How to get a Real Estate License in Maryland?

Maryland, the home of Chesapeake Bay. Neighbor of this nation’s capital, home of the US Naval Academy, and Camden Yards. Maryland is also the 5^th-most densely populated state. Thank you, Wikipedia and Mr. May’s A.P. U.S. History class.

But enough history class! You don’t need to be a history teacher to become a real estate agent in Maryland, although teachers can make great agents. You don’t even need a college degree to get your real estate license, although it might help if you study real estate.

This blog will cover how to get a Maryland Real Estate Salesperson’s and Broker’s license and getting a license through reciprocity.

Qualifications & Steps

To qualify to become a real estate salesperson is not terribly difficult on paper. You must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. The harder part is the pre-license education and knowledge check.

Maryland requires that all new applicants must complete a 60-hour pre-license course that includes a heavy emphasis on real estate law. “What other kind of law would it cover?” That’s a good question. You’ll learn about contract and property law, as well as licensing law and how a real estate company must operate in Maryland. You will also take a course final exam and pass with a score of at least 75%.

After completing the pre-license course, you will then take the state licensing exam and then apply to the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). The state licensing exam covers a national portion and a state law specific portion.

You will take the licensing exam through PSI Exams. Candidates must apply first through the DOPL for licensure and then apply to take the licensing exam through PSI.

Real Estate Commission or Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing?

It can be pretty confusing on how to apply to get your real estate license. The Real Estate Commission is most often referenced because they are the regulatory body for real estate professionals. However, you will apply through the DOPL’s portal for your real estate license. Here is a brief breakdown:

When it comes to applying for a new license, renewing your license, or changing your license status, you will most likely go through PALS to file the appropriate application.

Getting an Maryland Brokers License

Getting the next level of real estate license is a similar process to getting your initial salesperson license.

The process to become a broker is virtually the same as a salesperson. You will complete the pre-license education, apply to the DOPL, then pass the state licensing exam. There are 2 slight differences to get your broker license: you must have been licensed as a salesperson for at least 3 years and the broker pre-license education is 135 hours, not 60.

Maryland Reciprocity
Maryland has reciprocal agreements with 2 states: Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. Brokers and Salespersons can qualify for an equivalent type of license in Maryland if they are over 18 with a high school diploma or its equivalent and maintain their principal office in the state of their original licensure.

If you have a real estate license in Pennsylvania, you do not have to take any MD pre-license education or the licensing exam. If you have a license in Oklahoma, you must take the state portion of the MD exam but are excused from pre-license education. Reciprocal licensees must maintain their principal place of business in the state through which reciprocity was granted, and must maintain a current, active license in that state in order to maintain a reciprocal license in Maryland.

Also, people licensed in other states outside of PA and OK can still apply for an education waiver. You would have to submit a full license history from your state to be approved for the waiver. If approved, you will not have to take the 60-hour pre-license course. If you are not approved, you will have to take the 60-hour pre-license course and the full state licensing exam.

Exemptions and Other Considerations

You may not have to complete the pre-license course if you already have extensive education. If an applicant is qualified to practice law in the State, the Commission can waive the educational and experience requirements. If you’re a Maryland Attorney, you qualify to take the Broker’s exam.

In case you wondering of other ways to use a real estate license, Maryland has a unique license that many other states do not offer. Maryland allows a licensee to designate their license as a Commercial license. There are no separate pre-license education or a different exam to obtain this designation. A commercial designation means that the licensee can ONLY work commercial real estate transactions. A standard licensee can work both commercial and residential transactions without the designation.

If you have any questions about getting licensed in Maryland or other states, do not hesitate to contact our License Law specialists.

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