50-State Real Estate Broker Licensing Compliance Guide
An overhead view of a woman signing forms

Maine Real Estate License

A real estate agent giving a tour of a modern house

Licensing requirements for Maine brokerage firms.

A business entity offering real estate brokerage services to the public typically must register with the real estate commission before conducting business activity. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Company Licenses

Maine Real Estate Company Licenses

Maine Branch Office License

Agency:Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation - Real Estate Commission
Law:

32 M.R.S.A. §13178, 32 M.R.S.A. §13173(5)

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Individual Proprietorships
  • Associations
  • General Partnerships
  • Limited Partnerships
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Corporations 
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Financial Requirements:

All applicants must: 

  • Open a trust account in a bank authorized to do business in the State of Maine, pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. §13178; and
  • Have a fixed and definite place of business, pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. §13173(5).
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

Every branch license applicant must:


Have a fixed and definite place of business.
Note that the Designated Broker for the main office is also responsible for each branch office.


Any non-resident applicant must be licensed and in good standing with the licensing authority in its home state. You must include a Verification of Licensure in good standing from the agency’s home state and every other state where the
agency holds, or has ever held, a real estate license. Verification must indicate whether or not disciplinary action has been taken.

Initial Registration

Form:

Branch Office Registration Application

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially by date of issuance. 

Notes:

The Department must verify that the branch has met all the conditions for renewal before the license is renewed. Online submission of renewal application should not be construed as automatic renewal of the license

Maine Real Estate Agency License

Agency:Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation - Real Estate Commission
Law:

32 M.R.S.A. §13178, 32 M.R.S.A. §13173(5)

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Individual Proprietorships 
  • Associations
  • General Partnerships 
  • Limited Partnerships 
  • Limited Liability Companies 
  • Corporations 
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:
  • Corporation, Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership applicants must register with the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations prior to application for a real estate agency license. Contact the Bureau at (207) 624-7736 for an application and filing instructions.
  • Agencies licensed as a Corporation, Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership in another state must file with the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations as a foreign business entity.
  • File a list of officers of the particular business entity that includes the office held and home address of each officer. (Not applicable to Individual Proprietor applicants.)
Financial Requirements:

Establish and maintain a federally insured trust account in a financial institution authorized to do business in this state.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:

Applicants must appoint a Maine licensed broker to serve as designated broker.

Requirement Notes:

Any non-resident applicant must be licensed and in good standing with the licensing authority in its home state. You must include a Verification of Licensure in good standing from the agency’s home state and every other state where the agency holds or has ever held, a real estate license. Verification must indicate whether or not disciplinary action has been taken.


Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) prior to application for a license.

Initial Registration

Form:

Agency Application

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Before you Apply:
  • Corporation, Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership applicants must register with the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations prior to application for a real estate agency license. Contact the Bureau at (207) 624-7736 for an application and filing instructions.
  • Agencies licensed as a Corporation, Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership in another state must file with the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations as a foreign business entity.
  • Any non-resident applicant must be licensed and in good standing with the licensing authority in its home state. You must include a Verification of Licensure in good standing from the agency’s home state and every other state where the agency holds or has ever held, a real estate license. Verification must indicate whether or not disciplinary action has been taken.
Required Attachments:
  • File a list of officers of the particular business entity that includes the office held and home address of each officer. (Not applicable to Individual Proprietor applicants.)
  • Any non-resident applicant must be licensed and in good standing with the licensing authority in its home state. You must include a Verification of Licensure in good standing from the agency’s home state and every other state where the agency holds or has ever held, a real estate license. Verification must indicate whether or not disciplinary action has been taken.
Background Check Requirements: ACCESS PREMIUM DATA

Registration Renewal

Instructions:
  • A license must be renewed online or by paper application on or (up to 60 days) before the expiration date in order for the licensee to conduct business without interruption.
  • A license cannot be renewed after 90 calendar days. The designated broker must submit application for a new agency.
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially by the initial registration date.

Penalties:

A license may be renewed up to ninety (90) calendar days after the expiration date by complying with all requirements for renewal and payment of an additional $50 late fee. No business may be conducted between license expiration and renewal.

Individual Licenses

Maine Individual Real Estate Licenses

Maine Real Estate Associate Broker License

Agency:Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation - Real Estate Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

Original Broker, Associate Broker & Sales Agent License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$121

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially

Maine Real Estate Broker License

Agency:Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation - Real Estate Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

Original Broker, Associate Broker & Sales Agent License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$121

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially

Maine Real Estate Sales Agent License

Agency:Maine Office of Professional and Financial Regulation - Real Estate Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

Original Broker, Associate Broker & Sales Agent License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$121

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially

Learn about real estate licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Associate Broker - Associate brokers are qualified to work independently as a broker, but choose to work under the authority of a designated broker.

On-Site Manager - A broker or salesperson who oversees the operations of a branch office under the authority of the designated broker.

Qualifying Broker/Designated Broker - An experienced and licensed real estate broker responsible for management and operation of a real estate firm.

Real Estate - Land, buildings, and their permanent improvements and fixtures. Also called "real property" in contrast to personal property.

Real Estate Agent - This term refers generally to any licensed real estate professional.

Reciprocity - Reciprocity makes it easier for out-of-state real estate firms to gain approval to operate in a foreign state by streamlining some licensing requirements.

Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO)
Offers a license verification database accross 43 jurisdictions.

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Agencies
Aid education, research, and advocacy efforts in the real estate industry.

National Association of Realtors
Real estate trade organization that provides information and resources for development of the real estate industry.

Urban Land Institute
Research and education association concerned with responsible land use and creating sustainable communities.

Revised April 28, 2022. Complete data last reviewed April 11, 2022.
Are You Compliant?
Answer just a few questions and our software searches public databases to detect your status and gaps.
Sign Up for Emails
Better Business Bureau logo
Trustwave logo

© 2012 - 2024 Harbor Compliance. All rights reserved.

Harbor Compliance does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Use of our services does not create an attorney-client relationship. Harbor Compliance is not acting as your attorney and does not review information you provide to us for legal accuracy or sufficiency. Access to our website is subject to our Terms of Use and Service Agreement.

Terms of Service Privacy Policy Secure Shopping