Maine Real Estate License Law
Maine real estate practice is governed by 32 M.R.S. Chapter 114 and the rules of the Maine Real Estate Commission. This chapter covers who must be licensed, Maine's tiered license structure, and the central role of the designated broker.
The Maine Real Estate Commission
The Maine Real Estate Commission, within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, issues and regulates real estate licenses under Chapter 114. Anyone who, for compensation, lists, sells, buys, leases, or negotiates real estate for others must be licensed unless an exemption applies, such as an owner dealing with their own property. The Commission investigates complaints, adopts rules, and may deny, suspend, or revoke licenses.
Tiered Licenses and the Sales Agent
Maine uses a tiered license structure. The entry-level license is the Sales Agent, who must be affiliated with an agency and work under its designated broker. With added education and experience, a licensee can advance to Associate Broker and then to Broker or Designated Broker. Each level carries greater responsibility, and only a designated broker may be responsible for an agency.
The Designated Broker's Responsibility
Every Maine brokerage agency must have a designated broker who is responsible for the agency's conduct, the supervision of affiliated sales agents and associate brokers, and the proper handling of client trust funds. The designated broker is accountable to the Commission for the agency's compliance with license law, including advertising, recordkeeping, and agency disclosures.