How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Maryland? (2024 Timeline)

This article is your guide to understanding the timeline for completing the licensing process in the state of Maryland.

We discuss how long it will take you to fulfill each step in the process, from getting your pre-licensing education to maintaining an active license.

Ready to know the time estimates involved in getting your Maryland real estate license? Let’s get started!

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Maryland

The best place to start when deciding to get a real estate license in Maryland is with the eligibility requirements.

You’ll want to collect information on what qualifies you to begin the process.

You will also need to gather details to answer your questions on how to keep your license active, such as “what classes are required to renew my Maryland real estate license?”

The best place to begin collecting this valuable information is on the Maryland Real Estate Commission’s website.

Here you’ll find information on education prerequisites, testing, forms, MD real estate license renewal requirements, and more.

To get more detailed information on the licensing exam itself, check out the Maryland Candidate Information Bulletin from PSI.

It contains detailed information on what topics are covered on the exam, where you can take the test, and other pertinent details.

The first step on your licensing journey, after you’re sure you meet all the general requirements, is to complete the pre-licensing education course.

This is a 60-hour salesperson class focusing on real estate principles and practices which you can complete through any Maryland real estate school.

The time it takes to finish this requirement is based on how much time you have each week to dedicate to the course, as well as what format you complete it in.

Taking the course in person might take you longer to finish it, compared to enrolling in virtual classes.

Consider the pros and cons of real estate classes online vs classroom courses to fully understand the best option for you.

If you can devote 40 hours per week to a self-paced, online class, you could finish in less than three weeks. Learning in person may take closer to five.

For brokers, the pre-licensing education requirement is significantly longer, totaling 135 hours. You could complete this in as little as four weeks or as long as four months.

Finishing the pre-licensing class is right when you should begin the preparation portion of the licensing process. What are you preparing for? The real estate license exam.

How long you should study for the real estate exam is really up to you, but it’s important to give yourself enough time to feel prepared for your test day.

The goal is to pass the real estate exam on your first attempt, which isn’t always easy.

Consider making study tools for yourself such as topic outlines and flashcards. You can also take practice tests offered by PSI and utilize any study materials given to you in class.

Take as much time as you need, although studying a little everyday will keep the information fresh and help you stay motivated to keep going in the licensing process.

While scheduling your exam through PSI won’t take long, this part of the licensing process can still hold a waiting period.

To begin, PSI must receive confirmation you successfully completed your pre-licensing education requirements.

For salesperson applicants, this information comes directly from the school. Broker applicants must mail in the completion certificate itself or a notarized copy.

It can take up to two weeks for PSI to review this information and send you a confirmation that you can register to take the exam.

Once eligible, you can either register online or call PSI directly at 855-744-0318 to secure your exam date. Grab the first available date although you may have a wait.

When the actual test date arrives, make sure to get to your testing site at least 30 minutes early to check in.

The exam itself will take 120 minutes to complete, divided into two timed sections. You’ll have 90 minutes for the national section and 30 for the state portion.

Should you not pass both sections on your first attempt, you do have an unlimited number of retakes for up to a year after you finish your pre-licensing education to pass.

After that, you’ll have to go back to retake your pre-licensing class.

There is also a 24-hour delay before you can contact PSI to schedule a retake.

Check out our tips on how to pass the Maryland real estate exam to ace the test on your first try.

Although you’ll receive instructions for how to apply for your license in the Confirmation Notice handed to you on site when you pass the exam, you’ll need to partner with a broker first.

You’ll have to include the broker’s registration number on your application.

To choose the right broker to work for, you’ll want to spend some time researching and going on a few interviews.

Start by looking at the list of top real estate brokerages in Maryland and compare. Going on interviews will help you get a feel for what working there would be like and help you make a decision.

In the end, you want to pick a place where you’ll enjoy working.

For most applicants, you’ll submit your license applications online through the Maryland Department of Labor.

Once approved, your affiliate broker will get a copy of your license and you’ll be ready to begin your career as a real estate agent in Maryland.

If you have any criminal offenses in your background, though, you’ll need to apply manually. You can get everything you need directly from the Maryland Real Estate Commission.

In these instances, the review time of your application may take longer than the estimated two weeks.

Regardless of how you must apply, you have to submit your application within a year of passing the Maryland real estate licensing exam.

Maryland real estate license renewal requirements require the completion of 15 hours of continuing education before each renewal period.

In Maryland, how often must real estate salespersons renew their license? It’s every two years starting from their initial date of licensure.

Given that’s how long a Maryland real estate license is good for, you can plan ahead to accommodate the education requirements to keep your license active.

The continuing education requirement is broken down into 10.5 hours of mandatory coursework and 4.5 hours of electives.

Individual classes average around three hours although they can range from as little as 1.5 hours to as long as six.

Estimating about three hours a week, it will take you a little over a month total to complete your continuing education requirement.

Looking at the time investment, being a real estate agent as a career may feel daunting, but almost each piece comes with a stepped-out process.

The only part you’ll need to strategize for on your own is how you study. Start with your study materials and move on to finding a perfect study location.

You’ll want streamlined, topic-focused materials for review that you spend time looking over each day. Setting aside just 30 minutes daily can help you establish a strong routine.

Next, you’ll want to pick a study spot that you can get to each day. This should be somewhere quiet where there’s little risk of distraction or interruption.

There’s no right amount of time to study, so give yourself enough time to feel confident in your knowledge before scheduling the exam. You’ll then be ready to face test day head on.

Breaking down the time for each step in the process not only helps you craft a long-term plan for success, but lets you keep a realistic eye on the overall commitment for getting your Maryland real estate license.

Apart from the timeline, it will also serve you well to get information on how much it costs to get a real estate license in Maryland to prepare for a reasonable budget.

Note that there is no background check to determine your licensure eligibility, but you will have to submit relevant paperwork to help the Commission decide if you’re applying for a license with a past criminal history.

You can get more information on this topic from our article – Can You Get a Maryland Real Estate License with Violations?

And when you get your license, prepare for a busy career that will be both challenging and fulfilling. First, plan your next steps after passing the real estate exam to navigate this new career with ease.

Next, research real estate teams you can be a part of. Joining a real estate team will be beneficial for you as here you can learn from experienced agents and know more about the business.

As a new agent, make sure you cover all the bases to ensure your success.

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is both a licensed mortgage loan originator and real estate agent in the State of Ohio. Inspired by her years of working with buyers and sellers and seeing a need for more consumer education, Kristina created loanfully.com, an online educational resource for borrowers and industry professionals. In addition to real estate sales and mortgage lending, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking, treasury, and corporate finance. She ended her corporate career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX. Kristina obtained her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and her B.A in Business Management from Ursuline College.