FAQ

Monday-Friday, June 3–7. 

A few things to take note of: 

• All participants will be required to be stationary and in a setting that is conducive to learning, away from other distractions. 
• No zoom backgrounds will be allowed (blurring is okay) 
• Our happy hour is moving to in-person!  (May 16, 4-6 p.m., Clyde’s of Chevy Chase)

Due to the positive feedback we received from the last four years about the virtual, week-long format for REALTOR® Fest, and so that you can maximize your learning opportunities in a convenient and accessible manner, REALTOR® Fest will once again be held virtually via Zoom – with an in-person happy hour on May 16.

Read through our FAQs or sign up for one of our REALTOR® Fest Q&A Sessions on May 23 or May 29 (which you can do through your REALTOR® Fest registration page).  You’ll want to be certain you have Zoom installed on your computer and have working speakers and a webcam, as you must be on camera with audio and video during the entire class.

• Create a Zoom account 
• Download and install Zoom onto your computer 
• Test your internet connection and audio capability with Zoom by joining a test meeting  
• Follow these instructions for guidance if you have never used Zoom 

Each class or event at REALTOR® Fest has a unique Zoom link. All Zoom links will be included on the email receipt you receive after you register for your specific classes and events. If you are unable to locate your receipt, simply log in to your GCAAR account. 

Once you click the green “Registered” icon under “Calendar” on your GCAAR dashboard, you will be able to see each class or event you are registered for. Select the blue “View” button to see the registration description, including full Zoom information and compliance measures for that class/event.

Select “Add to Calendar” to directly add the class/event (including the Zoom link) to your personal calendar by choosing your calendar type (Apple, Google, Android, Outlook) and completing the remaining steps for that calendar type.

The waiting room for each class will open 15 minutes before the start of the class. You are welcome to join any time between then and the start of the class. We encourage you to arrive 10 minutes early to give yourself time to resolve any technical difficulties.

Our distance education policy states that students are responsible for the performance of their own technology, including audio volume, video clarity and reliable internet connection.

If you have questions prior to the start of the class, please contact the GCAAR Education team at education@gcaar.com or call the REALTOR® Fest hotline at 301.590.8789. 

NO! REALTOR^® Fest registration includes all the classes and events you see on our schedule. You can find more information about class and event offerings on our website. Please register for the in-person happy hour in advance so we have enough snacks!

Once you have signed up for REALTOR® Fest and decided which classes you’ll be attending, Commission regulations require you to complete the virtual student identity affidavit for EACH class that you are taking. You will be asked to provide your license number(s) and attest your identity in this short form.  

The link to complete each online affidavit is found on your receipt under “View Registration Description” for each class.  If you are unable to locate your receipt, simply log in to your  GCAAR account. 

Once you click the green “Registered” icon under “Calendar” on your GCAAR dashboard you will be able to see each class or event you are registered for. Select the blue “View” button to see the registration description, including the link to the online student affidavit. 

This will help speed along our identification process and qualify you to receive the credits for your classes. Please note, you MUST complete a student identity affidavit for each virtual CE class you attend. Credit cannot be issued until we receive this form. 

The GCAAR member price is $50 for early-bird registration until May 15. 

Once early-bird pricing ends, the member rate will increase to $75 and non-members can begin to register for $125 starting May 16. 

Of course! GCAAR members include our primary, secondary, affiliate and Emeritus members.

Yes, non-members can register for $125 starting May 16. If you’re a non-member, you can join GCAAR as a primary or secondary member to receive member pricing. Visit the membership page of GCAAR’s website for more information.

Starting May 16, you can create an account by visiting gcaar.com, then clicking My Account. Select the “Non-Member” option and then follow the instructions to create your account.

You can cancel your registration for specific classes and events within REALTOR® Fest on our website. Simply log in to your GCAAR account at gcaar.com – My Account. Once you click the green “Registered” icon under “Calendar” on your GCAAR dashboard, you will be able to see each class or event you are registered for. Select the blue “View” button to see the full class details. On the next screen, click the blue “Registration Cancellation” button and then “Submit Cancellation” on the following screen. 

For registrants who wish to change to another class or event, GCAAR advises cancelling the first class/event and registering for the second class/event – this is also to be completed online using the same process above. Please note all cancellations and new registrations (space permitting) must be done by 4 p.m. the day before the specific class or event. 

To cancel your REALTOR® Fest registration, please email our Education Team at education@gcaar.com. A 100% refund for the REALTOR® Fest event is available until May 24, 2024. Starting May 25, a $25 fee will be assessed for event cancellations.  No refunds can be offered after 4pm on May 31, 2024.

Yes! You can register for additional classes until 4 p.m. the day before the class by going to My Account. 

All class costs are included in your REALTOR® Fest registration fee. Once you have registered for REALTOR® Fest, you are free to register for any of the classes, the May 16 happy hour or the two REALTOR® Fest Q&A sessions we offer. When registering for classes, you must FIRST add the required REALTOR® Fest item into your cart. If that is not in your cart, you will not be able to register for the individual REALTOR® Fest classes, happy hour and Q&A sessions. 

All classes and professional development sessions will be offered virtually via Zoom. If you’re new to REALTOR® Fest and/or Zoom, or just want a refresher on how the week will go, be sure to register for our REALTOR® Fest Q&A Sessions on Thursday, May 23, 2 – 2:45 p.m., and Wednesday, May 29 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

• Create a Zoom account 
• Download and install Zoom onto your computer 
• Test your internet connection and audio capability with Zoom by joining a test meeting  
• Follow these instructions for guidance if you have never used Zoom 

Each class at REALTOR® Fest has a unique Zoom link. All Zoom links will be included on the email receipt you receive after you register for your specific classes and events. If you are unable to locate your receipt, simply log in to your GCAAR account. Once you click the green “Registered” icon under “Calendar” on your GCAAR dashboard, you will be able to see each class or event you are registered for. Select the blue “View” button to see the registration description, including full Zoom information and compliance measures for that class/event. 

Select “Add to Calendar” to directly add the class/event (including the Zoom link) to your personal calendar by choosing your calendar type (Apple, Google, Android, Outlook) and completing the remaining steps for that calendar type. 

The waiting room for each class will open 15 minutes before the start of the class. We encourage you to arrive 10 minutes early to give yourself time to resolve any technical difficulties.

To change your name after you enter the class, hover your mouse over your picture (the box showing your camera). You should see a blue button with three dots in the upper-right corner of that box. Click that button, then click “Rename.” Make sure to enter your full name as it appears on your real estate license(s).

Your audio will be muted as you enter the meeting; please remain on mute throughout the class. You will be able to use the Zoom chat feature to ask questions or post comments throughout the class, and the instructor will address questions at specific intervals as they determine. 

In order to earn any credit for attending your REALTOR® Fest classes, you must do the following to comply with the rules of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia real estate commissions: 

• Complete the online student identity affidavit for each virtual CE class you attend. You DO NOT have to email a photo ID. This affidavit replaces the previous ID requirement for virtual CE classes. 
• Be ON TIME (5 minutes early is best!) 
• Match your name on your Zoom screen to the name on your real estate license. 
• Be visible AT ALL TIMES with a functioning webcam. 
• Zoom backgrounds cannot be allowed – blurring your background is okay, but we must be able to see that you stationary in a setting that is conducive to learning, away from other distractions. 
• Attend only one continuing education class at a time; participation in more than one class at a time will result in denial of credit for all classes. 
• Be engaged in the class at all times – NO EXCEPTIONS – Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following: 
  • Operating a vehicle or machinery 
  • Attending any other appointments including medical appointments, beauticians, etc. 
  • Performing any inappropriate acts that your classmates may find disruptive such as bathing, dressing, exercising, etc. 
  • Sleeping 
  • Walking around 
  • Talking on the phone 
  • Having outside conversations 

GCAAR cannot offer credit to participants not in compliance with GCAAR or commission rules. 

If you have questions or need help with Zoom before REALTOR® Fest, please attend our REALTOR® Fest Q&A Sessions on Thursday, May 23, 2 – 2:45 p.m., and Wednesday, May 31, 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

It is not an automated process; we do it by hand, one by one. Thank you in advance for your patience. 

For Maryland licensees, we have 3 business days to report your classes to the Commission. You may verify your credits by logging on to the MREC website : 

• Maryland Real Estate Commission website or 410-230-6200, mrec@dllr.state.md.us 
• For VA licensees, we will report your credits to DPOR within 10 business days.  You can also verify your credits by logging on the DPOR website: 
  • Virginia Real Estate Commission website or 804-367-8500, REBoard@dpor.virginia.gov 

For D.C. licensees  you will be issued a certificate within 10 business days of successful class completion. Please retain this certificate for your records. Since DLCP’s new system has not launched, there is currently no way for GCAAR to report your credits to the D.C. Real Estate Commission nor for you to verify your credits. You can access additional information at the DC Real Estate Commission’s website, including contact information. 

The website for the state Commission where you hold your license is where you should verify your credits. Please check via the links in the previous question. D.C. licensees are issued certificates due to D.C.’s education system being down. 

You can check the classes you’ve completed with GCAAR by going to gcaar.com → My Account → My Education History → Classes You Have Taken. 

Status for classes attended: 

• V: Virtually attended 
• NC: No continuing education credit provided 
• NI: No ID affidavit, no credit 
• NS: No-show 
• R: Reciprocity (only for those seeking a D.C. license who hold another license) 
• Blank: GCAAR only tracked attendance prior to July 20, 2020 

If the field shows a “V”, your continuing education hours are reported within 10 business days to the MD and VA real estate commissions and D.C. licensees are issued certificates. Please again verify your credits by logging on to each state where you hold a license via the links in the previous question. 

GCAAR lists the licensing requirements for Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia on our website. You should check your credits with each jurisdiction’s Rreal Estate Commission directly.

The name of MREC Agency – Residential has been changed to MREC Brokerage Relationships and Disclosures.

Remember that GCAAR must uphold the rules of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia real estate commissions – we don’t make the rules, but we must enforce them or we jeopardize our accreditation. If you were NOT in compliance, meaning: if you were late to class, not visible for more than 5 minutes or not in an environment conducive to learning, GCAAR will not be able to offer you CE credits. (You would have received an email to indicate this.) 

If it has been more than the 10 business days allotted for reporting since your class and you have a question about how your credit was recorded, please email education@gcaar.com and our team will look into your situation.