Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
Regarding record-keeping of trust funds, a Maryland broker is generally required to:
Answer: B. Maryland brokers must keep complete, accurate records accounting for all trust money received and disbursed. These records must be retained and made available for the Real Estate Commission's inspection. Proper record-keeping is central to the broker's fiduciary duty over client funds.
Question 2 of 5
In Maryland, transaction and brokerage records (such as listings, contracts, and trust-fund documentation) must be:
Answer: B. Maryland brokers are responsible for retaining transaction and trust-fund records for the period the Commission requires and producing them for inspection when requested. Recordkeeping responsibility rests with the broker, and the records cannot be withheld from the Commission.
Question 3 of 5
Under Maryland advertising rules, when a salesperson advertises a listed property, the advertisement must:
Answer: B. Maryland prohibits 'blind ads.' Advertising by a licensee must conspicuously identify the brokerage firm/broker under whom the licensee is affiliated. A salesperson cannot advertise as if acting independently of the broker.
Question 4 of 5
A group of Maryland licensees forms a 'team' within a brokerage and wants to advertise under a team name. Which statement reflects Maryland's approach to team/firm naming in advertising?
Answer: B. Teams operate under a licensed broker, not as independent companies. Even when advertising under a team name, Maryland requires that the supervising brokerage be clearly identified so consumers are not misled into believing the team is a separate licensed firm.
Question 5 of 5
Which advertising practice would most likely violate Maryland real estate law?
Answer: C. A 'blind ad' conceals the fact that a licensee/brokerage is involved and fails to identify the broker, which is prohibited in Maryland. The other choices properly identify the brokerage and are compliant.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What you need to know
Ads should clearly identify the brokerage so consumers know which licensed firm is responsible. Brokers are responsible for supervising agents' marketing and for maintaining required transaction and trust-account records. These records, including deposits held in escrow, must be kept and made available for MREC review during examinations or investigations.
Maryland Advertising & Record-Keeping Rules: FAQs
Is Maryland Advertising & Record-Keeping Rules on the real estate exam?
Yes. State License Law is a scored domain on the Maryland real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the state license-law portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
Does Maryland test this differently?
Maryland applies its own license law on top of the national portion. This page covers the Maryland rules specifically, which is what the state section of your exam tests.
