California Continuing Education Requirements

California real estate Salespersons and Brokers must complete 45 hours of approved continuing education courses in the appropriate categories during the 4 years immediately preceding license renewal. Select the relevant link to view the requirements for your license type.

Please note, requirements are changing for licensees expiring after 12/31/2022 so please read carefully to ensure you are completing all the courses you need!

Salespersons Renewing for the First Time:

Completing courses in the following categories will satisfy the education requirements for any first-time California Salesperson renewal:

  • Five separate 3-hour courses in the following subjects: Agency, Fair Housing (including an interactive requirement for licensees expiring after 12/31/2022), Trust Funds, Ethics, and Risk Management (AFTER); and
  • A 2-hour course on Implicit Bias Training (only applicable for licensees expiring after 12/31/2022); and
  • A minimum of 18 hours of Consumer Protection (CP) courses; and
  • The remaining hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may consist of either Consumer Service (CS) or Consumer Protection (CP) courses.

Both the Implicit Bias Training and interactive Fair Housing course are under review by the DRE and should be approved by the end of October.

We will be happy to add to any package at no extra charge as soon as they are approved.

Brokers Renewing for the First Time:

Completing courses in the following categories will satisfy the education requirements for any first-time California Broker renewal:

  • Six separate 3-hour courses in the following subjects: Agency, Fair Housing (including an interactive requirement for licensees expiring after 12/31/2022), Trust Funds, Ethics, and Risk Management, and Management & Supervision (AFTER and M&S); and
  • A 2-hour course on Implicit Bias Training (only applicable for licensees expiring after 12/31/2022); and
  • A minimum of 18 hours of Consumer Protection (CP) courses; and
  • The remaining hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may consist of either Consumer Service (CS) or Consumer Protection (CP) courses.

Both the Implicit Bias Training and interactive Fair Housing course are under review by the DRE and should be approved by the end of October.

We will be happy to add to any package at no extra charge as soon as they are approved.

Salespersons and Brokers - Second & Subsequent Renewals:

Completing courses in the following categories will satisfy the education requirements for any second time or subsequent California Salesperson or Broker renewal:

  • For licensees expiring before 1/1/2023, an 8-hour Survey (S) course covering the six mandatory subjects: Agency, Fair Housing, Trust Funds, Ethics, Risk Management, and Management & Supervision; and
  • For licensees expiring after 12/31/2022, a 9-hour Survey (S) course covering the seven mandatory subjects: Agency, Fair Housing, Trust Funds, Ethics, Risk Management, Management & Supervision, and Implicit Bias Training; and
  • A minimum of 18 hours of Consumer Protection (CP) courses; and
  • The remaining hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may consist of either Consumer Service (CS) or Consumer Protection (CP) courses.

Our 9-hour Survey course is currently under review by the DRE and should be approved by the end of October.

We will be happy to add to any package at no extra charge as soon as it is approved.

Expired license? Click here for additional information

Total Hours: 45

Final Exam: Yes

Mandatory Hours: Varies

Passing Score: 70%

Elective Hours: Varies

Max Final Exam Attempts: 2

Mandatory Topic(s): Varies

Seat Timer: No

Education Completed By: License Expiration Date

Additional Information:

License Expiration Date
You can find the expiration date for your license or whether this is your first renewal by using the California Department of Real Estate's License Information Database.

Expired License
If your license expired within the last 2 years, you have the same continuing education and renewal requirements as if the license had not expired. The one exception is that you will need to pay a higher Late Renewal fee to the California Department of Real Estate when renewing your license.

The cost for your continuing education courses from Empire Learning is the same regardless of whether your license is expired. You cannot perform any activities requiring a real estate license until your license has been renewed.

Regulatory Agency:

California Department of Real Estate
Phone: 877-373-4542
Website: www.dre.ca.gov
CE Requirements

Renewal Information:

After completing the continuing education, you may renew your license with the DRE anytime within 90 days of license expiration. Renew online using DRE eLicensing (learn to use eLicensing here) or by mail. Mail-in renewal forms can be found here:

  • RE 209 - Salesperson Renewal Application
  • RE 208 - Broker Renewal Application
  • RE 207 - Corporation Officer Renewal Application
  • RE 251 - Continuing Education Course Verification
  • RE 909 - Credit Card Payment