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Pass California

After you are licensed

Renewal and continuing education

A California salesperson license runs for four years. Most renewals require 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education, an on-time fee of $350, and a renewal filed before the expiration date. This page separates first-renewal requirements from later renewals and explains what happens if you miss the deadline.

DRE, Renewing Your License

4 years

License term

Counted from the issue or renewal date

45 hrs

Continuing education

DRE-approved courses for most renewals

$350

On-time renewal

Salesperson fee

$525

Late renewal

Within two years after expiration

DRE, Continuing Education Requirements

On-time renewal: CE must be completed within four years immediately before the effective renewal date. Late renewal: within four years immediately before DRE receives the application. RE 251 distinguishes these windows and prohibits reusing courses credited to a prior renewal.

DRE fee schedule

Salesperson on-time renewal fee.

Your renewal checklist

Start before the 90-day filing window opens. Course problems are easier to fix while the license is still active.

  1. 01

    Check your expiration date

    Use DRE's public license lookup or your eLicensing account. A reminder email is a courtesy, not the legal deadline.

  2. 02

    Complete the right 45 hours

    Confirm that each course is DRE approved and that your subject mix fits a first renewal or a later renewal.

  3. 03

    Keep every certificate

    Record the course number and completion date. Store the completion certificates in case DRE selects the renewal for an audit.

  4. 04

    Renew online or by mail

    Use eLicensing for the fastest route. A mailed salesperson renewal uses RE 209 plus RE 251 and the applicable fee.

  5. 05

    File before midnight

    An online transaction must finish, or a paper application must be postmarked, before midnight on the expiration date.

  6. 06

    Verify the renewed record

    Check the public license lookup and print the new license certificate from eLicensing. DRE no longer provides pocket cards.

What counts toward the 45 hours

Course dates matter as well as hours. For an on-time renewal, use courses completed within the four years before the effective renewal date, normally the day after expiration. For a late renewal, the four-year lookback ends when DRE receives the application. Courses used for a prior renewal cannot be reused. Keep completion certificates for four years after renewing.

RE 251: course validity and certificate retention

First salesperson renewal

Separate mandatory courses

  • Three hours each in ethics, agency, trust fund handling, and risk management
  • Three hours of fair housing with interactive participatory role play
  • Two hours of implicit bias training
  • At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
  • Consumer service or consumer protection electives to reach 45 hours
DRE, Salespersons Renewing for the First Time

Second and later renewals

Survey course or separate subjects

  • A nine-hour survey course covering the seven mandatory subjects, or separate approved courses in each subject
  • The seven subjects include management and supervision in addition to the first-renewal subjects
  • At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
  • Consumer service or consumer protection electives to reach 45 hours
DRE, Second and Subsequent Renewals

Pre-license courses and continuing education are different systems

Continuing education does not satisfy the three college-level courses required to qualify for the salesperson examination. Pre-license education gets you to the exam. DRE-approved continuing education keeps an existing license current. Check the course type before you pay.

On-time, late, extension, and exemption

On-time renewal
File during the 90 days before expiration. If DRE receives a complete, good-faith on-time renewal, section 10156.2 may permit continued work under the existing license while DRE processes it, unless DRE says otherwise.
Late renewal
Renewal rights continue for two years after expiration, but licensed activity must stop until the renewal is complete. The salesperson late fee is $525.
CE extension
DRE may grant 90 days from expiration to furnish CE evidence after a good-faith 45-hour attempt partly rejected by DRE, or for qualifying circumstances beyond the licensee's control. Mail RE 213, supporting documents, the renewal application, and fee before expiration within the form's filing window.
CE exemption
A licensee who is at least 70 and has been licensed in good standing for at least 30 continuous years may request an exemption on RE 213. DRE approval is required.
After two years
Renewal rights are lost. You cannot revive the old license by paying the late fee and may need to requalify through the examination and original-license process.

Official renewal links

Renew through eLicensingEnter your CE course numbers, pay the fee, track the transaction, and print the renewed license certificate.OfficialDRE continuing education requirementsThe current subject breakdown for first and subsequent renewals, plus extension and exemption rules.45 hoursFind DRE-approved continuing educationSearch approved courses and verify the course number before enrolling.Course searchSalesperson Renewal Application, RE 209The paper renewal form. Mail renewals also use Continuing Education Course Verification, RE 251.PDFCheck your license statusVerify the expiration date, responsible broker, and renewed public record.Lookup

Keep the source, not just this page

Renewal rules and fees can change during a four-year license term. Use this guide to understand the process, then verify the current requirement and fee on DRE before buying courses or submitting payment. The source links above were checked on August 28, 2026.

Common questions

How many continuing education hours do California real estate salespersons need?

Most California real estate salespersons must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education. On-time renewals use courses completed within four years before the effective renewal date; late renewals use the four years before DRE receives the application. Required subjects differ between a first renewal and later renewals, so check each approved course number and category.

How much does it cost to renew a California salesperson license?

The on-time salesperson renewal fee is $350. A late renewal filed during the two-year renewal-rights period costs $525. DRE fees are nonrefundable.

When can I renew my California real estate license?

You may renew through eLicensing or by mail during the 90 days before expiration. An online renewal must be completed, or a mailed renewal postmarked, before midnight on the expiration date to count as on time.

Can I work while my California real estate license is expired?

No. You may renew late for up to two years after expiration, but you cannot perform any activity requiring a real estate license until DRE renews the license. If you filed a complete on-time renewal, Business and Professions Code section 10156.2 may allow you to continue operating unless DRE tells you otherwise.

Do I send continuing education certificates with my renewal?

You normally certify your course numbers and completion dates through eLicensing, or submit form RE 251 with a mailed renewal. Keep every completion certificate because DRE conducts random continuing education audits and may require proof.

Who can request a California real estate continuing education exemption?

A licensee who is at least 70 years old and has held a California real estate license in good standing for at least 30 continuous years may request an exemption. The request uses form RE 213 and must be approved by DRE. Age alone does not create an automatic exemption.

Back to the exam journey

If you are still working toward your first license, renewal is not your next task. Start with the six licensing steps and the three statutory courses.