North Dakota real estate license and CE requirements
What the North Dakota 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.
North Dakota renews every year, with 12 hours of continuing education due in the twelve months before the November 15 deadline. For the cycle running November 16, 2025 to November 15, 2026 there are no mandatory topics, so all 12 hours are electives of your choosing.
The North Dakota Real Estate Commission can set required topics for a cycle, and its rules mention areas such as fair housing, license law and ethics, agency and contracts. There is no grace period: a licensee who misses the deadline renews as inactive. Nonresident licensees meet the CE rules of their home state.
North Dakota at a glance
| Licensing body | North Dakota Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson, broker associate and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 12 hours every yearRequired topics: No mandatory topics for the Nov. 16, 2025 to Nov. 15, 2026 cycle; all 12 hours are electives (the Commission may set required topics by cycle) |
| Broker CE | 12 hours every yearRequired topics: No mandatory topics for the Nov. 16, 2025 to Nov. 15, 2026 cycle; all 12 hours are electives (the Commission may set required topics by cycle) |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the North Dakota Real Estate Commission if you are newly licensed. |
| Renewal | CE period is the twelve months before the renewal deadline; current cycle runs Nov. 16, 2025 to Nov. 15, 2026. If CE is not completed by Nov. 15, licensees must renew as inactive for 2027; no grace period. |
| Source | NDREC official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota
How many CE hours does a North Dakota salesperson need?
12 hours every year, according to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: No mandatory topics for the Nov. 16, 2025 to Nov. 15, 2026 cycle; all 12 hours are electives (the Commission may set required topics by cycle).
How many CE hours does a North Dakota broker need?
12 hours every year, according to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: No mandatory topics for the Nov. 16, 2025 to Nov. 15, 2026 cycle; all 12 hours are electives (the Commission may set required topics by cycle).
Do ACI designations count toward North Dakota CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the North Dakota Real Estate Commission and do not satisfy any part of North Dakota's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.