To become a real estate agent in Maryland, one must first pass the state licensing exam. In preparation for this examination, 60 hours of pre-licensing classes – either classroom-based or online – must be taken.
Once you pass the state exam, the next step should be finding a broker to sponsor you and manage your real estate career and help sell properties.
Pre-Licensing Requirements
To become a real estate agent in Maryland, one must fulfill several pre-licensing requirements. These requirements include completing 60 hours of prelicensing education and passing the state real estate exam as well as aligning yourself with a sponsoring broker – this last point being of vital importance as finding an ideal broker can act as your mentor and provide invaluable training opportunities and support. It will also ensure a solid start on your real estate career journey!
Once you’ve completed your prelicensing course, the next step should be scheduling your state licensing exam with PSI. The test consists of both national and state sections; most candidates find the state part more difficult than the national portion, yet both parts must be passed successfully to pass the examination. A great way to prepare for such tests is taking an exam prep course designed to teach content while familiarizing you with timed testing environments.
Once you’ve passed the state real estate exam, the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) will review and process your license application. In most cases, applications can be submitted online; however there may be instances when manual submission may be necessary.
After passing your state exam, the MREC will grant you a license to sell property within Maryland. They’ll email it over within 3-5 business days with more details about it.
Once you’ve obtained your license, it is crucial to find a brokerage that provides your desired type of real estate specialization. StateRequirement Jobs provides an easy way to search available opportunities at brokerages and once you find one you like you can affiliate yourself with it by either applying for an active or inactive license from MREC – active license applicants must submit sponsoring broker information while inactive licensees can simply alter their broker affiliation on MREC website.
Obtaining a License
Acquisition of your Maryland real estate license is the cornerstone of becoming a Maryland agent. Although the process requires hard work and dedication, its benefits make the time worthwhile. As part of your preparation for the exam, complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved course provider. Once completed, either in-person or online at your own pace, the next step will be taking and passing the state exam. After passing, finding a broker willing to sponsor your license is the next step before applying with Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) with payment of an application fee; once your application has been reviewed by MREC they may refuse your license based on character or reputation considerations; any criminal conviction may also disqualify an application from being approved.
Donning your real estate license can open doors to property deals through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), while simultaneously giving you access to clients in search of their dream homes. By investing some of your time and effort, becoming licensed Maryland real estate agent could take as little as six months!
Once you’ve completed and passed the pre-licensing coursework and exam, the next step should be finding a sponsoring broker to launch your career. You can do this by approaching local brokerages with interest in working together or using tools such as Agent Start to connect with brokers who are searching for agents.
Once you’ve secured a broker, the Maryland Real Estate Commission allows you to apply for a license. Your application should include information regarding them as a partner; otherwise you can apply for inactive status until one becomes available.
The Maryland Real Estate Exam is a 110-question exam, divided into an 80-question national portion and 30-question state section administered by PSI and must be taken within one year after finishing pre-licensing coursework.
Choosing a Broker
Before becoming licensed as a real estate agent in Maryland, one must fulfill certain pre-licensing requirements and find an experienced sponsoring broker who will guide and support their career journey. This process may take months; for new agents it is key that they find one with whom they feel at ease when embarking upon this endeavor.
When selecting a broker, it’s essential to take into account its company culture and values as well as training programs, mentorship opportunities, marketing support services and technology tools available. A great way to start is by interviewing brokers at different brokerages to gain an idea of their culture and work environment.
Understanding commission structures varies across brokerages is also vitally important. Some may offer higher commission splits while others might provide more comprehensive support services and resources – the key here is finding one that aligns best with your career goals and business model.
Once you have completed all of these steps, it will be time to apply for your license at the Maryland Real Estate Commission website. Your sponsoring broker must also provide a sponsorship letter and pay a $90 licensing fee.
Once your application has been accepted by the Maryland Real Estate Commission, you will receive a salesperson license. Next step will be finding an intra-company broker who is experienced with commercial real estate to hire as your intra-company agent and help make you an even more effective real estate agent.
No matter if you’re selling homes or commercial property, having the assistance of an expert broker is critical for maximizing profits. When searching for the ideal broker firm, look for those offering comprehensive services with excellent reviews as well as robust technology and customer support that is responsive.
Notably, Maryland real estate agents can only represent either buyer or seller in a transaction, so if your interests lie on both sides it would be prudent to enlist two brokers as your team to ensure your needs are properly represented throughout.
Continuing Education Requirements
Each state’s real estate licensing body mandates that licensed agents and brokers take part in continuing education (CE). CE courses aim to keep licensees up-to-date on current market trends while increasing awareness of state laws. Requirements may differ across states; typically these consist of some mandatory courses as well as electives yearly (or renewal cycle), usually set forth by their real estate commissions.
Continuing education courses are provided by many different entities – individuals, real estate professionals, seminar companies, corporations and brokerages among them – but be sure to only select programs approved for real estate continuing education credit by your state’s licensing agency; some may not meet CE hours necessary for renewal, while some are even rejected by MREC (Maryland Real Estate Commission).
California real estate agents must complete 45 hours of coursework every four years in order to satisfy the Department of Real Estate renewal requirements. This coursework must cover consumer protection topics as well as mandated subjects. Our sister site 360training provides online course options designed to meet these state requirements; for more information, check out MREC’s website.
Idaho requires that both salespeople and brokers complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) each year, spanning topics like real estate laws and regulations as well as license renewal requirements such as submitting fingerprints for background checks.
The District of Columbia licenses real estate agents and brokers every two years; renewal deadlines for brokers is February 28, 2025 and August 31 for salespeople. Licensees must successfully complete both a 3-hour DC RE Commission approved Fair Housing course as well as 3-hour RE Commission Property Management course to meet this renewal requirement.
Ohio requires 30 hours of CE for license renewal, including at least 12 in mandatory topics. There may be exceptions; so visit OREC’s website for further details.