Real Estate License from Texas to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing ↗
A real estate license transfers from Texas to Maryland by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, verify your Texas license, and meet Maryland's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants licensed in Pennsylvania are excused from both the exam and continuing education; reciprocal applicants licensed in Oklahoma must pass the Maryland state-law portion of the exam (excused from CE). Licensees of all other states apply through Out-of-State License Recognition (Waiver): education and experience are reviewed individually and, if approved, the applicant must sit for and pass the Maryland salesperson exam (national + state portions)..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Maryland publishes no agreement covering Texas, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Maryland's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing 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, Texas → Maryland
| Texas (current) | Maryland (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 180 | 60 |
| Application fee | $206 (Sales Agent original application total: $150 filing + $40 Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center + $6 Texas.gov + $10 Recovery Trust Account = $206; separate exam (~$43 Pearson VUE) and fingerprint (~$38.25) fees apply) | $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).) |
| Processing time | TREC publishes live application processing dates rather than a fixed estimate | 2–3 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.) |
| Licensing authority | Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) | Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Maryland sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Maryland's current requirements on the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current, active real estate license in the reciprocal/originating state.
- Submit a full certified license history; for Out-of-State Recognition the certificate must be dated within 120 days (mailed originals within 30 days of issue).
- Salespersons must submit a letter from the sponsoring Maryland broker; the broker's principal place of business cannot be in Maryland.
- Your Maryland license category matches your out-of-state license category; a reciprocal license voids if the home-state license expires or goes inactive.
- Pay the fees ($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).)) and allow 2–3 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.).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Maryland accept a Texas real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Texas to Maryland by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, verify your Texas license, and meet Maryland's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants licensed in Pennsylvania are excused from both the exam and continuing education; reciprocal applicants licensed in Oklahoma must pass the Maryland state-law portion of the exam (excused from CE). Licensees of all other states apply through Out-of-State License Recognition (Waiver): education and experience are reviewed individually and, if approved, the applicant must sit for and pass the Maryland salesperson exam (national + state portions)..
Which exams will I take moving from Texas to Maryland?
Reciprocal applicants licensed in Pennsylvania are excused from both the exam and continuing education; reciprocal applicants licensed in Oklahoma must pass the Maryland state-law portion of the exam (excused from CE). Licensees of all other states apply through Out-of-State License Recognition (Waiver): education and experience are reviewed individually and, if approved, the applicant must sit for and pass the Maryland salesperson exam (national + state portions)..
What does the move cost?
$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).) (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).).
Can I keep selling in Texas after I'm licensed in Maryland?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Texas 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.
- Maryland MREC - Apply for a Reciprocal License (Pennsylvania and Oklahoma Licensees ONLY); terms and reciprocity FAQ under Title 17-3A ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland MREC - Out-of-State License Recognition (Waiver) process for all other states ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland MREC - Forms and Fees (Salesperson License Original $98 incl. $20 GF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland MREC - Exams (salesperson exam consists of a national portion and a state portion) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Md. Code, Business Occupations & Professions 17-303 (basic real estate course not more than 60 clock hours for salesperson) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TREC - Become a Real Estate Sales Agent (education, exam, and FAQ 'Does Texas have reciprocity with any other state?') ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TREC - Fee Schedule (effective Dec 15, 2025) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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