MD Pre-Licensing Requirements
General Eligibility Requirements
Before you dive into your coursework, ensure you meet the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) baseline criteria:
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Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
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Character: You must be of "good character and reputation." If you have a prior conviction, the Commission reviews applications on a case-by-case basis; you will typically need to provide "True Test" copies of court proceedings.
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Professional Competence: You must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to protect the public and navigate the Maryland market.
 The 4 Steps to Your Maryland Salesperson License
1. Complete Your Pre-Licensing Education
You must successfully complete a 60-hour "Principles and Practices of Real Estate" course approved by the Commission.
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The 60-Hour Rule: The course cannot exceed 60 clock hours of instruction.
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Ethics Requirement: Your training must include a mandatory 3-clock-hour course in real estate ethics.
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The College Alternative: If you have taken real estate subjects at an accredited college, you may apply to use those credits as an alternative, provided they include the 3-hour ethics module.
2. Pass the Maryland State Licensing Exam
Once your school submits your completion data to PSI (the state’s testing provider), you can schedule your exam.
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Structure: The test consists of a National section and a Maryland State section.
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Score to Beat: You need a 70% on both sections to pass.
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Timeline: You must pass both portions within one year of completing your pre-licensing course.
3. Secure a Sponsoring Broker
Per Maryland law, you cannot hold an active license independently.
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The Commitment: You must obtain a written commitment from a licensed Maryland Real Estate Broker. They must state that you will become affiliated with their brokerage once your license is granted.
4. Submit Your Official Application
After passing the exam, you have one year to apply for your license through the Maryland Department of Labor’s online portal.