Brokerage Relationships
Seven of forty items — the one area where the broker and salesperson counts are identical. Its subtopics are Listing Agreements; Disclosure of Brokerage Relationship; Disclosure of Interest in Property/Conflict of Interest; and Disclosures.
Listing and Brokerage Agreements
Part III of Subtitle 5 covers residential property of one to four single-family units and residentially zoned unimproved land, but not leases of 125 days or less (§ 17-529). A seller's brokerage agreement must carry a definite termination date effective automatically without notice, state the compensation, say whether the broker may cooperate and share it, explain what earns it, and provide for cancellation (§ 17-534(b)). Net listings are prohibited (§ 17-322(b)(11); COMAR 09.11.01.01B). All residential listing contracts must be written and signed, with a copy to the seller before the licensee advertises, shows, or offers the property (COMAR 09.11.01.10). Maryland's recognized relationships are seller's agent, buyer's agent, subagent, dual agent, and intra-company agent (§ 17-528). Transaction brokerage is not among them: SB 384 of 2026 would have added it and was withdrawn by its sponsor.
Agency Disclosure and Dual Agency
The written agency disclosure must be made not later than the first scheduled face-to-face contact (§ 17-530(b)(1)); where first contact is not face to face, the licensee discloses through that medium (§ 17-530(a)(3)); at an open house, a conspicuously displayed Commission notice suffices (§ 17-530(b)(2)). Section 17-530(f) lists what the form must explain. Dual agency is prohibited by § 17-530.1(a) unless all parties give written informed consent, and the dual agent must then assign one intra-company agent to each side, each giving full service including price and negotiating advice, with confidential information blocked from crossing (§ 17-530.1(b), (c)). A client who refuses may be withdrawn from (§ 17-530.1(e)). The Commission supplies the standard disclosure and dual agency consent forms (§ 17-530.2; COMAR 09.11.08.01, unchanged since 2017).
Conflicts of Interest and Property Disclosures
A licensee acquiring an interest in property must disclose their licensing status in writing to the seller no later than when the offer is submitted, and a licensee selling their own property must disclose the ownership interest when the property is offered — both extending to immediate family, entities the licensee has an interest in, and brokerage or team employees (COMAR 09.11.02.02D). Real Property § 10-702 governs the seller's condition statement for residential property of four or fewer units: the seller delivers either a disclosure or a disclaimer on the Commission's form on or before entering into the contract, and even under the disclaimer must reveal latent defects actually known. A buyer who never receives it has an unconditional right to rescind and recover the deposit, subject to the mortgage-application cut-offs in § 10-702(h)(2).
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State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC)
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Prelicensing education
- 135 clock hours (broker prelicense program), after 3 years of active licensed practice
- Passing score
- 70% on each portion (56 national, 28 state)
- Scored questions
- 115
- Time limit
- 120 minutes
Who regulates real estate brokers in Maryland?
The Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), within the Department of Labor's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, licenses brokers and salespersons. MREC contracts with PSI for its exams.
What experience do I need before the Maryland broker exam?
Business Occupations and Professions § 17-305 requires three years as a licensed salesperson actively and lawfully providing brokerage services, plus a Commission-approved broker course — 135 clock hours under COMAR 09.11.01.12. PSI also requires a Maryland license history certifying three years of active, regular, lawful practice, valid for 90 days. An applicant qualified to practice law in Maryland has both the education and experience requirements waived.
How is the Maryland broker exam structured?
PSI bulletin 529 puts the broker exam at 115 scored questions in 120 minutes: a 75-question national portion scored to 80 points in 90 minutes, and a 40-question Maryland state portion worth 40 points in 30 minutes. You must pass each portion separately — 56 of 80 points national, 28 of 40 state. Do not use the salesperson figures (80 national + 30 state = 110); the two exams differ.
What does the Maryland state portion actually cover?
Six areas, at these broker item counts: Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission 5, Licensing Requirements 8, Brokerage Relationships 7, Supervision 6, Business Conduct 9, and Ethics 5. 'Examination of Records' is flagged broker-only. Maryland licenses Salesperson, Associate Broker, Broker, and Branch Office Manager.
Sources: https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mrec/mrecexam.shtml, https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/529
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