How to Get Your Maine Real Estate License

Written by: Kevelyn Rodriguez

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How to Get Your Maine Real Estate License

Getting your Maine Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Maine. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Maine real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines how to become a real estate agent in Maine in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Maine

Becoming a real estate agent in Maine is as simple as getting your license and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Maine Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in Maine are:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Maine

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

Maine requires that real estate sales agents complete 55 hours of pre-license coursework before sitting for their exam.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs. 

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

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For Maine real estate license exam courses and study tools, StateRequirement recommends:

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Maine does require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course.

Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

Step 2. Maine Real Estate License Exam

After you’ve completed your pre-license education, it’s now time to take the Maine Real Estate Exam.

The fee to take the exam is $85 per attempt.

The Maine Real Estate Exam consists of 120 questions. This includes 80 for the National section and 40 for the State section.

You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 150 minutes (2.5 hours), and the State section time is 90 minutes (1.5 hours).

A passing score for the Maine Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 60/80 on the National section and 30/40 on the State section.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

How Hard is the Maine Real Estate Exam

The passing rate for the Maine Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%. This test is purposefully difficult, but not impossible. Be sure to pay attention during your pre-license course and take studying seriously. If you put the proper effort forth, we know that you can pass on your first attempt!

You can register to take your exam on the Pearson VUE Maine Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Before taking the exam, check out StateRequirement’s guide on How to Pass the Real Estate Exam. This in-depth guide works as a great partner to your pre-license course to prepare you to pass on your first attempt!

Note: If you have an active and valid real estate license in another state or jurisdiction, whether you live in Maine or not, you can qualify for a Maine real estate license by passing the Maine Law examination, which tests your knowledge of the legal and practical aspects of real estate in Maine.

Step 3. Real Estate License Application

The last step to getting your real estate license in Maine is to complete your license application.

You can fill out your application online using Maine’s Real Estate License Online system.

The licensing fee is $121. This includes the application, license, and criminal records check fee.

You also must include your original examination results and certificate of course completion. Additionally, you must be sure that you are sincere when you fill out the paperwork. The committee is going to find out about your history during the background check, and your application may be declined if you have lied about your past.

If you don’t want to submit your application online, it is possible to fill out a paper application instead. You can mail the application to the following address:

Maine Real Estate Commission
35 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333- 0035

Step 4. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will only need to wait for your license to be issued. In most cases, this process should take between 5-10 business days. After this, you should receive a letter from the Maine Real Estate Commission with a license document. You can also check the status of your application on Maine’s Online System.  If you have any questions at this point, you should contact MREC at (207) 624-8603 or rlestate.com@maine.gov.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

MPFR – Maine Professional & Financial Regulation

Mailing Address: 

Maine Real Estate Commission
35 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0035

Phone: (207) 624-8603

Fax: (207) 624-8637

Email: rlestate.com@maine.gov

Website: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real_estate/index.html

Maine Real Estate License FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Maine?

In Maine, the total estimated cost for becoming licensed real estate agents is $900-$1,100. This includes $210 for the license application fee and $600-$800 for pre-licensing education, depending on the state-approved education provider and ME real estate license exam fees.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Maine Real Estate License?

Getting an active real estate license in Maine generally spans three to six months, including completing a sales agent course and preparing for the exam. While a dedicated, full-time study approach could shorten this to approximately two months, it’s important not to rush to ensure you’re well-prepared to take and pass the exam.

How to Get a Maine Commercial Real Estate License?

In Maine, a standard Salesperson or Broker license meets the requirements for conducting commercial property sales, as there’s no distinct “commercial real estate license.” To specialize in commercial real estate, partner with a broker experienced in the types of deals that align with your real estate career goals.

Are There any Real Estate Jobs Open Around Me?

To find real estate job opportunities in Maine, including positions requiring a sales agent license, associate broker license, or broker license, go to our StateRequirement Jobs board. This job board provides various listings of current openings available in your area.

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