Education Policies

Updated January 1, 2025

Continuing education classes fees

Starting January 1, 2025, all continuing education (CE) classes are being offered at no cost to GCAAR members. Non-members will continue to pay the current rates for CE classes.

This initiative reflects GCAAR's commitment to providing high-quality education while delivering exceptional member value. By offering CE classes at no cost, GCAAR aims to make professional development more accessible and rewarding for its member community.

Non-members will continue to follow the existing pricing structure:

GCAAR will maintain its investment in innovative course design, instructional techniques and oversight through its Train the Trainer program, ensuring an unparalleled learning experience.

Continuing education classes cancellation, no-show, refund and transfer

GCAAR Members

Primary and secondary members will enjoy exclusive access to no-cost continuing education classes effective January 1, 2025.  This benefit is subject to the following conditions:

Cancellation policy:

• If you cannot attend a class, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the class starts.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the class start time will incur a $15 No-Show fee per class.

No-show policy:

• If you fail to attend a CE class without prior cancellation, a $25 No-Show fee will be charged to your account.
• You will have 30 days to settle the balance in your GCAAR account.

Notification and invoicing:

• GCAAR Education will email no-show participants immediately after the missed class, notifying them of the invoiced amount.
• The invoice will be available in the GCAAR account within 24 hours.

Repeated no-shows:

• Repeated no-shows may lead to the revocation of this member benefit at GCAAR's discretion.

Transfers:

• GCAAR does not offer transfers for CE classes.

Non-members:

• More than 24 hours in advance of originally scheduled class: registrants can cancel their registration online for a refund of the cost of the class. GCAAR does not offer transfers for CE classes. For registrants who wish to change to another class session, GCAAR advises cancelling the first class and registering for the second class – this is to be completed online.  Here is a tutorial on how to cancel a class online.
• Less than 24 hours in advance of scheduled class: we cannot process cancellations or transfers, nor do we offer refunds.

Attendance and Registration

Registration:

All attendees must register online for in-person and virtual CE classes. No registrations over the phone or in-person are offered. No waitlist is offered.

Late arrivals:

Attendees should arrive and check-in or join the zoom class at least 15 minutes before the class start time.

Arriving after the class has begun may result in denial of entry and forfeiture of CE credit for that course, with the following exceptions:

• Maryland does not offer a grace period
• The District of Columbia offers a 10-minute grace period
• Virginia offers a 15-minute grace period

Late arrivals or late logins are welcome to Audit the class for no CE credit.

Attendance:

Full attendance and participation are required to receive CE credit. No one under the age of 18 is permitted in the classroom or zoom session.

Conduct & Professionalism 

• All attendees are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism throughout the duration of any GCAAR continuing education (CE) class, whether held in person or virtually.
• Disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate behavior toward instructors, staff, or fellow attendees may result in removal from the class, loss of CE credit, and potential further action at GCAAR’s discretion.

In-person class policy 

In-person continuing education (CE) courses offered by GCAAR will take place in a classroom at our Rockville office. Attendees are expected to be present for the full duration of the class, which will fulfill the CE clock hour requirements set by the Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia commissions. 

Attendance and engagement requirements: 

• GCAAR requires all attendees to arrive on time and remain in the classroom for the full duration of the course to receive CE credit. 
• Walk-in registration: Walk-in registrations are allowed before the start of the class, but it is recommended to pre-register for a guaranteed spot. 
• Electronic devices: All electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) should be turned off and kept out of sight during the class. The use of such devices during class is prohibited to maintain focus and professionalism. 
• Handouts: Course materials will be sent electronically before the class. Printed copies will not be provided on-site, and attendees may print them at their discretion. 

Classroom conduct and professionalism 

• Attendees are expected to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor toward the instructor, staff and other participants. 
• Attendees are encouraged to actively participate in class discussions and ask questions when appropriate. However, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. 

Health and safety

• GCAAR follows all local health guidelines and may adjust policies as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. 
• If you are unwell, please refrain from attending the class and contact GCAAR for alternative arrangements. 

Classroom and facility use 

• Please ensure the classroom is kept clean, and respect the facilities provided.  

Virtual classes and distance education

When providing virtual classes, GCAAR uses a live-streaming format through Zoom. Students are responsible for the performance of their own technology, including audio volume, video clarity and reliable internet connection. CE courses that are held virtually will meet for the same duration as the in-person classroom course.  Additionally, local commissions and GCAAR Education will set specific requirements to be awarded CE credits for the class.

Class format and technical requirements

• Classes that are not held in person in a classroom will be offered through live streaming.
• Students are responsible for the performance of their own technology, including audio volume, video clarity and reliable internet connection.
• Video (functioning webcam), audio and internet access are all required to successfully “attend” the class.
• Registrants will be notified of the platform connection instructions prior to the start of the class and are encouraged to check their systems and the platform’s website for helpful connection tips in advance of the class start.
• GCAAR cannot provide technical support once the virtual class starts.
• GCAAR recommends testing your equipment (microphone, camera and video connection) prior to the start of the class.

• GCAAR uses the live-streaming platform Zoom.
• Live streaming classes will be held for the same duration as the classroom course, meeting the same continuing education (CE) clock hour requirement.
• For example, a classroom course that would be scheduled for 3.0 hours will meet remotely for 3.0 hours.

Attendance and engagement requirements

• Each class will be monitored by a GCAAR Education Associate, who will open the session 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the course.
• Participants are encouraged to log in early to class, allowing time to confirm connectivity or troubleshooting technical issues while in the waiting room prior to class.
• Students must be logged in to the platform with video enabled at the scheduled class start time.
• Late arrivals will not be reported for CE credit.
• Students will be placed on mute as they enter the class and should remain on mute unless instructed by the presenter.
• Questions may be submitted through chat or during a designated question-and-answer session.
• Instructors will present to the class in real time and, therefore, will be available to answer questions directly with participants.
• Students who do not maintain volume control may be removed from the class.

Monitoring and compliance

• The GCAAR Education staff will take attendance at the start and end of the class and will monitor attendance and student engagement throughout the class.
  • Attendance is taken by screenshot of attendees; therefore, attendees must log in with the name indicated on their real estate license(s).
• The student must remain logged in and be visible for the duration of the course.
  • Per GCAAR's policy, students who register and attend a virtual (live-streamed) continuing education class consent to being recorded and are required to be on camera, visible, and engaged throughout the class. Students are not allowed to be driving, walking around, on phone calls or take part in any other distractions.
  • The District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia real estate commissions require virtual attendees to be visible at all times.
• Students will be contacted via the chat feature in Zoom and via email if they are not in compliance with regulations. Failure to maintain compliance with regulations will result in a revocation of the student's continuing education credit.
• GCAAR reserves the right to decline credit if the student is not in compliance.
  • Students who are not able to meet the attendance and engagement requirements, and thus do not receive credit for the course, will also not be eligible to transfer to another session of the course nor will they receive a refund if applicable.
• Courses held through a live-distance platform will be recorded by the GCAAR Education department and kept on the association’s server for agency auditing purposes.
  • Students who register and attend a virtual (live-streamed) continuing education class consent to being recorded.

Student Identity Affidavit

• Per regulations, students must complete a Student Identity Affidavit for each virtual CE class they attend.
• A link to complete the online affidavit for each class will be provided within each of the two reminder emails and at the start of the class.
  

Note that, in order to get any credit for attending your virtual CE classes, you must follow the real estate commissions’ rules and GCAAR distance education policy:

• Be ON TIME. 
• Have a functioning webcam and be visible for the entire class. No Zoom backgrounds will be allowed (blurring is okay). Please see our guide below.
• Be engaged AT ALL TIMES to the class learning activities in a stationary setting that is conductive to learning, as this is a highly interactive course. This means no driving, walking around, no phone calls or other distractions.   
• Match your name on your Zoom screen to the name on your real estate license. 
• Have completed the online student identity affidavit for this virtual CE class via the link provided above.

The District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia real estate commissions also require virtual attendees to be engaged in the class at all times (no driving, no walking around, no phone conversations, and no engaging in other conversations).  

For assistance with your virtual classes, see our guide on how to join a Zoom class and blur your background.

Course completion and credit reporting

District of Columbia 

• The Education team will send the student a PDF copy of the document via email within 14 days after completion of a CE course. 
• Completion certificates will be issued only for District of Columbia credits. 

Maryland and Virginia

• GCAAR has 14 days after completion of a CE course to submit the course completion credits directly to the Maryland real estate commission (MREC) and Virginia real estate commission (DPOR).
  

Inclement weather policy

For in-person education classes at the Rockville office, GCAAR adheres to the Montgomery County Public Schools’ inclement weather policy:

• If the school system is closed, all in-person classes at this location will be cancelled.
• If the school system operates on a delayed opening schedule, morning classes will begin at 10 a.m., while afternoon classes will proceed as scheduled.

If extreme weather conditions prevent you from attending an in-person class, please contact education@gcaar.com immediately.

For virtual classes, the following applies:

• Virtual classes will not be cancelled or delayed, even if offices are closed due to inclement weather.
• Transfers are not offered for virtual classes missed due to extreme weather conditions.
• GCAAR’s Distance Education Policy remains in effect for all virtual classes

Notification of Changes

GCAAR reserves the right to update these policies as needed.

For assistance or inquiries, please email education@gcaar.com.