Real Estate License Renewal in District of Columbia (2026)

Real Estate license renewal in District of Columbia is handled by the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP), which requires Real Estate Agent (Salesperson)s to renew every 24 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.

District of Columbia Real Estate renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Real estate salesperson licenses run on a two-year (biennial) cycle and expire August 31 of odd-numbered years. Licensees must complete renewal, including required CE, by the August 31 deadline.
CE hours required	15 hours
Renewal fee	$130.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP)

Go to the official District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP). automated research workflow (official district-of-columbia real estate commission), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Real Estates in District of Columbia

Salespersons must complete 15 total CE hours per two-year cycle: 12 mandatory hours consisting of DC Fair Housing (3 hrs), DC Ethics (3 hrs), DC Legislative Update (3 hrs), and Property Management (3 hrs), plus 3 elective hours. Licensees who obtained the license by examination are reportedly exempt from CE at their first renewal (commonly cited to DCMR 2605.1), though this first-renewal exemption was not confirmed verbatim on the official DLCP page checked. There is no cap on completing CE via distance education; licensees upload completion certificates with the renewal application.

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

How to renew your Real Estate license in District of Columbia

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) portal.
Complete the required 15 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: Core renewal facts (biennial Aug 31 odd-year expiry, $130 salesperson renewal fee for up to two years, $50 late renewal fee, online renewal via govservices.dcra.dc.gov) verified on the official DLCP Real Estate Commission page. The 15-hour CE breakdown (12 mandatory + 3 elective) verified from the official DLCP "2023-2025 Real Estate Renewal Cycle CE Requirements" PDF. The Commission does not appear to use a third-party CE tracking service like CE Broker; licensees self-upload certificates. The first-renewal CE exemption is widely cited by CE providers but was not directly confirmed on an official page in this research.

Real Estate license renewal in District of Columbia: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Real Estate license in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia Real Estate licenses renew every 24 months. Real estate salesperson licenses run on a two-year (biennial) cycle and expire August 31 of odd-numbered years. Licensees must complete renewal, including required CE, by the August 31 deadline.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Real Estate license in District of Columbia?

Approximately 15 continuing-education hours per cycle. Salespersons must complete 15 total CE hours per two-year cycle: 12 mandatory hours consisting of DC Fair Housing (3 hrs), DC Ethics (3 hrs), DC Legislative Update (3 hrs), and Property Management (3 hrs), plus 3 elective hours. Licensees who obtained the license by examination are reportedly exempt from CE at their first renewal (commonly cited to DCMR 2605.1), though this first-renewal exemption was not confirmed verbatim on the official DLCP page checked. There is no cap on completing CE via distance education; licensees upload completion certificates with the renewal application. Confirm the current requirement with the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP).

Can I renew my District of Columbia Real Estate license online?

Yes — District of Columbia offers online renewal through the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my District of Columbia Real Estate license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Real Estate Agent (Salesperson) renewal