Before you buy a 15-hour CE bundle, I want you to check one thing: Is it the right bundle for your renewal? I teach several of the subjects Maryland agents need, and the course categories matter just as much as the total hours. If this is your first renewal, a bundle intended for another group can leave you short of the required topics.
Start by checking when you were initially licensed, whether this is your first renewal and which requirements appear in your MREC record. Then match the course topics before you register.
Who should check the first renewal requirements
MREC's current first renewal table applies to salespersons initially licensed on or after October 1, 2023 who are renewing for the first time. It lists six mandatory subjects totaling 15 hours.
Required course | Topic | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Contracts | Topic J | 3 hours |
Principles of Brokerage Relationships and Disclosure | Topic H | 3 hours |
Principles of Real Estate Practice | Topic L | 3 hours |
Property Management and Landlord and Tenant Laws | Topic M | 3 hours |
Professionalism | Topic N | 1.5 hours |
Real Estate Financing | Topic O | 1.5 hours |
Total | 15 hours |
These mandatory topics cannot be replaced by other education or another state's CE. For the commercial-only track, topic H covers brokerage relationships and disclosure or commercial agency.
Ethics for your license and ethics for your membership
One misunderstanding we hear often is about Ethics. Agents associate it with renewal because they hear about it through NAR or their REALTOR association. But association membership and your real estate license are separate responsibilities.
The six-topic first-renewal package above does not include a separate Ethics topic D course. That does not remove a REALTOR member's association ethics training obligation. NAR and local REALTOR associations do not issue or renew your Maryland real estate license; MREC handles licensing. Ethics returns as a required topic after the first renewal, so check your MREC record each cycle.
My advice is to keep two separate checklists: one for your license renewal and one for your association membership. That makes it easier to understand what each class is supposed to satisfy.
Check topics rather than course titles alone
A class can sound interesting and still be the wrong category for your renewal. Check the jurisdiction, approved topic and hours before registering. If you are unsure which category you need, ask us. I would rather help you sort it out now than have you discover a missing topic when your renewal is due.
For example, an interesting elective may improve your skills but still leave a required first renewal topic incomplete. Professional development and required continuing education serve related purposes, but they are not automatically interchangeable.
Keep a simple tracker with one row for each required topic. Add your course date, provider, completion date and whether the credit appears in your record. I know a renewal can get pushed down the list when you are busy with clients. Putting the details in one place makes it easier to see what is left.
Set an earlier completion date
For a license expiring September 30, plan to finish all CE by August 31, which is 30 days earlier. September 1 is only 29 days before September 30. I encourage you to aim earlier so a missed class does not leave you scrambling.
MREC's CE page also states that education should be completed at least 30 days before submitting a renewal application. If you plan to submit early, work backward from that date too.
The completion date matters. Registering for a class is not the same as finishing it. Providers have up to 14 days to report credits to MREC, so this buffer gives your school time to submit your completions and gives you time to check your record.
After your credits appear, complete the renewal application and pay the fee before your license expires. Completing CE alone does not renew your license.
Choose a format you can complete
Live classes require you to attend the scheduled session and meet the provider's participation requirements. Independent study requires a plan for completing the material and any required assessments.
Choose a format that fits how you learn and the time you actually have. I teach live classes because I value the chance to discuss questions and work through examples together. The right class should fit both your schedule and your renewal needs.
Your next step
Compare your record with the Maryland CE requirements resource, then review Tristar Academy's current live Zoom CE courses. Select the required topics you still need and register early enough to complete them before your deadline.
Keep your own renewal reminders and check your individual license record before selecting courses.
About the author
S. Sarah Sinanan leads Tristar Academy as School Director and instructor, carrying forward the family legacy of her parents, Chris and Cindy Sinanan. An Associate Broker licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania, she earned her salesperson license at 18 and broker license at 22. Sarah brings practical explanations and room for honest questions to her teaching, from preparing for PSI to communicating with clients. Outside of work, she enjoys running, practicing Spanish, traveling and time with family, friends and her dogs, Cash and Osito.
Sources: MREC CE requirements, MREC renewal guidance and NAR new member ethics training. Reviewed October 14, 2026.