Figuring out which continuing education (CE) courses you need can feel confusing — especially if you’re licensed in multiple states. Do you take the same courses over and over? Do electives “stack” across states? The good news is: you only complete your federal CORE once. After that, it’s just a matter of pairing the right electives with your license(s). Here’s how to keep it simple:

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View State CE Requirements

Start with the 7-Hour CORE

Every MLO must complete 7 hours of federal CE (CORE) each year. This covers:

• 3 hours federal law
• 2 hours ethics
• 2 hours non-traditional lending

That’s the foundation. You’ll only ever need to complete the CORE once, no matter how many states you’re licensed in.

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Step 2: Figure Out Your Electives

Here’s where the paths split depending on your state(s).

Case 1: All General Electives

If every state you’re licensed in requires just 1 general elective hour, you only need:

• 7 hours CORE
• 1 general elective

Example: Alaska + Colorado both require a general elective → total of 8 hours.

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Case 2: State-Specific Electives

If any of your states require a state-specific elective, you’ll need to take that course in addition to the CORE. If you hold multiple state licenses with state electives, you’ll need each of them.

Example: Connecticut + Florida each require a 1-hour state-specific elective → 7-hour CORE + CT elective + FL elective = 9 hours total.

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Case 3: A Mix of General + State-Specific

In most cases, a state-specific elective can count toward your general elective requirement. So if one state needs a general elective and another needs a state-specific elective, you can usually satisfy both with the state-specific course.

Example: Alaska (1 general elective) + Connecticut (1 CT-specific elective) → 7-hour CORE + CT elective = 8 hours total.

⚠️ Exceptions: Some states, like New York, Washington, or New Jersey, require both a general elective and one or more state-specific electives. In these cases, you’ll need to complete everything.

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Step 3: Double-Check Requirements

Still not sure what applies to you? We’ve got you covered. Check out our State CE Requirements page for a full breakdown of each state’s rules.

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Step 4: Build Your Perfect Course Plan

At MaxClass, we make it easy:

• Start with the 7-hour CORE.
• Add on the state electives you need.
• Use our state-selection tool to make sure you’ve got the right combo — and remember, you should never have more than one of each course in your cart.

Bottom Line

CE doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand the pattern — CORE + the right electives — you’ll know exactly what you need, whether you’re licensed in one state or ten.

When in doubt, just reach out. The MaxClass team is always here to help you build the right CE plan to stay licensed, compliant, and ahead of the curve.