Before submitting the application for a Maine real estate license, all applicants must first take an exam on basic industry principles, and must pass this exam with a score of 75% or higher.
An Overview of the Real Estate Test
The exam for sales agents in Maine is made up of two sections. The first consists of 80 questions about general real estate knowledge.1
The second consists of 40 questions relevant to Maine real estate laws.1
This test is administered by a private testing company called Pearson. It costs $85 to take the test,2 and all applicants must schedule their exam in advance.
Pearson offers the real estate exam at locations all around the state, and applicants can search by address to find a testing site that meets their needs.3
To ensure the test is fair and that ethical standards are followed, Pearson maintains a list of rules that all testing candidates must follow.2 These rules include what you may and may not bring into the testing center when to arrive, how to verify identity, and information on photographs that will be taken of each test taker as a way to prevent fraud.
Applicants have four hours to take the test,2 but this time is strictly regulated. The first 2.5 hours is used only for the first section of the exam, which covers general real estate knowledge.
The next 1.5 hours is dedicated to the second section, which covers Maine real estate law and regulations. Once the time is up, the exam ends and applicants must exit the test site.
Maine Real Estate Exam Content
Pearson provides a candidate handbook on their website that includes a list of all content included on the Maine real estate exam.1 This content is divided into general real estate knowledge and Maine-specific content.
The general knowledge section includes:
- Real Estate Math
- Financing and Settlement
- Property DIsclosures and Environmental Issues
- Real Estate Practice
- Real Estate Contracts and Agency
- Property Value/Appraisals
- Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title
- Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use
The Maine law section includes:
- Maine Land-Use Law
- Maine-Specific Principles and Practices
- Law of Agency/Brokerage
- Maine Real Estate Commission
- Maine Laws and Rules Governing Activities of Licensees
Practice Tests for the Maine Real Estate Exam
Maine does not provide sample questions or sample tests for the real estate exam. Testing provider Pearson does offer a practice test for $19.95.4
This test covers only general real estate knowledge and does not cover the content specific to Maine.
Things You Need To Know Before Taking the Exam
In its Candidate Handbook for the Maine real estate exam,2 Pearson includes two key pieces of information that all candidates should memorize before sitting for the test. They are:
- There are 43,560 square feet in one acre.
- There are 5,280 feet in one mile.
Memorizing both of these pieces of information will help with the math calculations on the test.
What Happens If I Fail the Exam?
If you don’t pass the Maine real estate exam on your first try, you can take it as many times as you need to in order to pass, but you must pay the $85 test fee each time.2 If you haven’t passed the exam within one year of completing your real estate coursework, you’ll have to start the entire process over, which means taking and passing the real estate course again before attempting to retake the exam.
Step-by-Step Guide for Maine Real Estate Commission License Application Submission
While figuring out how to get all the proper licenses for a new career can feel overwhelming, the Maine Real Estate Commission makes the process fairly simple, with information laid out in detail on its licensing website.5
Five Steps To Getting a Real Estate License in Maine
All new real estate agents in Maine must follow an identical process to get a license to work in the industry. This process includes:
- Complete a real estate course with a grade of 75 percent or higher
- Pass a real estate exam with a score of 75 percent or higher
- Fill out an online application12
- Provide a copy of your original transcript from your real estate course, as well as your scoresheet from your exam. Include these items with your application
- Check your email for your license. Since 2016,5 the Maine Real Estate Commission has eliminated mailing licenses and only sends licenses via the email provided in the application
Maine Real Estate Commission Fee Structure
There is a $100 application fee when applying for a real estate license in Maine.11 This fee is non-refundable and must be accompanied by a separate $21 fee to cover the cost of a background check.11
These fees are in addition to the $85 fee to take the real estate exam, as well as the cost associated with taking the required real estate course.
Exercising Your Right To Apply for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership
Upon receiving a real estate license, industry professionals may choose to join the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). This allows you to describe yourself as a realtor®, which is a trademarked term that can only be used by NAR members.
NAR membership works under a three-way agreement in which anyone who joins a local real estate association is automatically a member of both the state association and NAR.6 There are 13 local associations in Maine, and a full list of them can be found on the Maine Association of Realtors®’s website.7
Each branch has its own membership rules and dues. As an example, the Greater Portland Association of Realtors® has a $175 application fee and dues of $582 per year.8
While real estate agents are not required to join NAR, membership provides networking opportunities and other advantages, including training, continuing education, and community connection. NAR can also serve as an expert resource if you have questions or problems related to your career.
How Long Does It Typically Take To Complete the Real Estate Application?
Completing the Maine real estate license application is just a small part of the licensing process. The path to a new license can vary from weeks to months or longer depending on the applicant.
How Long Does the Maine Real Estate Course Take?
The Maine Real Estate course is a 55-hour program, but how long it takes to complete the course is really up to the individual applicant. For instance, some programs offer self-study options where the course can be completed anywhere between two weeks and 6 months.9
This means if you can devote yourself entirely to studying, you could have your prerequisite coursework out of the way in two weeks. Other programs offer live, real-time classes, which take place three days a week for four hours at a time and wrap up in about a month.10
How Long Does the Exam Take?
The Maine real estate exam takes about four hours to complete.
It must be taken within one year of completing the real estate course,11 and applicants receive their results the same day as the exam.
How Long Does the Real Estate Application Take?
All applicants may submit a Maine real estate license as soon as one day after passing the real estate exam. The application must be submitted within one year of the exam passing date.11
Applicants can fill out this application and monitor the status of their license online.12
How Many Continuing Education Hours Do I Need as a Maine Real Estate Sales Agent?
These two-year licenses are not renewable and require no CE. CE requirements don’t kick in until you’ve gotten your Associate Broker’s license.
References
1Pearson Education Inc. (2020, June 1). General Exam Content Outline for Sales Agents. Pearson VUE. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/getattachment/5a6da3a8-f256-4c64-b2b6-048c3ed3125e/Maine%20Real%20Estate%20Content%20Outlines.aspx>
2Pearson Education Inc. (2022, December). Maine Real Estate CANDIDATE HANDBOOK. Pearson VUE. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/getattachment/abeb9965-3ffb-4f7b-98b4-57be2f2618e5/Maine%20Real%20Estate%20Candidate%20Handbook.aspx>
3Pearson Education Inc. (2023). Maine Real Estate. Pearson VUE. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/me/realestate>
4Pearson Education Inc. (2023). Real Estate Practice Tests. Pearson VUE. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/practicetests/realestate>
5State of Maine. (2023). Real Estate Commission. Professional & Financial Regulation. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real-estate-commission>
6National Association of REALTORS®. (2023). Membership. National Association of REALTORS®. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://www.nar.realtor/membership>
7Maine Association of REALTORS. (2023). How to join MAR. Maine Association of REALTORS. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://www.mainerealtors.com/sample-page/for-members/how-to-join-mar/>
8Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®. (2023). Primary REALTOR®. Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://www.thegreaterportlandboardofrealtors.com/realtor-dues-2/>
9The Real Estate Learning Group. (2023). Maine Sales Agent Course – Online Version 100% Self-Study and Self-Paced. Maine Sales Agent Course Online. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://trelg.com/Page.php?id=1533>
10Real Estate Institute of New England. (2023). Maine Sales Agent Course. Real Estate Institute of New England. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://reiofne.asapconnected.com/?org=5331>
11State of Maine. (2020). Real Estate Commission – Licensing – Individual Licenses. State of Maine Professional & Financial Regulation. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real-estate-commission/licensing/individual-licenses>
12Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. (2023). Real Estate Commission. Regulatory Licensing & Permitting Application. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from <https://licensing.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/licensing/begin.pl?board_number=4060>