California real estate license and CE requirements
What the California Department of Real Estate asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
California runs on a four-year cycle: 45 hours every four years for salespersons and brokers alike, with at least 18 of those hours in consumer protection courses. The California Department of Real Estate also names specific mandatory subjects, including ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management and fair housing.
Two details stand out. The fair housing course must include an interactive component in which licensees role-play both a consumer and a real estate professional, and every renewal now includes 2 hours of implicit bias training. After the first renewal, a single 9-hour survey course can cover the mandatory subjects in one sitting.
California at a glance
| Licensing body | California Department of Real Estate |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 45 hours every 4 yearsRequired topics: First renewal: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Risk Management (3 hrs each), Fair Housing with interactive component (3 hrs), Implicit Bias (2 hrs), at least 18 hrs consumer protection. Later renewals: a 9-hr survey course covering the mandatory subjects (or individual courses), plus at least 18 hrs consumer protection |
| Broker CE | 45 hours every 4 yearsRequired topics: First renewal: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Risk Management, Management and Supervision (3 hrs each), Fair Housing with interactive component (3 hrs), Implicit Bias (2 hrs), at least 18 hrs consumer protection. Later renewals same as salesperson |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the California Department of Real Estate if you are newly licensed. |
| Renewal | Licenses renew every four years. |
| Source | DRE official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The California Department of Real Estate 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 California Department of Real Estate" 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 California requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
Agency appears in California's required topics. The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
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.
Questions about California
How many CE hours does a California salesperson need?
45 hours every 4 years, according to the California Department of Real Estate (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: First renewal: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Risk Management (3 hrs each), Fair Housing with interactive component (3 hrs), Implicit Bias (2 hrs), at least 18 hrs consumer protection. Later renewals: a 9-hr survey course covering the mandatory subjects (or individual courses), plus at least 18 hrs consumer protection.
How many CE hours does a California broker need?
45 hours every 4 years, according to the California Department of Real Estate (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: First renewal: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Risk Management, Management and Supervision (3 hrs each), Fair Housing with interactive component (3 hrs), Implicit Bias (2 hrs), at least 18 hrs consumer protection. Later renewals same as salesperson.
Do ACI designations count toward California CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the California Department of Real Estate and do not satisfy any part of California's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.