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Article Summary: This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Maryland or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Maryland. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more..

The Maryland Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing oversees 22 licensing boards and commissions within the state, including the Maryland Real Estate Commission. The main office of the Commission is in Baltimore.

The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Maryland include being at least 18 years of age and of good character and reputation. Before taking the real estate exams the applicant needs to successfully complete 60-clock hours of approved real estate classroom instruction. This instruction shall include an approved 3-clock hour course in real estate ethics. In some cases the Commission will approve real estate subjects in any college as a substitute for some of the 60 hours. The applicant then needs to pass the real estate examinations. All applicants need to submit with their application a written commitment from a licensed real estate broker stating that the salesperson applicant will be affiliated with the broker after becoming licensed.

The approved Real Estate Schools for both prelicensure and continuing education are available on line. Prelicense courses need to be in the classroom; however, continuing education courses may also be distance learning. At least one 3-clock hour ethics course that includes the Maryland Code of Ethics must be taken every two years by all agents.

All agent licenses are renewed every two years and between 6 and 15 clock hours of specific continuing education courses are required in order to renew the licenses, depending on how long one has been licensed and when the license expires. Continuing education courses completed in another state may qualify if they meet Maryland's standards.

The Maryland fees are $210 for an original broker license and $190 for the broker renewal license. The original associate broker license is $150 and the renewal associate broker license is $130. The original salesperson license is $110 and the salesperson renewal license is $90.

When renewing a current broker's license, applicants need to furnish a current credit report. All agents may reinstate an expired license for up to 4 years without having to re-take the examinations if they are current on all continuing education courses for the period expired, and by paying all past due renewal fees and paying a reinstatement fee of $150.

Maryland does not have specific reciprocity agreements with any state. However, education and experience from a home state can be reviewed for transferability on an individual basis.

Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Those holding a real estate license usually join organizations like the Maryland Association of Realtors, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), and the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO). The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the world's largest professional association, assists many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. These organizations are also excellent resources of real estate education.

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