Maryland Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 15 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
The Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) requires 15 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal. Maryland is notably heavy on mandatory topics — salespersons and associate brokers must complete four required courses totaling 11 hours, leaving just 4 hours for electives. Brokers, branch managers, and team leaders must also take a 1.5-hour Supervision course, reducing their elective hours to 2.5.
As of October 1, 2025, HB0972 increased the Fair Housing requirement from 1.5 to 2 hours. The Maryland-specific Ethics course (3 hrs) must cover the MD Code of Ethics, flipping, predatory lending, and professionalism — NAR ethics training does not satisfy this requirement. Commercial-only licensees substitute Federal ADA (2 hrs) for Fair Housing.
All CE must be completed at least 30 days before submitting your renewal application. First-time renewals for those licensed after October 1, 2023 follow a separate set of six mandatory topics with no elective hours. Even inactive licensees must complete CE to renew. Late fees are $168 for non-compliance.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal & Legislative Update | 3 | Every renewal | Topic A. Required for all licensees. Cannot be substituted. |
| Fair Housing | 2 | Every renewal | Topic C. Increased from 1.5 to 2 hours effective October 1, 2025 (HB0972). Commercial-only licensees substitute Federal ADA (2 hrs) instead. |
| Ethics | 3 | Every renewal | Topic D. Must include MD Code of Ethics, flipping and predatory lending, and professionalism. NAR ethics does NOT substitute for this Maryland-specific requirement. |
| Principles of Brokerage Relationships & Disclosure | 3 | Every renewal | Topic H. Required for all licensees. Cannot be substituted. |
| Supervision | 1.5 | Every renewal | Topic I. Required only for brokers, branch managers, and team leaders. Also required within 90 days of assuming supervisory role if not previously completed. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- None For Active — No exemptions for active licensees. Even inactive licensees must complete CE to renew and remain inactive.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Maryland CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Maryland that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over provisions mentioned. CE must be completed during the 2-year license term, at least 30 days before renewal.
- CE must be completed at least 30 days before submitting renewal application.
- NAR ethics course does NOT substitute for Maryland's required ethics course.
- HB0972 effective Oct 1, 2025: Fair Housing increased from 1.5 to 2 hours; elective hours adjusted accordingly.
- Multiple license holders must have completion submitted for each license number separately.
- Late fee of $168 for failure to complete CE on time.
- Even inactive licensees must complete CE to renew and remain inactive.
- Supervisory roles require 1.5-hour supervision course within 90 days if not previously completed.
- First-time renewals (licensed after Oct 1, 2023) have different mandatory topics than subsequent renewals.
Provider Requirements
MREC-approved education providers only. Out-of-state hours may count toward electives only. Post-licensing education from other states excluded.
Tips for Maryland Real Estate Agents
- Don't assume your NAR ethics course covers Maryland's ethics requirement — it doesn't. You need the Maryland-specific Ethics course covering the MD Code of Ethics.
- Complete CE at least 30 days before your renewal application date, not the renewal deadline itself.
- If you hold multiple Maryland licenses, ensure completion is reported separately for each license number.
- New supervisors (brokers, branch managers, team leaders) must complete the 1.5-hour Supervision course within 90 days of assuming the role, even mid-cycle.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.