In Maryland, licensed real estate agents answer to the Maryland Real Estate Commission, a part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s (DLLR) division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. The Commission exists to serve both real estate consumers in Maryland and the real estate licensees that they are charged to regulate.
The Commission was created to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public through examination, licensing, and regulatory activities. It is composed of 9 members, 5 licensed members and 4 consumer members. The Governor appoints the members with the advice of the Secretary of DLLR and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The Commission is also tasked with upholding and applying the governing real estate laws and regulations equally to all. They provide courteous, reasonable, and professional assistance, and must impartially conduct disciplinary actions. Approximately 39,000 active licensees in Maryland are regulated by the Commission. It issues three levels of licenses: salesperson, associate broker and broker.
The Commission also oversees time- share developers. Another responsibility of the Commission is to oversee and approve continuing education for licensees. The Commission oversees complaints about licensees, as well as the Real Estate Guaranty Fund, which protects consumers for losses up to $50,000. For the purpose of a Guaranty Fund claim, misconduct is an action arising out of a real estate transaction involving real estate located in MD which causes actual loss by reason of theft, or embezzlement of money or property, or money or property unlawfully obtained from a person by false pretense, artifice, trickery, or forgery, or by reason of fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit.
The Maryland Real Estate Commission is located in Baltimore, MD, and is headed by executive director, Katherine Connelly.
Their website is www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mrec
Lauren Bunting is a licensed REALTOR®with Bunting Realty, Inc. in Berlin, MD.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
