Maryland Real Estate Exam Pass Rate: What to Know

Maryland Real Estate Exam Pass Rate

Maryland does not publish official first-attempt pass rates, but PSI data and state education providers consistently indicate that approximately 55–65% of first-time candidates pass the Maryland real estate salesperson exam. Candidates who fail typically underestimate the state section.

Exam Format

The Maryland salesperson exam administered by PSI is:

• 80 national questions — real estate principles, agency, contracts, financing, valuation, land use, fair housing
• 30 state questions — MREC rules, Maryland agency law, transfer tax, disclosure requirements, Lead Paint Risk Reduction Act
• Total: 110 questions
• Time allowed: 3 hours
• Passing score: 70% (77 out of 110 correct)

Both sections are scored separately. If you pass national but fail state, you retake only the state section — and vice versa.

What Causes Candidates to Fail

Underestimating the state section. Maryland's 30 state questions cover Maryland-specific content: the Transfer Tax rate, the Intra-Company Agent designation, the Lead Paint Risk Reduction Act, and buyer agency disclosure timing. These topics do not appear in national prep courses.

Transfer tax confusion. Maryland has a 0.5% state transfer tax plus additional county transfer taxes. The combined rate is typically around 1.5%. Candidates who confuse state vs. total rates miss these questions.

Agency disclosure timing. Maryland requires written buyer agency disclosure at first substantial contact — not at the time of showing, not at the offer stage. This is a frequently tested distinction.

Lead Paint Risk Reduction Act details. Maryland's lead paint law imposes strict obligations on landlords of pre-1978 rental properties. The exam tests specific requirements: inspection, certification, and disclosure obligations.

Scoring and Retakes

Maryland allows unlimited retakes but requires a 24-hour waiting period between attempts. Each retake requires paying the PSI exam fee again. Your pre-license course completion is valid for a set period — check with MREC for current rules on coursework expiration.

How to Improve Your Pass Rate

Candidates who pass on the first attempt typically: - Study Maryland-specific content independently from national content - Know the Transfer Tax rate precisely (0.5% state + county = ~1.5% total) - Can describe the Intra-Company Agent relationship and when it applies - Complete at least 4 full-length practice exams before exam day - Score 80%+ on practice exams consistently before scheduling

Practice for the Maryland Exam

[CARealestate.com/states/maryland](https://carealestate.com/states/maryland) has Maryland-targeted practice questions with detailed answer explanations. 5 free questions — no signup needed.