In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Reciprocal license” means a license issued under this subtitle. “Standard license” means a license issued under Subtitle 3 of this title.

Subject to the limitations of this subtitle, the Commission may issue a reciprocal license to a person: holding a current license to provide real estate brokerage services issued by another state; and whose principal place of business for the provision of real estate brokerage services is outside the State. The reciprocal license shall be for the category of license the Commission determines is most similar to the category of license issued by the other state.

Obtaining a reciprocal license from the Commission shall constitute sufficient contact with the State for the exercise of personal jurisdiction by the Commission and the courts of the State over the holder of a reciprocal license in any action or proceeding arising out of acts or omissions by the holder of the reciprocal license: in the State; or relating to an actual or proposed transaction involving real property located in the State.

Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the Commission shall issue a reciprocal license to an applicant licensed in another state to provide real estate brokerage services if: the applicant files with the Commission an application for a reciprocal license; the jurisdiction in which the principal place of business of the applicant is located submits a certified copy of a current license issued to the applicant; or the licensing body for the other state submits a certified statement indicating that the applicant holds a current license in the other state; the licensing body for the other state submits: a statement indicating whether the applicant has been the subject of any disciplinary proceeding; and if the applicant has been the subject of any disciplinary proceeding, the details of the proceeding; the applicant submits to the Commission a statement attesting to the fact that: to the knowledge of the applicant, the applicant is not the subject of discipline or a current investigation or proceeding alleging misconduct under a licensing law or criminal law of this State or any other jurisdiction; the applicant has not been convicted under the laws of the United States or of any state of: a felony; a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualifications of the applicant to provide real estate brokerage services; or a crime that constitutes a violation of any provision of this title; the applicant has reviewed, is familiar with, and agrees to be bound by the: provisions of this title; regulations of the Commission; and Maryland Code of Ethics; and the applicant agrees to permit the disclosure to the Commission of the record in any disciplinary proceeding involving alleged misconduct by the applicant from any jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed; the applicant pays the fees required under this title for the comparable or equivalent license for which the applicant is seeking a reciprocal license; and the applicant submits a consent form to service of process, in a form required by the Commission. The Commission may deny an application for a reciprocal license if the Commission finds that an applicant is not of good character and conduct based on: the applicant’s violation of a real estate licensing law of another state; the applicant’s conviction of a crime described in subsection (a)(4)(ii) of this section; or the applicant’s being the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in another jurisdiction.

A real estate salesperson or associate real estate broker holding a reciprocal license may not conduct business in the State except in affiliation with a real estate broker holding a standard or reciprocal license.

This subtitle may be implemented by written reciprocal licensing agreements with the real estate licensing authorities of other states. Subject to § 17-3A-07 of this subtitle, the Commission is not required to enter into an agreement with another state before issuing a reciprocal license to a licensee from that other jurisdiction.

Subject to subsection (b) of this section, if the Commission determines that another state does not offer reciprocal licensure opportunities to a licensee of this State that are substantially comparable to those afforded to licensees of that other state by this subtitle, the Commission shall require that reciprocal license applicants from that other state meet education, experience, and examination requirements substantially comparable to those required by that state with respect to licensees of this State who seek a reciprocal license in that other state. Any requirements imposed under subsection (a) of this section may not exceed the requirements imposed on residents of this State for obtaining a standard license.

The Commission shall annually publish in the Maryland Register and make available both on request and on the Internet: a list of states with which the Commission has signed agreements under § 17-3A-06 of this subtitle; and a summary of the terms of each agreement listed under item (i) of this paragraph; and a list of the states that the Commission has identified under § 17-3A-07 of this subtitle as not offering substantially comparable reciprocal licensure opportunities; and a description of the additional requirements the Commission determines are necessary for applicants from other states to comply with the requirements of § 17-3A-07 of this subtitle.

A person that holds a reciprocal license shall promptly notify the Commission if the person establishes a principal place of business for the provision of real estate brokerage services in the State. A person that holds a reciprocal license shall obtain a standard license under the licensing provisions of this title within 90 days after establishing a principal place of business in the State.

Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the holder of a reciprocal license has the same rights and responsibilities as a person who holds a comparable standard license issued under this title. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person that holds a reciprocal license issued by the Commission may renew the reciprocal license in accordance with the renewal procedures for the comparable or equivalent standard license under § 17-314 of this title. At the time of application for the renewal of a reciprocal license, the applicant shall provide proof that the applicant: continues to hold a current license in the state in which the applicant’s principal place of business is located; and is not the subject of a disciplinary action or a current investigation or proceeding alleging misconduct under a real estate licensing law of the state in which the applicant’s principal place of business is located. The holder of a reciprocal license is: not eligible to be a member of the Commission; exempt from the requirements of §§ 17-303, 17-304, 17-305, 17-315, 17-503, and 17-517 of this title; and exempt from having to pass an examination required for a comparable standard license.