Michigan real estate license and CE requirements
What the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Michigan renews on a three-year cycle with 18 hours of continuing education, but it also sets yearly minimums. In each calendar year, licensees need at least 2 hours on real estate law, rules and court cases, and at least 1 hour on fair housing compliance.
Someone first licensed partway through a Michigan cycle owes less: 12 hours if licensed in the second year, 6 in the third. Since 2015, courses no longer need state preapproval and schools do not report hours, so licensees keep their own proof for at least four years. Our figures come from search results on michigan.gov, which blocked direct access.
Michigan at a glance
| Licensing body | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson, associate broker and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 18 hours every 3 yearsRequired topics: At least 2 hours each calendar year on real estate law, rules and court cases, and at least 1 hour each year on fair housing compliance |
| Broker CE | 18 hours every 3 yearsRequired topics: At least 2 hours each calendar year on real estate law, rules and court cases, and at least 1 hour each year on fair housing compliance |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs if you are newly licensed. |
| Source | LARA official PDF, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs" 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 Michigan requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Transaction Coordination Specialist
Carry every deal from signed contract to closing without a missed deadline.
Michigan's required topics touch contracts, financing or closing. The CTCS covers contract terms, deadlines and coordinating a deal from signed contract to closing.
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 Michigan
How many CE hours does a Michigan salesperson need?
18 hours every 3 years, according to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: At least 2 hours each calendar year on real estate law, rules and court cases, and at least 1 hour each year on fair housing compliance.
How many CE hours does a Michigan broker need?
18 hours every 3 years, according to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: At least 2 hours each calendar year on real estate law, rules and court cases, and at least 1 hour each year on fair housing compliance.
Do ACI designations count toward Michigan CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and do not satisfy any part of Michigan's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.