Real Estate License Renewal in California (2026)

Real Estate license renewal in California is handled by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), which requires Real Estate Agent (Salesperson)s to renew every 48 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

California Real Estate renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	48 months
Deadline rule	Salesperson licenses are issued for a four-year term and must be renewed on or before the expiration date printed on the license. On-time renewal requires the application to be postmarked (or the eLicensing transaction completed) before midnight on the expiration date. A late renewal is permitted for up to two years after expiration, but the licensee may not perform licensed activities during any lapse until the renewal is completed.
CE hours required	45 hours
Renewal fee	$350.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	California Department of Real Estate (DRE)

Go to the official California Department of Real Estate (DRE) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). automated research workflow (official california real estate commission), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Real Estates in California

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.

Need approved hours? Compare California Real Estate CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Real Estate license in California

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) portal.
Complete the required 45 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Fees verified as of the RE 206 fee schedule (Rev 6/24): $350 on-time salesperson renewal, $525 late renewal (within the two-year late window). The salesperson first-time renewal CE curriculum differs from subsequent renewals: the first renewal mandates the individual mandatory-subject courses (no 9-hour survey shortcut), while subsequent renewals allow a combined 9-hour survey course. DRE does not appear to use a third-party tracking service like CE Broker; courses are tracked via DRE-approved providers and renewal is processed through DRE's eLicensing system.

Real Estate license renewal in California: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Real Estate license in California?

California Real Estate licenses renew every 48 months. Salesperson licenses are issued for a four-year term and must be renewed on or before the expiration date printed on the license. On-time renewal requires the application to be postmarked (or the eLicensing transaction completed) before midnight on the expiration date. A late renewal is permitted for up to two years after expiration, but the licensee may not perform licensed activities during any lapse until the renewal is completed.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Real Estate license in California?

Approximately 45 continuing-education hours per 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. Confirm the current requirement with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).

Can I renew my California Real Estate license online?

Yes — California offers online renewal through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my California Real Estate license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $525 may apply. Contact the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Real Estate Agent (Salesperson) renewal