Looking for the best real estate schools in Maryland to launch your career this year? We’ll help narrow your search based on our reviews of MD classes, which use criteria like usability, scheduling, pricing, the quality of course materials, and extra features. 

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. After all, you want to do more than just pass the state’s licensure exam—you want to kickstart your new career. Let’s get started!

4 Best Real Estate Classes in Maryland

Our Top PicksPrelicensing PricingPromo Codes
Best Overall: Colibri Real EstateFrom $284TheClose30 - Save 30%
Best for Online: The CE ShopFrom $279Theclose35 - Save 35%
Best Expert Instructors: Tristar AcademyFrom $305CLOSE10 - Save 10%
Best for In-Person Instruction: Long & Foster  From $154

(Maryland prelicensing package prices as of May 2023)

Real Estate Schools in Maryland – Helpful Info

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Quick Facts
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Maryland Real Estate Governing Body:

Maryland Real Estate Commission

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Prelicensing Requirements:

60 Hours

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Post-licensing Requirements:

None

school

Continuing Education Requirements:

15 Hours Every Two Years

Becoming a Maryland real estate agent isn’t significantly expensive or time-consuming. Still, you’ll want 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:




Now that you have a better understanding of what you’ll need over the years from the Maryland real estate school of your choosing, let’s dive into our top four picks.

Best Overall Real Estate Classes in Maryland: Colibri Real Estate

People all over the country turn to Colibri Real Estate to receive comprehensive real estate education in a flexible format. Their Maryland real estate classes are affordable and regularly receive rave reviews from students.

Colibri Real Estate offers prelicensing real estate education in many states, 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. Colibri Real Estate also offers exam prep materials in three of their four packages.

Colibri Real Estate Pros
Colibri Real Estate Cons
  • Easy-to-use web interface
  • The Basics course doesn’t come with test prep materials
  • Access to instructors by phone or email
  • Doesn’t offer CE courses

Colibri Real Estate Pricing

Let’s learn more about Colibri Real Estate’s packages.

  • The Basics ($284): If you’ve got a real estate background or pride yourself on being a self-starter, you may only need to purchase Colibri Real Estate’s entry-level package. It includes 60 hours of classes plus three e-books.
  • Exam Preparation ($370): You should study for the Maryland real estate exam before you take it. This Colibri Real Estate package includes exam prep materials such as simulated exams, digital flashcards, and audio review guides, plus a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
  • Exam Preparation Plus ($455): Aside from everything in the previous package, this one gives you 40 hours worth of access to live instructors per month. You’ll be able to ask clarifying questions about complex material from people in the business.
  • Ultimate Learning ($527): This package includes everything in the Exam Preparation Plus package, plus 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.
  • Livestream Learning ($488): Have access to everything in the Ultimate Learning package while connecting virtually with experts and classmates. There are full-day classes Monday through Thursday and evening classes Tuesdays and Thursdays.

(Colibri Real Estate Maryland prelicensing packages prices as of May 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 30% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Maryland. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

BEST FEATURE: Colibri Real Estate 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: Colibri Real Estate offers a fast-moving but thorough education. However, their top-tier package focuses on professional development courses. Instead, we’d like to see them offer the continuing education courses that are required to renew your license.

BOTTOM LINE: For fast-moving, affordable real estate education, choose Colibri Real Estate.

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Best Online Real Estate Classes in MD: The CE Shop

You’re correct in assuming that the “CE” in The CE Shop’s name stands for “continuing education.” Still, this online real estate school specializes in quality prelicensing courses for dozens of states, including Maryland. The CE Shop’s top-level prelicensing package includes everything you need to get and stay licensed without the need to go to a physical school. However, if you prefer a traditional classroom setting, we recommend The CE Shop’s local partner, Maryland Real Estate Academy.

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. This makes even the most complicated information easy to digest and recall.

The CE Shop Pros
The CE Shop Cons
  • Expertly designed courses
  • No access to local real estate professionals
  • Most important content often repeated
  • No access to live instructors
  • Premium package includes CE courses
  • Not the most affordable option

The CE Shop Pricing

The CE Shop offers four prelicensing packages for Maryland. Even though the higher-tier prices are not the most affordable on our list, the packages do often go on sale. Also, 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 ($279): This entry-level package includes the required 60 hours of prelicensing classes in a convenient, work-at-your-own-pace format (plus the resources listed above).
  • Standard Package ($399): 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 ($449): This includes everything in the Standard Package, plus access to business-building courses. You’ll learn what it takes to make money in real estate.
  • Premium Package ($639): It only makes sense that a business called The CE Shop would include continuing education courses in at least one of its prelicensing packages. The Premium Package adds on 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 May 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 35% off any The CE Shop prelicensing course in Maryland. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.

BEST FEATURE: We like that you can 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. This allows you to switch careers and brokerages 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: This online school doesn’t give students access to real estate professionals in the area who can offer valuable, real-world advice. If you have questions that need immediate answers, there are no live instructors that can accommodate you. 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.

Related Article
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? (+ Free Guide & Videos)
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Best Real Estate Classes in MD for Instruction From Active Brokers: Tristar Academy

Tristar Academy Logo

Both Colibri Real Estate and The CE Shop are experts in producing quality online educational content. 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. Other schedule options include weekday classes for two weeks and weekend classes for five weeks. You can also access recorded classes later on to reference the material taught in them. If you’d like to finish your courses more quickly, Tristar Academy has other schedule options available.

The school also offers a self-paced learning option for students looking to obtain their Maryland real estate license.

Tristar Academy Pros
Tristar Academy Cons
  • Offers live, online instructors who work in the area
  • Class schedule means you can’t work ahead unless you choose self-paced option
  • Lots of schedule options for livestream classes
  • Can’t start immediately unless you choose self-paced option
  • Ability to connect with people who work in the industry

Tristar Academy Pricing

We’re impressed with Tristar Academy’s pricing for livestream courses. Most real estate schools charge significantly more for live (or live online) instruction than they do for prepackaged material.

  • Maryland Prelicensing for Real Estate Salesperson ($305): This 7-week course includes the cost of registration and Zoom classes, plus a textbook.
  • Prelicensing for Real Estate Salespersons in Maryland, Self Paced: ($305): This course allows students to complete the 60 hours of prelicensing training at their own pace. It includes a digital copy of the course textbook, studying tips, test-taking tricks and a step-by-step checklist for obtaining your license.

(Tristar Academy prelicensing package prices as of May 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 10% on Tristar Academy prelicensing courses using promo code CLOSE10 at checkout.

BEST FEATURE: Tristar hires instructors who are active brokers. If you think you might struggle to concentrate on sometimes dry material presented via a series of slides, PDFs or videos, enroll in Tristar Academy’s livestream program. You’ll be able to interact with a teacher and other students. But also, the instructor will be able to offer insights from their experiences as a practicing real estate broker.

ROOM TO IMPROVE: We’d love to see Tristar include test prep materials in their Zoom package.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t put off enrolling in the Zoom 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.

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Best In-Person Real Estate Classes in MD: Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate

Long and Foster Logo

Long & Foster isn’t chiefly a real estate school—it’s a major brokerage in Maryland. The upside of that is, 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.

Long & Foster Pros
Long & Foster Cons
  • May be reimbursed for your classes if you join the brokerage after becoming licensed
  • Can’t work at your own pace
  • Offers both livestream and in-person classes
  • Students must find courses that fit within their work schedules
  • Affordable

Long & Foster Real Estate Pricing

Long & Foster Real Estate offers three affordable packages for both livestreaming and in-person courses. All courses require 100% attendance and must be completed within three months from your start date. If you miss a class, you must attend a make-up class using the schedule found on their website.

  • Tuition Only ($154): This package includes just the prelicensing course. Only students who already have all the required books are eligible to purchase this option. 
  • Tuition & Workbook Only ($177): For students who already have 2 of the 3 required books, this is your best bet. This package covers tuition and the Modern Real Estate Practice Workbook.
  • Tuition and Books ($249): This affordable package includes tuition plus all the required books for your prelicensing course.

(Long & Foster prelicensing package prices as of May 2023)

BEST FEATURE: They offer livestream 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. It’s hard to navigate and find information.

BOTTOM LINE: Brokerages use training programs to recruit new agents. That means, if you show promise, you may be able to fast-track your way into your first job. You can also learn about Long & Foster while you’re still studying to decide if they’re right for you.

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How We Selected the Best Real Estate Classes in Maryland

To handpick the top real estate classes in Maryland, our team of real estate professionals, writers, and editors used a methodology that involves scoring each school based on pricing, course offerings, web and mobile interface, student support, class formats, and more. Here at The Close, we strive to provide you with unbiased options for all your real estate needs.

FAQs About Real Estate Classes in Maryland

While this article has hopefully helped you choose one of the top real estate schools in Maryland,  you do 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.







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Bringing It All Together

It’s an interesting 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. Have advice, thoughts, or more questions? Leave us a comment below!