Real Estate Continuing Education: State Requirements for 2025-2026

Last Updated on January 11, 2026 by Elizabeth Nolan

Staying current with your continuing education requirements is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a licensed real estate professional. But with 50 different states, each with unique hour requirements, mandatory topics, and renewal deadlines, keeping track of what you need can feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re renewing your license for the first time or you’re a seasoned agent managing renewals across multiple states, having accurate, up-to-date information is essential. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down the current continuing education requirements for all 50 states as of 2025, highlight important changes coming in 2026, and help you find quality education providers that make fulfilling your requirements straightforward and valuable

UPDATE: This guide has been updated for 2026 with new provider
recommendations and the latest state requirements.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I believe will be valuable to real estate agents.

How to Use This Interactive Guide

Click your state and instantly see everything you need: hours required, mandatory topics, deadlines, and renewal periods.

1. Click your state from the list below (or use the search box to find it quickly)
2. Review your current 2025 requirements – hours, mandatory topics, and deadlines
3. Check for 2026 updates – if your state has changes coming, they’ll be highlighted in blue
4. Verify with your state commission – click the official website link provided
5. Choose your provider – review the recommended CE providers and their specialties
6. Bookmark this page – requirements can change, so come back anytime for updates

Why Real Estate Continuing Education Really Matters

Beyond maintaining your license, continuing education serves several critical purposes that directly impact your success and your clients’ outcomes.

Stay Current with Changing Laws

Real estate law evolves constantly. Fair housing regulations expand. Disclosure requirements change. Contract standards get updated. CE courses ensure you’re operating with current legal knowledge, protecting both you and your clients from costly mistakes and compliance issues.

Missing a recent legal change could expose you to liability, complaints to your state commission, or damage to your professional reputation. Staying educated is your first line of defense.

Expand Your Professional Expertise

Strategic CE course selection helps you develop valuable specializations. Want to work in luxury real estate? Take courses on high-end property marketing and contract negotiation. Interested in investment properties? Study landlord-tenant law and property management.

Each continuing education course is an opportunity to add skills that increase your value to clients and your earning potential.

Maintain Professional Credibility

Clients want to work with knowledgeable agents who invest in staying current. Completing your CE requirements on time demonstrates professionalism and commitment to excellence. It shows you take your career seriously.

Conversely, letting your license lapse or rushing through requirements at the last minute projects the opposite message. Your education commitment is visible to clients, colleagues, and your brokerage.

Avoid License Lapses

Missing your renewal deadline creates serious problems: • Immediate inability to earn commissions on active transactions • Late fees and reinstatement costs • Potential requirement to retake your licensing exam (in some states) • Gap in your license history that looks unprofessional to future brokerages • Stress and scrambling to fix the situation

Using this guide and planning ahead prevents all of these headaches..

Interactive State-by-State CE Requirements

Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Continuing Education

📅 Plan Ahead

Don’t wait until the last minute. Rushing through courses limits their educational value and creates unnecessary stress. Spread your CE hours throughout your renewal period to:

• Retain more information (spaced learning is more effective) • Avoid end-of-cycle course shortages (popular courses fill up) • Reduce pressure and deadline anxiety • Have backup time if technology issues arise

Set calendar reminders three months, two months, and one month before your renewal deadline.

🎯 Choose Strategically

Select courses that align with your career goals and market needs. Every CE hour is an opportunity to invest in your future specializations.

Working in a growing luxury market? Take courses on high-end property sales and marketing. Seeing more investors in your area? Study 1031 exchanges and investment property analysis. Want to serve senior clients better? Take courses on reverse mortgages and aging-in-place modifications.

Make your required hours count by choosing topics that directly benefit your business.

📝 Keep Detailed Records

Maintain detailed records of all completed courses: • Certificate of completion • Course name and provider • Date completed • Course number or approval ID • Credit hours earned • Instructor name (if applicable)

Create a dedicated folder (digital or physical) for CE documentation. Some states audit licensees randomly, and having organized records makes compliance easy. Even states that don’t audit may request proof if there’s a question about your renewal.

💡 Implement What You Learn

The best continuing education doesn’t just check a box – it actually improves your practice. After each course:

1. Write down three specific ways you’ll apply what you learned
2. Share insights with your team or broker (if applicable)
3. Update your client materials or processes based on new knowledge
4. Set a calendar reminder to review your action items in 30 days

CE courses that change how you work deliver value far beyond the credit hours.

Related article: Real Estate Continuing Education Classes: The Latest Guide

Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate CE Requirements

What happens if I miss my CE deadline?

Consequences vary by state but typically include: • Late fees • License suspension (you cannot practice) • Inability to complete active transactions • Reinstatement requirements (may include additional courses or fees) • In extreme cases: requirement to retake the licensing exam

The cost and hassle of missing deadlines always exceeds the time it takes to complete requirements on schedule.

Can I take CE courses from another state?

Generally, no. Most states require courses specifically approved by their real estate commission. However, some states have reciprocal agreements for certain courses.

Always verify with your state commission. The interactive guide above links directly to official state websites where you can confirm approved provider lists.

Do online CE courses count?

Yes! The vast majority of states now accept – and many even prefer – online continuing education. Online courses offer: • Learn-at-your-own-pace flexibility • Access from anywhere • Automatic progress tracking • Lower costs than in-person classes • No travel time or location constraints

Ensure any online provider you choose is specifically approved by your state’s real estate commission. The providers recommended in this guide (Colibri, The CE Shop, McKissock, and Kaplan) all offer state-approved online courses.

How far in advance can I complete my CE hours?

This varies by state: • Some states allow completion anytime during your renewal period • Some require completion within a specific window (e.g., the last 12 months) • A few states let you complete hours early and carry them forward

Check your state’s specific requirements in the interactive guide above. When in doubt, completing courses during your renewal period is always safe.

Can I get CE credit for teaching real estate courses?

Many states offer CE credit for teaching approved courses – typically 1-2 hours of credit per hour taught, sometimes with a cap on total credits earned this way.

This is an excellent way to fulfill requirements while sharing your expertise and establishing yourself as a local authority. Contact your state commission for specific policies about instructor credits.

Are there any CE exemptions?

Some states offer exemptions based on: • Age (e.g., California exempts licensees 70+ with 30+ years of continuous licensure) • Years licensed (e.g., some states exempt brokers with 25+ years) • Active military service • Disability or hardship

Exemptions are rare and highly specific. Check your state’s requirements in the guide above or contact your state commission directly.

Choosing the Right Continuing Education Provider

With so many options available, selecting the right education provider is crucial. Not all continuing education providers are created equal. The right provider can make fulfilling your requirements efficient, educational, and even enjoyable. The wrong one can waste your time with outdated content, poor user experience, or courses that don’t actually help you grow professionally.

When choosing a CE provider, consider these factors:

State Approval & Coverage: Does the provider offer approved courses in your state? If you’re licensed in multiple states, can one provider handle all your requirements?

Course Quality: Are the courses engaging and current? Do they use real-world examples? Will you actually learn something valuable?

Platform Experience: Is the online platform easy to use? Can you access courses on mobile? Does it track your progress?

Pricing Transparency: Are there hidden fees? Do they offer unlimited access memberships? What’s the true cost per credit hour?

Flexibility: Can you start and stop courses as needed? Is there a time limit? Can you retake quizzes?

Colibri Real Estate – Comprehensive CE for Multi-State Agents

After researching continuing education providers, Colibri Real Estate stands out as a comprehensive solution for real estate professionals, particularly if you hold licenses in multiple states.

What Makes Colibri Different

Colibri offers both pre-licensing and continuing education courses on a single platform, giving you a one-stop solution for all your real estate education needs. Their Multi-State Plus Membership is specifically designed for agents who practice across state lines – you get unlimited access to continuing education courses in every state where Colibri is approved.

Nearly Nationwide CE Coverage

Colibri provides continuing education in nearly all states and is continuously expanding. They’re currently approved in most states, with new approvals coming regularly as they work through state commission processes.

Current CE Coverage: Colibri offers CE courses in the vast majority of states, including major markets like California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, and many more.

States Where CE Is Not Yet Available: As of January 2026, Colibri doesn’t yet offer CE in Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, or West Virginia. If you’re in one of these states, check the alternative providers listed below.

Perfect for Multi-State Agents

If you hold real estate licenses in two or more states, Colibri’s Multi-State Plus Membership is an exceptional value. Instead of juggling multiple providers and tracking different renewal dates across platforms, you can complete all your continuing education requirements in one place.

The membership gives you unlimited access to state-approved courses across all states where you’re licensed (that Colibri serves), eliminating the per-course fees and simplifying your renewal process significantly.

Quality Course Content

Colibri’s courses cover all state-mandated topics including: • Ethics and Professional Practices • Fair Housing and Civil Rights • Contract Law and Legal Updates • Agency Relationships • Risk Management • State-specific mandatory courses

The content is kept current with regular updates to reflect changing laws and regulations, ensuring you’re learning information that’s actually relevant to your practice.

User-Friendly Platform

The Colibri platform is designed for busy professionals. You can access courses on desktop, tablet, or mobile, picking up exactly where you left off across devices. Course progress is tracked automatically, and you can work at your own pace with no time pressure.

Alternative Quality CE Providers

While Colibri is my top recommendation, here are other reputable providers worth considering, especially if you’re in one of the states where Colibri doesn’t yet offer CE:

The CE Shop

Strengths: Comprehensive course catalog, user-friendly interface, available in all 50 states

Best For: Agents who prefer self-paced online learning

Popular Courses: Ethics in Real Estate, Fair Housing Compliance, Risk Management

Special Feature: Adaptive learning technology that focuses on areas where you need the most help

The CE Shop has been around for years and offers solid, state-approved courses across the country. Their adaptive learning technology is particularly helpful if you struggle with certain topics – the platform identifies areas where you need more practice and adjusts accordingly.

McKissock Learning

Strengths: High-quality content, industry-leading instructors, flexible learning options

Best For: Agents looking for specialized designations alongside CE requirements

Popular Courses: Real Estate Investing, Luxury Home Certification, Commercial Real Estate Fundamentals

Special Feature: Membership packages that include unlimited access to courses

McKissock is excellent if you’re interested in pursuing professional designations while fulfilling your CE requirements. Their instructor-led courses provide more interaction than typical self-paced options.

Kaplan Real Estate Education

Strengths: In-depth course materials, live instructor support, excellent reputation

Best For: Agents who prefer a more traditional educational approach

Popular Courses: Contract Law for Real Estate Professionals, Real Estate Finance Today, Negotiation Skills

Special Feature: Interactive study groups and webinars with expert instructors

Kaplan has decades of experience in real estate education. If you value live instructor interaction and prefer a more structured, classroom-style learning environment (even online), Kaplan delivers.

Maximizing Your CE Investment

To get maximum value from your continuing education:

Align Courses with Business Goals

Think about where you want your career in 2-5 years. Building a luxury practice? Take high-end sales courses. Expanding into property management? Study landlord-tenant law. Moving into commercial real estate? Learn commercial contracts and analysis.

Choose courses that build skills for your target market or desired specialization.

Network During Courses

Live webinars and instructor-led courses provide networking opportunities. Connect with other professionals in your field: • Exchange business cards and contact info • Join course discussion forums • Build relationships with fellow agents • Ask instructors questions about your specific market

These connections often lead to referral partnerships and deal collaborations.

Beyond Compliance: Leveraging CE for Career Growth

Smart agents view continuing education as professional development, not just a compliance requirement.

Pursue Specialized Designations

Consider combining CE requirements with designation programs:

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): For agents focusing on residential properties – advanced training in listing, selling, and client service

• Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR): For agents working primarily with buyers – expertise in buyer representation and home search strategies

• Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES): For agents serving clients 50+ – specialized knowledge about senior housing, aging in place, and retirement planning

• Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS): For agents dealing with international clients – cross-border transactions and global real estate markets

• Green Designation: For agents specializing in sustainable properties – energy efficiency, green building, and environmental considerations

These designations typically require courses beyond basic CE, but many hours can count toward both requirements. The designations open doors to specialized client bases and often lead to steady repeat business.

Related article: How to Farm Specific Home Seller Segments: Your Strategic Guide to Building a Thriving Real Estate Business

Ready to Stay Compliant and Grow Your Skills?

Use the interactive guide above to find your state’s exact requirements, then choose a quality provider that makes completing your CE straightforward and valuable.

My Top Recommendation: Colibri Real Estate offers comprehensive CE courses with nearly nationwide coverage. If you’re licensed in multiple states, their Multi-State Plus Membership provides unlimited access across all your licensing states – a significant time and money saver.

About This Guide: This comprehensive resource was researched and compiled in January 2026 using official state real estate commission websites and verified education provider information.

While I strive for accuracy, continuing education requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with your state’s official real estate commission before enrolling in courses or renewing your license. Direct links to all state commission websites are provided in the interactive guide above.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I believe will be valuable to real estate agents.