Navigating Maryland Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

Every two years, Maryland real estate licensees are required to meet mandated continuing education requirements and renew their licenses. These requirements ensure that real estate professionals are kept abreast of current national and local laws, maintaining a high standard of competence and ethical conduct within the industry. Staying informed about these requirements is crucial for all Maryland real estate licensees to maintain their active status and continue practicing in the state.

Key Changes Effective October 1, 2023

Several important updates to the continuing education requirements took effect on October 1, 2023. It's essential for all licensees to understand these changes to ensure compliance.

Initial Licensees (On or After October 1, 2023) - First Renewal

If you received your INITIAL license on or after October 1, 2023 AND this is your first renewal, you must complete specific continuing education hours. These are mandatory topics and may not be substituted with other education or continuing education from another state in which the individual is licensed. The requirements are broken down by license type:

Salesperson Initial Renewal (Residential)

Contracts: 3 hours
Principles of Brokerage Relationships and Disclosure Requirements for Sellers: 3 hours
Principles of Real Estate Practice: 3 hours
Property Management and Landlord and Tenant Laws: 3 hours
Professionalism: 1.5 hours
Real Estate Financing: 1.5 hours
Total: 15 hours

Salesperson Initial Renewal (Commercial Only)

Contracts: 3 hours
Principles of Brokerage Relationships and Disclosure Requirements for Sellers: 3 hours
Principles of Real Estate Practice: 3 hours
Property Management and Landlord and Tenant Laws: 3 hours
Professionalism: 1.5 hours
Real Estate Financing: 1.5 hours
Total: 15 hours

Requirements for Licensees Licensed Before October 1, 2023

For licensees licensed prior to October 1, 2023, your continuing education remains the same.

Salesperson/Associate Broker (Residential)

Legal and Legislative Update: 3 hours
Fair Housing: 1.5 hours
Ethics: 3 hours
Electives: Varies 4.5 hours
Brokerage Relationships & Disclosures: 3 hours
Total: 15 hours

Salesperson/Associate Broker (Commercial Only)

Legal and Legislative Update: 3 hours
Fair Housing: 0 hours
Ethics: 3 hours
Electives: Varies 6 hours
Brokerage Relationships & Disclosures: 3 hours
Total: 15 hours

Broker/Branch Office Manager/Team Leader (Residential)

Legal and Legislative Update: 3 hours
Fair Housing: 1.5 hours
Ethics: 3 hours
Electives: Varies 1.5 hours
Brokerage Relationships & Disclosures: 3 hours
Supervision: 3 hours
Total: 15 hours

Broker/Branch Office Manager/Team Leader (Commercial Only)

Legal and Legislative Update: 3 hours
Fair Housing: 0 hours
Ethics: 3 hours
Electives: Varies 3 hours
Brokerage Relationships & Disclosures: 3 hours
Supervision: 3 hours
Total: 15 hours

Important Reminders and Clarifications

Several key points should be kept in mind regarding Maryland real estate continuing education requirements:

Completion Timeline: Continuing education is to be completed during the term of the license. Effective as of October 1, 2024 - Licensees must complete ALL CE hours 30 days prior to their renewal date.
Reactivation: Licensees must complete all hours due for each renewal period prior to submitting a reactivation application. You must complete CE and renew to remain inactive!
Multiple Licenses: If you hold multiple licenses, the school must submit the course completion for each license number.
Mandatory Courses: Legislative topic (A), ethics topic (D), and Brokerage Relationships and Disclosure/MREC Agency-Commercial topic (H) are required Maryland courses for all licensees and may not be substituted. Principles of Brokerage Relationships and Disclosure/MREC Commercial Agency (H) are required Maryland courses for all licensees and may not be substituted.
Ethics Course Content: The ethics course must include MD Code of Ethics, flipping and predatory lending and professionalism. NAR ethics is not a substitute for the Maryland required ethics course.
Supervision Course for New Supervisors: Once a licensee assumes a supervisory position as a broker, BOM, or team leader, he or she will have 90 days to complete 3 clock hours of MREC Required Supervision Course, if he or she did not already complete it for his/her last renewal.
Once a licensee assumes a supervisory position as a broker, branch office manager (BOM), or team leader, he or she will have 90 days to complete 1.5 clock hours of the MREC Required Supervision Course, if not already completed during the previous renewal.
Out-of-State Credits: If you hold a license in another state, hours may be considered toward your Maryland ELECTIVES. If recognized, the hours credited will be entered into your licensing record.
Credit Submission: The State requires Real Estate Educators to upload the completed CE credit within five to seven days after the completed class date. The State no longer requires certification of completion to be issued.
Verification: You may verify credits earned online.

Deadlines and Consequences of Non-Compliance

Licensees must complete ALL CE hours 30 days prior to their renewal date. All CE providers now have up to 14 days to submit the certificates to the MREC. As always, the licensee will not be able to renew until all their hours are submitted by the providers. CE credits submitted within 30 days of renewal will result in a reinstatement fee upon renewal.

Approved Education Providers

Tristar Academy is an Approved Real Estate Education Provider by the Maryland Real Estate Commission. School License ID: 1805. There will no longer be an option to certify completion of CE and proceed with renewing. Classes can be rescheduled up to one time. If registered for a class and does not attend without notice, there is no refund. The State requires Real Estate Educators to upload the completed CE credit within five to seven days after the completed class date. The State no longer requires for a certification of completion to be issued. Tristar Academy uploads the completed credits within 24 hours after completion along with a certificate of completion.

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