California Real Estate Agent / Broker Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
California's Department of Real Estate requires 45 hours of continuing education per four-year renewal cycle. First-renewal salespersons must take individual 3-hour courses in Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Risk Management, plus a 3-hour Fair Housing course with an interactive role-play component and a 2-hour Implicit Bias Training. A minimum of 18 hours must fall in the consumer protection category.
Brokers and officers have the same requirements at first renewal, with the addition of a 3-hour Management and Supervision course. For all subsequent renewals, licensees can opt for a single 9-hour survey course covering the seven mandatory subjects instead of taking them individually.
A 90-day extension is available by submitting Form RE 213 before expiration. If a license expires, there is a two-year grace period for late renewal, but licensees cannot perform any licensed activities until the renewal is fully processed.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics | 3 | Every renewal | 3-hour course required at each renewal. Part of 9-hour survey course option for subsequent renewals. |
| Agency | 3 | Every renewal | 3-hour course required at each renewal. |
| Trust Fund Handling | 3 | Every renewal | 3-hour course required at each renewal. |
| Risk Management | 3 | Every renewal | 3-hour course required at each renewal. |
| Management and Supervision | 3 | Every renewal | 3-hour course required. For first-renewal salespersons, this is not separately required but is required for brokers. |
| Fair Housing | 3 | Every renewal | 3-hour course with interactive participatory component including role-play for first renewal. |
| Implicit Bias Training | 2 | Every renewal | 2-hour implicit bias training course. Required for licenses expiring on or after January 1, 2023. |
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- Age And Experience — Licensees aged 70+ with 30+ continuous years in good standing may request exemption from CE requirements under Business and Professions Code Section 10170.8.Exemption revoked if license loses good standing status
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
DRE-approved continuing education providers. Courses must be approved by the California Department of Real Estate.
Tips for California Real Estate Agents
- For subsequent renewals, consider the 9-hour survey course option — it covers all seven mandatory subjects in one package and frees up more hours for electives.
- The Fair Housing course at first renewal must include interactive role-play; verify your course includes this component before enrolling.
- Implicit Bias Training (2 hours) applies to all licenses expiring on or after January 1, 2023 — confirm your chosen course is DRE-approved for this topic.
- Submit Form RE 213 before your license expires to get an automatic 90-day extension if you need more time to complete your hours.
- If you are 70 or older with 30+ continuous years in good standing, you may request a full CE exemption under Business and Professions Code Section 10170.8.