Ohio real estate license and CE requirements
What the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Ohio ties its deadline to your birthday. Continuing education is due on or before your birthday three years after initial licensure and every three years after that: 30 hours, including 3 hours each of civil rights, core law and the Ohio Canons of Ethics. Brokers and management-level licensees add a 3-hour broker responsibilities course.
New Ohio salespersons complete 20 hours of post-licensing instruction within twelve months of licensure. At the other end of a career, active licensees aged 70 or older need only the required core courses. Up to 10 extra hours can carry into the next reporting period.
Ohio at a glance
| Licensing body | Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 30 hours every 3 yearsRequired topics: Civil Rights (3 hrs), Core Law (3 hrs), Ohio Canons of Ethics (3 hrs) |
| Broker CE | 30 hours every 3 yearsRequired topics: Civil Rights (3 hrs), Core Law (3 hrs), Ohio Canons of Ethics (3 hrs), Broker Responsibilities (3 hrs), for 12 hrs of required core courses (also applies to management level licensees) |
| Post-license education | 20 hours of post-licensing instruction for salespersons, with proof due within twelve months of the license issue date. |
| Renewal | CE is due on or before the licensee's birthday three years after initial licensure, then every three years. The first birthday after licensing triggers renewal but not the 30 hours of CE. |
| Source | REPL official PDF, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing 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 Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing" 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 Ohio 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 Ohio
How many CE hours does an Ohio salesperson need?
30 hours every 3 years, according to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Civil Rights (3 hrs), Core Law (3 hrs), Ohio Canons of Ethics (3 hrs).
How many CE hours does an Ohio broker need?
30 hours every 3 years, according to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Civil Rights (3 hrs), Core Law (3 hrs), Ohio Canons of Ethics (3 hrs), Broker Responsibilities (3 hrs), for 12 hrs of required core courses (also applies to management level licensees).
Is there post-license education in Ohio?
20 hours of post-licensing instruction for salespersons, with proof due within twelve months of the license issue date. Confirm the details with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.
Do ACI designations count toward Ohio CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing and do not satisfy any part of Ohio's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.