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, the requirements changed for licensees expiring after 12/31/2022 so please read carefully to ensure you are completing all the courses you need! These changes also apply to any licensee renewing on a late basis (within their 2-year right of renewal window) after 12/31/2022.
Salespersons Renewing for the First Time:
Brokers Renewing for the First Time:
Salespersons and Brokers - Second & Subsequent Renewals:
Expired license? Click here for additional information
Additional Information:
What is the minimum amount of time it will take me to complete the full 45 hours of continuing education?
6 days. The California Department of Real Estate grants 8 hours of reading time per 24-hour period for self-study courses, so it will take a minimum of six days to complete the 45-hour package.
What if I fail an exam?
If you fail a final exam, you are allowed one retake. Questions on the retake exam will be different than those on the original exam. If the retake exam is failed, you will be re-enrolled in the course at no charge. After re-enrollment, you must re-complete the credit hours for the course prior to taking the final exam again. Waiting time requirements are listed below.
- Any 12-hour course - May attempt retake exam immediately. If the retake exam is failed you will need to wait at least 28 hours and have the required Study Hours and Exam credits available to take the exam again.
- Any 6-hour course - May attempt retake exam immediately. If the retake exam is failed you will need to wait at least 6 hours and have the required Study Hours and Exam Credits available before taking the exam again.
- Any 3-hour course - May attempt retake exam immediately. If the retake exam is failed you will need to wait at least 3 hours and have the required Study Hours and Exam Credits available before taking the exam again.
Why are some of my exams not available yet?
The reading time requirements from the California Department of Real Estate (automatic 8 hours granted per 24 hour period) for each course must be met before the exam for that course is available. DRE also limits students to completing 15 credit hours of final exams in a 24-hour period. The time each exam will become available is listed in My Account.
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. You can use our completed course info list to see all the CE details you’ll need for your renewal in one place!
Mail-in renewal forms can be found here: