What Is Post-Licensing in Real Estate?

Once you’ve taken your final exam and are officially a licensed real estate agent, it might be comforting to know you’re done with these education requirements for the time being. The bad news? There’s still more to learn in the form of post-licensing education courses. The good news? This comprehensive guide makes it easy to find out exactly what post-licensing requirements you need to meet based on the state you’re in. Keep reading to find out what’s next for you and your real estate career!

Real Estate Post-License Education Requirements

Post-licensing is the state-mandated education requirement for new real estate sales agents or brokers. To keep your real estate license active, you need to complete post-licensing training before your first license renewal. For example, if your state’s real estate licenses expire after two years, you have two years to complete your post-licensing education.

As we mentioned above, post-licensing requirements are mandated and managed by individual states, and only a few states require post-licensing. Here are some examples of states’ real estate post-license requirements:

Texas Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) Requirements

To renew your Texas real estate license, you must complete 270 qualifying course hours and eight TREC legal update courses. While that may seem overwhelming, your 180 pre-licensing courses count towards this total, so you need to take an additional 98 hours of SAE courses. You must submit course completion documentation to the Texas Real Estate Commission at least 10 days before renewal.

Washington Post-License Education Requirements

The Washington State Department of Licensing requires new brokers to complete 90 hours of first-time continuing education within two years of receiving their license. For your first active renewal, you must take:

• 30-Hour Advanced Practices Course
• 30-Hour Real Estate Law Course
• 3-Hour Core Course
• At least 27 hours of other approved continuing education

Also, you cannot start these courses until after the date of your first licensure.

Florida Post-License Education Requirements

Florida's post-license education requirements for both sales associates and brokers differ. Sales associates need 45 hours of post-license courses within 18-24 months, while brokers need 60 hours. Both courses can be completed online, making it more convenient than in-person classes.

Georgia Post-License Education Requirements

The state of Georgia and the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) require all sales agents to complete 25 hours of post-license education. This 25-hour post-license course must be completed within the first year of licensure before licensees renew their real estate license.

Alabama Post-License Education Requirements

The Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) requires all sales agents and brokers to complete 30 hours of post-license education. This 30-hour post-license course must be completed within the first 6 months to 1 year of licensure before licensees can renew and take continuing education courses.

Other State Post-Licensing Requirements

While all states need some type of continuing education, more than half of them require specialized post-licensing courses for new agents prior to their initial license renewal. In some of these states, post-license course requirements are in addition to, not in place of, continuing education requirements.

Here is a complete list of the remaining states that require post-licensing education:

What Is the Difference Between Post-Licensing and Continuing Education?

Post-licensing and continuing education are often used interchangeably in many states, but they have distinct definitions:

• Post-licensing courses are those that must be completed between the time you receive your license and the first time you renew your license.
• Continuing education courses must be completed throughout each subsequent renewal term in order to maintain your license current throughout your career.

Some states provide post-licensing courses instead of continuing education, while others mandate new licensees to attend post-licensing courses in addition to continuing education.

To understand both the sequencing and the purpose of ongoing training requirements for real estate professionals, examine the following basic timeline:

Pre-Licensing → Post-Licensing → Continuing Education

Broken down, each stage serves a vital purpose in the process of getting and maintaining a real estate license:

• Pre-Licensing: Provide students with the core industry knowledge they need to pass state licensing tests.

• Post-Licensing: Reinforces the fundamental industry knowledge that a newly licensed professional needs for their everyday activities and responsibilities.

• Continuing Education: Informs the experienced licensees of changes to state and federal laws and regulations, provides greater depth and understanding of relevant topics, and offers elective courses.

Where to Get Your Post-Licensing Education?

Depending on your preferred learning style, you can take your post-licensing classes online or in person. If you would rather take your classes online, you can do so with VanEd.

Our courses will fulfill your state-mandated needs and allow you to complete your training from the convenience of your own home. Enroll in our online real estate post-licensing courses today!