Picking the wrong CE course is one of the most common reasons agents fail a renewal. The course looked fine. The price was right. The state board still rejected the credit.
The fix is a 5-step method that works in every state. Use it before you pay for any course.
Last updated:
How we built this: We read every state real estate commission rule so you do not have to. Hours, cycles, and fees come from each state board site. Always confirm with your state before you renew.
The 5-step method
Step 1: Open your state real estate commission site
Go straight to the state board. Not a course seller. Not a search result that looks like the state. The board is the only place that lists the official approval.
Step 2: Find the approved course or provider lookup
Most state boards have a search page named something like "approved providers" or "course lookup." It might sit under the CE menu or the licensee section.
Step 3: Search by course or provider name
Type the course name in full. If you do not see it, search by the provider name. If neither comes up, the course is not approved. Do not pay for it.
Step 4: Check the approval date and expiration
Approvals expire. A course approved 2 years ago may be off the list now. Confirm the expiration date is after your renewal date.
Step 5: Match the topic to your state core list
Approved is not enough on its own. Your state has required topics. The course must hit one of those topics or count as elective. Map the course to your state core before you enroll.
Where each state hides the approved list
Every state real estate commission posts a lookup tool. The page names are not the same in any two states. Below is the state directory with the official board URL pre-loaded. Click your state to jump to the page with the link.
| State | CE Hours |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 |
| Alaska | 20 |
| Arizona | 24 |
| Arkansas | 7 |
| California | 45 |
| Colorado | 24 |
| Connecticut | 12 |
| Delaware | 21 |
| District of Columbia | 15 |
| Florida | 14 |
| Georgia | 36 |
| Hawaii | 20 |
| Idaho | 18 |
| Illinois | 12 |
| Indiana | 12 |
| Iowa | 36 |
| Kansas | 12 |
| Kentucky | 6 |
| Louisiana | 12 |
| Maine | 21 |
| Maryland | 15 |
| Massachusetts | 12 |
| Michigan | 18 |
| Minnesota | 30 |
| Mississippi | 16 |
| Missouri | 12 |
| Montana | 12 |
| Nebraska | 18 |
| Nevada | 36 |
| New Hampshire | 15 |
| New Jersey | 12 |
| New Mexico | 36 |
| New York | 22.5 |
| North Carolina | 8 |
| North Dakota | 9 |
| Ohio | 30 |
| Oklahoma | 21 |
| Oregon | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | 14 |
| Rhode Island | 24 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| South Dakota | 24 |
| Tennessee | 16 |
| Texas | 18 |
| Utah | 18 |
| Vermont | 16 |
| Virginia | 16 |
| Washington | 30 |
| West Virginia | 7 |
| Wisconsin | 18 |
| Wyoming | 45 |
Red flags on course pages
- •"Accepted in all 50 states." No course is. Every state approves on its own list.
- •No provider ID listed. Approved providers have a state-issued ID. If the page does not show one, dig deeper.
- •Old course dates. A course built in 2020 will not cover the NAR settlement or new buyer rules.
- •No course completion certificate. You need a certificate that lists your name, hours, course number, and date.
- •Vague topic claims. "Real estate law" is not a topic. "Texas Legal Update I" is.
Trusted multi-state providers
These providers run state approval in many markets. You still need to confirm the course is approved on your state list before you enroll.
- •The CE Shop. Approved in most states. Full review.
- •Kaplan Real Estate Education. Strong in regulated states like Texas and California.
- •Colibri Real Estate. Wide state approval. Self-paced format.
- •McKissock Learning. Older brand. Approved in many markets.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a real estate CE course is state approved?
Go to your state real estate commission site and look for a course lookup or approved provider list. Search by course name or provider name. If it is not in the list, the credit will not count.
Are out-of-state CE courses accepted?
Sometimes. Some states grant reciprocity for hours taken in another state, but the rule varies. Always check your state real estate commission site before you pay for a course in another state.
What does it mean for a CE course to be approved?
It means the state real estate commission has reviewed the content and the provider, and accepted the course for credit. Approval has an expiration date, so a course approved last year may not be approved now.
Can I take CE on my own and self-report it?
No. Self-study without an approved provider does not count in any state for real estate license renewal. The course must come from an approved provider and be on the approved list.
AgentCE tags each course you log with topic, hours, and provider. The app flags missing core topics before your cycle ends. Free for one license.
Related: Best online CE courses | Online CE guide | 50-state master table