Maryland real estate license and CE requirements
What the Maryland Real Estate Commission asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Maryland asks for 15 hours every two years, and most of them are named courses: a legislative update, fair housing, ethics, and brokerage relationships and disclosure. Brokers, branch office managers and team leaders add a 1.5-hour supervision course, which they must also take within 90 days of stepping into the role.
The Maryland Real Estate Commission is strict about substitutes. Its legislative, ethics and brokerage relationship courses cannot be replaced by anything else, and a national association ethics course does not count. Salespersons first licensed on or after October 1, 2023 follow a separate first-renewal chart heavy on contracts, practice principles and landlord-tenant law.
Maryland at a glance
| Licensing body | Maryland Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson, associate broker and broker (plus branch office manager and team leader roles) |
| Salesperson CE | 15 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Legislative update (3), Fair housing (2), Ethics (3), Brokerage relationships and disclosure (3), electives (4). Commercial-only licensees take a 2-hour federal ADA course in place of fair housing |
| Broker CE | 15 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Legislative update (3), Fair housing (2), Ethics (3), Brokerage relationships and disclosure (3), Supervision (1.5), electives (2.5). Also applies to branch office managers and team leaders |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the Maryland Real Estate Commission if you are newly licensed. |
| Renewal | CE must be completed during the license term and at least 30 days before the renewal date to avoid a late fee. |
| Source | MREC official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Maryland Real Estate Commission is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Maryland Real Estate Commission" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Maryland requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Home Listing Specialist
Win the listing, market it well and keep the seller with you to closing.
Maryland requires CE on disclosure. The CHLS covers the listing appointment, pricing and seller expectations.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Questions about Maryland
How many CE hours does a Maryland salesperson need?
15 hours every 2 years, according to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Legislative update (3), Fair housing (2), Ethics (3), Brokerage relationships and disclosure (3), electives (4). Commercial-only licensees take a 2-hour federal ADA course in place of fair housing.
How many CE hours does a Maryland broker need?
15 hours every 2 years, according to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Legislative update (3), Fair housing (2), Ethics (3), Brokerage relationships and disclosure (3), Supervision (1.5), electives (2.5). Also applies to branch office managers and team leaders.
Do ACI designations count toward Maryland CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission and do not satisfy any part of Maryland's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.