California CE: First Renewal vs Second & Subsequent

In California, real estate licenses follow a four-year cycle. Each renewal requires 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education, including at least 18 hours in Consumer Protection—the remaining hours can be a mix of Consumer Protection or Consumer Service courses. You can file your renewal up to 90 days before your license expires, and if you miss that window, California offers a two-year late-renewal period. Just remember, you cannot perform any licensed activities until your license is officially renewed.

This guide dives into how the requirements differ between your first renewal and all subsequent renewals, so you know exactly what to expect at every stage of your real estate career.

1) First Renewal (new Salesperson or Broker license)

When does this apply?

When it’s time for your first renewal, right after your initial four-year license term, you’ll follow a structured continuing education (CE) plan to keep your license active and in good standing.

How are the 45 hours structured?

For your first renewal, all mandatory topics must be completed as separate courses. You’ll also choose electives to reach the total 45 hours, making sure that at least 18 hours focus on Consumer Protection. Keep your completion certificates handy: you’ll need the course numbers and dates for eLicensing, or attach Form RE 251 if you renew by mail.

Salesperson — first renewal, required subjects.

For salespersons, the mandatory courses are:

• Ethics – 3 hours
• Agency – 3 hours
• Trust Fund Handling – 3 hours
• Risk Management – 3 hours
• Fair Housing – 3 hours, including an interactive component where you role-play both consumer and licensee
• Implicit Bias – 2 hours

Electives fill out the remainder of the 45 hours, with at least 18 hours dedicated to Consumer Protection.

Broker/Corporate Officer — first renewal, required subjects.

Brokers complete everything above plus:

• Management & Supervision – 3 hours as a standalone course

This brings the total to five 3-hour mandatory courses, plus Fair Housing and Implicit Bias. The Management & Supervision requirement was added by law in 2016 and is now a standard part of the first renewal for brokers.

Practical tips (first renewal).

• Fair Housing: Make sure the course clearly includes the interactive component.
• Implicit Bias: Always a separate 2-hour course for first-time renewals.
• Paper Renewals: If filing by mail, ensure RE 251 lists the exact course titles and numbers from your certificates.
• Stay Organized: Keep track of all CE hours and completion dates—this will make renewing online via eLicensing much smoother.

Following this roadmap ensures a smooth first renewal and keeps your license in good standing without surprises.

2) Second & Subsequent Renewals

When does this apply?

These requirements apply to your second and subsequent renewals, which occur every four years after your first renewal. The total CE requirement remains 45 hours, with at least 18 hours dedicated to Consumer Protection.

Once you’ve completed your first renewal, every four years after that you’ll need to complete 45 hours of continuing education, with at least 18 hours focused on Consumer Protection. The good news? You now have some flexibility in how you meet the mandatory requirements.

Two Ways to Complete Your Courses

Option 1 — The “One-and-Done” Survey Course‍

Take a single 9-hour survey course that covers all seven required topics in one go: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Risk Management, Management & Supervision, Fair Housing, and Implicit Bias. Then, simply add electives to reach the 45-hour total. This is a popular choice because it’s fast, streamlined, and checks every mandatory box in one course.

Option 2 — Individual Courses‍

Prefer to tackle topics one at a time? You can take each of the seven mandatory courses separately, plus electives to hit your 45 hours. Fair Housing must include the interactive, participatory component, and Implicit Bias remains a dedicated 2-hour course.

What’s Different After the First Renewal?

• Management & Supervision is now required for everyone—not just brokers—on all second and later renewals.
• The 9-hour survey course option is available, letting you bundle all mandatory topics into one efficient course. Many licensees find this much easier than juggling individual courses.

Key Notes to Keep in Mind

Trust Fund Handling Still Matters‍

Some older guides suggest you don’t need Trust Fund Handling after the first renewal. That’s outdated. The DRE still lists it as a mandatory topic for all later renewals, whether you take the survey course or individual courses.

Fair Housing and Implicit Bias‍

Thanks to SB 263 (effective January 1, 2023), Fair Housing now includes an interactive, participatory component, and Implicit Bias is a separate 2-hour course. For all subsequent renewals, these requirements remain in place—either built into the survey course or taken individually.

Final Thoughts 

Keeping your California real estate license active doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether it’s your first renewal or one of many, the key is staying on top of your continuing education, tracking your hours, and planning ahead.

Remember, the first renewal requires completing mandatory courses individually, while subsequent renewals give you the flexibility of the 9-hour survey course or individual classes. Always make sure at least 18 hours focus on Consumer Protection, and keep your CE documentation organized—online or on paper—so you’re ready when it’s time to submit.

Plan ahead, take advantage of the early renewal window, and know there’s a two-year grace period if you need it. Staying proactive ensures your license stays current, letting you focus on what really matters: serving your clients and growing your real estate career.