.md.us/license/mrec/mreclicfaqs.shtml — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] dllr.state.md.us/license/mrec/mrecaff.shtml — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] labor.maryland.gov/license/mrec/mreceducreq.shtml — accessed 2026-07-12