What Continuing Education Is Required for Real Estate Agents?
In order to keep their license valid and stay knowledgeable of the industry, real estate agents are required to take some form of continuing education after receiving their license. However, the qualifications differ by state and can get a bit complicated.
In this guide, we'll make it easy for you and share a brief overview of the state-by-state CE requirements, as well as helpful links to find more information on your continuing education journey.
Why is Continuing Education Important for Real Estate Professionals?
Continuing education isn't just a hoop to jump through; it's essential for ensuring you provide excellent service to your clients. CE courses help you stay:
- Compliant: Real estate laws and regulations vary by state, and staying informed through CE courses helps you avoid legal pitfalls and maintain an active and valid license. This can help you serve clients and conduct real estate transactions within the bounds of the law.
- Informed: The real estate landscape is constantly changing, with new laws and regulations impacting everything from fair housing practices to property disclosures. CE courses ensure you're up-to-speed on these changes, allowing you to advise your clients effectively.
- Competitive: CE courses can help you hone your skills and gain new knowledge to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you want to specialize in a particular niche or simply become a more well-rounded agent, CE can provide the tools you need.
- Ethical: CE courses often cover ethical principles and best practices, reminding you of your professional obligations and helping you navigate challenging situations with integrity.
CE Requirements by State
Each state has its own set of regulations and obligations for maintaining licensure, making it imperative for individuals to understand and fulfill specific CE criteria. Below is a list of the requirements for all 50 states.
CE Requirements in the State of Alabama
Alabama requires 15 hours of CE every 2 years, including 3 hours of Risk Management. Your license renewal date is between 18 and 24 months after you receive your initial Florida Real Estate License.
Visit the Alabama Real Estate Commission's website for additional details on license renewal.
CE Requirements in the State of Alaska
Real estate agents in Alaska need 20 hours of CE to renew their license every 2 years, including 8 hours of the required curriculum.
For more information on license renewal, refer to the Alaska Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Arizona
The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) requires agents to take 24 hours of CE and 30 hours of CE for brokers every 2 years, including Commissioner's Rules requirements and certain mandatory topics.
Explore the Arizona DRE’s website for more details regarding license renewal.
CE Requirements in the State of Arkansas
The state of Arkansas requires 7 hours of CE every 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.
Find out about license renewal by checking the Arkansas Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of California
California requires 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.
The California Department of Real Estate's website has comprehensive details on license renewal; be sure to visit for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Colorado
Colorado brokers must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 3 years. Agents are required to complete three 4-hour Colorado Real Estate Commission (CREC) Annual Update courses, but the other 12 credit hours can be approved elective courses.
Agent Campus by 360training offers Colorado license renewal packages that help you meet CE requirements with over 80 online courses to choose from!
You can visit the CREC's website to learn more about the Colorado broker license renewal process.
CE Requirements in the State of Connecticut
Connecticut requires 12 hours of continuing education every other year. This includes 6 hours of mandatory coursework.
The mandatory topics change from cycle to cycle. Head to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections website to learn more about the current requirements.
CE Requirements in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia requires 15 hours of coursework every 2 years, due in odd-numbered years. A full 12 hours are mandatory curriculum.
Visit the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Delaware
Licensees in Delaware 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.
To learn more about first-time renewals and approved providers for required CE topics, see the Delaware Real Estate Commission's website.
CE Requirements in the State of Florida
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.
You can visit FREC's website for more information about the renewal process in the state of Florida.
CE Requirements in the State of Georgia
The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) requires 36 hours of CE every 4 years, including 3 hours of license law.
Visit GREC's website to learn more about license renewal in the state of Georgia.
CE Requirements in the State of Hawaii
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.
CE Requirements in the State of Idaho
In Idaho, you need to complete two Idaho Commission Core courses along with 12 elective hours. During your first renewal as a salesperson, you will also need an extra 12 hours of post-license education.
View the Idaho Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Illinois
In Illinois, when renewing your license after the first one, you need to finish 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE), which includes a required 4-hour core course.
For your initial renewal, you need post-license education instead.
To learn more, see the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
CE Requirements in the State of Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) mandates 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) each "CE year," which spans from July to June.
Check out the IPLA's website to learn more about the renewal process.
CE Requirements in the State of Iowa
Every 3 years, Iowa necessitates an 8-hour Law Update, a 4-hour Ethics course, and 24 hours of approved electives for real estate professionals. It's important to note that a minimum of 12 hours from the total must be acquired through live instruction.
View the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Kansas
In Kansas, you need 12 hours of CE every 2 years to renew your real estate license, including a 3-hour required core course.
To find sources for the mandatory core course, visit the Kansas Real Estate Commission website.
CE Requirements in the State of Kentucky
Kentucky requires real estate licensees to take 6 hours of continuing education each calendar year, with 3 of those hours dedicated to law credits. Additionally, every four years, licensees must fulfill the Kentucky Core Course, which can fulfill the continuing education requirements for the year in which it is completed.
For more details, visit the Kentucky Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Louisiana
Louisiana licensees are required to complete 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) annually, and this includes one or more mandatory courses that vary each year.
For additional information, refer to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Maine
In Maine, you must complete 21 hours of Continuing Education (CE), which includes a mandatory 3-hour course every two years.
Visit the Maine Real Estate Commission’s website for more details.
CE Requirements in the State of Maryland
Maryland mandates 15 hours of continuing education every three years, encompassing various mandatory courses. The number and topics of these courses depend on your license level and whether you're involved in residential or commercial real estate.
For additional details, visit the Maryland Department of Labor's Licensing & Regulation website.
CE Requirements in the State of Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires 12 hours of CE to renew your license every 2 years.
Check the Massachusetts Real Estate Commission’s website for more details.
CE Requirements in the State of Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) mandates 18 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every three years, with an annual requirement of 2 hours dedicated to legal credits. You have the flexibility to complete your 12 hours of electives at any time during the renewal period.
Check the Michigan LARA website for more information regarding the renewal process.
CE Requirements in the State of Minnesota
For license renewal in Minnesota, you are required to complete 30 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years, evenly distributed as 15 hours of CE each license year. Within each renewal cycle, it is essential to include at least 1 course hour in Agency Laws and 1 hour in Fair Housing.
Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Mississippi
Mississippi mandates 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years, which incorporates 8 hours of mandatory courses. Among these, there should be 2 hours dedicated to license law, 2 hours to contract law, and 4 hours to agency law.
For more details, refer to the Mississippi Real Estate Commission.
CE Requirements in the State of Missouri
The Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC) mandates 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years, including a minimum of 3 hours dedicated to the core curriculum.
Additional information on license renewal in Missouri can be found on MREC's website.
CE Requirements in the State of Montana
Montana requires 12 hours of CE every licensing year.
More information can be found on the Montana Board of Realty Regulation’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Nebraska
Nebraska mandates 18 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years, encompassing 6 hours on required topics.
As an approved provider in Nebraska, we offer comprehensive online solutions to fulfill your CE requirements this year. It's important to note that the Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) imposes additional CE requirements for property managers.
For detailed information on renewal requirements, please visit NREC's website.
CE Requirements in the State of Nevada
In Nevada, the requirement for continuing education is 36 hours every two years. Of these, 18 hours are dedicated to mandatory topics, and 18 hours must be completed through live instruction. For the first renewal, post-license education is necessary.
For additional details, refer to the Nevada Department of Business and Industry.
CE Requirements in the State of New Hampshire
For real estate agents in New Hampshire, a mandatory 15 hours of approved continuing education is required every two years, which includes 3 hours of mandatory coursework.
Visit the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission’s website for additional details.
CE Requirements in the State of New Jersey
In New Jersey, real estate professionals must complete 12 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years. Out of these 12 hours, a minimum of 6 must align with one of the 10 designated "core" categories, which include 2 mandatory ethics credits and 1 mandatory Fair Housing credit.
For further details, refer to the State of New Jersey Real Estate Commission.
CE Requirements in the State of New Mexico
In New Mexico, Associate Brokers are required to complete 36 hours of Continuing Education (CE) per 3-year cycle, including 20 hours of mandatory coursework. Qualifying Brokers need a total of 42 hours, with 30 hours dedicated to mandatory courses.
For everyone, an annual 4-hour mandatory NMREC Core Course is necessary, and this requirement cannot be fulfilled through online training. Additionally, each license cycle requires a 4-hour ethics course and a 4-hour "core elective" (distinct from the NMREC Core Course). Qualifying Brokers must undergo a 6-hour refresher on their responsibilities, while those in Property Management need a relevant 6-hour course.
For more information, refer to the New Mexico Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of New York
New York mandates real estate professionals to complete 22.5 hours of continuing education every 2 years for license renewal. Recent changes, applicable for licenses expiring after September 21, 2022, include specific requirements for future renewals. These comprise 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 entail additional requirements. For detailed information, visit the New York Department of State’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of North Carolina
North Carolina requires real estate agents to receive 8 hours of CE per year, including a 4-hour Update course.
See the North Carolina Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of North Dakota
In North Dakota, the annual continuing education requirement is 12 hours, encompassing 3 hours dedicated to Contract Law. Brokers and Associate Brokers have an additional obligation of 3 hours focusing on Agency Law.
For further details, refer to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Ohio
Ohio requires agents to take 30 hours of CE every 3 years to renew their license, including 12 hours in mandatory topics.
You can visit the Ohio Department of Commerce’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission (OREC) mandates 21 continuing education hours every 3 years, with a minimum of 6 hours dedicated to Core Subjects. Specific rules vary based on your license level.
To learn more about license renewal in Oklahoma, please visit OREC's official website.
CE Requirements in the State of Oregon
In Oregon, renewing your real estate license entails completing 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including a mandatory 3-hour Law and Rule course. For initial renewals, there's a compulsory curriculum for all hours, while subsequent renewals allow flexibility to choose from approved electives to meet the requirement.
For more information, please refer to the Oregon Real Estate Agency website.
CE Requirements in the State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires 14 hours of CE, including 3 hours of mandatory curriculum, annually.
You can visit the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires agents to take 24 hours of CE to renew their license every 2 years, including 3 hours of Fair Housing and 6 hours from a list of mandatory topics.
See the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission’s website for more details.
CE Requirements in the State of South Carolina
Agents in South Carolina need 10 hours of CE every 2 years. This includes 4 hours of mandatory coursework. In addition to these requirements, Brokers in Charge need 4 hours in BIC Duties and Responsibilities.
To learn more, see the South Carolina Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of South Dakota
South Dakota requires 24 hours of CE, including 12 hours in required subject areas, every 2 years to renew your license. New Broker Associates need post-license education instead.
To learn more, visit the South Dakota Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Tennessee
Tennessee agents must take 16 hours of CE every 2 years, including a 6-hour core course.
See the Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Texas
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires newly licensed salespersons to complete a special type of renewal called Sales Apprentice Education (SAE). As a TREC-approved provider, we offer both 90 and 98-hour SAE packages.
After your first renewal, agents will 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
You can find out more about the Texas real estate license renewal process on TREC's website.
CE Requirements in the State of Utah
Utah requires 18 hours of CE every 2 years, including a 3-hour mandatory course and 6 hours in core topics. First-time renewals have additional requirements.
Check out the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate’s website for more information.
CE Requirements in the State of Vermont
Every 2 years, Vermont requires 16 hours of CE, including 4 hours of mandatory courses.
This Statutes section of the Vermont General Assembly website has additional information.
CE Requirements in the State of Virginia
Salespersons in Virginia need 16 hours of CE to renew their license every year, 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.
CE Requirements in the State of Washington
Washington requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of mandatory core curriculum.
We're a state-approved online provider for the state of Washington. You can view our full catalog on our website.
To learn more, see the Washington State Department of Licensing.
CE Requirements in the State of West Virginia
Agents in West Virginia are required to take 7 hours of approved continuing education every fiscal year.
You can find more details on the West Virginia Real Estate Commission’s website.
CE Requirements in the State of Wisconsin
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.
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services website for more details.
CE Requirements in the State of Wyoming
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.
View the Wyoming Real Estate Commission’s website for more information.
Invest in Your Professional Growth With Our CE Courses Today
In order to stay compliant and keep your license active, make sure to stay on top of the continuing education in your state. Agent Campus by 360training makes it easy! We offer a variety of individual courses and course packages in multiple states. Visit our website to view our full catalog. Get started today!
