California Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 45 Hours Every 4 Years
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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
Real Estate Broker Continuing Education in California
California's 45-hour continuing education requirement applies to brokers and salespersons alike — one shared total every 4 years.
Broker-specific course requirements
- Management and Supervision (3 hours) — 3-hour course required. For first-renewal salespersons, this is not separately required but is required for brokers.
Other broker renewal situations
- Broker/officer first-time license renewal — 45 hours . Five 3-hr courses (ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision), one 3-hr fair housing with interactive component, one 2-hr implicit bias training, minimum 18 hrs consumer protection, remaining in consumer service or consumer protection.
License categories and totals above are verified from the published rules of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) — confirm current broker requirements with the board before enrolling.
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
California CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to California that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over provisions mentioned. Hours must be completed within the 4 years immediately preceding license renewal.
- California uses a 4-year renewal cycle, not annual CE requirements.
- First renewal requirements differ between salespersons and brokers (brokers also need Management and Supervision course).
- For subsequent renewals, licensees may take a single 9-hour survey course covering all 7 mandatory subjects instead of individual courses.
- Fair housing course at first renewal must include interactive participatory component with role-play.
- Implicit bias training (2 hours) required for licenses expiring on or after January 1, 2023.
- Minimum 18 hours must be in consumer protection category.
- 90-day extension available if Form RE 213 submitted before expiration.
- Late renewal: 2-year grace period exists but licensee cannot perform licensed activities until renewal completed.
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.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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