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How to Get a Maryland Real Estate License

Published: 09-03-24 Category: Marketing

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If you're interested in a career in commercial real estate, real estate investing, or leasing commercial space, obtaining a Maryland real estate license can open up a world of opportunities for you.

The state of Maryland is home to one of the most diverse populations in the nation. This means that, as a licensed real estate agent, you'll serve an assortment of multi-cultural neighborhoods.

In addition, the state hosts the Maryland Entrepreneur Hub online. Here, you can launch your career by networking with members of hundreds of business and social organizations, service providers, and local investors.

Here, we'll walk you through the process of becoming a licensed real estate agent in Maryland, with a focus on the commercial real estate sector.

#1 – Meet the Basic Requirements

You'll need to be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate (or equivalent), and be a United States citizen or legal immigrant.

#2 – Complete Your Pre-Licensing Education

Like many other states, Maryland requires real estate agents to complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education.

There are two required exams you'll need to pass before applying for your license:

Your pre-licensing course exam; and
The Maryland State Licensing exam.

If you haven't yet decided to specialize in commercial or residential real estate, here's an important rule to remember:

Per the State of Maryland's Real Estate Commission FAQ page:

With a COMMERCIAL LICENSE, you are ONLY eligible to perform commercial transactions. With a RESIDENTIAL license, you are able to perform BOTH commercial and residential transactions.

Final exams must be passed with a minimum of 70% and may be taken a maximum of two times.

Your final course exam will be proctored, either online or in person (depending on your course provider).

#3 – Select a Real Estate Licensing Course Provider

While different pre-licensing course providers will offer different versions of the required education, your coursework should include the topics required for you to understand your role as a licensed agent.

Generally, these will include:

Real estate principles and practices;
Maryland real estate law;
Federal and state fair housing laws; and
Ethics in real estate.

If you've already decided to become a commercial real estate agent, you may want to enquire about additional courses that focus on these topics:

Commercial property valuation;
Commercial lease agreements;
Investment analysis; and
Zoning and land use regulations.

Ideally, you'll check out two or three educational sources before committing to a specific course.

For example, some offer additional “exam prep” packages with the required pre-licensing course.

After you complete your course and pass the exam, you're ready for the second test.

#4 – Take the Maryland Licensing Exam

After completing your pre-licensing education, you'll need to pass the Maryland real estate licensing exam.

Registration for the state licensing exam is an entirely separate process from proctoring for your course final exam. The exam is provided by Professional Services Industries (PSI) Services.

The exam contains two sections: a National and a State portion. The exam covers various topics, including commercial real estate principles, property management, and real estate investment methods.

After you pass the exam (congrats!), your next step is to find a sponsor. You'll need to do this before applying for your license.

#5 – Choose a Sponsoring Broker

In Maryland, new agents must work under a licensed real estate broker.

If you're going to focus on commercial real estate:

Look for brokers specializing in commercial properties.
Consider firms with a strong presence in your preferred target market.
Evaluate the training and support offered for new agents in the commercial sector.
Find out if they're tech-savvy.

When interviewing potential sponsors, you should ask for details of their sponsoring program and consider their industry reputation.

When you've arranged sponsorship, you can prepare to submit your application for a Maryland real estate license.

#6 – Submit Your License Application

Once you've passed the exam and found a sponsoring broker, you'll submit your license application to the Maryland Real Estate Commission.

You'll need to provide your:

Proof of completed pre-licensing education;
Exam results; and
Application fee.

Current application fees are published on the State of Maryland's official website.

Your initial license will describe you as a salesperson, not an agent or broker.

Generally, it takes a few weeks to receive your license after you send in your application. During this time, it's a good idea to begin networking within the local commercial real estate (CRE) community.