Real Estate License Renewal in Maryland (2026)

Real Estate license renewal in Maryland is handled by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor, which requires Real Estate Agent (Salesperson)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Maryland Real Estate renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Salesperson (and associate broker) licenses are issued for a two-year term and expire on the first April 30 following the effective date that falls in an even-numbered year (per Md. Bus. Occ. & Prof. §17-314). The license must be renewed before that expiration date. Required continuing education must be completed at least 30 days before the renewal date to avoid having to reinstate. An expired license can be reinstated without re-examination for up to three years from the last valid expiration date.
CE hours required	15 hours
Renewal fee	$78.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	MREC online licensing system (CE providers upload completed credits directly into the MREC system; no CE Broker)
Governing body	Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor

Go to the official Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor. automated research workflow (official maryland real estate commission), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Real Estates in Maryland

Active salespersons must complete 15 hours of approved CE per two-year renewal cycle. For established (non-first) renewals the required topics are: 3 hrs Legal/Legislative Update, 3 hrs Ethics (must cover Maryland Code of Ethics, flipping, predatory lending and professionalism — NAR ethics is not a substitute), 3 hrs Principles of Brokerage Relationships & Disclosure / MREC agency, and 2 hrs Fair Housing, plus roughly 4 hrs of electives, totaling 15. The required Maryland-specific courses may not be substituted with out-of-state education. First-time renewal differs: new salespersons must take a different 15-hour set of mandatory post-licensing courses (e.g., Contracts, Property Management/Landlord-Tenant Law, Professionalism) that also may not be substituted. CE must be completed at least 30 days before the renewal date; a $75 late CE fee applies if completed late.

Need approved hours? Compare Maryland Real Estate CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Real Estate license in Maryland

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor portal.
Complete the required 15 CE hours and confirm they appear in MREC online licensing system (CE providers upload completed credits directly into the MREC system; no CE Broker).
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Original/new license fee is $98 (includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment); renewal is $78. The $168 figure is the reinstatement fee charged when a license has lapsed/expired (functioning as the late fee); a separate $75 late CE fee applies if CE is not completed 30 days before renewal. Effective Oct 1, 2024, regulations (Title 17-314/17-315, COMAR 09.11) tightened the requirement that CE be completed and submitted before renewal. CE hours/breakdown are paraphrased from the MREC required-hours chart; the exact elective allotment was inferred from the mandatory-topic totals against the 15-hour requirement.

Real Estate license renewal in Maryland: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Real Estate license in Maryland?

Maryland Real Estate licenses renew every 24 months. Salesperson (and associate broker) licenses are issued for a two-year term and expire on the first April 30 following the effective date that falls in an even-numbered year (per Md. Bus. Occ. & Prof. §17-314). The license must be renewed before that expiration date. Required continuing education must be completed at least 30 days before the renewal date to avoid having to reinstate. An expired license can be reinstated without re-examination for up to three years from the last valid expiration date.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Real Estate license in Maryland?

Approximately 15 continuing-education hours per cycle. Active salespersons must complete 15 hours of approved CE per two-year renewal cycle. For established (non-first) renewals the required topics are: 3 hrs Legal/Legislative Update, 3 hrs Ethics (must cover Maryland Code of Ethics, flipping, predatory lending and professionalism — NAR ethics is not a substitute), 3 hrs Principles of Brokerage Relationships & Disclosure / MREC agency, and 2 hrs Fair Housing, plus roughly 4 hrs of electives, totaling 15. The required Maryland-specific courses may not be substituted with out-of-state education. First-time renewal differs: new salespersons must take a different 15-hour set of mandatory post-licensing courses (e.g., Contracts, Property Management/Landlord-Tenant Law, Professionalism) that also may not be substituted. CE must be completed at least 30 days before the renewal date; a $75 late CE fee applies if completed late. Confirm the current requirement with the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor.

Can I renew my Maryland Real Estate license online?

Yes — Maryland offers online renewal through the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Maryland Real Estate license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $168 may apply. Contact the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Real Estate Agent (Salesperson) renewal