Kentucky Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 12 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
The Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) requires 12 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal. Kentucky has a unique annual minimum structure: at least 6 hours must be completed in year one of the biennium, including a minimum of 3 hours of KREC-approved law courses. The remaining hours are due by the end of year two, and excess hours from year one carry over within the same renewal period.
A distinctive Kentucky requirement is the Core Course, mandated once every four years for all active licensees. This state-specific course covers Kentucky real estate law and practice updates and cannot be substituted by any other CE course. It counts toward your total CE hours in the year you take it.
New licensees enjoy a full exemption from CE during their first two calendar years of initial licensure. The practical deadline for completing CE is December 21, allowing time for reporting by December 31. Non-compliance carries severe consequences: a cancelled license and a $1,000 fine under KREC's current regulations. Licensees can monitor their education records through KREC eServices.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Law | 3 | Every renewal | 3 hours of law courses required annually as part of the 6-hour first-year minimum. Must be KREC-approved law courses. |
| Kentucky Core Course | — | Every other renewal | Required once every 4 years for all active licensees. No other CE course will substitute. State-specific course covering Kentucky real estate law and practice updates. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- New Licensee — Licensees are not required to attend CE during the first two calendar years of initial license issuance in Kentucky.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Kentucky CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Kentucky that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Annual minimum — at least 6 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
- Carry-over — Excess hours from Year 1 of the biennium carry over to Year 2 within the same renewal period. No evidence of carry-over between biennia.
- Kentucky has a unique annual minimum: 6 hours in Year 1 (including 3 hrs law), with remaining hours due by end of Year 2.
- Kentucky Core Course required once every 4 years; no substitute accepted.
- Practical deadline is December 21 to ensure reporting by December 31.
- Late penalty: cancelled license and $1,000 fine (new regulation) from KREC.
- Same CE requirements for salespersons and brokers.
- New licensees exempt from CE for first two calendar years after initial licensure.
- Licensees can check education records through KREC eServices.
Provider Requirements
Courses must be sponsored or approved by the Kentucky Real Estate Commission. List of approved providers available on KREC website.
Tips for Kentucky Real Estate Agents
- Front-load your CE: complete at least 6 hours (with 3 hours of law) in year one to meet the annual minimum and carry excess hours into year two.
- Track whether the Kentucky Core Course falls in your current cycle — it's required every 4 years and no substitute is accepted.
- Finish by December 21, not December 31. The extra 10 days allow for provider reporting, and KREC enforces a $1,000 fine for non-compliance.
- Check your education records through KREC eServices well before the deadline to confirm all courses have been properly reported.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC)'s official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.