Marcus got his real estate license in 2023. He sold four homes his first year. Then his renewal came up. He had no idea what to do. He thought the state would send him a form. They did not. His license lapsed for 45 days before he figured it out.
If you are facing your first renewal, or you just want to make sure you do it right, this guide walks you through every step.
Step 1: Find your renewal date
Your renewal date is printed on your license. You can also find it on your state real estate commission website by looking up your license number. Do not wait for a reminder letter. Some states send them. Many do not.
In Texas, licenses expire every 2 years on the anniversary of the original issue date. In California, it is every 4 years. In North Carolina, it is every year on June 30. Each state is different.
Pro tip: Put your renewal date in your phone calendar right now. Set alerts at 90, 60, and 30 days out. Or use AgentCE, which sends push reminders automatically.
Step 2: Check your CE requirements
Before you can renew, most states require you to finish a set number of CE hours. The exact number depends on your state:
- •Texas: 18 hours, including Legal Update I and Legal Update II (4 hours each)
- •California: 45 hours every 4 years, with mandatory topics like ethics and fair housing
- •New York: 22.5 hours every 2 years, including 3 hours of fair housing
- •Florida: 14 hours every 2 years, including a core law course
- •Illinois: 12 hours every 2 years for brokers
Find your exact requirements on our state requirements page. Do not guess. Missing even one required topic can delay your renewal.
Step 3: Complete your CE courses
Take your courses from a state-approved provider. Popular options include The CE Shop, Kaplan, Colibri, and McKissock. Most courses are online and self-paced.
Watch the categories. Having 18 total hours means nothing if you skipped the mandatory Legal Update courses in Texas. Each state has required topics. Fill those first, then use electives to hit your total.
After finishing each course, save your completion certificate. You will need it if your state audits your file.
Step 4: Gather your documents
Before you start the renewal application, get these ready:
- •Your current license number
- •CE completion certificates (or confirmation that your provider reported to the state)
- •Payment method for the renewal fee
- •Any required disclosure forms (criminal history, disciplinary actions)
- •E&O insurance proof (required in some states like Colorado and South Dakota)
Step 5: Submit your renewal online
Almost every state lets you renew online through the real estate commission website. Here is what to expect:
- •Log into your state licensing portal
- •Verify your personal information and CE completion
- •Answer any disclosure questions (background check, complaints)
- •Pay the renewal fee (typically $50 to $300 depending on the state)
- •Submit and save your confirmation number
Processing times vary. Some states approve renewals in minutes. Others take 2 to 4 weeks. Submit early so you are not practicing on an expired license while you wait.
How much does renewal cost?
Renewal fees vary by state. Here are some examples:
| State | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|
| Texas | $110 |
| California | $245 |
| Florida | $72 |
| New York | $65 |
| Illinois | $150 |
| Colorado | $113 |
| Georgia | $170 |
On top of the state fee, you will pay for CE courses ($30 to $150) and possibly E&O insurance ($200 to $500/year). Budget for the full cost, not just the state fee.
What if you miss your deadline?
Most states have a grace period, usually 30 to 90 days. During that window, you can still renew with a late fee. But you may not be able to practice during the grace period. Check your state rules.
If you go past the grace period, things get harder. You may need to:
- •Apply for reinstatement (extra paperwork and fees)
- •Complete additional CE hours
- •Retake part or all of the licensing exam
- •Wait weeks or months for approval
Renewal timeline checklist
Track it all in one place
The hardest part of renewal is keeping track of deadlines, hours, and categories across states. AgentCE does it for you. It loads your state requirements, tracks CE hours by category, and sends push reminders before your deadline. The free plan covers one license.
For more on state-specific rules, browse the full state-by-state CE guide or check your state requirements page.