How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Maryland: A Clear

What Maryland actually makes you do

Start with the education. Maryland requires a 60-hour pre-licensing course through an approved provider.

This part isn’t “busywork,” even if it feels like a hoop at first. It’s where the language starts to make sense. Contracts stop sounding like threats. Agency stops being vague. Financing starts connecting to what buyers actually experience.

Most people choose online for flexibility. Classroom courses can be great if you learn better live or want instant accountability. Either way, you’re working toward one thing: course completion that makes you eligible for the exam.

One timing trap to know early: once you complete the course, you can’t sit on it forever. You need to pass both exam portions within the window tied to your course completion date.

The exam, without the drama

The exam is two parts taken in the same visit: national plus Maryland.

It’s not about memorizing definitions in isolation. It’s about reading a scenario and choosing the next correct move. The questions reward people who can slow down, spot the issue, and avoid guessing based on vibes.

The structure matters because it changes how you study:

• National portion: 80 questions, 90 minutes

• Maryland portion: 30 questions, 30 minutes

You need 70% on each portion, not just a strong overall score. If you pass one part and miss the other, you’re not starting from zero. You typically retake the portion you didn’t pass.

The exam fee is $44 per registration, whether you’re taking one portion or both.

If you want the fastest, least painful study plan, do this: run practice questions early, not late. That’s how you learn what the test is really asking. Then you fill gaps with focused review instead of rereading a textbook hoping it sticks.

Applying for your license: active vs. inactive

After you pass both portions, you apply for licensure. This is where deadlines actually matter.

Maryland gives you one year after passing the exam to apply. Miss that, and you’re rebuilding steps you already paid for.

Now the part people don’t always realize: you don’t have to rush into a brokerage relationship if you’re not ready.

You can apply and place your original license on inactive status while you interview brokers. That keeps your progress real without forcing a quick decision.

If you choose inactive, you have three years from the date you place it inactive to affiliate with a broker. If you want to be active immediately, you affiliate right away.

This matters because your first brokerage can shape your first year more than your course ever will. Training, contract support, lead generation expectations, and culture all hit you fast once you’re licensed.

What it costs (the part no one explains cleanly)

The state fees are straightforward. The “business costs” are the surprise.

Here are the state-level numbers you can plan around:

• Exam fee: $44

• Original salesperson license fee: $98 (includes the Guaranty Fund payment)

Then come the expenses that vary by brokerage and region: MLS access, association dues if you join, lockbox access, E&O coverage, transaction fees, basic marketing, and just staying afloat while your pipeline becomes real.

The best move is to budget for time, not just fees. Real estate is commission-based. Your first checks are rarely immediate, even if you work hard.

What the first 90 days actually feel like

The day your license becomes active, you don’t suddenly feel like an agent. You feel like a beginner with a credential.

That’s normal.

Your first months are mostly about repetition: learning your forms, learning your MLS, learning how to explain process without sounding uncertain. You’ll also learn that “lead generation” is mostly daily conversation habits, not clever branding.

A strong brokerage makes this phase smaller. You want a place where you can ask “dumb” questions early, before they become expensive questions later.

If you’re interviewing brokers, ask things that reveal reality:

• Who reviews contracts when you’re new?

• What happens when you’re under deadline pressure at 9:00 p.m.?

• Is mentorship structured, or just a name on a list?

• What does a normal week look like for a new agent who’s trying to get traction?

A commission split doesn’t train you. People do.

Renewals and continuing education

Maryland requires 15 hours of continuing education per renewal period, with specific topic requirements depending on when you were first licensed and whether it’s your first renewal.

There were changes effective October 1, 2025, including required topic breakdowns and reminders about timing. One of the easiest avoidable mistakes is finishing CE too late. Maryland’s guidance is clear: complete CE during your license term and at least 30 days before renewal so reporting and processing don’t turn into a scramble.

FAQs

How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Maryland?

If you move with intention, the process can be relatively quick. The 60-hour course is the main time commitment, and then your pace depends on how soon you schedule the exam and how prepared you are.

For most people doing this alongside work and life, a realistic range is a couple of months from “start course” to “apply for the license.” The most common slowdown isn’t the course itself. It’s waiting too long to book the test or studying in a way that doesn’t match how the exam asks questions.

What are the exact education requirements for a Maryland real estate license?

Maryland requires a 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing course through an approved provider. You complete the course, meet the provider’s completion requirements, and then you’re eligible to schedule the exam.

The key detail is timing. Your exam eligibility is tied to your course completion date, and you need to pass both exam portions within the allowed window.

How hard is the Maryland real estate exam?

It’s challenging in the way most licensing exams are challenging: it tests judgment, not just memory.

You’ll see scenario-style questions that force you to apply concepts like agency, disclosure, financing, and contract rules. If you study by only reading definitions, the exam can feel unfair. If you study by working practice questions and reviewing why answers are right or wrong, it becomes manageable.

You also need 70% on each portion, which means you can’t ignore the Maryland section even if you’re strong nationally.

What happens if I fail one part of the exam?

Failing one portion doesn’t necessarily mean you redo everything. Because the exam is split into national and state portions, candidates who pass one and fail the other typically retake only the portion they didn’t pass.

That’s why it’s smart to prep for both sections from the start. You’re trying to avoid a second testing day, not just “get through it.”

Do I need a sponsoring broker before I apply for my license?

Not always, and this is where Maryland gives you flexibility.

If you want to be active immediately, you’ll affiliate with a broker right away. If you’re not ready to choose, you can apply for your original license and place it on inactive status first, then affiliate later.

That option protects you from making a rushed brokerage decision just to keep momentum.

How long can I keep my license inactive in Maryland?

If you apply for an original license and place it on inactive status, you have three years from that inactive date to affiliate with a broker.

This is useful if you’re finishing a job transition, relocating, or simply interviewing brokerages carefully instead of grabbing the first offer.

Can I get a Maryland real estate license with a misdemeanor or felony?

A conviction does not automatically disqualify you in Maryland. The Commission reviews situations case-by-case, and applicants may need to submit documentation about the proceedings connected to the conviction.

If this applies to you, it’s worth reading the Commission guidance closely and preparing your paperwork early. The mistake isn’t having a history. The mistake is hiding it or showing up unprepared.

How much does it cost to get licensed in Maryland?

At the state level, the big fixed costs are the $44 exam fee and the $98 original salesperson license fee.

Your total cost is higher once you include the pre-licensing course and the practical “starting a business” expenses that come right after licensure. Those vary widely by brokerage and region, but they matter more than most people expect.

What continuing education do I need to renew my Maryland license?

Maryland requires 15 hours of continuing education per renewal period. The exact required topics depend on your license timing and category, and there were updates effective October 1, 2025 that clarify required course breakdowns.

The most important practical point is timing. CE should be completed during your license term and at least 30 days before renewal, because providers need time to upload credits and you don’t want your renewal held up over administrative lag.