California Real Estate Education Requirements
Continuing Education
Per the state’s requirements for online CE courses, a licensee has two (2) attempts on the final exam. If the exam is not passed the second time, the licensee must repurchase and retake the entire course, including the final exam.
For second and subsequent renewals on or before 6/30/2011, all real estate brokers and salespersons must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:
- Either 12 hours of continuing education courses in the following subjects: (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing) OR one six-hour survey course that covers the four mandatory subjects (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing);
- One three-hour course in Risk Management; and
- At least 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and the remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service (ways licensees can work better or make more money) or consumer protection courses.
For second and subsequent renewals on or after 7/1/2011, all real estate brokers and salespersons must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:
- Either 15 hours of continuing education courses in the following subjects: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, and Risk Management OR one eight-hour survey course that covers the five mandatory subjects (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, and Risk Management);
- At least 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
- The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
Brokers Renewing for the First Time
Real estate brokers renewing an original license for
the first time must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing
education consisting of:
-
- Five separate three-hour courses in each of the following subjects: Ethics, Agency, Fair Housing, Trust Fund Handling, and Risk Management;
- A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
- The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
Salespersons Renewing for the First Time - Refer to details at www.dre.ca.gov/lic_ce_require.html for requirements if licensed before or after 10/1/2007. Requirements are also outlined at the bottom of the purchase page.
Licenses are issued for a four-year period and should be renewed prior to the expiration date listed on the license. As a reminder, the DRE mails a renewal form to the licensee's mailing address of record approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. The form is sent as a courtesy only and non-receipt of the form does not relieve the licensee from the responsibility of renewing the license.
You should consult the official state California Real Estate Commission website for full details of California real estate continuing education requirements.