Maryland Real Estate Practice Test (Free)
The Maryland real estate salesperson exam has 110 questions and a 2 hours limit. Below are the exact numbers the MD exam uses, and a free practice test to see where you stand.
The Maryland exam at a glance
- License
- Real Estate Salesperson
- Administered by
- PSI Services LLC (PSI), under contract with the Maryland Real Estate Commission
- Total questions
- 110 (80 national and 30 Maryland-specific)
- Time limit
- 2 hours
- Passing score
- At least 70 percent on each portion, scored separately: 56 of 80 points on the national portion (Real Estate Principles and Practices) and 21 of 30 points on the state portion (Maryland Real Estate Commission Laws, Rules, and Regulations). The two portions are scored independently, and failing either one means failing that attempt.
- How it is taken
- In person, by computer, at PSI test centers and affiliated sites in Maryland (Baltimore, College Park, Crofton, Hagerstown, Laurel, Rockville, Salisbury, and Waldorf). Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
- If you fail
- Same-day retesting is not allowed. Register with PSI the day after your attempt, subject to seat availability, and pay the full $44 fee again. You retake only the portion(s) you failed. There is no limit on the number of attempts for qualified candidates, but both portions must be passed within one year of course completion or you must complete a new pre-license program.
What Maryland requires before you can sit the exam
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Pre-license education
- 60 hours
- A basic course in real estate approved by the Commission of not more than 60 clock hours, which must include a 3 clock hour course in real estate ethics approved by the Commission. Instruction may be delivered by classroom, remote access satellite, closed-circuit video, computer or internet, home study, or another Commission-approved system. The applicant must also obtain a commitment from a licensed real estate broker to become affiliated with that broker on licensure.
- Exam / application fee
- $44
- License term
- 2 years
Free Maryland practice questions
10 questions written for the Maryland exam, drawn from 12 in the ApexAgent bank. The correct answer and the reasoning are under each one.
1. How many members serve on the Maryland Real Estate Commission, and how many of them are consumer members?
- A. Seven members, three of them consumer members
- B. Nine members, four of them consumer members ✓
- C. Nine members, five of them consumer members
- D. Eleven members, four of them consumer members
Why: Section 17-202(a) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article provides that the Commission consists of 9 members, of whom 5 are licensed real estate brokers, associate brokers, or salespersons and 4 are consumer members who are members of the general public.
2. Under Section 17-202 of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article, how long is a Real Estate Commission member's term, and when does it begin?
- A. Two years, beginning January 1
- B. Three years, beginning July 1
- C. Four years, beginning June 1 ✓
- D. Five years, beginning June 1
Why: Section 17-202(f)(1), Annotated Code of Maryland, Business Occupations and Professions Article, states that the term of a Commission member is 4 years and begins on June 1. Terms are staggered.
3. A Maryland real estate salesperson applicant must be of good character and reputation and must be at least what age?
- A. 16 years old
- B. 18 years old ✓
- C. 21 years old
- D. 25 years old
Why: Section 17-303(b) and (c) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article require a salesperson applicant to be of good character and reputation and to be at least 18 years old.
4. Maryland requires a salesperson applicant's basic real estate course to include a real estate ethics course of how many clock hours?
- A. 1.5 clock hours
- B. 3 clock hours ✓
- C. 6 clock hours
- D. 15 clock hours
Why: Section 17-303(d)(1)(ii) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article requires the approved basic real estate course to include a 3 clock hour course in real estate ethics approved by the Commission.
5. Before a Maryland real estate salesperson license may be granted, the applicant must obtain which of the following from a licensed real estate broker?
- A. A letter of recommendation
- B. A commitment to become affiliated with that broker on licensure ✓
- C. A $500 surety bond
- D. Written permission to work as an unlicensed assistant
Why: Section 17-303(f) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article requires a salesperson applicant to obtain from a licensed real estate broker a commitment providing that the applicant will become affiliated with that broker as a real estate salesperson on the granting of the license.
6. Under Section 17-314 of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article, a real estate license may be renewed before it expires for an additional term of how long?
- A. One year
- B. Two years ✓
- C. Three years
- D. Four years
Why: Section 17-314(c)(1) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article provides that a licensee periodically may renew a license before it expires for an additional 2-year term if the licensee meets the renewal requirements of that section.
7. How many clock hours of continuing education must a Maryland licensee complete during each two-year license term to qualify for renewal?
- A. 9 clock hours
- B. 12 clock hours
- C. 15 clock hours ✓
- D. 18 clock hours
Why: Section 17-315(a)(1) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article requires a licensee to complete at least 15 clock hours of continuing education instruction during the preceding 2-year term to qualify for renewal. Section 17-315(b) requires mandatory content, including ethics and fair housing courses, within each term.
8. Under Section 17-502 of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article, a real estate broker must deposit trust money within what time after both parties accept the contract of sale, unless written directions provide otherwise?
- A. Within 24 hours
- B. Within 3 business days
- C. Within 7 business days ✓
- D. Within 30 days
Why: Section 17-502(b)(1) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article requires a real estate broker promptly, but not more than 7 business days after both parties accept the contract of sale, to deposit trust money in a separate account maintained solely for trust money. Section 17-502(c) lifts that timing only when the broker receives written directions to the contrary under Section 17-505(d).
9. Maryland generally bars a licensee from acting as a dual agent. Under Section 17-530.1 of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article, when may a broker act as a dual agent in a transaction?
- A. Never, under any circumstances
- B. Whenever the broker informally tells both parties before closing
- C. Only with the written informed consent of all parties to the transaction ✓
- D. Only when the property is commercial rather than residential
Why: Section 17-530.1(a) and (b) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article prohibit acting as a dual agent unless the broker obtains the written informed consent of all parties to the transaction, in which case the broker must assign one intra-company agent for the seller or lessor and another for the buyer or lessee.
10. What is the maximum amount recoverable from the Maryland Real Estate Guaranty Fund for a single claim?
- A. $15,000
- B. $25,000
- C. $50,000 ✓
- D. $100,000
Why: Section 17-404(b) of the Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article states that the amount recovered for any claim against the Guaranty Fund may not exceed $50,000 for each claim. Section 17-404(d) requires a claim to be submitted within 3 years after the claimant discovers, or should have discovered, the loss.
Want more Maryland-specific questions? Practice the full Maryland state-law set.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Maryland split the real estate exam into a national part and a state part?
- Yes. The Maryland salesperson exam has two separately scored portions taken in one sitting: a national portion on Real Estate Principles and Practices (80 questions) and a Maryland state portion on Commission Laws, Rules, and Regulations (30 questions). You must reach 70 percent on each portion on its own, and failing either portion fails the attempt. That is different from single-score states such as Florida, where the two topics are mixed into one passing score.
- What score do you need to pass the Maryland real estate exam?
- 70 percent on each portion. For a salesperson that is 56 of 80 points on the national portion and 21 of 30 points on the Maryland state portion. Both portions are scored independently, so a strong national score does not carry a weak state score. A small number of experimental questions (about 5 to 10) may be embedded in the exam and are not counted toward your score.
- How long is the Maryland real estate exam, and how many questions does it have?
- 110 scored multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes: 90 minutes for the 80 national questions and 30 minutes for the 30 Maryland state questions, taken in one appointment. The Commission describes the computer exam as two hours in length. If experimental questions are included, they also count against your time but not toward your score.
- How much does the Maryland real estate exam cost, and how soon can you retake it?
- The PSI exam fee is $44 per registration and is paid directly to PSI, not to the Commission. Fees are not refundable or transferable. If you fail a portion, you cannot retest the same day; you may register the day after your attempt, as seats allow, and pay the $44 fee again. You retake only the portion(s) you failed, with no limit on attempts while you remain within the one-year window from course completion.
- What education and other requirements does Maryland set before you can be licensed?
- You must be at least 18 years old and of good character and reputation, and you must complete a Commission-approved basic real estate course of not more than 60 clock hours that includes a 3 clock hour real estate ethics course. Your education provider submits your eligibility to PSI electronically, and that eligibility expires one year from the date it is issued, so you must pass both portions within one year of course completion. After passing, you must obtain a commitment from a licensed Maryland broker to be affiliated on licensure, then apply online. An application must be filed within one year of passing or the score expires.
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- Maryland Real Estate Commission, Taking the Exam (Brokers' and Salespersons' exams consist of a national and a state portion; a grade of at least 70 percent on each portion; apply within one year or the score expires; PSI exam fee $44 paid to PSI; computer exam two hours in length) (verified 2026-10-03)
- Maryland Real Estate Commission, Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (take the 60-hour pre-license course with an approved provider then schedule PSI; after passing both portions an email arrives in 5 to 7 business days with your registration/license number and online application steps; broker requires a 135-hour course and three consecutive active years; a license may be inactive or expired for no more than three years; felony or misdemeanor convictions are reviewed case by case) (verified 2026-10-03)
- Maryland Real Estate Commission, Forms and Fees (Original Salesperson License $98 including a $20 Guaranty Fund payment; Salesperson Renewal $78; Reinstatement of License $168; Reactivate Inactive License $28; fees effective April 27, 2026) (verified 2026-10-03)
- PSI Services LLC, State of Maryland Real Estate Commission Candidate Information Bulletin (Examination Summary Table: Salesperson National 80 questions, 90 minutes; State 30 questions, 30 minutes; Both 110 questions, 120 minutes; passing scores 56 national and 21 state; 5 to 10 experimental questions are unscored; salesperson pre-license program 60 hours and broker 135 hours, both portions within 1 year of course completion; arrive 30 minutes early) (verified 2026-10-03)
- Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 17 (Real Estate Brokers). Section 17-101 definitions; 17-202 Commission of 9 members, 5 professional and 4 consumer, 4-year terms; 17-303 salesperson qualifications: good character, age 18, a course of not more than 60 clock hours including 3 clock hours of ethics, pass the exam, and a broker commitment; 17-314 renewal for additional 2-year terms and 3-year reinstatement; 17-315 15 clock hours of continuing education per 2-year term; 17-320 broker and branch office supervision; 17-322 prohibited acts and penalties up to $5,000; 17-404 Guaranty Fund recovery capped at $50,000 per claim and a 3-year claim deadline; 17-502 trust money deposited within 7 business days of both parties accepting the contract of sale; 17-530.1 dual agency only with the written informed consent of all parties (verified 2026-10-03)
- Maryland Department of Labor, Application for an Original Salesperson License (Revised 2/20/25). Confirms the qualification route under Title 17, Sections 17-101 through 17-702, the $78 biennial plus $20 Guaranty Fund fee structure totaling $98, the broker commitment signature block, and the nonresident irrevocable consent under 17-514. No fingerprint card or fingerprint fee is requested. (verified 2026-10-03)
- Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Title 09, Subtitle 11, Real Estate Commission, Chapter 09.11.02, Code of Ethics, Regulation 09.11.02.01 Relations to the Public (advertising must present a true picture, a broker may not advertise without disclosing the broker or company name as it appears on the license, and since October 1, 2004 an associate broker or salesperson may not use an individual telephone number or email address in an advertisement unless the broker's or branch office manager's number also appears). Official COMAR online was relocated to regs.maryland.gov in March 2026; this section was read from the published regulation text. (verified 2026-10-03)
- Exam details are checked against the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor and its testing vendor. Always confirm current requirements with the board before your exam.