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LicenseReciprocity

Real Estate License from Maryland to North Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) ↗

A real estate license transfers from Maryland to North Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC), verify your Maryland license, and meet North Dakota's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

North Dakota publishes no agreement covering Maryland, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on North Dakota's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.

What changes, Maryland → North Dakota

Side-by-side: Maryland vs North Dakota (Real Estate (salesperson/broker)), verified 2026-07-21
Maryland (current)North Dakota (destination)
Training hours6090
Application fee$98 (Original salesperson license fee is $98 (includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment); the reciprocal salesperson application draws on the same statutory fee schedule. Certificate of License History costs $28 (5-year) or $84 (full).)$150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.)
Processing time2–3 weeks (Board states to allow 10-12 business days to process an Out-of-State License Recognition (waiver) request before exam registration; reciprocal (PA/OK) license issuance timing is not separately published.)NDREC states timing is applicant-dependent and publishes no end-to-end range; criminal-history results run ~1-2 weeks and application status is viewable 7-10 days after submission.
Licensing authorityMaryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional LicensingNorth Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — North Dakota sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm North Dakota's current requirements on the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Be at least 18 years old and licensed in good standing in another state.
  5. Complete a statewide and nationwide fingerprint-based criminal history record check and a credit history check.
  6. Submit an original Certificate of Licensure (less than 3 months old) from each state where licensed.
  7. Pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam (nonresident non-reciprocal); reciprocal MN/IA/GA applicants take no ND exam.
  8. Associate with a North Dakota broker/firm and carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance to hold an active license.
  9. Pay the fees ($150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.)) and allow NDREC states timing is applicant-dependent and publishes no end-to-end range; criminal-history results run ~1-2 weeks and application status is viewable 7-10 days after submission..

Official links

North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) ↗North Dakota application ↗

Related guides

Real Estate in MarylandReal Estate in North DakotaAll real estate states

Frequently asked questions

Does North Dakota accept a Maryland real estate license?

A real estate license transfers from Maryland to North Dakota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC), verify your Maryland license, and meet North Dakota's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam..

Which exams will I take moving from Maryland to North Dakota?

Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam..

What does the move cost?

$150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.) (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.).

Can I keep selling in Maryland after I'm licensed in North Dakota?

Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Maryland license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]