Looking for the best real estate schools in Maryland to help launch your career in a booming market this year? We’ll help narrow your search based on on our reviews that use criteria like usability, scheduling, pricing, the quality of course materials, extra features, and more. Completing 60 hours of classes is the first step to getting your real estate license in Maryland.
Following your course of study, you’ll need to pass the state’s real estate exam and then apply for a Maryland real estate license. We want to help you choose the right Maryland real estate school to fit your lifestyle, schedule, and timeline — one that will not only help you pass the state’s licensure exam, but that will also kickstart your new career. Let’s get started!
4 Best Real Estate Schools in Maryland for 2022
| Our Top Picks | Prelicensing Pricing | Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Real Estate Express | From $199 | TheClose25 - Save 25% |
| Best All-in-One: The CE Shop | From $325 | Theclose30 - Save 30% |
| Best Expert Instructors: Tristar Academy | From $220 | |
| Best for In-Person Instruction: Long & Foster | From $199 |
(Maryland prelicensing package prices as of December 2021)
Real Estate Schools in Maryland – Helpful Info
Becoming a Maryland real estate agent isn’t significantly expensive or time-consuming. Still, you’ll need to choose an approved Maryland real estate school that offers high-quality instruction, exam preparation, and continuing education once you’re licensed. Here are the types of classes offered by real estate classes in Maryland:
Prelicensing Courses
Before you can take the Maryland real estate exam, you need to complete 60 hours of prelicensing courses at a state-approved school. Once you’ve finished the prelicensing course, you’ll have a solid understanding of the national and state real estate laws and regulations. If you’re not entirely sure about what comes next in your journey, please refer to our guide that describes how to get a Maryland real estate license.
Exam Preparation Courses
Passing your state licensing exam won’t be a walk in the park.
Since three’s a lot of material to cover in your prelicensing course, it can be helpful layer on some additional study time devoted to preparing for the Maryland real estate license exam. Some real estate schools on our list, like The CE Shop, include specialized material like their Exam Prep Edge in three of their four prelicensing course packages.
Continuing Education Courses
Once you’ve passed the exam, the State of Maryland requires new real estate agents to complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) within two years. Some packages in this article include CE courses. Now that you understand what you need to become licensed and stay licensed in the Old Line State, here are some online real estate schools in Maryland to consider.
Now that you have a better understanding of what you’ll need over the years from the Maryland real estate schools of your choosing, let’s dive into our top 5 picks.
Best Overall Real Estate School in Maryland: Real Estate Express
People all over the country turn to Real Estate Express to receive a comprehensive real estate education with a flexible format. Their Maryland real estate classes are affordable, and nationwide, their classes receive rave reviews from students.
Real Estate Express offers prelicensing real estate education in 39 states, plus Washington, D.C. — making them a market leader in the education space. You’ll be able to ask state-approved instructors questions about course content by email or phone. Real Estate Express also offers exam prep materials in three of their four packages, as well as continuing education classes.
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Real Estate Express Pricing
Let’s learn more about Real Estate Express‘ affordable packages. For less than $200, you’ll gain access to the materials necessary to make a career change.
- The Basics ($199): If you’ve got a real estate background or pride yourself on being a self-starter, you may only need to purchase Real Estate Express’ entry-level package. It includes 60 hours of classes plus two e-books.
- Exam Preparation ($249): You’ll have to study for the Maryland real estate exam before you take it. This Real Estate Express package includes exam prep materials and a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($324): This package gives you access to live instructors for 40 hours per month. You’ll be able to ask clarifying questions about complex material from people in the business.
- Ultimate Learning ($424): The Ultimate Learning Package will give you a one-year membership to a professional development website. This membership will allow you to take non-credit courses to help you generate leads, write listings that pop, and improve your monthly commission check.
(Real Estate Express Maryland Prelicensing Packages Prices as of December 2021)
BEST FEATURE: Real Estate Express offers a lot of bang for your buck. Most of their packages include state-specific instructor support, access to real estate e-books, career resources, and test prep materials. Don’t forget to look for additional savings and promo codes to use at checkout to save even more money on these affordable packages.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: While Real Estate Express offers a fast-moving but thorough education, their top-tier package includes professional development courses as opposed to the state-required continuing education courses that are required to renew your license.
BOTTOM LINE: For fast-moving, affordable real estate education, choose Real Estate Express.
Best Real Estate School in Maryland for All-in-One Packages: The CE Shop
You’re correct in assuming that the “CE” in The CE Shop’s name stands for “continuing education.” Still, this online Maryland real estate school also offers quality prelicensing courses for dozens of states, including Maryland. The CE Shop’s top-level prelicensing packages include everything you would need to get licensed and stay licensed.
We love The CE Shop’s expertly-designed materials and affordable options. The CE Shop boasts a higher-than-average success rate for both the national and state portions of the Maryland real estate exam. The curriculum offers interactive content that repeats material that’ll likely be on the exam, making even the most complicated information easy to digest and recall.
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The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers four prelicensing packages for Maryland, ranging from $325 to $555. Even though the prices are already affordable, the packages often go on sale. Even the most basic package includes digital e-books, downloadable flashcards, career resources that’ll help you choose a brokerage, and a suggested study schedule.
- Courses Only ($325): This entry-level package includes the required 60 hours of prelicensing classes offered in a convenient, work-at-your-own-pace format.
- Standard Package ($385): If you’re looking for a prelicensing package that includes state and national exam prep, this is it. The Standard Package also includes a Pass Guarantee. If you don’t pass the state licensing exam after using the exam prep material included in this package, the school will reimburse you the cost of the test.
- Value Package ($425): The Value Package through The CE Shop includes everything in the Standard Package, plus access to business-building courses. You’ll learn what it takes to make money in real estate with these courses.
- Premium Package ($555): It only makes sense that a business called The CE Shop would include continuing education courses in at least one of their prelicensing packages. Their Premium Package consists of the 15 hours of continuing education classes you’ll need to renew your certification the first time.
(The CE Shop Maryland prelicensing package prices as of December 2021)
BEST FEATURE: The CE Shop provides all-in-one packages. If you wish, you could buy your prelicensing courses from one school, a test-prep package from another, business building training from a third company, and your continuing education classes from a fourth source. Or, you could buy the Premium Package from The CE Shop and get all you need to obtain and renew your real estate license in Maryland from one company.
You can switch careers and industries without having to shop around for additional training and resources—especially if you plan to keep your “day job.” When you purchase the top-tier package with The CE Shop, you only have to remember one login and password for all your real estate education needs.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: We’ve no doubt that The CE Shop can prepare you for the Maryland salesperson exam. Regardless, this online school doesn’t give students access to real estate professionals in the area who can offer valuable, real-world advice. Consider taking your prelicensing courses with Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate if picking the brains of local agents who have been successful in their career appeals to you.
BOTTOM LINE: We know that you’ll love The CE Shop’s interactive content. Visit their website to choose which package works best for you.
Best Real Estate School in Maryland for Instruction From Active Brokers: Tristar Academy
Both Real Estate Express and The CE Shop are experts in producing quality online educational content, and we recommend both of these real estate schools if you are seeking an at-your-own pace, online real estate school in Maryland. However, there’s something to be said about having a live, online instructor teach you about their profession.
Tristar Academy offers prelicensing real estate courses for Maryland that are livestreamed over Zoom. The 60-hour, 7-week course is scheduled in the evenings to help you complete it around your day job, and you can also access your classes (they’ll be recorded) later on to reference the material taught in them.
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Tristar Academy Pricing
We’re impressed with Tristar Academy’s low price for prelicensing courses. Most real estate schools in Maryland that do offer a live (or live online) instruction are more expensive than schools that give you access to prepackaged material.
- Maryland Prelicensing for Real Estate for Salesperson ($305): This 7-week courses includes the cost of registration and the Zoom classes, plus a textbook and some exam prep material to help you study for the licensure exam.
(Tristar Academy Prelicensing Package Price as of December 2021)
BEST FEATURE: Tristar hires instructors who are active brokers. If you know that you would struggle to concentrate on sometimes dry material from a series of slides, PDF files or videos, enroll in Tristar Academy’s program. Not only will you be able to interact with a teacher and other students in your online classroom, but the instructor will be able to offer insights from their experiences as a current real estate broker.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: The state of Maryland requires that you take only 60 hours of prelicensing classes. If you worked at your own pace, you could easily get through the material in one or two weeks.
However, if you opt for Tristar Academy as your real estate school in Maryland, the course is stretched out over eight weeks. If you are eager to jumpstart your new career, you might opt for Real Estate Express or The CE Shop instead and get started going through the material within minutes.
BOTTOM LINE: Don’t wait to enroll in the prelicensing courses offered by Tristar Academy. Since the school offers classes that begin on specific dates, you might have to wait for the beginning of the next session to get started.
Best Real Estate School in Maryland for In-Person Instruction: Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate
We’re giving Long & Foster more of an honorable mention on our list. Long & Foster isn’t just a real estate school—it’s also a brokerage in Maryland. If you join the Long & Foster real estate team after earning your license, you may qualify to be reimbursed for the cost of their education program after closing your first sale.
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Long & Foster Real Estate Pricing
Long & Foster Real Estate offers two affordable packages for livestreaming and in-person courses:
- Tuition Only ($125.66)
- Tuition and Books ($199)
(Long & Foster prelicensing package prices as of December 2021)
BEST FEATURE: They offer livestreaming and in-person courses throughout the day and on weekends. They also provide local real estate connections.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Their website doesn’t inspire confidence, and it’s hard to navigate and find information.
BOTTOM LINE: Brokerages use training programs to recruit new agents, and if you show promise, you may be able to fast-track your way into your first job and learn about Long & Foster while you’re still studying to decide if they’re right for you.
Real Estate Schools in Maryland – FAQs
While this article has probably helped you choose one of the top real estate schools in Maryland, you have more steps to complete to get licensed. Here are some answers to our reader’s most common questions about real estate schools in Maryland, passing the state exam, and more.
What is the best real estate school in Maryland?
Real Estate Express is our top pick for online real estate schools in most states. Their user interface is well designed, and their courses affordable. The program also breaks down complicated information, so it’s easy to understand.
The good news is that you really can’t go wrong with any of the Maryland real estate classes on our list. If you’re ready for a career change, take action and enroll in one today.
How much are real estate classes in Maryland?
Real Estate Express offers the least expensive real estate classes in MD. The total price of the entry-level package is $199, but it often goes on sale. You can also receive a discount by using a coupon code from The Close.
While you could certainly complete all of your prelicensing course requirements by purchasing the lowest-priced package from Real Estate Express, we think you should also buy a test prep package from Mbition. With the backing of these two valuable programs, you’re sure to pass the Maryland real estate salesperson exam on your first attempt.
How hard is the real estate exam in Maryland?
There are 110 multiple-choice questions on this two-hour, computer-based exam. The test is divided into two sections. One covers national real estate topics, and the other asks questions about Maryland real estate laws and procedures. To pass, candidates must obtain at least a 70% on each section.
The CE Shop offers excellent exam prep materials in three of their four course packages for those who need additional resources when studying for the Maryland real estate exam.
Are real estate classes worth it?
Real estate classes in MD are worth it. They are also required if you wish to work as a real estate salesperson in Maryland.
Each state’s real estate licensing board requires that applicants take prelicensing courses before sitting for the real estate exam. Real estate classes cover topics related to contracts, property ownership, ethics, and fair housing laws. Some state real estate licensing boards may allow you to skip the courses if you’re a lawyer or hold a real estate license in a reciprocal state.
Even though you may be concerned about the time, money, and effort required to get your real estate license in Maryland, it is worth it. Real estate salespeople in Maryland earn an average of $82,860 in commissions each year. And no college degree is required.
More Career Resources From The Close
The market is booming, and it’s a great time to launch a career in real estate. We’re happy to share our expertise and research on the best real estate schools in Maryland to help you choose one that’s right for you. Even if you’re not yet licensed, we invite you to join our Facebook Mastermind Group, where you can network with real estate agents from across the country and pack their brains a bit.
Once licensed, subscribe to The Close Pro to take part in group learning boot camps and get exclusive video training and must-have downloads. And finally, subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss a single article from our team of real estate pros. Our resources will serve as a springboard to your new career in real estate, and we’re here to help at every stage of your career.
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