What happens when your Maryland real estate license expires
When your Maryland real estate license lapses—either because you did not renew it before the expiration date or because you let your license go inactive—you cannot legally work as a real estate agent or broker in the state. Your license is no longer valid, and you cannot list properties, show homes, or represent buyers or sellers. The Maryland Real Estate Commission, which oversees all real estate licensing in the state, keeps records of expired licenses.
Reinstatement is different from renewal. Renewal happens before your license expires and straightforward extends your current license. Reinstatement happens after your license has already expired, and it requires you to take additional steps beyond just paying a fee. The process depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you want to return to active practice or keep it inactive.
Key Takeaways
- An expired Maryland real estate license cannot be used for any real estate work until it is reinstated through the Maryland Real Estate Commission.
- Reinstatement requires you to complete continuing education hours, pay a reinstatement fee, and submit the proper forms to the Commission.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you may need to retake the state licensing exam in addition to continuing education.
- You can contact the Maryland Real Estate Commission directly at 410-230-6200 to confirm your license status and get the exact requirements for your situation.
- The reinstatement process typically takes several weeks after you submit all required documents and fees.
Continuing education requirements for reinstatement
Before you can reinstate your license, you must complete continuing education (CE) hours. The number of hours required depends on how long your license has been expired. Maryland requires all active real estate agents to complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years during their license period. If your license expired during a renewal cycle, you owe the CE hours for that cycle.
The continuing education must be completed through a provider approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission. You cannot straightforward take any real estate course—it must come from a Commission-approved school. When you enroll in a course, tell the provider that you are reinstating a license, not renewing an active one, so they file the correct paperwork with the Commission. Keep your course completion certificate; you will need to submit it with your reinstatement process.
The reinstatement process and fees
To reinstate your license, you must submit a reinstatement process to the Maryland Real Estate Commission. You can request the process form by calling 410-230-6200 or by visiting the Commission's website. The form asks for your license number, the reason your license expired, and confirmation that you have completed all required continuing education.
Along with the process, you must pay a reinstatement fee. The fee amount varies depending on whether you are reinstating as a salesperson or a broker, and whether your license has been expired for a short time or several years. Include proof of your continuing education completion and any other documents the Commission requests. Mail the completed process, fee, and supporting documents to the Maryland Real Estate Commission at 500 North Calvert Street, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21202.
When you need to retake the licensing exam
If your license has been expired for more than two years, the Maryland Real Estate Commission may require you to retake the state licensing exam before reinstatement is approved. This is not automatic—the Commission reviews each case individually. Contact the Commission before you start the reinstatement process to find out whether you need to retake the exam.
If you do need to retake the exam, you must pass it before your reinstatement can be completed. You can register for the exam through the testing provider used by Maryland. The exam covers Maryland real estate law, federal fair housing law, and general real estate practices. Study materials and practice tests are available through the same testing provider.
Inactive versus active reinstatement
Maryland allows you to reinstate your license as either active or inactive. An active license means you can when ready work in real estate. An inactive license means your license is valid but you are not currently working—you do not have to work under a broker, and you do not have to meet the same continuing education requirements while inactive. Some agents reinstate as inactive if they are not ready to return to work right away but want to keep their license current.
If you reinstate as inactive, you can later convert to active status by notifying the Commission. If you reinstate as active, you must work under a licensed broker in Maryland. Make sure you have a broker lined up before you submit your reinstatement process as active, because you cannot legally work without one.
Timeline and what to expect after you explore
After you submit your reinstatement process with all required documents and fees, the Maryland Real Estate Commission typically takes two to four weeks to process it. During this time, the Commission verifies your continuing education completion, checks your license history, and confirms that you meet all reinstatement requirements. If anything is missing or unclear, the Commission will contact you and ask you to provide it.
Once your reinstatement is approved, the Commission will send you written confirmation and a new license certificate. Your license number remains the same. If you reinstated as active, you can begin working when ready under your broker. If you reinstated as inactive, your license is valid but you cannot work in real estate until you convert it to active status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a real estate agent while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You cannot legally work in real estate with an expired license, even if your reinstatement process is pending. You must wait until the Commission approves your reinstatement and sends you written confirmation. Working without a valid license is a violation of Maryland real estate law.
What if I cannot find my license number?
Call the Maryland Real Estate Commission at 410-230-6200 and provide your full name and date of birth. The Commission can look up your license number in their records. You will need this number to complete your reinstatement process.
Do I have to work under a broker if I reinstate as active?
Yes. Maryland law requires all active real estate agents to work under a licensed broker. You cannot work independently. Before you reinstate as active, contact brokers in your area to confirm they will sponsor your license.
What if my continuing education was completed through an out-of-state provider?
The continuing education must be completed through a provider approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission. Out-of-state courses may not be accepted. Check with the Commission before enrolling to make sure your course provider is approved in Maryland.
How much does reinstatement cost?
The reinstatement fee depends on your license type and how long it has been expired. Contact the Maryland Real Estate Commission at 410-230-6200 to find out the exact fee for your situation. Fees are non-refundable once you submit your process.