How to Become a Realtor in Maryland (2026)

‹ Part of our national guide: How to Become a Realtor

Last updated: July 2026

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent in Maryland

All Maryland Realtors are licensed real estate agents, but not all agents are Realtors. A Maryland real estate agent (salesperson) is licensed by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) to help people buy, sell, and lease property. A Realtor® is an MREC-licensed agent who has also joined the National Association of Realtors through a local board and Maryland Realtors, and pledged to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics. “Realtor” is a registered trademark reserved for NAR members — not a generic word for any Maryland agent.

How to Become a Realtor in Maryland: 5 Steps

1. Complete 60 hours of MREC pre-license education. The Maryland salesperson pre-license course — 100% online and self-paced with MLS Campus.
2. Pass the Maryland salesperson exam. Sit and pass the national and state portions of the Maryland real estate exam.
3. Apply to MREC and complete your background check. Submit your application and background check to the Maryland Real Estate Commission.
4. Affiliate with a sponsoring broker. A new Maryland license must be held by a licensed broker before you can practice.
5. Join a local Realtor association. Joining a local board enrolls you in Maryland Realtors and NAR, and lets you use the Realtor® title after agreeing to the Code of Ethics.

Maryland Real Estate License Requirements

To earn your Maryland salesperson license you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete the 60 hours of MREC-approved pre-license education, pass the state exam, and clear a background check. You renew every two years and complete 15 hours of continuing education each cycle to keep your license active. For the full step-by-step, see how to get your Maryland real estate license.

Joining Maryland Realtors & Your Local Association

Realtor membership in Maryland is three-tiered. When you join a local Realtor association — such as the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR), or boards serving Anne Arundel, Howard County, and Baltimore — you automatically become a member of Maryland Realtors (the statewide association) and the National Association of Realtors. One application, three levels of membership, and access to the tools and MLS in your market.

Benefits of Becoming a Maryland Realtor

Beyond the title, Realtor membership comes with practical advantages Maryland agents rely on every day:

• MLS access in your local market — the database that powers Maryland real estate sales
• The Realtor® brand and the consumer trust it carries
• The NAR Code of Ethics — a standard that goes beyond MREC law
• Advocacy for Maryland property rights (Maryland Realtors represents agents across the state in Annapolis)
• Education, designations, and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS and more)
• Market data, research, member discounts, and a statewide referral network

Do Maryland Realtors Earn More?

According to NAR’s 2025 Member Profile, the median gross income of a Realtor was $58,100 — and Realtors with 16 or more years of experience earned a median of $78,900, while brand-new agents earned far less as they build their business. Industry data also suggests Realtors typically out-earn non-member agents, often by 15–25%, largely because membership brings MLS access, referral networks, and repeat business that drive more closed deals.

Your income depends most on your experience, effort, and market — and Maryland’s strong D.C.-area markets can mean healthy commissions. See real estate agent salaries by state for the latest figures, and is becoming a Maryland real estate agent worth it.

The Training & Education Behind a Maryland Realtor

Becoming a Realtor in Maryland is a path of ongoing training — and it starts with your license:

• Pre-license education (60 hours): completed 100% online with our Maryland pre-license course.
• Continuing education (15 hours every 2 years): including required MREC topics to keep your license active.
• Realtor-only education: once you are a member, Maryland Realtors and NAR offer designations and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS, SRS) plus Code of Ethics training every three years.

Higher Ethical Standards: MREC Law vs. the Realtor Code of Ethics

Getting a Maryland license and becoming a Realtor are two different bars. A license is the state minimum: every Maryland agent must follow MREC law and the fiduciary duties they owe clients — often remembered as OLD CAR (Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, and Reasonable care), enforced by MREC. Realtor® status adds a higher, voluntary standard: the NAR Code of Ethics, first adopted in 1913, with 17 Articles covering duties to clients, the public, and other Realtors — enforced by local associations, with real consequences for violations, plus ethics training every three years.

Want the detail on the agency duties every licensee owes? See our guide to real estate fiduciary duties (the OLD CAR acronym).

Maryland Realtor Dues & Costs

Realtors in Maryland pay national NAR dues ($156 per year plus a $45 Consumer Advertising assessment for 2026), Maryland Realtors state dues, and local association dues, which vary by board. These are on top of your MREC license fees and continuing-education costs — and in return you get the MLS, the brand, advocacy, education, and referral network described above.

How Many Realtors Are in Maryland? (2026)

Figures from Maryland Realtors and NAR (2024–2026 Member Profile).

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start? Enroll in the Maryland pre-license course, or see how to get your Maryland real estate license and how to become a Realtor nationwide.