District of Columbia real estate license and CE requirements
What the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
The District of Columbia prescribes nearly every one of its 15 renewal hours. Salespersons take DC fair housing, DC ethics, a DC legislative update and property management, with one 3-hour elective. Brokers take the same four courses plus broker supervision and have no electives at all.
Our figures for the District come from the course requirement sheet the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection published for the 2023 to 2025 cycle, the most recent we could find on its site, so treat this page as a starting point. Broker and salesperson licenses expire on different dates in odd-numbered years, February 28 and August 31.
District of Columbia at a glance
| Licensing body | District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson and broker (property manager is a separate license) |
| Salesperson CE | 15 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: DC Fair Housing (3 hrs), DC Ethics (3 hrs), DC Legislative Update (3 hrs), Property Management (3 hrs), Electives (3 hrs) (2023 to 2025 cycle) |
| Broker CE | 15 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: DC Fair Housing (3 hrs), DC Ethics (3 hrs), DC Legislative Update (3 hrs), Property Management (3 hrs), Broker Supervision (3 hrs); no electives (2023 to 2025 cycle) |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) if you are newly licensed. |
| Renewal | Broker licenses expire February 28 and salesperson licenses August 31, in odd-numbered renewal years; renewal fee covers up to two years. |
| Source | DCREC official PDF, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) 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 District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)" 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia
How many CE hours does a District of Columbia salesperson need?
15 hours every 2 years, according to the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: DC Fair Housing (3 hrs), DC Ethics (3 hrs), DC Legislative Update (3 hrs), Property Management (3 hrs), Electives (3 hrs) (2023 to 2025 cycle).
How many CE hours does a District of Columbia broker need?
15 hours every 2 years, according to the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: DC Fair Housing (3 hrs), DC Ethics (3 hrs), DC Legislative Update (3 hrs), Property Management (3 hrs), Broker Supervision (3 hrs); no electives (2023 to 2025 cycle).
Do ACI designations count toward District of Columbia CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) and do not satisfy any part of District of Columbia's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.