Alabama Real Estate CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Real Estate license in Alabama you need to satisfy the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC)'s continuing education (CE) requirement — about 15 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Alabama requires for Real Estate renewal
| CE hours required | 15 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) |
Active salespersons must complete 15 hours of Commission-approved CE per two-year license period: a mandatory 3-hour "Risk Management: Initial Contact to Accepted Offer" course plus 12 hours of approved elective courses. No Code of Ethics or fair-housing course is mandated by the Commission (Code of Ethics is only a REALTOR association requirement). Excess CE hours do not carry over to the next period. First renewal differs: the 30-hour post-license course required to convert a temporary license to an original (permanent) salesperson license satisfies the 15-hour CE requirement for the first renewal. CE credit must be submitted to AREC by the school; failure to satisfy the specific CE mix can place a license inactive even if fees were paid and 15 generic hours completed.
Full Real Estate renewal guide for Alabama (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Alabama Real Estate CE course providers
- The CE Shop
State-approved real estate CE packages built around each state's required topics.
- Kaplan Real Estate Education
CE courses, exam prep, and required law/ethics updates across most states.
- McKissock Learning
Large real estate CE library with state-specific renewal packages.
- Colibri Real Estate
Online CE and post-licensing education accepted in many states.
Alabama Real Estate CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Real Estate license in Alabama?
Alabama requires about 15 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. Active salespersons must complete 15 hours of Commission-approved CE per two-year license period: a mandatory 3-hour "Risk Management: Initial Contact to Accepted Offer" course plus 12 hours of approved elective courses. No Code of Ethics or fair-housing course is mandated by the Commission (Code of Ethics is only a REALTOR association requirement). Excess CE hours do not carry over to the next period. First renewal differs: the 30-hour post-license course required to convert a temporary license to an original (permanent) salesperson license satisfies the 15-hour CE requirement for the first renewal. CE credit must be submitted to AREC by the school; failure to satisfy the specific CE mix can place a license inactive even if fees were paid and 15 generic hours completed.
Do online Real Estate CE courses count in Alabama?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Alabama Real Estate CE?
Alabama generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.