Minnesota Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years

Requirements Overview

The Minnesota Department of Commerce requires 30 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle, with a strict mid-point deadline: at least 15 hours must be completed by June 30 of the first year. The mandatory General Module Course (3.75 hours per year) covers a rotating topic set by the Department — for 2025-2026 it's Contracts, and for 2026-2027 it's Cybersecurity in Real Estate. This course requires passing a 20-question exam drawn from a pool of 50+ questions, with a minimum score of 14 correct.

In addition to the General Module, licensees must complete at least 1 hour of Agency Laws training and 1 hour of Fair Housing per two-year period. The remaining hours come from approved electives. No course can be repeated for credit within the same licensing period.

Commercial-only licensees may waive the Agency Law, Fair Housing, and Module course requirements by verifying with the Commerce Department between April 1 and June 30, though they still must meet the total hour requirement. New licensees have their first June 30 mid-point deadline waived but must complete all 30 hours by the end of their first two-year period.

Mandatory Topics

Renewal Pathways

Real Estate Broker Continuing Education in Minnesota

In Minnesota, real estate brokers renew under their own broker-license pathway, and the continuing education total matches the salesperson requirement: 30 CE hours every 2 years.

License categories and totals above are verified from the published rules of the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Licensing Division — confirm current broker requirements with the board before enrolling.

Exemptions

• ✓
  Commercial Only — Commercial-only brokers and salespersons solely in commercial real estate may waive Agency Law, Fair Housing, and Module course requirements.

  Must verify with Commerce Department between April 1 – June 30

  Must still complete total CE credit hour requirements
• ✓
  New Licensee — New licensees and those relicensed after 2+ years of inactivity: first June 30 deadline waived.

  Full 30 hours still due by end of 2-year period

How You Can Complete Your CE

Minnesota CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Minnesota that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Annual minimum — at least 15 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
• Carry-over — No carry-over. Extra hours or courses do not carry over into the next period or satisfy future renewal requirements.
• Renewal deadline is June 30 each year.
• At least 15 hours must be completed by the first June 30 mid-point of the 2-year period.
• Module course topic changes each year; set by Department of Commerce.
• Module courses require passing a 20-question written exam (14+ correct from pool of 50+).
• Cannot repeat the same course for credit within the same licensing period.
• New licensees and those relicensed after 2+ years of inactivity have first June 30 deadline waived.
• Commercial-only exemption must be verified with Commerce Department between April 1 – June 30.

Provider Requirements

Courses approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Available through the Pulse Portal system.

Tips for Minnesota Real Estate Agents

• Don't wait until year two — the 15-hour mid-point deadline on June 30 of year one is enforced, and missing it can put your license at risk.
• Prepare for the General Module exam: it pulls from a 50+ question pool and requires 14 out of 20 correct to pass.
• Commercial-only licensees can waive three mandatory courses, but the verification window is narrow (April 1 – June 30) — mark your calendar.
• The General Module topic changes every year, so check the Department of Commerce website early to plan your coursework around the new subject.

Sources

Real Estate Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Minnesota

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