Plan Your Maryland Real Estate Next Step
Use the checklist, compare costs, and learn what to ask before choosing a course or brokerage. Discuss your plans with a trusted adult or career counselor.
No sign-up needed. Information last reviewed November 14, 2026.
Take it one step at a time
The same checklist as your take-home card. Tap the boxes as you go (they aren’t saved), or download a copy with room for your own notes.
- Explore the work. Ask an agent what a typical week looks like.
- Check eligibility. You must be at least 18 to qualify for a Maryland salesperson license. Review all current state requirements.
- Plan your time and budget. Include education, exam, license, and business expenses.
- Complete an approved 60 hour prelicensing course and its completion requirements.
- Pass both portions of the Maryland licensing exam through PSI.
- Choose a supervising broker, obtain an affiliation commitment, and apply for your license.
- Confirm your license is active and your brokerage affiliation is in place before practicing.
Four parts of getting licensed
Maryland salesperson qualifications include being at least 18, good character and reputation, approved education, the exam, and a broker affiliation commitment.
Education
Finish an approved 60-hour salesperson prelicensing course.
Examination
Pass both portions of the Maryland licensing exam through PSI.
Application
Apply for your license with the Maryland Real Estate Commission and pay the license fee.
Brokerage affiliation
Choose a supervising broker and get an affiliation commitment before you practice.
Official sources: MREC licensing FAQs · MREC exam information · MREC forms and fees · Maryland law (BOP 17-303)
The 60-hour prelicensing course
Maryland requires an approved 60-hour salesperson course. Plan for extra personal study and exam practice on top of class time.
Tuition and textbooks
$325
- 60 hours live with a licensed instructor
- Course textbooks included
- Two-week daytime or seven-week evening schedule
Dates can change. Always check the course page before you enroll.
Ultimate PSI MD Real Estate Exam Prep
The PSI national and Maryland state exam workbook, 2026–2027 edition.
- 567 practice questions
- 2 full practice exams
- 27 diagrams
$50
Not included in tuition. Add it when you enroll; it appears as “Recommended with this Course.”
Upcoming classes
Jan 4 – Jan 16, 2027
Starts Jan 25, 2027
Mar 8 – Mar 20, 2027
Starts Apr 5, 2027
Estimate your startup costs
Amounts are current as of our last review. Change any number to build your own estimate. Nothing you type is saved or sent.
| Budget item | What it covers | Your amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tristar tuition and textbooks Required | Live on Zoom 60-hour salesperson course. Course textbooks included. | |
| Ultimate PSI MD Exam Prep book Recommended | 567 practice questions and 2 full-length practice exams for the PSI exam. Add it when you enroll. | |
| PSI licensing exam Required | Per standard exam appointment (MREC lists $44). | |
| Original Maryland salesperson license Required | Includes the $20 Guaranty Fund payment (MREC fee schedule). | |
| Exam retakes If needed | Only if needed. Each additional exam appointment costs extra. | |
| Brokerage and business expenses Depends on brokerage | Ask each brokerage: fees, insurance, technology, marketing, and memberships or listing service costs, which depend on the path you choose. | |
| Estimated total | $517 |
Exam and license fees are set by PSI and the Maryland Real Estate Commission and can change. We recheck them before every print run of our cards.
Questions to ask before you join
New agents work under a supervising broker. Interview more than one brokerage and compare the answers. Mentorship and training vary from office to office.
Mentorship
Who will mentor me, and how often can we meet?
Contract review
Who reviews my early contracts and transactions?
Fees
What monthly, desk, technology, or transaction fees will I pay?
Compensation
How is commission split, and when is it paid?
Leads
Will I get leads, and what is expected of me in return?
Help
Who can I call when I have a question, and when are they available?
One path among many
Tristar Academy provides Maryland real estate salesperson education. Other careers, like home inspection, appraisal, mortgage lending, and property management, have different education and licensing requirements.
Talk with Tristar Academy
Call 240-701-6327 or visit our contact page. You can also read our full guide to the Maryland salesperson license.