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Real Estate License Renewal: State-by-State CE Requirements

Your real estate license is not a one-time achievement. Every state requires periodic renewal, and almost every state mandates continuing education (CE) as a condition of that renewal. Miss a deadline or fall short on your CE hours, and your license can lapse — meaning you cannot legally practice, earn commissions, or represent clients until you reinstate.

This guide covers renewal requirements for all 51 U.S. jurisdictions with complete data on renewal cycles, CE hour requirements, and renewal fees. Whether you are approaching your first renewal or managing licenses in multiple states, this is the reference you need.

How Real Estate License Renewal Works

Every state issues real estate licenses for a fixed term — most commonly 2 years. Before that term expires, you must renew by completing the required continuing education and paying a renewal fee. The process is straightforward in principle, but the details vary enormously from state to state.

Renewal Cycles

Most states operate on a biennial (2-year) renewal cycle. Some states use annual renewal, while a few — notably Colorado — use a 3-year cycle. Your specific renewal deadline is typically based on when your license was originally issued or on a fixed date set by your state (such as your birthday or a calendar date like June 30 or December 31).

Continuing Education Requirements

CE requirements range from as few as 6 hours per cycle to over 40 hours, depending on the state. Across the 51 states we track, the average CE requirement is approximately 20 hours per renewal cycle. Most states mandate specific topics that must be included in your CE, with the remaining hours available as electives.

Common Mandatory CE Topics

While each state sets its own curriculum, these topics appear in mandatory CE requirements across the majority of states:

• Fair housing and anti-discrimination law — updates to federal and state fair housing statutes, recent enforcement actions, and practical compliance
• Ethics and standards of conduct — fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, and professional responsibility
• Agency law — disclosure requirements, types of agency relationships, and recent legislative changes
• Legal updates — new laws, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting real estate practice in your state
• Contract law — changes to standard forms, emerging contract issues, and consumer protection updates
• Risk management — liability avoidance, insurance requirements, and proper documentation

Why CE Matters Beyond Compliance

Continuing education is not just a box to check. The real estate industry evolves constantly — new laws take effect, market conditions shift, technology changes how transactions work, and court decisions reshape liability standards. Agents who treat CE as a genuine learning opportunity stay sharper, avoid legal pitfalls, and provide better service to clients. The agents who rush through the cheapest online course the night before their deadline are the ones most likely to make costly mistakes.

Complete State-by-State Renewal Requirements

The following table shows renewal cycle length, CE hour requirements, and renewal fees for all 51 jurisdictions. Click any state name to view its complete licensing guide including detailed CE topic breakdowns, approved providers, and first-renewal special rules.

Fee data reflects the base renewal fee for a salesperson/agent license. Some states charge different fees for brokers, inactive licenses, or late renewals. Click any state for the full fee schedule.

States with the Highest CE Requirements

If you hold a license in one of these states, you will need to plan your CE schedule well in advance. These are the most demanding CE requirements in the country:

1. California — 45 hours every 4 years
2. Wyoming — 45 hours every 3 years
3. Georgia — 36 hours every 4 years
4. Indiana — 36 hours every 3 years
5. Iowa — 36 hours every 3 years

States with higher CE requirements typically mandate coverage of more specific topics, leaving fewer elective hours. The upside is that licensees in these states tend to be better informed about current law and best practices.

States with the Lowest CE Requirements

On the other end of the spectrum, these states have the lightest CE burdens:

1. West Virginia — 7 hours every 1 year
2. Arkansas — 7 hours every 1 year
3. North Carolina — 8 hours every 1 year
4. South Carolina — 10 hours every 2 years
5. North Dakota — 12 hours every 1 year

Even in states with lower CE requirements, you should consider taking additional professional development courses beyond the minimum. Voluntary education in areas like investment property, commercial real estate, or negotiation skills can directly improve your income and client service.

First Renewal: Special Rules to Know

Many states have different rules for your first renewal compared to subsequent renewals. These first-renewal exceptions are one of the most common sources of confusion for new licensees. Common patterns include:

• Post-licensing education requirements. Several states (including Virginia, Florida, and Georgia) require new licensees to complete a separate post-licensing course during their first renewal period. This is in addition to — or in place of — standard CE. Failure to complete post-licensing education on time typically results in your license being placed on inactive status.
• Reduced or waived CE for the first cycle. Some states recognize that new licensees just completed their pre-licensing education and reduce or waive the CE requirement for the first renewal period. Colorado, for example, exempts newly licensed brokers from CE during their initial license year.
• Prorated renewal periods. If your license is issued mid-cycle, some states prorate both the renewal fee and the CE hours required. Others issue a full-term license from the date of issuance, meaning your first renewal period may be shorter than the standard cycle.

Check your specific state page for detailed first-renewal rules. Getting this wrong can result in an involuntary lapse that is both embarrassing and expensive to fix.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline

Missing your renewal deadline does not necessarily mean starting over, but it does mean additional costs and restrictions:

• Grace periods. Many states offer a grace period (typically 30 to 90 days) during which you can renew late by paying an additional late fee. Your license may be considered expired during this time, meaning you cannot practice.
• Reinstatement. If you miss the grace period, most states allow reinstatement within a window of one to three years. Reinstatement requires completing any missed CE, paying both the renewal fee and a reinstatement fee, and sometimes passing an additional exam.
• Re-licensing. If your license has been expired for an extended period (typically three or more years), many states require you to start the licensing process from scratch — including pre-licensing education and the licensing exam.
• Practicing without a license. This is the critical risk. If you continue to practice, show properties, negotiate deals, or collect commissions while your license is expired, you are violating state law. Penalties range from fines to permanent revocation and potential criminal charges.

Tips for Managing Your CE and Renewal

1. Set Calendar Reminders Well in Advance

Do not rely on your state to send you a reminder. Set your own calendar alerts at 6 months, 3 months, and 1 month before your renewal deadline. Most CE courses can be completed in a few concentrated days, but finding the time gets harder as the deadline approaches.

2. Spread Your CE Throughout the Cycle

Instead of cramming all your hours into the final weeks, complete a portion of your CE each year. This approach keeps you current on industry developments and eliminates the last-minute scramble. If your state requires 24 hours over a 2-year cycle, completing 12 hours per year is much more manageable.

3. Choose Quality Over Convenience

Not all CE courses are created equal. The cheapest, fastest online course may satisfy the requirement, but a well-taught course on a relevant topic can genuinely improve your practice. Look for courses taught by experienced practitioners, courses with strong reviews from other agents, and topics that address areas where you want to grow professionally.

4. Keep Records of Completed Courses

Download and store certificates of completion for every CE course. States can audit your CE compliance, and the burden of proof is on you. Keep digital copies organized by renewal period. Some states require you to retain proof for four years or more.

5. Check for Employer-Provided CE

Many brokerages offer CE courses to their agents at reduced cost or no cost. Your brokerage's in-house training may qualify for CE credit in your state. Check with your managing broker and your state's real estate commission to confirm eligibility.

Multi-State License Holders

If you hold licenses in more than one state, you must meet the renewal requirements for each state independently. CE hours completed for one state may not count toward another state's requirements, especially for state-specific mandatory topics.

Some practical strategies for multi-state licensees:

• Use a tracking spreadsheet or app with each state's deadline, required hours, and mandatory topics
• Look for CE providers that are approved in multiple states — one course may satisfy elective requirements in more than one jurisdiction
• Complete state-specific mandatory courses first, then fill remaining hours with broadly applicable elective topics
• Consider whether maintaining licenses in low-activity states is worth the ongoing CE and fee costs

Choosing a CE Provider

When selecting where to complete your continuing education, consider these factors:

• State approval. Verify that the provider and specific course are approved by your state's real estate commission. Taking an unapproved course wastes your time and money.
• Delivery format. Online self-paced, live webinar, and in-person classroom formats each have advantages. Choose the format where you learn best, not just the one that is fastest.
• Course content and reviews. Read reviews from other agents. Courses with real-world scenarios, updated content, and knowledgeable instructors provide significantly more value.
• Reporting and certificates. Some providers automatically report your completion to the state, while others require you to submit proof yourself. Automatic reporting reduces the risk of administrative errors.
• Bundle pricing. Many providers offer complete renewal packages that include all mandatory and elective hours for your state at a discounted bundle price.

Find Your State's Detailed Renewal Guide

Each state page on LicenseMap includes a complete breakdown of renewal requirements, including CE topic mandates, approved providers, post-licensing rules, late renewal procedures, and reinstatement processes. Select your state below:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Sources

• Renewal cycle lengths, CE hour requirements, and renewal fees sourced from official state real estate commission and regulatory authority websites for all 51 jurisdictions
• Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) — Digest of Real Estate License Laws, current edition
• National Association of Realtors (NAR) — State-by-state licensing and continuing education reference
• Individual state administrative codes and statutes governing real estate license renewal and continuing education (see individual state pages for specific citations)
• CE provider documentation from major approved providers including Kaplan, Colibri Real Estate, The CE Shop, and McKissock Learning