Maryland Real Estate License Lookup: Verify an Agent or Broker Before You Rely on the License
Use Maryland’s official Real Estate Commission Public Query to check an active salesperson, associate broker, broker or real estate business. Search by license number when possible, then match the person, credential and brokerage before signing, hiring, referring a client or sending money.
This guide also covers disciplinary records, complaints, inactive and expired licenses, reinstatement, continuing education, current fees, reciprocity and the steps to take when the public search returns no result.
Maryland Real Estate License Lookup: Quick Answer
The official Maryland Real Estate Commission Public Query searches active real estate licensees practicing in Maryland. It supports searches by individual name, business trade name, business location and license registration number.
If you know the license number, start there. The registration-number search warns that some numbers include a dash followed by a two-digit suffix; when that suffix appears, do not enter it in the registration-number field.
A missing result does not automatically prove that someone has never been licensed. Because the public query is specifically presented as an active-license search, an inactive, expired or historical record may require assistance from the Commission.
Disciplinary information is also a separate check. The Public Query directs users to contact MREC for discipline information, and the Commission maintains a separate disciplinary-actions resource.
Choose the Right Maryland Real Estate License Search
Use the strongest identifier you already have. License-number searches reduce same-name confusion, while trade-name and location searches are useful when you are checking a brokerage rather than an individual.
| Information you have | Official search method | Best use | Verification tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| License registration number | License Number | Matching one specific salesperson, associate broker or broker | If the number has a dash plus a two-digit suffix, the official search instructs you not to enter that suffix. |
| Person’s name | Last name, optionally city | Checking an individual when you do not know the license number | The name-search interface accepts a whole or partial name. Use the city when multiple people match. |
| Brokerage trade name | Business Trade Name | Checking the real estate company displayed in advertising or transaction documents | Compare the result with the exact trade name the agent is representing. |
| Business location | City or ZIP code | Finding licensed businesses associated with a known Maryland location | Do not assume a similar brokerage name at another location is the business involved in your transaction. |
You do not need a separate county real estate license lookup for an MREC salesperson or broker credential. Use the Maryland state record and use city, ZIP and brokerage information to identify the correct result.
How to Verify a Maryland Real Estate Agent or Broker Step by Step
Use the full workflow when the verification affects a purchase, sale, lease, referral, brokerage relationship, employment decision, access to property or transfer of money.
Open the official MREC Public Query
Start with Maryland’s state licensing system instead of a search-engine profile, property portal, business card or social-media page.
Search the license registration number first
If the person supplied a Maryland license number, use it. When the number includes a dash and two-digit suffix, follow the state search instruction and leave the suffix out.
Use the legal name when no number is available
Search the person’s last name and add the Maryland city only when needed to narrow the result. Recheck spelling and possible name variations before deciding that a record is missing.
Match the credential type
Confirm whether the official record identifies the person as a salesperson, associate broker or broker. Do not upgrade someone’s authority based on a marketing title.
Match the brokerage or business
Check the business or trade name associated with the person and compare it with the company shown on the agreement, listing, advertisement or email you received.
Check disciplinary actions separately
An active search result is not a complete disciplinary-history check. Review MREC’s disciplinary resources and contact the Commission when the public material does not resolve your question.
Keep a dated verification record
For hiring, compliance, referral or transaction files, note the date checked, official source, license number, credential type, business affiliation and any disciplinary information reviewed.
What to Check After You Find a Maryland License
A matching name is not enough. The useful question is whether the state record matches the person, role and business involved in your actual transaction.
Match the exact person
Compare the legal name and license number. When several licensees have similar names, avoid relying on name alone.
Confirm the license category
Check whether the record is for a salesperson, associate broker or broker and make sure it matches the authority the person claims.
Verify the brokerage connection
A person can change brokerages. Compare current state information with the company name shown in the current transaction, not an old profile.
A public search is useful for routine status checking. If another licensing authority, employer or formal recipient requires Commission-issued proof, MREC’s licensing resources include a separate Certificate of Licensure request process.
Salesperson, Associate Broker and Broker: What Are You Verifying?
“Real estate agent” is commonly used in conversation, but the official Maryland credential should be checked by its actual licensing category.
| Credential | Practical meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson | A Maryland-licensed real estate professional who performs licensed activity through a broker. | Active record, correct license number and current brokerage connection. |
| Associate Broker | A broker-qualified licensee working in association with another broker. | Associate-broker credential and current affiliation. |
| Broker | A broker-level Maryland license associated with brokerage and supervisory responsibilities. | Broker credential, business identity and office or brokerage represented. |
Maryland distinguishes the scope
MREC’s licensing FAQ states that a commercial license permits commercial transactions only, while a residential license permits both residential and commercial transactions.
Membership is not the state license
The REALTOR® term identifies membership in the National Association of REALTORS®. It should not be used as a substitute for verifying the person’s Maryland MREC license.
How to Check Maryland Real Estate Disciplinary Actions
License status and disciplinary history serve different purposes. Do not interpret an active license result as proof that no disciplinary action exists.
Search the MREC discipline resource
The Commission provides a disciplinary-actions page and a name-based search route for licensee disciplinary information.
Read the actual action
Do not infer the meaning of an action from a person’s current status alone. Review the available order, period or action information.
Contact MREC when the web record is incomplete
This is especially important for a recent or time-sensitive disciplinary question that affects employment, referral, property access or a transaction.
As checked on October 18, 2026, MREC’s public disciplinary index visibly lists fiscal-year pages through June 30, 2025. In July 2026 meeting minutes, the Commission also recorded that completed FY 2026 disciplinary actions still needed to be posted and that website and ARELLO disciplinary records had fallen behind. Contact MREC when you need the most current disciplinary confirmation.
Maryland Real Estate License Renewal and Continuing Education
If you are checking your own record because renewal is approaching, verify the continuing-education deadline before waiting for the expiration date.
Finish CE before the last month
MREC requires continuing education to be completed at least 30 days before the license renewal date under the current renewal rules.
Providers may take up to 14 days
MREC states that approved continuing-education providers have up to 14 days after completion to upload credit hours to the licensing system.
Inactive licenses still require maintenance
The Commission’s education FAQ says a licensee must complete continuing education and pay renewal fees to maintain an inactive license.
Current 15-hour CE patterns
| License situation | Current total | Main course pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson first renewal, initially licensed on or after October 1, 2023 | 15 hours | Contracts; brokerage relationships and disclosure; real estate practice; property management and landlord-tenant law; professionalism; real estate financing. |
| Other salesperson or associate broker, residential | 15 hours | Legal and legislative update; fair housing; ethics; electives; brokerage relationships and disclosure. |
| Other salesperson or associate broker, commercial only | 15 hours | Legal update; ADA; ethics; electives; commercial agency and brokerage relationships. |
| Broker, designated branch office manager or team leader | 15 hours | Legal update; fair housing or ADA; ethics; electives; brokerage relationships and supervision. |
MREC’s current renewal instructions require broker renewal applicants to submit a full credit report that includes the public-record section. The report must be no more than six months old.
Maryland Real Estate License Fees in 2026
MREC’s current fee schedule is marked effective April 27, 2026. The Commission states that fees are set by law and regulation and are subject to change, so confirm the official fee page before paying.
| Transaction | Current listed amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson original license | $98 | Original Maryland salesperson licensing transaction. |
| Salesperson renewal | $78 | Regular salesperson renewal. |
| Associate Broker original license | $143 | Original associate-broker licensing transaction. |
| Associate Broker renewal | $123 | Regular associate-broker renewal. |
| Broker original license | $211 | Original Maryland broker license. |
| Broker renewal | $191 | Regular broker renewal. |
| Reactivate inactive license | $28 | Eligible inactive-to-active status change. |
| Transfer to another broker | $28 | Broker-affiliation transfer. |
| Reinstatement | $168 | Reinstatement of an expired license under applicable rules. |
| CE late fee | $75 | Applicable late continuing-education consequence. |
| Certificate of License History | $28 / $84 | Five-year history / full history. |
| PSI real estate examination | $44 | Standard examination fee paid to PSI according to MREC’s exam page. |
Inactive or Expired Maryland Real Estate License
An inactive or expired record needs different handling from an active public-query result. The length of time since expiration matters.
| Situation | Current rule | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Inactive | CE and renewal fees still apply to maintain the inactive license. | Use MREC’s electronic licensing status-change process when eligible to reactivate. |
| Expired within 2 years | Online reinstatement is available when applicable requirements are satisfied. | Complete required CE and pay past-due renewal fees plus the reinstatement fee. |
| More than 2 but within 3 years | Reinstatement may remain possible without re-examination even when electronic reinstatement is unavailable. | Contact MREC for a mail-in reinstatement application. MREC says the request must arrive at least 30 days before the three-year period expires. |
| More than 3 years expired | The license cannot be reinstated merely by paying back fees and completing CE. | Contact MREC for the current education and examination requirements. |
A number from an old card, profile or document may help identify a historical license, but it should not be treated as proof that the person can currently perform Maryland real estate activity.
Looking Up Your Own New Maryland Real Estate License?
A new applicant may search the public database before the application and issuance process is complete. In that situation, a missing active record is not the same as an application denial.
Complete the 60-hour course
MREC’s licensing FAQ states that a salesperson applicant must complete an approved 60-hour pre-licensing course before scheduling the exam.
Pass both exam portions
The Maryland real estate exam contains a national portion and a state portion. MREC’s exam page states that each portion requires a score of at least 70%.
Apply within one year
After passing both portions, the candidate must apply for Maryland licensure within one year or the examination score expires.
Three consecutive active years
MREC requires at least three consecutive years of active real estate licensure immediately before applying for a broker license, without breaks such as inactive status, late-renewal reinstatement or suspension.
Complete 135 hours
The current broker pathway requires an approved 135-hour broker pre-licensing course and the broker examination.
Do not practice before issuance
MREC’s broker checklist warns that issuing a broker license can take up to 14 business days and that business cannot be conducted under that license until it is issued.
Maryland Real Estate Reciprocity and Out-of-State License Recognition
An active license from another state does not by itself establish authority to perform licensed Maryland real estate activity.
Pennsylvania and Oklahoma
MREC currently identifies Pennsylvania and Oklahoma as the states with signed reciprocal real estate licensing agreements. Applicants still have to meet the terms of the applicable agreement and complete Maryland’s application process.
Use out-of-state license recognition
Applicants licensed in other states use Maryland’s out-of-state recognition or waiver review. MREC’s current instructions say the process begins with a certificate of licensure from the state where the applicant was first licensed.
MREC’s current out-of-state recognition instructions state that the certificate of licensure must be dated within 120 days of submission. Education and experience are reviewed for transferability, and waivers may be granted only to active licensees.
How to File a Maryland Real Estate Complaint
A license lookup confirms licensing information; it does not file a complaint. MREC uses a separate written complaint process for conduct within its jurisdiction.
The matter must fit MREC’s authority
MREC states that a complaint should arise from a real estate transaction in Maryland. Its complaint page specifically says the Commission does not have jurisdiction over new homebuilders, home inspectors, sellers or mortgage brokers simply because they were involved in the matter.
Submit supporting records
The complaint process requires the written real estate complaint and guaranty fund claim form together with supporting documentation. Depending on the issue, that may include contracts, receipts, cancelled checks, estimates and correspondence.
Because salespersons and associate brokers work through brokers, it can also be useful to identify the correct broker and brokerage before submitting documents or trying to resolve a transaction problem.
Maryland Real Estate License Not Found? Use This Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely explanation | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| No result by full name | Spelling, alternate legal name or an overly narrow city filter | Try the last name alone, a partial name or the license registration number. |
| License number fails | Number copied incorrectly or suffix entered | Recheck the number. If it ends with a dash and two-digit suffix, omit the suffix from the search field. |
| Old license cannot be found | The public query is designed for active licensees | Contact MREC for inactive, expired or historical verification. |
| Agent appears but brokerage differs | Broker affiliation may have changed or the advertisement may be outdated | Verify the current business relationship before relying on old marketing material. |
| Business search returns several results | Similar trade names or multiple locations | Match the city, ZIP and exact trade name to the transaction. |
| License is active but discipline is unclear | Discipline is maintained separately from the active-license query | Check the disciplinary-actions resource and contact MREC when recent records may not yet appear online. |
| Person says “broker” but result shows salesperson | Claimed title and official credential do not match | Rely on the credential shown by MREC and resolve the discrepancy before proceeding. |
| Person says they are a REALTOR® | REALTOR® describes NAR membership, not the Maryland state license category | Verify the Maryland license separately through MREC. |
If the name, license number, credential type or brokerage information does not match, resolve the discrepancy before sending a deposit, commission, referral payment, identification document or other sensitive transaction information.
Maryland Agent and Broker Verification Checklist
- Exact legal name.
- Maryland license registration number.
- Salesperson, associate-broker or broker credential.
- Current brokerage or business trade name.
- Business location when relevant.
- Current active public-query result.
- Separate disciplinary-action review.
- Date you completed the verification.
- Any mismatch between the official record and advertising.
- A business card.
- A brokerage biography.
- A property-listing portal.
- A social-media profile.
- An old copy of a license.
- A REALTOR® membership claim.
- A verbal statement that renewal is pending.
- A similar name without an identifying match.
Maryland Real Estate Commission Contact Information
Contact MREC when the active-license search cannot resolve an inactive, expired, historical, disciplinary or application question.
| Contact item | Official information | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| General phone | 410-230-6200 | General licensing, application and verification questions. |
| Public-query toll-free line | 1-888-218-5925 | Questions about performing the search or interpreting search results. |
| dlmrec-labor@maryland.gov | Written MREC licensing and general-information requests. | |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except holidays and weekends | Telephone and office-service planning. |
| Office address | 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Official MREC office location. |
| In-person appointments | Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., by scheduled appointment | Schedule through Maryland Labor’s central appointment system before traveling. |
| Walk-in help | Not available | Do not travel expecting unscheduled licensing assistance. |
MREC says in-person services are limited and appointment based. Confirm the appointment first and arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
Official Maryland Real Estate License Resources
Use the matching official resource for the final state lookup, renewal, disciplinary check, complaint, application or out-of-state licensing action.
Maryland Real Estate License Lookup FAQs
How do I look up a Maryland real estate license?
Use the Maryland Real Estate Commission Public Query. You can search an individual by last name and optionally city, a brokerage by trade name, a business by city or ZIP code, or a specific record by license registration number.
What is the best way to search for a Maryland real estate agent?
Use the license registration number when you have it because it gives you a more precise match. If you only know the person’s name, search the legal last name and add the city when you need to narrow several results.
Why is a Maryland real estate license not showing in the lookup?
The Public Query is described by MREC as a search for active Maryland licensees. Recheck the spelling and license number, omit a two-digit suffix after a dash when using the registration-number search, and contact MREC if you need inactive, expired or historical information.
How do I check disciplinary actions against a Maryland agent or broker?
Use MREC’s separate disciplinary-actions resource and search the licensee’s name. Because the active-license lookup is not a complete disciplinary-history search, contact the Commission when the public discipline pages do not resolve a recent or time-sensitive question.
What is the difference between a salesperson, associate broker and broker in Maryland?
A salesperson works through a broker. An associate broker holds broker-level qualification while working in association with another broker, and a broker has broker-level licensing associated with brokerage and supervisory responsibilities. Verify the exact category shown in the official record.
Does REALTOR® status prove that someone has an active Maryland real estate license?
No. REALTOR® identifies membership in the National Association of REALTORS® and is not the Maryland state license category. Use the Maryland Real Estate Commission Public Query to verify the person’s Maryland license.
How many continuing education hours are required for a Maryland real estate license?
Current MREC schedules generally require 15 hours for the salesperson, associate-broker and broker categories covered by its continuing-education page, but required subjects vary by role, first-renewal status and residential or commercial practice. Current renewal rules require CE to be completed at least 30 days before renewal.
What are the Maryland real estate license renewal fees in 2026?
The MREC fee schedule effective April 27, 2026 lists renewal at $78 for a salesperson, $123 for an associate broker and $191 for a broker. Fees are subject to change, so confirm the official fee page before paying.
How long can a Maryland real estate license be expired before retesting is required?
MREC allows an expired license to be reinstated without re-examination for up to three years from the last valid expiration date when the applicable continuing-education, past-due renewal and reinstatement requirements are satisfied. A license expired more than three years requires contacting MREC for current education and examination requirements.
How do I file a complaint against a Maryland real estate agent or broker?
Use MREC’s written real estate complaint and guaranty fund claim process for matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction and submit supporting transaction documents. MREC says complaints should arise from a Maryland real estate transaction and are reviewed to determine whether the Commission has jurisdiction.
Verify the State Record Before You Rely on the License
Start with the Maryland Real Estate Commission Public Query and use the license registration number whenever possible. Match the exact person, credential type and brokerage information instead of stopping at a similar name.
Then check disciplinary information separately when it matters. If the public query returns no result, remember that it is designed around active licenses and contact MREC when you need inactive, expired, historical or unresolved disciplinary information.