One of the best things about real estate is that you don’t need any fancy degree or mountains of student loan debt to get started.
All you’ll need is to pass a pre-licensing course and exam.
Now, if you’re interested in a real estate career, you may be a bit confused with all the steps required to get a license in Maryland.
Not to worry. I’ve made things easy by listing a step-by-step process to get your real estate license.
With our how-to get a real estate license online in Maryland guide, you’ll be able to get started right away, regardless of your busy schedule.
So let’s get into it.
Type of Real Estate Courses
If you’ve searched around the web for real estate courses, you’ve probably come across a bunch of different real estate courses that may be a bit confusing to understand.
Let’s help you out by listing the 3 main courses in Maryland and what they’re used for.
Pre-licensing real estate course
A pre-licensing course is the only course you’ll need to get a real estate license in Maryland. This course consists of all the fundamental real estate concepts you’ll need to become a knowledgeable agent.
Broker real estate course
A broker real estate course is taken by established agents who are looking to create their own broker firm to avoid paying a commission to other brokers. This isn’t mandatory and many agents never feel the need to take this course. This is only if you want to, say, upgrade your real estate license.
Continuing Education real estate course
A continuing education (CE) real estate course is taken to renew your license.
Unlike the other two courses above, this course is taken repeatedly and contains updated laws and regulations, along with fundamental real estate information that agents are required to remember.
In Maryland, agents must take CE courses every 2 years.
Requirements for Real Estate License in Maryland
To be eligible for a license, you must:
- Be at least 18-years old
- Hold a high-school diploma or GED
- Complete and pass the 60-hour pre-licensing course
- Pass the Maryland final exam
- Apply to the Maryland Real Estate Commission
- Pass the background check
A Step by Step Guide on How to Get Real Estate License Online in Maryland
Here’s a summary of all the steps involved in getting your license:
Step 1: Take and pass a pre-licensing real estate course
Step 2: Pass the final Maryland real estate exam
Step 3: Fill out and submit your application and background check
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
Let’s take a deeper look at each step below.
Step 1: Take and pass a pre-licensing real estate course
The first step in getting your license is to take a pre-licensing real estate course.
In Maryland, the pre-licensing course is 60-hours long. And, to obtain a course completion certificate, you’ll need to get a score above 70% on the final course test.
If you’re looking for a good real estate school, Colibri Real Estate is here to provide online pre-licensing courses tailored to the Maryland Real Estate Commission’s requirements.
Well known across the country, Colibri Real Estate provides an enjoyable course. By leveraging the power of tech, they are able to give students an interactive and engaging learning experience that’s so much better than an old-fashioned textbook.
Better yet, with Colibri Real Estate, you’ll be able to pass your final course test completely online, making this course even more convenient.
Step 2: Pass the final Maryland real estate exam
After you’ve received a course completion certificate, you’ll have a one-year period to apply for and pass the Maryland real estate exam necessary to receive your license.
The exam is conducted by the PSI and you’ll have around 2 hours to answer 110 questions. The exam will cost around $44 and consists only of multiple-choice questions.
To apply for the exam at a local examination center, you’ll have to provide the necessary documents to the PSI and apply on their website.
For more information regarding the required documentation in Maryland, you may check the PSI handbook.
Step 3: Fill out and submit your application and background check
Next, you’ll have to fill out and send an application to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC). You can get the application form here.
You’ll have a one-year period to submit your application after you’ve passed the final exam.
Along with the required $90 application fee, you’ll have to provide proof of course completion and other required documentation to prove your identity when you submit your application.
The MREC shall also conduct a background check to ensure an applicant’s “trustworthiness”.
Felons may still have a chance of getting a license. But the decision is subject to the MREC and you may be called in to provide further information.
Step 4: Get sponsored by a broker
The final stage before you can get to practicing real estate is getting sponsored by a broker.
Oftentimes, agents rush through this process and end up working with a broker that may not be the best for their career.
It’s important to know that different brokers have different ways of managing their agents, so it's best to take this process slow and steady.
Some may give their agents complete freedom and control over how they want to work, while others may require normal office timings and formal dressing at work.
By looking at all the available brokers in your area, you should be able to evaluate them based on their reputation and learn about their corporate culture before deciding to join their team.
Selecting the right broker can boost your career early on. This is because they can give you real-life advice and experience that can make a world of difference, especially if you plan to work in real estate full time.
Online Real Estate Licensing in Maryland - FAQs
How long is the pre-licensing course in Maryland?
In Maryland, the pre-licensing course is 60-hours long. It’s pretty short considering that states, such as California, have their pre-licensing course at 135 hours.
Also, there aren’t any timers on the online pre-licensing course, so technically, you can complete it as fast or slow as you want.
Just note that most online real estate schools allow access to their courses for only 6 months.
When do I have to complete continuing education courses?
In Maryland, you’ll have to renew your real estate license every 2 years. This means that you’ll have to complete the required 15 hours of learning modules before applying for a renewal.
If you’re looking for an online CE course, you should definitely consider McKissock.
McKissock is one of the most well-known online real estate schools that provides top-notch CE courses. They always make sure that you are kept up to date with all the real estate rules and regulations, as well as trends.
Should I choose online or in-person courses?
While in-person lectures may be preferred by some because of the direct access to your instructors and social interaction with your classmates, attending in-person courses can be pretty difficult if you’re managing a day job or other responsibilities.
Online courses solve this by giving you complete control over how and when you study. You can access your course content 24/7, which makes learning much more convenient.
Since you’ll be able to study at home, you won’t need to spend time in the midday rush hour to get to your school.
Additionally, online courses can make learning simpler by leveraging tech to provide useful features. For example, Colibri Real Estate provides tools such as a real estate dictionary to make learning all the definitions easier.
How much does the pre-licensing course cost in Maryland?
In Maryland, the cost of a real estate course will depend on the school and learning method you choose. An in-person course normally costs above $400, while online courses normally cost under $400.
There are also several options for online courses to give you more flexibility in choosing which one suits your needs the most.
For example, if you’re tight on cash, you can opt for the cheaper basic package. You’ll also find frequent discount offers, allowing you to bag a good deal.
Conclusion
Getting a real estate license in Maryland may look confusing at first. But if you follow the steps above, you’ll be on your way to getting a license in no time.
The online courses mentioned are also a perfect way to complete all the requirements if you’re managing a busy schedule and are looking for a cheaper way to study overall.
So what are you waiting for?
Sign up for an online course today to get one step closer to your new career path!
Good luck!