(a) (1) To qualify for renewal of a license under this subtitle, a licensee shall complete at least 15 clock hours of continuing education instruction, as provided in subsection (b) of this section, during the preceding 2–year term.
(2) For a licensee who provides real estate brokerage services solely in connection with nonresidential real estate, of the clock hours required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, 2 clock hours shall be satisfied by a course regarding the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
(3) A licensee holding a license from another state must complete at least the number of clock hours of continuing education instruction required under paragraph (1) of this subsection during each 2–year license term and may substitute clock hours of continuing education instruction earned in another state, if those clock hours:
(i) are approved as real estate continuing education in that state; and
(ii) meet the distribution requirements of subsection (b)(2) of this section.
(4) The Commission shall grant the substitution of clock hours in paragraph (3) of this subsection only if the other state permits the substitution of clock hours of continuing education instruction approved by the Commission for a licensee of this State.
(b) (1) The Commission shall approve the form, substance, and, as provided under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, subject matter of all continuing education courses.
(2) For a licensee who has been issued a renewal certificate under § 17–314 of this subtitle, the subject matter approved by the Commission shall:
(i) relate to real estate or to a subject matter intended to assist a licensee in providing real estate brokerage services to the public in a more efficient and effective manner, provided that the subject matter is related to helping the public buy or sell real estate;
(ii) every 2 years, include at least one 3 clock hour course that outlines relevant changes that have occurred in federal, State, or local laws and regulations, court cases and industry trends that have an impact on those laws and regulations, or any combination of those laws, regulations, court cases, and industry trends;
(iii) every 2 years, include at least one 2 clock hour course that outlines federal, State, and local fair housing laws and regulations, including fair housing advertising;
(iv) every 2 years, include at least one 3 clock hour ethics course that includes a discussion of:
1. the Maryland Code of Ethics;
2. fraudulent real estate practices; and
3. professionalism as it relates to the Maryland Code of Ethics, including a discussion relating to conflict resolution and a licensee’s duty to respect the public, peers, and property;
(v) every 2 years, include at least one 3 clock hour course that includes the principles of real estate brokerage relationships and disclosures; and
(vi) every 2 years for the renewal of a real estate broker license and the renewal of the license of an individual designated as a branch office manager or a team leader, include at least one 1.5 clock hour course that includes the requirements of broker supervision.
(3) For a licensee who was issued an initial real estate salesperson license under § 17–309 of this subtitle, the subject matter approved by the Commission shall include:
(i) at least one 3 clock hour course for each of the following topics:
1. outlining contract writing, standard contract provisions, key regional contract requirements, and standard addenda and contingencies;
2. the principles of real estate brokerage relationships and disclosures;
3. the principles of real estate practice in relation to:
A. advertising requirements for licensees;
B. the handling and disbursement of escrow funds; and
C. common ownership communities; and
4. property management and landlord and tenant laws; and
(ii) at least one 1.5 clock hour course for each of the following topics:
1. professionalism as it relates to the Maryland Code of Ethics, including a discussion relating to conflict resolution and a licensee’s duty of respect for the public, peers, and property; and
2. real estate financing.
(4) The requirement of paragraph (2)(iii) of this subsection does not apply to a licensee who provides real estate brokerage services solely in connection with nonresidential real estate.
(5) To be acceptable for credit as a continuing education course under this section, the course shall cover 1 or more topics approved by the Commission.
(c) (1) Continuing education courses may be conducted by:
(i) the Maryland Association of Realtors or its member boards;
(ii) the Real Estate Brokers of Baltimore, Inc.;
(iii) any similar professional association; or
(iv) an educational institution approved by the Commission.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, continuing education courses shall be taught by a qualified instructor who is experienced in the real estate industry and selected by the course provider.
(3) The Commission shall adopt regulations that provide for the conduct of continuing education instruction courses by virtual or remote means.
(4) To verify the identity of an individual enrolled in a continuing education course, the entity that conducts the continuing education course shall require, as a condition of participating in the course, that the individual provide:
(i) for an in–person course, a photo identification; and
(ii) for a virtual or other remote course, a signed affidavit attesting to the identity of the individual.
(d) If feasible, continuing education courses shall be offered at reasonable intervals in each county and in each major geographic area of the larger counties.
(e) Within 14 days after completion of a continuing education course, the entity that conducted the course may submit the course completion information directly to the Commission and the licensee by electronic means.
(f) The Commission may waive the requirements of this section for a licensee if the licensee shows good cause for being unable to meet the requirements.
(g) The Commission shall require each course provider to pay a continuing education course application fee set by the Commission.