Don’t Let Your CE Credits Lag!
The Public Act 106 of 2014 removed continuing education preapproval and reporting requirements for all real estate brokers, salespersons, education sponsors and instructors. Continuing education courses will no longer require preapproval from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and neither education sponsors nor instructors will be required to report the hours as a condition of renewal or certification of a broker or sales license.
Licensees will still be required to complete a minimum of 18 clock hours of continuing education per three-year license cycle, with two hours per calendar year involving law, rules and court cases regarding real estate. While the new changes in the law will expand educational opportunities available to REALTORS? by making con. ed. more responsive to changes in the market, all courses will still be required by law to meet Department standards for the management and practice of real estate. Licensees will be responsible for tracking their own con. ed. hours and providing documentation of course content upon request or audit by LARA similar to other professions – CPAs and builders for example.
The good news is that Michigan REALTORS? has developed and will maintain a comprehensive database – officially named CE Marketplace – to assist you with the tracking of continuing education credits as well as a streamlined process for course approval, with certification based on audit standards previously established by LARA. This means that brokers and salespersons will be able to sign up for courses within the CE Marketplace and have the peace of mind knowing the course is certified based on Department standards and that their credit hours will be tracked. Additionally, the CE Marketplace will provide licensees with all of the relevant materials should they be audited upon license renewal. This one stop shop for con. ed. course approval and tracking will benefit educators and licensees alike. You may access the CE Marketplace at: https://www.cemarketplace.net/.
*Note: The Licensee piece is currently in progress and will be available by summer. McKenna will keep everyone updated once that piece is available.*
If the course you completed is not referenced on the CE Marketplace, you are strongly encouraged to maintain the hard copy certificate in your files to provide to LARA in the event you are ever audited. All con. ed. courses that GRAR offers will be approved and tracked by the CE Marketplace. Additional questions re: the new process may be directed to 844-642-6633 or the online inquiry form at https://www.cemarketplace.net/Contact-Us.aspx.
HOW MANY CE CREDITS WILL I NEED TO HAVE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 31, 2015?
During the 3 year cycle, a total of 18 credit hours must be completed. A minimum of 2 hours of legal credits must be completed each year. The remaining hours may be completed during the 3-year cycle.
Course 1400-2 Legal Update (2 hours)
Finance and Marketing in the “New Market” (2 hours)
All New Advanced HUD Training with New Procedures (2 hours)
2014:
Appraisals, Inspections and Home Warranties – Legal (2 hours)
Foreclosures (2 hours)
All New Advanced HUD Training with New Procedures (2 hours)
2015:
Legal and Regulatory Update (1 hour)
Marriage, Death, Divorce – Effects on Transactions – Legal (1 hour)
Be Aware – Protecting Yourself and Your
Clients (2 hours)
What about the Real Estate Contents (2 hours)
CAN I COMPLETE ALL OF MY CON ED CREDITS AT ONCE?
NO, you must take AT LEAST 2 hours of LEGAL Update CE each year during the cycle. Please see the above example to help plan your courses. A link is provided at the top of the page to search for local classes.
WHEN DOES THE NEXT CE CYCLE BEGIN?
Current Cycle: The current CE cycle (‘Cycle M’) will end on October 31, 2015.
Next Cycle: The next CE cycle will begin on November 1, 2015 and end on October 31, 2018.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CLASSES TO TAKE?
Each approved class will have a course number. For example: M5492
- The letter references the license cycle. We are currently in the M cycle.
- The first number references the type of credit.
- If the first number is a 5, then the class has been approved for legal credits. Any other number would mean that it is a standard course.
- Courses may have different titles, but the same number. Be careful not to take the same course twice.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CLASSES I HAVE TAKEN?
In the past, continuing education hours were recorded and monitored by the Department of Labor & Economic Growth (LARA); however, Public Act 106 of 2014 changed that. Licensees will now be responsible for tracking their own credit hours each year and may be required to provide evidence of those hours to LARA if audited. It will be very important to save all certificates of completion.
Michigan REALTORS® is launching the CE Marketplace – a database to assist members with cracking their continuing education hours. The Michigan Realtor® CE Marketplace will open January 2015 and will continue to expand the technology and services offered throughout the year. Please continue to check this page for updates and more information on when the Marketplace is available.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME ON CLASS DAY?
You should always bring your pocket ID card (license) and picture identification when attending any class at GRAR, particularly CE courses! It wouldn’t hurt to know and/or bring your NRDS number as well, as you may need to reference it. It is also strongly recommended that you bring your own laptop computer or notepaper, pen and highlighter to help make the most of your educational experience.
SHOULD I BRING MY OWN FOOD/DRINK?
You are certainly welcome to bring your own food and beverage to class. However, any class that begins early in the morning will usually include a continental breakfast of baked goods and coffee, and sometimes juices and/or fruits, as part of the registration fee. We typically also provide lunch as part of the fee for any class that spans the lunch hour. If your class is scheduled to take place after lunch, we will usually offer some type of light snack at the break period. Of course, our on-site REALTOR® Store always has tasty snacks and beverages for purchase, as well. Our venue also includes a pop vending machine, free water dispenser … and all the coffee you can drink! (Thank goodness!) PLEASE NOTE: If you have special dietary restrictions or allergies, it is strongly recommended that you bring your own food.
DOES GRAR HAVE WI-FI AVAILABLE?
Yes, GRAR has WiFi available in all of our rooms. However, electrical outlets are not available near every seat and we cannot guarantee or reserve seating near outlets for individuals. If you will be utilizing a laptop computer during class, your best bet is to arrive early!
AM I ALLOWED TO RECORD AN EDUCATION CLASS?
Any unauthorized recording of the presentations or demonstrations at GRAR is strictly prohibited.
WHAT IS GRAR’S CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY?
Individual class instructors may have their own refund policy. The foll
owing applies to all classes held at or sponsored by GRAR unless otherwise noted: Full refunds will be given for requests received two weeks before the class is to be held. Refund requests received one to two weeks before the class is to be held are subject to receipt of half credit refunded for the cost of the class. No refunds will be given for requests received within two days of the scheduled class. No shows will not be given a refund, as we will have already factored in costs to cover your materials, meal accommodations, etc. In the unlikely event that GRAR must cancel a class, we will, of course, refund all registrants for the full cost.
I TRIED TO SIGN UP FOR ONE OF YOUR CLASSES/EVENTS TODAY, BUT IT’S ALREADY FULL. SHOULD I SHOPW UP ON THE DAY OF CLASS AND SEE IF THERE WILL BE ROOM FOR ME?
Unfortunately, we do not accept walk-ins for our classes, unless otherwise noted, as we need to be able to prepare materials and catering in advance for a known number of attendees. If a class has filled up before you have a chance to register, please give us a call – we’ll be happy to put you on a waiting list and call you to let you know if a spot opens up. All registrations are granted on a first come/first serve basis.
I DON’T SEE THE CLASS I’M LOOKING FOR POSTED ON GRAR’S EDUCATION & EVENTS PAGE…NOW WHAT?
If you’re looking for a specific CE class at GRAR that we’re not offering, please contact McKenna Osborn at (616) 940-8236 or mckennao@grar.com. We may be planning to schedule the course later in the year, and we can let you know when you’ll be able to sign up. Of course, we can’t guarantee that we’ll ALWAYS offer the class you’re looking for … but it helps us (and you) if we know what YOU, our customer, wants!
THERE IS A CLASS/EVENT BEING OFFERED AT GRAR THAT LOOKS INTERESTING BUT DOES NOT COUNT FOR CE CREDIT. SHOULD I BOTHER TAKING IT?
Of course! Here at GRAR, we strive to offer all kinds of opportunities for you to expand your scope of knowledge and enhance your expertise. That’s why we encourage you take advantage of ANY Knowledge Services offering that comes through GRAR, even those that do not count for CE. Our non-CE courses are usually offered at very low cost … or sometimes no cost at all! Oftentimes they also offer a unique format for actively learning, exchanging ideas and networking-a nice change of pace from the stricter structure of a traditional CE setting.
YOUR FAQ SECTION DIDN’T ANSWER MY QUESTION…WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Please contact McKenna Osborn at (616) 940-8236 or mckennao@grar.com. She’ll be more than happy to assist you with any real estate education questions you may have.
– See more at: http://www.grar.com/ConEd_FAQ#sthash.oGbnTsMh.dpuf