California Real Estate CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Real Estate license in California you need to satisfy the California Department of Real Estate (DRE)'s continuing education (CE) requirement — about 45 hours per 4-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 California requires for Real Estate renewal
| CE hours required | 45 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 48 months |
| Governing body | California Department of Real Estate (DRE) |
An active salesperson must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education per four-year renewal cycle. First-time renewal of an original license requires four separate 3-hour courses (ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management), a 3-hour fair housing course with an interactive participatory component, and a 2-hour implicit bias training course, plus a minimum of 18 hours in consumer protection courses, with the remaining hours in consumer service or consumer protection. Subsequent renewals (expiration on/after Jan 1, 2023) require either one 9-hour survey course covering the seven mandatory subjects (ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management, management/supervision, fair housing, implicit bias) or individual courses in all those subjects, plus at least 18 hours of consumer protection courses, with the balance in consumer service or consumer protection courses to reach 45 hours.
Full Real Estate renewal guide for California (deadlines, fees & CE) →
California 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.
California Real Estate CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Real Estate license in California?
California requires about 45 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. An active salesperson must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education per four-year renewal cycle. First-time renewal of an original license requires four separate 3-hour courses (ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management), a 3-hour fair housing course with an interactive participatory component, and a 2-hour implicit bias training course, plus a minimum of 18 hours in consumer protection courses, with the remaining hours in consumer service or consumer protection. Subsequent renewals (expiration on/after Jan 1, 2023) require either one 9-hour survey course covering the seven mandatory subjects (ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management, management/supervision, fair housing, implicit bias) or individual courses in all those subjects, plus at least 18 hours of consumer protection courses, with the balance in consumer service or consumer protection courses to reach 45 hours.
Do online Real Estate CE courses count in California?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my California Real Estate CE?
California generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.