Licensing requirements

DC Licensing Alert: GCAAR has been notified by the DC Real Estate Commission that licenses for 2021 will be completed on a self-attestation basis.  Information on the self-certification will be provided when license renewals are sent out starting on or about July 1 (exact timing may vary).  This one-time self-attestation licensing process to the best of GCAAR’s knowledge will be a simple interim procedure due to COVID-19 operational improvements. You can access additional information at the DC Real Estate Commission’s website, including contact information, at  Real Estate | dcra.  

Any license that expired during the current public health emergency is valid until September 1, when enforcement begins again. DCRA will start accepting renewal applications July 1, 2021. Please note: the DCRA licensing platform is in the process of switching to a new system, so there is currently no way to confirm course completion/earned hours. GCAAR is awaiting resolution and will continue to retain your records for when reporting becomes available, as instructed by the Commission. Thank you for your patience and we will be in communication when more information is made available to GCAAR. More information for DC licensees is available here.

License renewals in the District of Columbia are on a two-year cycle, in every odd numbered year: February 28 for brokers and property managers and August 31 for sales agents.

An applicant for renewal of any license that expires on February 28 or August 31, must submit proof of completing approved continuing education (CE) credit in the following subjects:

2019-2021 Renewal Cycle CE Requirements:

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2021-2023 Renewal Cycle CE Requirements:

Salesperson - 15 hours total

Broker - 15 hours total

Property Manager - 15 hours total

If you are a new salesperson licensee and this is your first license renewal, then you are exempt from taking CE courses. This statement does not necessarily apply to licensees who are on Inactive status or who apply for Reinstatement, and who make their licenses active.

For more information, please call the  DC Real Estate Commission at 202-442-4320 or email opla.realestate@dc.gov. 

Update on Maryland licenses as of 4-2-2021
Any real estate licensee who currently is operating with an extended license (meaning their renewal/expiration date on their license has ALREADY passed) now has an expiration date of June 15, 2021 and will need to renew their license online starting in mid-April - April 17, 2021 - 60 days prior to the new expiration date of June 15. If you have a current real estate license that is about to expire (and the renewal/expiration date has not yet passed), you may renew online if you are within a 60-day window of your license renewal/expiration date. Details.

Important update from Maryland REALTORS as of 9-29-2020
Maryland REALTORS® HIGHLY RECOMMENDS renewing your license as soon as possible, if you have completed all the necessary CE requirements. Please do not wait until the State of Emergency is lifted, as there will likely be a significant backlog if too many licensees all seek their renewals at the same time.

Every two years, Maryland real estate licensees are required to meet mandated continuing education requirements and renew their licenses. Course content required is based on type of services provided - residential or commercial - and your role.

New as of October 1, 2019:
On October 1, 2019 new law regarding Real Estate Brokerage Relationships, Continuing Education, and Disclosures goes into effect.  This new legislation amends several portions of the Real Estate Brokers Act – including, the required course content for pre-licensing and continuing education classes, prohibits licensees from disclosing confidential information obtained from prospective clients, and alters the definitions of brokerage relationship and dual agency under Maryland law.  This new class replaces the former MREC Agency (Residential) class. Review the new law here. 

Hours Needed:

For additional information, please call the Maryland Real Estate Commission at 410-230-6200 or email mrec@dllr.state.md.us.

Verify Maryland credits earned.

The state of Virginia placed an extension on any license expiration/renewals occurring during the state of emergency until 30 days after the state of emergency had been lifted. The state of emergency was lifted at the end of May; thus, the extension of your real estate license ends on June 30, 2021. All completed renewal applications for those on extended status must be submitted in advance of July 31, 2021 to avoid expiration. Licensees are urged to submit far in advance of the deadline.

Salespersons - Must complete 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE)

Brokers - must complete 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) 

For additional information, please call the Virginia Real Estate Commission at 804-367-8500 or email REBoard@dpor.virginia.gov.

Verify Virginia credits earned.