Are you getting ready for your California real estate license renewal? Whether you’re a first-time licensee or on your fourth renewal, staying on top of the latest California Department of Real Estate (DRE) rules can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—you’re in the right place! This guide will break it down so you can feel confident and prepared. And if you’re looking for a trusted partner to simplify your California real estate continuing education courses, we have a deal that seems too good to be true, including FREE CE! 🎉
Continuing Education Requirements for All Designations
No matter which license you hold—Salesperson, Broker, or Corporation Officer—California law mandates 45 clock hours of continuing education (CE) every four years. These courses must be completed within the four-year period immediately preceding the effective date of your renewal.
Standard Renewals (Salesperson & Broker)
For your second and subsequent renewal, you have two options:
- One 9-hour survey course covering all seven mandatory topics:
- Ethics
- Agency
- Fair Housing
- Trust Fund Handling
- Risk Management
- Implicit Bias Training
- Management and Supervision (for Brokers)
- Separate courses that address each of these mandatory subjects.
After covering these mandatory topics, you must complete:
- At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
- Any remaining hours in either consumer service or consumer protection topics to total 45 hours.
First-Time Salesperson Renewals
- Five separate 3-hour courses covering:
- Ethics
- Agency
- Fair Housing
- Trust Fund Handling
- Risk Management
- A 2-hour Implicit Bias Training course
- At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
- Remaining hours can be from consumer service or consumer protection topics to complete the 45-hour total.
First-Time Broker Renewals
- Six separate 3-hour courses covering:
- Ethics
- Agency
- Fair Housing
- Trust Fund Handling
- Risk Management
- Management and Supervision
- A 2-hour Implicit Bias Training course
- At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
- Remaining hours can be from consumer service or consumer protection topics to reach the 45-hour requirement.
If You Hold a California Corporation Officer License
A currently licensed individual broker does not need to provide proof of CE to renew or apply for a corporation officer license. However, if you’re licensed only as a corporation officer (and not also an individual broker), you’ll need to submit evidence of completing the required 45 hours in any of these scenarios:
- Renewing the existing corporation officer license
- Applying for a new corporation officer license
- Applying for an individual broker license
Important Information Regarding Your Certificates of Completion
Unlike some other states, schools in California do NOT report CE completions to the DRE. That means the onus is on you to keep track of your certificates. Whenever you finish your California real estate CE courses, you’ll receive a certificate from the provider with the following:
- 8-digit certificate number
- Designated category (e.g., Ethics, Agency, etc.)
- Registration date
- Date completed
- Course hours
- Course title
If the certificate lacks a valid 8-digit number, contact your course sponsor right away. All licensees are required to retain these certificates for four years after each renewal. You will need this information when you complete your Continuing Education Course Verification (RE 251) form.
Key Deadlines & Updated Fees for California License Renewal
When You Can Renew
The DRE allows you to submit your renewal application up to 90 days before your license expires. As long as you submit:
- The renewal application,
- RE 251 form (for CE verification), and
- The applicable renewal fee
before your expiration date, you can keep doing real estate business until the DRE officially notifies you otherwise.
Heads up: If there’s a problem with your application, the DRE notification will take effect five days after it’s mailed to you, so keep an eye on your inbox!
DRE Renewal Fees
All fees are nonrefundable, so double-check you’re paying the correct amount. As of July 2024, here are the renewal fees:
- Salesperson Renewal: $350
- Broker Renewal: $450
How to Renew a California Real Estate License
You can renew your real estate license in California in two ways: online or by mail.
Renew Online via eLicensing
The fastest way to renew your real estate license is through the DRE’s eLicensing portal. Once you log in, you can:
- Submit your Renewal Application (RE 208 or RE 209)
- Upload CE Verification information (RE 251)
- Pay renewal fees with a credit or debit card
- Verify an update of your license status on DRE’s public license lookup
If you need more details on which forms to fill out and what documents to have on hand, check out the official DRE Forms page.
Renew by Mail
Do you prefer to send everything in by mail? That’s perfectly fine:
- Fill out the necessary forms:
- Form RE 208 for Salespersons or Form RE 209 for Brokers
- Form RE 251 for CE verification
- Credit Card Payment (RE 909) if paying by credit card, or a check/money order made payable to the Department of Real Estate
- Mail the documents and fee to:
Department of Real Estate
651 Bannon Street, STE 503
Attn: Renewals Section
Sacramento, CA 95811
Tip: Make sure you mail early enough so the official U.S. Postal Service postmark is on or before your license expiration date. Remember, business meter-stamp dates aren’t valid for timely submission.
How to Verify Your Renewal is Complete
If you file before your license expires, you’ll be able to print your renewed license certificate on or after the expiration date. If you’ve met all the requirements and submitted proper payment, you’re good to go. If not, watch for any DRE notices indicating an issue.
Late License Renewal in California
A salesperson or a Broker license has a two-year grace period after your license expires for renewal. However:
- You cannot conduct any activity requiring a license while your license is expired.
- You must submit all late renewal fees and required documentation (RE 209 or RE 208 + RE 251) within two years of expiration.
- If you miss that two-year window, you forfeit your right to renew altogether and have to start from scratch.
Extra Note for Brokers: Once your license expires, all branch offices, DBAs, and affiliated Salespersons are disassociated. You will need to re-file proper paperwork to reinstate them upon renewal.
Why Choose Empire Learning in California
Feeling stressed about meeting your CE deadline? Empire Learning makes completing your CE easy with flexible, user-friendly courses that fit your busy schedule.
Check out these top benefits (with zero fluff!):
- Free CE Course: 😄Take a class for no cost, no commitment, and see if you like our style. This is a valuable, risk-free way to start!
- 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee: We want you to be completely satisfied with your CE experience.
- Flexible, Self-Paced Courses: Study anywhere at your own pace—perfect for busy professionals. Log in online, download the PDF to complete on your own time, then complete the exam online.
- Simple, Intuitive Content: We value straightforward, relevant lessons without tricky exam wording or ambiguous questions.
- California-based, Responsive Customer Support: Reach a real human via phone, email, or chat. Our reps understand California real estate CE for license renewal.
And don’t forget: we’ve been an approved provider in California for more than 10 years, so you can trust our reputation on TrustPilot!
Common Questions About California CE Requirements
Q: How soon can I start taking my California real estate continuing education courses?
A: You can enroll in real estate continuing education courses any time during your four-year renewal cycle. Just make sure they’re completed before you file your renewal application.
Q: Do providers report my CE credits directly to the DRE?
A: No. In California, it’s your responsibility to keep your certificates and include the information from your certificates on your renewal forms (and have them on file in case the DRE requests them).
Q: What if I need to renew both my individual Broker license and my Corporation Officer license?
A: If you’re already a licensed Broker (individual), you don’t need to resubmit your 45-hour CE proof to renew or add a corporation officer license. But if you only hold a corporation officer license, you must complete the required CE hours for every renewal.
Q: Can I use the eLicensing system if my license is restricted?
A: In most cases, the DRE’s eLicensing system is available for nonrestricted licensees. If your license is restricted for any reason, you may need to renew by mail or address the restriction first.
Q: What happens if I miss the deadline and don’t renew in time?
A: Your license expires. You have two years to complete a late renewal with extra fees. During that time, you must cease all licensed activities until the DRE processes your renewal.
Tips for Completing CE Requirements on Time
Plan Ahead 🗓️
Don’t wait until the last minute. Life happens—transactions run late, emergencies pop up. Aim to finish your California real estate renewal courses at least one month before your license expiration.
Keep Certificates Organized 📁
Create a dedicated digital folder. Label each certificate with the completion date and course title. This simple step will save you hours of scrambling down the road.
Mix & Match Topics 📚
Keep yourself engaged by choosing consumer protection courses that actually spark your interest—like property management or legal updates. The more relevant it is to your daily work, the easier it is to stay motivated.
Leverage Online Flexibility 🛜
Online courses let you pause, rewind, or study in small increments—perfect if you’re juggling client meetings or open houses. Check out Empire Learning’s main page for a streamlined approach.
Monitor DRE Updates 📧
Requirements can evolve. Keep tabs on the DRE’s official site and Licensees Advisories for any changes or warnings.
Ready to Tackle Your 2025 CE Requirements?
Whether you’re renewing a Salesperson license or a Broker license, staying compliant with the California Department of Real Estate license renewal rules is crucial for your real estate career. With so many deadlines, course requirements and fees to keep track of in your profession, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But that’s where partnering with the right CE provider can make all the difference. Empire Learning is a trusted solution to a smooth and successful renewal in California! 🎉
The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and may be subject to change. Always confirm specific requirements with the California Department of Real Estate or consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.