How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my Maryland real estate license?

Step 1. Check which set of subjects applies to you. The statute lists one set for a licensee who has been issued a renewal certificate, and another for a salesperson who was issued an initial license. Either way, you complete at least 15 clock hours during the preceding two-year term.

Step 2. Pick a course from a provider the statute names: the Maryland Association of Realtors or its member boards, the Real Estate Brokers of Baltimore, Inc., any similar professional association, or an educational institution the Commission approves. The statute also tells the Commission to adopt rules for courses taught by virtual or remote means. Ask the provider whether the course counts for Maryland hours before you pay.

Step 3. Take the hours in the subjects that match your license. If you've been issued a renewal certificate, they include a 3 clock hour course on legal updates, a 2 clock hour fair housing course, a 3 clock hour ethics course and a 3 clock hour course on brokerage relationships and disclosures. Licensees who work only in nonresidential real estate don't take the fair housing course. If you were issued an initial salesperson license, they include a 3 clock hour course on each of contract writing, brokerage relationships and disclosures, real estate practice (advertising, escrow funds and common ownership communities), and property management and landlord and tenant law. They also include a 1.5 clock hour course on each of professionalism under the Maryland Code of Ethics and real estate financing.

Step 4. Renew on time. Within 14 days after you finish a course, the provider may send your completion information to the Commission and to you by electronic means.