How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Maine in 2024?

In this article, you’ll learn how quickly you can obtain a sales agent license in the Pine Tree State and what factors determine the time required.

It gives you a detailed look at time spans by stages of the licensing process. This way, you gain the knowledge you need to calculate your completion pace for each step and your overall timeline.

Read on to get the full scoop.

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Maine

The state-approved pre-licensing curriculum is 55 hours. That means you could finish the classwork in two weeks if you study online and set your pace accordingly.

Otherwise, your completion date depends on how much time you can regularly commit. For example, with a schedule of 12 hours a week, you can conclude an online course in week five.

Getting through real estate school will take a month or more if you choose a virtual classroom course or one that blends classroom and distance learning.

Live online classes, for instance, are commonly offered on a part-time schedule of three nights a week. That results in a 5-week course of study.

Some of the hybrid format courses have a slightly shorter schedule than virtual classes, running for four consecutive weeks.

Others have a break in the schedule that pushes the course duration to five weeks.

You can also take a home study course. It’s divided into five modules you can complete at a self-selected pace. Doing a module per week would also get you to the finish line in five weeks.

After completing the required real estate classes in Maine, committing to focused study time can position you for greater success when taking the sales agent exam.

Given that, how long should you study for the real estate exam to most effectively supplement the hours spent on the preparatory coursework?

If you have consistently spent an hour or two going over the material from each class, blocking off a couple of weeks for extra studying before taking the test is a reasonable starting point.

That gives you time to devote a few hours each day to reviewing information, and you can avoid cramming.

You should plan to take as many mock exams as possible during that time. As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.”

You can use mock practice exams to complement study sessions you complete independently. Or, take them as part of a structured prep course.

Either way, comparing your practice exam score to the target score will help you determine whether you need more time for the test prep process and, if yes, how much that is.

You will have some wait time between making an exam appointment and taking the test. How long that is depends on how far out the test center is booked up.

The Candidate Handbook published by the test administrator Pearson VUE indicates that test-takers should make a reservation at least 24 hours before their desired exam date.

A next-day appointment may be possible. But rather than relying on that as the case, allow for a week’s wait and be ready to push back the schedule if it takes longer for a slot to open up.

Alternatively, you could check for an earlier test slot at another Pearson VUE site if one is within an acceptable driving distance.

The exam is one day on your overall timeline. That includes four hours for the test and also allows for travel time.

Refer to our article on the best way to pass the Maine real estate exam for information on how to study for the test and what topics are covered.

We also recommend our tips on how to study for the real estate exam to up your chances of passing the test on your first attempt.

As a Maine real estate agent, you have to be supervised by a designated broker to conduct real estate services in the state.

Therefore, when applying for your license, you must provide information about the brokerage where you’ll work and the designated broker’s signatory authorization of your affiliation.

Since no two brokers are alike, it’s well advised to take ample time to do your homework to ensure you sign on with a firm that’s right for you.

A helpful rule of thumb is that you’ll need about one week to create a list of brokerages that potentially meet your needs. Use online resources and get referrals from your network.

Reserve another week to meet with those who tick the boxes on your checklist. You may need to extend the time frame for one more week if research or interviews take longer than expected.

Also, consider the following information-gathering tips for identifying preliminary choices.

• Search our directory for top real estate brokerages in Maine.
• Reference our article on how to choose the right real estate broker to work for.
• Use expert insights from that article to develop a criteria checklist.

You must apply for your license within a year of passing the exam. When you do, double-check that you have submitted all items required to process your application, including the following:

• The passing score results from your sales agent exam
• Your completion certificate for pre-licensing classes
• The application/license and criminal records check fees

The Maine Real Estate Commission doesn’t provide a time estimate for application processing. However, the turnaround often depends on when they get your background check report.

In some instances, the criminal history records search can take up to two weeks. So, it can be reasonably assumed that the application review period could be that long.

If your background results come in faster, you may get your license sooner, presuming another factor does not cause a delay.

One situation that can slow the review process is an incomplete application.

The Commission may return your application if you don’t complete every item or provide the required supporting documents. Then, you’ll essentially lose your place in the processing line.

A delay can also occur if the Commission has a large number of applications waiting for review.

You can check the status of your application on Maine’s online system for Regulatory Licensing and Permitting.

To know how certain convictions may affect your eligibility for getting licensed, read our article on getting a Maine real estate license with violations on the record.

Maine only has a handful of approved qualifying education providers, but they offer various access methods for the pre-licensing course.

You can study entirely online and not have to worry about traveling to and from class. Instead, you can create a suitable learning environment at home.

You could also select a study spot in the community, such as a reading room at the local library.

Either option also works when working through the material with a textbook in a home-study program.

The virtual classroom format will also allow you to do your classwork at home. Just be sure you stick to the rules. Schools usually want your study spot to:

• Be a private space without people, pets, or noise in the background.
• Have a table and chair so that you maintain an attentive posture.

In-person classes and blended formats are two other choices. The former requires you to study in a physical classroom, a more traditional learning environment.

The latter option has 40 hours of online coursework. So, you’ll devote time to self-study in your preferred space and participate in either a live or virtual classroom.

Is it better to take real estate classes online or in person? Weigh the pros and cons of each method so that you will be able to choose the right format for your learning style.

Good luck in your license pursuit! For more info on process requirements and answers to commonly asked questions, see our how-to post on getting a real estate license in Maine.

Refer to our article on how much a real estate license in Maine is to get an idea of the financial commitment involved in earning your license in the state.

To help get your career underway, use our step-by-step action-plan guide on what to do after passing the real estate exam.

You may also want to consider joining a real estate team to learn more about the industry through the guidance of more experienced agents.

If you want to know what your day-to-day life would look like, refer to our article on the pros and cons of being a real estate agent as a career.

Also, take advantage of great resources that will help you establish a solid presence in the industry and direct exposure to clients who are an ideal match for your business.

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.