How many questions are on the Maryland Real Estate Salesperson exam?

The exam consists of 110 scored questions divided into two sections: 80 questions on the National portion and 30 questions on the Maryland State portion. You will also encounter between 1 and 10 unscored experimental items.

What is the time limit for the test?

Candidates are given a total of 120 minutes to complete the exam. This is split into 90 minutes for the National portion and 30 minutes for the State portion.

What score do I need to pass the MD-RES exam?

You must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass. The passing score is set by the Maryland Real Estate Commission and is the same for every candidate.

Can I use a calculator during the exam?

Yes, but only non-programmable calculators that are silent, battery-operated, do not have paper tape printing capabilities, and do not have a keyboard containing the alphabet will be allowed in the examination site.

How much does it cost to register for the exam?

The examination fee is $44.00, which applies whether you are taking the test for the first time, repeating the test, or sitting for just one portion.

Where do I take the Maryland real estate exam?

The test is a computer-based examination administered at official PSI test centers located throughout Maryland and at select limited locations in surrounding regions.

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MD-RES · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026

Maryland Real Estate Salesperson

Exam-aligned study paths covering the national real estate core plus Maryland state law, in retention-first 15-minute topics.

Start studying free see the outline ↓

Questions: 110 scored questions (80 National, 30 State) plus 1-10 unscored experimental items
Time limit: 120 minutes (90 minutes National, 30 minutes State)
Passing score: 70%
Cost: $44.00
Format: Multiple choice
Delivery: Computer-based testing at PSI test centers
Calculator: Only non-programmable calculators that are silent, battery-operated, do not have paper tape printing capabilities, and do not have a keyboard containing the alphabet will be allowed in the examination site.
Prep time: ~104 hours

Exam overview

The Maryland Real Estate Salesperson examination evaluates a candidate's readiness to responsibly and ethically practice real estate within the state. Administered by PSI on behalf of the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), this two-part exam assesses your knowledge of both overarching national real estate principles and Maryland-specific statutes and regulations. With a combination of topics spanning property ownership, financing, agency relationships, and state fair housing laws, the syllabus provides a comprehensive blueprint for what to expect on test day. Preparing for the MD-RES test can feel overwhelming, but mastering the test blueprint is your best first step. Only Ever maps every domain on this syllabus to manageable, 15-minute study topics, allowing you to steadily build your knowledge base. By aligning your study sessions with the official curriculum weights, you can maximize your preparation efficiency and focus on high-yield areas like the Practice of Real Estate and Contracts.

Exam domains & weighting

Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.

How to study this domain

Focus on distinguishing between real and personal property and how each is conveyed. Master the various legal property descriptions, especially metes and bounds, as these are fundamental. Review the different forms of ownership and tenancy, ensuring you understand how estates are held and transferred.

Key objectives

Real and Personal Property Conveyances
Legal Property Descriptions
Measuring Structures and Land
Liens, Easements, and Encumbrances
Surface, Subsurface, Air, and Water Rights
Basic Types of Ownership and Tenancy
Common-Interest, Trusts, and Business Ownership

Study this domain

Readiness self-check

Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.

Readiness

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Property Ownership

Review

Can I explain the legal difference between a joint tenancy and a tenancy in common?
Do I understand how the metes and bounds system describes a property boundary?

Land Use Controls

Review

Am I able to define eminent domain and escheat in the context of government land rights?

Valuation and Market Analysis

Review

Can I list the key differences between an appraisal, a CMA, and a BPO?
Do I know when the cost approach to valuation is most appropriate to use?

Financing

Review

Can I identify the required disclosure timelines mandated by TRID?

Contracts

Review

Do I know the essential elements required to make a real estate contract legally valid and enforceable?
Can I explain the difference between a void contract and a voidable contract?

General Principles of Agency

Review

Can I confidently list the fiduciary duties an agent owes to their principal?
Do I understand Maryland's specific rules regarding dual agency and designated agency?

Property Disclosures

Review

Am I familiar with the required disclosures for properties built before 1978?
Can I explain a seller's obligation under the Maryland Property Disclosure and Disclaimer Statement?

Transfer of Title

Review

Can I identify which type of deed offers the greatest protection to a buyer?

Practice of Real Estate

Review

Do I know the protected classes recognized under federal Fair Housing laws versus Maryland state laws?
Can I correctly describe the strict procedures for handling and depositing trust money in Maryland?

Real Estate Calculations

Review

Am I comfortable calculating property tax prorations for a closing settlement?
Can I use the capitalization rate formula to estimate a property's value based on its net operating income?

Quick reference

Essential Real Estate Acronyms

Common abbreviations heavily tested in the financing and property valuation domains.

LTV: Loan-to-Value ratio
PITI: Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance
PMI: Private Mortgage Insurance
TRID: TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures
CMA: Comparative Market Analysis
CC&Rs: Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions

Common Real Estate Math Formulas

Basic calculation structures required for the Real Estate Calculations section.

Capitalization Rate

Net Operating Income ÷ Current Market Value

Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV)

Loan Amount ÷ Appraised Property Value

Equity

Current Market Value - Outstanding Mortgage Balance

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The exam includes 1 to 10 unscored experimental questions that count against your overall time limit.
Prior to starting the actual exam, you are provided an optional 15-minute computer tutorial to familiarize yourself with the interface.
Calculators must be standard, non-alphabetic, and lack paper tape printing capabilities.
Bulky outerwear, digital watches, mobile devices, and all personal belongings must be stored outside the testing room.
Candidates are permitted to mark questions and return to them for review before time runs out.

Reading isn’t remembering.

Maryland prep blends national real estate concepts with Maryland-specific license law and Commission rules, and most materials muddle the two.

Only Ever teaches the shared national core once, then layers Maryland state law, regulated by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), as focused 15-minute topics.

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