Alabama real estate license and CE requirements
What the Alabama Real Estate Commission asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Alabama keeps its renewal arithmetic simple: 15 hours every two years, and every licensee starts with a 3-hour Risk Management course. Associate and qualifying brokers swap part of their electives for a 3-hour broker course, so the split differs by license even though the total does not.
New Alabama salespeople hold a temporary license and must finish a 30-hour post-license course in their first year or lose it. There is a reward for finishing it, too: the Alabama Real Estate Commission credits the whole post-license course as 15 CE hours for that license period. Courses run at least three clock hours, and partial attendance earns nothing.
Alabama at a glance
| Licensing body | Alabama Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson, associate broker and qualifying broker |
| Salesperson CE | 15 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Risk Management (3 hrs), plus 12 hrs of Commission-approved courses |
| Broker CE | 15 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Risk Management (3 hrs), Broker course (3 hrs), plus 9 hrs of Commission-approved courses (associate and qualifying brokers) |
| Post-license education | 30-hour post license course for all temporary salesperson licensees within the first year of licensure or the license lapses; to stay active, the course must be completed and the original (permanent) license issued within the first six months. |
| Renewal | License periods run October 1 of an even year to September 30 of the next even year; CE credit completed on or before September 30 of a renewal year must be entered by midnight September 30. |
| Source | State code or rule text (Alabama), checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Alabama Real Estate Commission is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Alabama Real Estate Commission" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Alabama requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
Questions about Alabama
How many CE hours does an Alabama salesperson need?
15 hours every 2 years, according to the Alabama Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Risk Management (3 hrs), plus 12 hrs of Commission-approved courses.
How many CE hours does an Alabama broker need?
15 hours every 2 years, according to the Alabama Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Risk Management (3 hrs), Broker course (3 hrs), plus 9 hrs of Commission-approved courses (associate and qualifying brokers).
Is there post-license education in Alabama?
30-hour post license course for all temporary salesperson licensees within the first year of licensure or the license lapses; to stay active, the course must be completed and the original (permanent) license issued within the first six months. Confirm the details with the Alabama Real Estate Commission.
Do ACI designations count toward Alabama CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Alabama Real Estate Commission and do not satisfy any part of Alabama's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.