As a real estate agent or broker, every state's real estate regulatory body requires you to renew your real estate license at a certain interval – usually every two or three years.
It usually involves a fee and a renewal application, but by far the most time consuming requirement is Continuing Education, also known as CE. Basically, they want you to take a certain number of courses from an approved source to ensure you're keeping up with the industry.
It's common for real estate boards to require your CE to include specific curricula or, at the least, certain general topics.
In this guide, we break down the real estate continuing education requirements needed to keep your license active as listed by each state’s Real Estate Commission.
Alabama Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, Alabama requires 15 hours of CE, including 3 hours of Risk Management.
As an approved course provider, our sister site 360training has everything you need to meet your education requirements online!
For more information on license renewal, see the Alabama Real Estate Commission's website.
Alaska Real Estate CE Requirements
In Alaska, you need 20 hours of CE to renew your license every 2 years, including 8 hours of the required curriculum.
To learn more, see the Alaska Real Estate Commission.
Arizona Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) requires 24 hours of CE for agents and 30 hours of CE for brokers, including Commissioner's Rules requirements and certain mandatory topics.
Our sister site 360training has packages approved for both sales agents and brokers so you can complete your CE comfortably online.
For more renewal and CE info, see the Arizona DRE's website.
Arkansas Real Estate CE Requirements
Arkansas requires 7 hours of continuing education every calendar year after your first renewal. Four of those hours are mandatory courses that change from year to year.
If you're a new licensee, you need post-licensing education instead.
To learn more, see the Arkansas Real Estate Commission.
California Real Estate CE Requirements
California real estate agents need 45 hours of coursework every 4 years to meet the Department of Real Estate's renewal requirements. These hours must include five mandatory topics plus plenty of Consumer Protection topics. The exact requirements vary based on whether you're a salesperson or a broker and whether it's your first renewal.
As an approved provider, our sister site 360training has plenty of online course options to help you meet your requirements.
To learn more about your specific CE requirements for your next renewal, check the California Department of Real Estate's website.
Colorado Real Estate CE Requirements
In Colorado, brokers need to complete 24 hours of continuing education every 3 years. You're required to complete three 4-hour Colorado Real Estate Commission (CREC) Annual Update courses, but the other 12 credit hours are electives. You just need to choose approved courses.
As an approved provider, we have Colorado license renewal packages that help you meet CE requirements with over 80 online courses to choose from!
Learn more about Colorado broker license renewal on CREC's website.
Connecticut Real Estate CE Requirements
Every other year, Connecticut requires 12 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of mandatory coursework.
Our sister site 360training offers an convenient electives package so you can meet the bulk of your requirements online.
The mandatory topics change from cycle to cycle – to learn about the current requirements, see the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections website.
District of Columbia Real Estate CE Requirements
The District of Columbia requires 15 hours of coursework every 2 years, due in odd-numbered years. A full 12 hours are mandatory curriculum.
To learn more, see the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission.
Delaware Real Estate CE Requirements
In Delaware, experienced licensees need 21 hours of CE every 2 years, including 18 hours of specific coursework and 3 hours you can fulfill with an elective. First-time renewals have their own separate requirements.
Looking for your elective course? Our sister site 360training has a number of Module 7 (elective) courses to choose from.
For more information on first-time renewals and on approved providers for required CE topics, see the Delaware Real Estate Commission's website.
Florida Real Estate CE Requirements
Florida real estate agents renew their licenses on an 18 to 24 month cycle. Licensees need 14 hours of CE, including 3 hours of Core Law topics and 3 hours of Ethics & Business Practices.
Our online courses and packages are approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) to meet your renewal requirements.
For more information about renewal in Florida, visit FREC's website.
Georgia Real Estate CE Requirements
The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) requires 36 hours of CE every 4 years, including 3 hours of license law.
Our sister site 360training is an approved provider with convenient packings and over 40 course offerings you can use to meet your CE requirements online.
To learn more about license renewal in Georgia, visit GREC's website.
Hawaii Real Estate CE Requirements
In Hawaii, you need 20 hours of CE to renew every other year, including 6 hours of required coursework.
To learn more, see the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Idaho Real Estate CE Requirements
Idaho requires two Idaho Commission Core courses plus 12 elective hours. During your first renewal as a salesperson, you need an additional 12 hours of post-license education as well.
To learn more, see the Idaho Real Estate Commission.
Illinois Real Estate CE Requirements
In Illinois, every license renewal after your first requires 12 hours of CE, including a 4-hour core course.
Your first renewal requires post-license education, instead.
To learn more, see the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Indiana Real Estate CE Requirements
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) requires 12 hours of CE every "CE year," which runs from July to June.
If you're looking for approved online training providers to meet your requirements, our sister site 360training has convenient packages and course offerings that can do the trick.
To learn more about the renewal process, check out the IPLA's website.
Iowa Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 3 years, Iowa requires an 8-hour Law Update, a 4-hour Ethics course, and 24 hours of approved electives. At least 12 of the total hours must be taken by live instruction.
To learn more, see the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau.
Kansas Real Estate CE Requirements
In Kansas, you need 12 hours of CE every 2 years to renew your real estate license, including a 3-hour required core course.
Looking for online courses to fulfill your electives? Our sister site 360training has plenty of approved options to choose from.
To find sources for the mandatory core course, visit the Kansas Real Estate Commission website.
Kentucky Real Estate CE Requirements
Kentucky requires 6 hours of continuing education every calendar year, 3 of them law credits. Every 4 years, licensees must complete the Kentucky Core Course, which can satisfy the CE requirements for the year in which it's taken.
To learn more, see the Kentucky Real Estate Commission.
Louisiana Real Estate CE Requirements
All Louisiana licensees need 12 hours of CE each year, including one or more mandatory course(s) that changes every year.
To learn more, see the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.
Maine Real Estate CE Requirements
In Maine, you need 21 hours of CE, including a 3-hour mandatory course, every 2 years.
To learn more, see the Maine Real Estate Commission.
Maryland Real Estate CE Requirements
Maryland requires 15 hours of continuing education every 3 years, including a number of mandatory courses – these vary in quantity and topic, depending on your license level and whether you're in residential or commercial real estate.
To learn more, see the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation.
Massachusetts Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, Massachusetts requires 12 hours of CE to renew your license.
To learn more, see the Massachusetts Real Estate Commission.
Michigan Real Estate CE Requirements
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) requires 18 hours of CE every 3 years, including 2 hours of legal credits per year. Your 12 hours of electives can be taken anytime during the renewal period.
Our friends at 360training have three 6-hour online training packages that help you spread your Michigan requirements evenly without repeating courses, plus plenty of other electives to choose from.
To learn more about license renewal, visit the Michigan LARA website.
Minnesota Real Estate CE Requirements
In Minnesota, you need 30 hours of CE to renew your license every 2 years, and it needs to be spread evenly in 15 hours of CE each license year.
During each renewal cycle, you need at least 1 course hour in Agency Laws and 1 hour in Fair Housing.
To learn more, see the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Mississippi Real Estate CE Requirements
Mississippi requires 16 hours of CE every 2 years, including 8 hours of mandatory courses, 2 hours of license law, 2 hours of contract law, and 4 hours of agency law.
To learn more, see the Mississippi Real Estate Commission.
Missouri Real Estate CE
Every 2 years, the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) requires 12 hours of CE with at least 3 hours of core curriculum.
We're an MREC-approved education provider, and we have everything you need to earn your renewal credits online and from the comfort of your own home.
To learn more about license renewal in Missouri, check out MREC's website.
Montana Real Estate CE Requirements
Montana requires 12 hours of CE every licensing year.
To learn more, see the Montana Board of Realty Regulation.
Nebraska Real Estate CE Requirements
Nebraska requires 18 hours of CE every 2 years, including 6 hours on required topics.
As an approved provider in Nebraska, we have everything you need to complete your CE requirements online this year.
Please note, the Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) has extra CE requirements for property managers. To learn more about renewal requirements, visit NREC's website.
Nevada Real Estate CE Requirements
In Nevada, you need 36 hours of continuing education every 2 years. Mandatory topics take up 18 of those hours, and 18 hours must be taken through live instruction.
If it's your first renewal, you need post-license education instead.
To learn more, see the Nevada Department of Business and Industry.
New Hampshire Real Estate CE Requirements
If you're a real estate agent in New Hampshire, you need 15 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years, including 3 hours of mandatory coursework.
To learn more, see the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission.
New Jersey Real Estate CE Requirements
New Jersey requires 12 hours of CE every 2 years. Of those 12 hours, at least 6 must fall into one of 10 "core" categories, including 2 mandatory ethics credits and 1 mandatory Fair Housing credit.
To learn more, see the State of New Jersey Real Estate Commission.
New Mexico Real Estate CE Requirements
In New Mexico, Associate Brokers need 36 hours of CE per 3 year cycle, including 20 hours of mandatory coursework. Qualifying Brokers need 42 total hours, including 30 hours of mandatory courses.
Everyone needs a 4-hour mandatory NMREC Core Course per year – this requirement cannot be met with online training. Everyone also needs a 4-hour ethics course and a 4-hour "core elective" (different than the NMREC Core Course) per license cycle. Qualifying Brokers need a 6-hour refresher on their responsibilities. Those in Property Management also require a relevant 6-hour course.
To learn more, see the New Mexico Real Estate Commission.
New York Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, the state of New York requires 22.5 hours of continuing education to renew your license.
The exact requirements changed recently (for licensing expiring after September 21, 2022). Future renewals require 2 hours of Implicit Bias Awareness, 2 hours of Cultural Competency, 3 hours of Fair Housing, 1 hour of Agency Law, 2.5 hours in Ethical Business Practices, and 1 hour of Legal Matters.
First-time renewals have extra requirements.
To learn more, see the New York Department of State.
North Carolina Real Estate CE Requirements
North Carolina real estate agents need 8 hours of CE per year, including a 4-hour Update course.
To learn more, see the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
North Dakota Real Estate CE Requirements
North Dakota requires 12 hours every calendar year, including 3 hours of Contract Law. Brokers and Associate Brokers also need 3 hours of Agency Law.
To learn more, see the North Dakota Real Estate Commission.
Ohio Real Estate CE Requirements
In Ohio, you need 30 hours of CE every 3 years to renew their license, including 12 hours in mandatory topics.
To learn more, see the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Oklahoma Real Estate CE Requirements
The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission (OREC) requires 21 continuing education hours every 3 years. You'll need to take at least 6 hours of Core Subjects, but the exact rules depend on your license level.
As an approved online training provider, we have a number of packages and course options to help you meet your CE requirements – whether you're a Sales Associate, Broker Associate, or Broker-in-Charge.
For more information on license renewal in Oklahoma, check OREC's website.
Oregon Real Estate CE Requirements
Oregon requires 30 hours of CE – including a 3-hour Law and Rule course – every 2 years to renew your real estate license. First-time renewals have a mandatory curriculum for all hours, while subsequent renewals can fill the rest of the time with approved electives.
To learn more, see the Oregon Real Estate Agency.
Pennsylvania Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, Pennsylvania requires 14 hours of CE, including 3 hours of mandatory curriculum.
To learn more, see the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission.
Rhode Island Real Estate CE Requirements
In Rhode Island, you need 24 hours of CE to renew your license every 2 years, including 3 hours of Fair Housing and 6 hours from a list of mandatory topics.
To learn more, see the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission.
South Carolina Real Estate CE Requirements
In South Carolina, you need 10 hours of CE every 2 years. That includes 4 hours of mandatory coursework. In addition, Brokers in Charge need 4 hours in BIC Duties and Responsibilities.
To learn more, see the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
South Dakota Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, South Dakota requires 24 hours of CE, including 12 hours in required subject areas, to renew your license. New Broker Associates need post-license education instead.
To learn more, see the South Dakota Real Estate Commission.
Tennessee Real Estate CE Requirements
Tennessee requires 16 hours of CE every 2 years, including a 6-hour core course.
To learn more, see the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.
Texas Real Estate CE Requirements
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires newly licensed salespersons to complete a special type of renewal called Sales Apprentice Education (SAE), which we offer. Check out our 90- and 98-hour SAE packages!
After your first renewal, you need 18 hours of CE every 2 years, including:
- 8 hours of TREC Legal Update courses
- 3-hour Contracts course
- 6-hour Broker Responsibility course (ONLY for sponsoring brokers and supervisory sales agents)
- 7 elective hours if you don't need Broker Responsibility; 1 elective hour if you do
As a TREC-approved provider, we offer everything you need to meet your continuing education requirements online, with plenty of electives to choose from!
You can learn more about Texas real estate license renewal on TREC's website.
Utah Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, Utah requires 18 hours of CE, including a 3-hour mandatory course and 6 hours in core topics. First-time renewals have additional requirements.
To learn more, see the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate.
Vermont Real Estate CE Requirements
Every 2 years, Vermont requires 16 hours of CE, including 4 hours of mandatory course.
To learn more, see the Vermont General Assembly: Statutes.
Virginia Real Estate CE Requirements
In Virginia, salespersons need 16 hours of CE to renew their license every , including 8 hours in prescribed topics – however, a salesperson's first renewal requires post-license education instead. Brokers need 24 hours of CE, 16 in prescribed topics.
To learn more, see the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Washington Real Estate CE Requirements
The Washington Real Estate Commission requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of mandatory core curriculum.
We're an approved online provider – check our catalog for current courses.
To learn more, see the Washington State Department of Licensing.
West Virginia Real Estate CE Requirements
West Virginia requires 7 hours of approved CE every fiscal year.
To learn more, see the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.
Wisconsin Real Estate CE Requirements
In Wisconsin, you renew your license every 2 years. You need 18 hours of CE consisting of six 3-hour courses composed of specific content.
To learn more, see the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Wyoming Real Estate CE Requirements
In Wyoming, sales agents and associate brokers need 45 hours to renew their license every 3 years, including 24 hours of mandatory coursework. Responsible Brokers need 53 hours, including 32 mandatory hours.
To learn more, see the Wyoming Real Estate Commission.
Written and Published by: VanEd