Reciprocity for Maryland licensees
Obtain your DC real estate license through Maryland
Already licensed in Maryland? You can add a Washington DC salesperson license with two 3-hour DC courses, the DC portion of the PSI exam and a certification letter from Maryland.
6 hrs
DC Fair Housing + DC Property Management
DC only
Exam portion for reciprocal applicants
90 days
Max age of your certification letter
6 months
To apply after passing
Step by step
4 steps to your DC license
Complete the DC Fair Housing and DC Property Management courses
Take the DCREC-approved 3-hour DC Fair Housing course and 3-hour DC Property Management course. Save your certificates of completion – you’ll need them at the exam and with your application.
Request your Maryland certification of licensure
DC needs an original letter of license certification from Maryland, dated within 90 days and bearing the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted. Get it before you test.
This is the “letter” PSI and DC ask about. It comes from the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), not from Tristar or any school.
Register for the DC portion of the PSI exam
As a Maryland licensee, you take only the DC (state) portion of the exam. The national portion is waived. You register yourself online, no pre-approval needed.
Register for the DC exam on PSI
Sign in or create an account, follow the prompts and select the State exam only (salesperson or broker). You can also register by phone with PSI at (855) 557-0616.
Does Tristar need to send PSI an approval letter?
No. Schools don’t send anything to PSI. Our part is your certificates of completion for DC Fair Housing and DC Property Management, which you receive after class. If PSI mentions a letter, they mean your Maryland certification of licensure from MREC (step 2).
Bring on test day:
- Your Maryland real estate license
- Your DC course certificates of completion
- Two forms of ID: a valid photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport) and a signed secondary ID (like a credit or debit card)
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early
Full exam details are in the PSI candidate information bulletin.
Apply to the DC Real Estate Commission
Submit your application and fees within six months of passing the exam through DC’s online licensing portal.
Applying as a broker?
DC broker reciprocity
Broker applicants complete the same two 3-hour courses and pass the DC portion of the broker exam, and also need at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson, with that active license immediately preceding the application.
After you’re licensed
DC salespersons renew by August 31 of odd-numbered years. A license first granted by exam is exempt from CE for its first renewal. See DC CE requirements.
Official resources
Helpful links
Courses & exam
DC Real Estate Commission
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Phone: 202-671-4500
Email: [email protected]
Start your DC license with Tristar
Complete your DC Fair Housing and DC Property Management courses live on Zoom with Tristar, then sit for the DC portion of the PSI exam.