State requirements
Real estate license and CE requirements by state
Continuing-education hours, renewal cycles and licensing bodies for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, each linked to the official source.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Every licensed agent in the United States renews under rules written by one state body, and those rules differ more than most people expect. Some states ask for a few hours a year, others for dozens over a multi-year cycle; some prescribe exact course titles, others leave the choice to you; several add a separate post-license requirement in your first term.
A fair question about any designation is whether it counts toward your renewal. Ours do not, and the honest way to say so is to show what does count, with a link to the state's own page for every number. Where we could not confirm a figure from an official source, the table says so instead of guessing.
All states
- AlabamaAlabama Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- AlaskaAlaska Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 20 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 20 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- ArizonaArizona Department of Real Estate
- Salesperson
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Designated broker
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- ArkansasArkansas Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 7 hours every year
- Broker
- 7 hours every year
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Real Estate
- Salesperson
- 45 hours every 4 years
- Broker
- 45 hours every 4 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- ColoradoColorado Division of Real Estate
- Broker
- 24 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- ConnecticutConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- DelawareDelaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation)
- Salesperson
- 21 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 21 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)
- Salesperson
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- FloridaFlorida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation)
- Sales associate
- 14 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 14 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- GeorgiaGeorgia Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 36 hours every 4 years
- Broker
- 36 hours every 4 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- HawaiiHawaii Real Estate Commission (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs)
- Salesperson
- 20 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 20 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- IdahoIdaho Real Estate Commission (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
- Salesperson
- Check with the state
- Broker
- Check with the state
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- IllinoisIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Managing broker
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- IndianaIndiana Real Estate Commission (Professional Licensing Agency)
- Broker
- 36 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- IowaIowa Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 36 hours every 3 years
- Broker
- 36 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- KansasKansas Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- KentuckyKentucky Real Estate Commission
- Sales associate
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- LouisianaLouisiana Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every year
- Broker
- 12 hours every year
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MaineMaine Real Estate Commission
- Associate broker
- 21 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 21 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MarylandMaryland Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MassachusettsBoard of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MichiganMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
- Salesperson
- 18 hours every 3 years
- Broker
- 18 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Commerce
- Salesperson
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MississippiMississippi Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 16 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 16 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MissouriMissouri Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- MontanaMontana Board of Realty Regulation
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every year
- Broker
- 12 hours every year
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- NebraskaNebraska Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- NevadaNevada Real Estate Division
- Salesperson
- 36 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 36 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- New HampshireNew Hampshire Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification)
- Salesperson
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 15 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- New JerseyNew Jersey Real Estate Commission (Department of Banking and Insurance)
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 12 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- New MexicoNew Mexico Real Estate Commission
- Associate broker
- 36 hours every 3 years
- Qualifying broker
- 42 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- New YorkNew York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
- Salesperson
- 22.5 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 22.5 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- North CarolinaNorth Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Broker
- 8 hours every year
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- North DakotaNorth Dakota Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 12 hours every year
- Broker
- 12 hours every year
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- OhioOhio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing
- Salesperson
- 30 hours every 3 years
- Broker
- 30 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- OklahomaOklahoma Real Estate Commission
- Sales associate
- 30 hours every 3 years
- Broker
- 30 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- OregonOregon Real Estate Agency
- Broker
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Principal broker
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 14 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 14 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- Rhode IslandRhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section
- Salesperson
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- South CarolinaSouth Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Associate
- 10 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 10 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- South DakotaSouth Dakota Real Estate Commission
- Broker associate
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- TennesseeTennessee Real Estate Commission
- Affiliate broker
- 16 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 16 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- TexasTexas Real Estate Commission
- Sales agent
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- UtahUtah Division of Real Estate
- Sales agent
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- VermontVermont Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State)
- Salesperson
- 16 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- VirginiaVirginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)
- Salesperson
- 16 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 24 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- WashingtonWashington State Department of Licensing, Real Estate Program
- Broker
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Managing broker
- 30 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- West VirginiaWest Virginia Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 7 hours every year
- Broker
- 7 hours every year
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- WisconsinWisconsin Real Estate Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services)
- Salesperson
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Broker
- 18 hours every 2 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
- WyomingWyoming Real Estate Commission
- Salesperson
- 45 hours every 3 years
- Responsible broker
- 53 hours every 3 years
- Checked
- October 15, 2026
| State | Entry-level license CE | Broker CE | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama Real Estate Commission | 15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| AlaskaAlaska Real Estate Commission | 20 hours every 2 years | 20 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| ArizonaArizona Department of Real Estate | 24 hours every 2 years | 30 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| ArkansasArkansas Real Estate Commission | 7 hours every year | 7 hours every year | October 15, 2026 |
| CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Real Estate | 45 hours every 4 years | 45 hours every 4 years | October 15, 2026 |
| ColoradoColorado Division of Real Estate | Broker license only | 24 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Real Estate Commission | 12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| DelawareDelaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) | 21 hours every 2 years | 21 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) | 15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| FloridaFlorida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) | 14 hours every 2 years | 14 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| GeorgiaGeorgia Real Estate Commission | 36 hours every 4 years | 36 hours every 4 years | October 15, 2026 |
| HawaiiHawaii Real Estate Commission (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) | 20 hours every 2 years | 20 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| IdahoIdaho Real Estate Commission (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) | Check with the state | Check with the state | October 15, 2026 |
| IllinoisIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate | 12 hours every 2 years | 24 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| IndianaIndiana Real Estate Commission (Professional Licensing Agency) | Broker license only | 36 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| IowaIowa Real Estate Commission | 36 hours every 3 years | 36 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| KansasKansas Real Estate Commission | 12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| KentuckyKentucky Real Estate Commission | 12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| LouisianaLouisiana Real Estate Commission | 12 hours every year | 12 hours every year | October 15, 2026 |
| MaineMaine Real Estate Commission | 21 hours every 2 years | 21 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MarylandMaryland Real Estate Commission | 15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MassachusettsBoard of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons | 12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MichiganMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | 18 hours every 3 years | 18 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota Department of Commerce | 30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MississippiMississippi Real Estate Commission | 16 hours every 2 years | 16 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MissouriMissouri Real Estate Commission | 12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| MontanaMontana Board of Realty Regulation | 12 hours every year | 12 hours every year | October 15, 2026 |
| NebraskaNebraska Real Estate Commission | 18 hours every 2 years | 18 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| NevadaNevada Real Estate Division | 36 hours every 2 years | 36 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) | 15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| New JerseyNew Jersey Real Estate Commission (Department of Banking and Insurance) | 12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico Real Estate Commission | 36 hours every 3 years | 42 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| New YorkNew York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | 22.5 hours every 2 years | 22.5 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina Real Estate Commission | Broker license only | 8 hours every year | October 15, 2026 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota Real Estate Commission | 12 hours every year | 12 hours every year | October 15, 2026 |
| OhioOhio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing | 30 hours every 3 years | 30 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| OklahomaOklahoma Real Estate Commission | 30 hours every 3 years | 30 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
| OregonOregon Real Estate Agency | 30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| PennsylvaniaPennsylvania State Real Estate Commission | 14 hours every 2 years | 14 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section | 24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina Real Estate Commission | 10 hours every 2 years | 10 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota Real Estate Commission | 24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| TennesseeTennessee Real Estate Commission | 16 hours every 2 years | 16 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| TexasTexas Real Estate Commission | 18 hours every 2 years | 18 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| UtahUtah Division of Real Estate | 18 hours every 2 years | 18 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| VermontVermont Real Estate Commission (Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State) | 16 hours every 2 years | 24 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| VirginiaVirginia Real Estate Board (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) | 16 hours every 2 years | 24 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| WashingtonWashington State Department of Licensing, Real Estate Program | 30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia Real Estate Commission | 7 hours every year | 7 hours every year | October 15, 2026 |
| WisconsinWisconsin Real Estate Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services) | 18 hours every 2 years | 18 hours every 2 years | October 15, 2026 |
| WyomingWyoming Real Estate Commission | 45 hours every 3 years | 53 hours every 3 years | October 15, 2026 |
Hours are per renewal cycle as each state states them. Required topics, post-license rules and sources are on each state's page.
Questions about state requirements
Who decides how much continuing education I need?
Your state. Each state (and the District of Columbia) sets its own hours, topics and renewal cycle through a real estate commission or licensing department. National associations and private schools do not set the requirement, they only offer courses that a state may approve.
Do Agent Certification Institute designations count toward CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials. They are not continuing-education credit in any state and are not approved by any licensing body, so they never replace your required hours.
Why do some states show "Check with" instead of a number?
We only publish a figure we could read on the licensing body's own website or rules. Where we could not confirm a number from an official source, we leave it blank and point you to the body rather than guess.
How current is this?
Every state page shows the date its figures were last checked against the official source, and we review the whole set every year. Rules change between reviews, so confirm with your state before you plan a renewal.
Beyond the requirement
CE keeps your license. A designation is something you choose: a self-paced course and exam on one area of practice, with a credential clients can verify. It is optional, and it is not CE.
Browse designations