Maryland Real Estate Commission
Maryland Real Estate Commission — licensing, complaints, statute, and TC oversight in Maryland.
Who regulates real estate in Maryland?
MRECThe Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) licenses and disciplines salespersons and brokers under Title 17 of Maryland's Business Occupations and Professions Article. MREC is part of the Maryland Department of Labor.
About the MREC
Full name
Maryland Real Estate Commission
Governing statute
Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 17 (Real Estate Brokers)
Address
500 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone
(410) 230-6230
Board composition
Nine commissioners appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate: five real estate licensees and four representatives of the consumer interest.
Maryland Real Estate License Requirements
Salesperson
Exam- Pre-license hours: 60
- Sixty hours of approved pre-license education plus the state licensing exam.
Associate Broker / Broker
Exam- Pre-license hours: 135
- Experience: Three years of active salesperson experience plus additional broker-level coursework.
Continuing education: 15 hours per renewal cycle.
Filing Complaints
MREC, part of the Maryland Department of Labor, accepts written complaints from consumers and licensees. Investigators review each complaint, and the commission may convene a formal hearing. Sanctions range from civil fines through license revocation, and MREC administers a Guaranty Fund that may pay restitution to harmed consumers when they cannot collect from the licensee.
Available sanctions:
Transaction Coordinators in Maryland
Maryland does not separately license transaction coordinators. Brokerage activity must be performed by a Maryland licensee. Administrative support under a licensed broker's supervision is generally permitted without a license; performing acts of brokerage requires an active Maryland license.
New to the role? Start with the transaction coordinator guide for a 50-state overview of TC scope and licensing rules.
Key facts about the MREC
- 1MREC enforces Maryland's real estate license law (Title 17, Business Occupations and Professions).
- 2Nine-member commission appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
- 3Pre-license education: 60 hours for salesperson candidates; 135 hours plus experience for broker candidates.
- 4Continuing education: 15 hours per two-year renewal cycle, including mandatory ethics and fair-housing content.
- 5MREC administers a Real Estate Guaranty Fund that compensates consumers harmed by licensee misconduct, subject to statutory caps.
Official Maryland resources
Maryland Real Estate Commission FAQ
Who regulates real estate agents in Maryland?
The Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) licenses and disciplines salespersons and brokers under Title 17 of Maryland's Business Occupations and Professions Article. MREC sits within the Maryland Department of Labor.
How many hours of pre-license education does Maryland require?
Maryland requires 60 hours of approved pre-license education for salesperson candidates. Broker candidates complete 135 hours of additional coursework plus three years of active salesperson experience.
What is the Maryland Real Estate Guaranty Fund?
The Maryland Real Estate Guaranty Fund is a consumer-protection fund administered by MREC. When a consumer wins a judgment against a licensee but cannot collect from the licensee, the consumer may petition the fund for restitution, subject to statutory caps.
Last updated: May 22, 2026