CE requirements
Due to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) ongoing system upgrade, GCAAR is currently unable to report course completions or verify earned CE hours for D.C. licensees. We encourage you to retain all course completion certificates, as this is the most reliable way to track your education. Note: CE credits may be subject to audit for up to five years, according to D.C. Real Estate Commission regulations. To renew, licensees must complete all CE courses in required subjects and retain proof of completion.
License Renewal Cycle
D.C. licenses renew every two years on odd-numbered years:
Brokers and Property Managers – February 28
Sales Agents – August 31
First-Time Renewal Exemption
If you earned your D.C. license by examination and this is your first renewal, you are exempt from CE requirements per D.C. Regulation 2605.1.
This exemption does not necessarily apply to licensees on Inactive status or those applying for Reinstatement to active status.
Salesperson - 15 hours total
| Mandatory | 12 hours |
D.C. Fair Housing D.C. Ethics D.C. Legislative Update D.C. Property Management | 3 hours |
| Electives | 3 hours |
Brokers - 15 hours total
| Mandatory | 15 hours |
D.C. Fair Housing D.C. Ethics D.C. Legislative Update D.C. Property Management D.C. Broker Supervision | 3 hours |
Property Managers - 15 hours total
| Mandatory | 9 hours |
D.C. Fair Housing D.C. Ethics D.C. Legislative Update | 3 hours 3 hours 3 hours |
| D.C. Property Management (MUST take the 6-hour course, which is not offered by GCAAR - please visit The CE Shop to complete this course) | 6 hours |
For more information, please contact DLCP's Occupational and Professional Licensing Division using its online inquiry form, email dlcp@dc.gov, or call 202-671-4500.
Under the updated Maryland Broker Act, all licensees renewing on or after October 1, 2024, must complete their CE coursework 30 days prior to their renewal date.
CE providers, including GCAAR, have up to 14 days to report CE completion to the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC).
Renewal cannot proceed until all CE credits are submitted. If credits are submitted within 30 days of the renewal date, a $168 reinstatement fee will apply.
Licensees are encouraged to check their CE status in the Maryland licensing portal. GCAAR cannot access or verify your CE records.
New Maryland licensees must complete 15 hours of post-licensing education during the two-year period before their first renewal. These mandatory courses cannot be substituted with other education or CE from another state.
Effective October 1, 2025, the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) will implement changes to its continuing education (CE) requirements. You can find more information about it here, or read the full bill as presented to the Maryland General Assembly.
For more details, visit the Maryland Real Estate Commission website.
Salesperson first-time renewal (residential):
| 15 hours, which must include:
*These are mandatory topics and may not be substituted with other education |
Salespersons and associate brokers (residential):
| 15 hours, which must include:
* Formerly known as MREC Agency - Residential |
Brokers, branch office managers or team leaders (residential):
| 15 hours, which must include:
|
For CE requirements for commercial licensees, visit the Maryland Real Estate Commission website.
For additional information, please call the Maryland Real Estate Commission at 410-230-6200 or email mrec@dllr.state.md.us.
Adjusted CE hour requirements are in place for your next renewal period after your current expiration date. More information can be found on the Bill: HB383/SB330, or call the Virginia Real Estate Commission at 804-367-8500.
Salespersons - Must complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE).
| Mandatory topics | 11 hours |
Agency Ethics Fair Housing Legal Updates, includes flood content Contracts | 2 hours |
| Elective topics | 5 hours |
Brokers - Must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) .
| Mandatory topics | 19 hours |
Broker Management & Agent Supervision (This course is not offered by GCAAR - please visit The CE Shop to complete this course) Agency Ethics Fair Housing Legal Updates, includes flood content Contracts | 8 hours 2 hours 3 hours 2 hours 2 hours 2 hours |
| Elective topics | 5 hours |
For additional information, please call the Virginia Real Estate Commission at 804-367-8500 or email REBoard@dpor.virginia.gov.
Reciprocity
Offers reciprocity with:
Maryland and Virginia (must hold an active license in good standing).
Process:
Broker Requirements:
- Two (2) years’ experience as a licensed salesperson. The active license must immediately precede the application date.
- Complete a 3-hour D.C. Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DCREC approved 3-hour Property Management course.
- Passing score on the state (D.C.) portion of the Broker exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.
- An applicant for an Independent Broker’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination.
- Original letter of license certification from your original jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted.
Salesperson Requirements:
- Complete a 3-hour D.C. Real Estate Commission (DCREC) approved Fair Housing course and a 3-hour DCREC approved 3-hour Property Management course.
- Passing score on the state (D.C.) portion of the Salesperson exam. For additional information on the exam, refer to the “Real Estate License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin” on the DREC website.
- An applicant for a salesperson’s license who has passed the required examination shall submit an application for a license to the Commission with the required fees within six (6) months of passing the examination.
- Original letter of license certification from your original jurisdiction. The certification letter has to be dated within 90 days and contain the official seal. Pocket cards and license copies are not accepted.
- Property Management Continuing Education Certificate
For more information, please contact DLCP's Occupational and Professional Licensing Division using its online inquiry form, via email at dlcp@dc.gov, or by phone at 202-671-4500. More information for D.C. licensees is available here.
Offers reciprocity with:
- The Commission recognizes reciprocal agreements only with Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.
- Offers reciprocity to licensees from other states on a case by case basis.
Process:
- Provide a certificate of full licensing history from the state where you were first licensed. The certificate must be dated within 120 days of submission. Your education and experience will be reviewed for transferability on an individual basis. Waivers may be granted only to Active licensees.
- If you are licensed in a state that requires the history document to be emailed, it must be sent directly from the issuing state to mrec.licensehistory@maryland.gov. Please request to be cc’d on this email. After confirming that the issuing state has sent your license history, you may email your cover letter to the same address.
Submit a cover letter. Your cover letter should be signed with an e-signature and include your full contact information, including your home address and email. Please list any states in which you are currently licensed and indicate if you were previously licensed in Maryland. Present the states in the order in which you obtained your licenses.
- If you prefer to mail your licensing history, please send the original document (not a copy) within 30 days of its issue date, along with your signed cover letter, to:
The Education Coordinator
Maryland Real Estate Commission
500 North Calvert Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202
- If you prefer to mail your licensing history, please send the original document (not a copy) within 30 days of its issue date, along with your signed cover letter, to:
If you qualify, you will receive all the necessary information to register for the exam via email. If you do not qualify, you will be notified via email. Please allow 10-12 business days for processing your request.
For any questions or clarifications regarding the application process, please reach out to the MREC Education Department directly or visit the MREC Reciprocity website.
Offers reciprocity with:
Most U.S. states including D.C. and Maryland.
Process:
Salesperson:
(1) pass the State portion of the examination
(2) submit verification of completion of a 60-hour course called "Principles of Real Estate"
(3) submit letters of certification from other jurisdictions where licensed.
Also, in order to apply through reciprocity, the salesperson MUST hold a current salesperson license in another state.
Broker:
(1) pass the State portion of the examination
(2) submit verification of experience (actively engaged as a salesperson or broker for 36 out of 48 months preceding application for licensure)
(3) submit original transcripts or certified copies of transcripts from the educational institution where the applicant completed 180 classroom hours of broker pre-licensing courses substantially equivalent to Virginia's real estate education requirements
(4) submit letters of certification from other jurisdictions where licensed.
Also, in order to apply through reciprocity, the broker MUST hold a current broker license in another state.
For additional information, please visit DPOR Frequently Asked Questions, call at 804-367-8500 or email REBoard@dpor.virginia.gov.