Want to make your California real estate license renewal quick and painless? As a California real estate agent, you must complete 45 hours of continuing education every four years following your original date of licensure. We’ve listed the top five California online real estate schools to help you complete your continuing education hours and renew your license in no time!
Top 5 Schools for California Real Estate License Renewal
| Our Top 5 Picks | 1st Renewal Package Pricing Starts at: |
|---|---|
| Best Value: Colibri Real Estate | |
| Best for Course Variety: The CE Shop | |
| Best Video Courses: Kaplan | |
| Best for Mobile: 360training | |
| Best Package Options: Revei Real Estate Education |
(California continuing education package prices as of May 2022)
How to Renew Your California Real Estate License
The number of hours required for your California real estate license renewal depends upon whether you’re renewing for the first time or you’ve renewed your license before. Let’s look into your specific continuing education requirements.
First California Real Estate License Renewal
If you obtained your salesperson license for the first time, your first renewal deadline will be four years from the date of your initial licensing.
You’ll need to take 45 hours of CE that include five separate three-hour courses on the following mandatory topics: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, and Risk Management.
You’ll also need to take at least 18 hours of consumer protection courses, and the remaining 12 hours are elective courses of your choice.
First California Real Estate Broker License Renewal
If you obtained your broker license for the first time, your first renewal deadline will be four years from the date of your initial licensing.
You’ll need to take 45 hours of CE that include six separate three-hour courses on the following mandatory topics: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, Risk Management, and Management and Supervision.
You’ll also need to take at least 18 hours of consumer protection courses, and the remaining 12 hours are elective courses of your choice.
Subsequent Salesperson & Broker Renewal
If you’ve renewed your license before, your first renewal deadline will be four years from the date of your last licensing.
You’ll need to take 45 hours of CE that include the following mandatory topics: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, Risk Management, and Management and Supervision. You can take an eight-hour survey course that covers these topics or take them each separately.
You’ll also need to take at least 18 hours of consumer protection courses, and the remaining 19 hours are elective courses of your choice.
Choosing a school that fits your schedule, your budget, and your lifestyle can make the recurring process of fulfilling your continuing education hours a snap. So, let’s dive into our top picks for California real estate license renewal.
6 Best Real Estate Schools in California for 2023
Best Value California Real Estate Continuing Education: Colibri Real Estate
Typical price per individual CE course: $4.50–$13.50
Packages or subscriptions available? Yes
Colibri Real Estate is our top value pick for continuing education because they offer your CE hours in a convenient package option and have a solid variety of individual courses.
Their courses are also affordable, and they’re the only school on our list to provide a subscription option for career resources like job aids as well as product and service discounts.
Colibri Real Estate Pricing
Colibri Real Estate offers one CE package and one unlimited access subscription.
- California Real Estate 45-Hour CE Renewal Package $67: This package includes all your mandatory courses, and are balanced so they fulfill both first and subsequent license renewal requirements for salespeople and brokers.
- California Allied CE Plus Membership $97: You’ll get unlimited access to all California CE courses, a real estate coaching tool, a webinar library, job aids, videos, and product and service discounts.
(California prelicensing package prices as of May 2022)
Colibri Real Estate has everything you need to complete your California real estate continuing education, including access to a real estate coaching tool, for only $97!
BEST FEATURE: Colibri Real Estate’ CE membership option equips agents with a variety of helpful tools, even including job aids like scripts and checklists.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: We recommend taking Colibri Real Estate’ CE courses on a laptop or desktop, as they aren’t as mobile-friendly as other providers.
BOTTOM LINE: Colibri Real Estate’ offers value-packed CE and membership options.
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Best California Real Estate Continuing Education Provider for Course Variety: The CE Shop
Typical price per individual CE course: $15-$40
Packages or subscriptions available? Yes
The CE Shop got its start in continuing education, so it’s no surprise they offer the greatest variety of CE courses. Besides their package options, you’ll find helpful individual courses like “Identifying Homebuying Advantages for Veterans” and “Social Media Compliance.”
Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!
The CE Shop is the only school on our list that lets you test drive their courses & features before you buy. Visit their website today!
The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers three continuing education packages.
- 15-Hour CE Required Topics First-time Renewal $25: You’ll get all five mandatory topics, and be able to choose from The CE Shop’s various individual courses to make up the remaining 30 hours of CE.
- 18-Hour CE Required Topics Subsequent Renewal $35: You’ll get all six mandatory topics, and be able to choose from The CE Shop’s various individual courses to make up the remaining 30 hours of CE.
- 45-Hour CE First-time Sales Package $69: Let The CE Shop choose your electives, balancing between consumer protection and consumer service courses.
(California prelicensing package prices as of May 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We have to call out The CE Shop’s catalog of CE courses, giving agents many ways to fulfill their CE hours.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: The CE Shop isn’t for you if you’re looking for home study or printed material, as all CE course material is available online only.
BOTTOM LINE: The CE Shop is for you if you’d like a varied catalog of different CE topics to choose from.
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Best California Real Estate Continuing Education for Video Courses: Kaplan
Typical price per individual CE course: $16-$24
Packages or subscriptions available? Yes
Kaplan is another continuing education provider that offers its CE courses in a variety of formats. You can choose from online self-study, livestream, or home study. They offer several package options so you can customize the option that fits your needs best.
Kaplan Pricing
Kaplan offers two 45-hour CE packages and one OnDemand 15-hour CE package.
- California 15-Hour First Renewal OnDemand Course Package $49: Access your video lectures anytime; this package includes your five mandatory topics for your first renewal.
- California 45-Hour First Renewal Home Study Package $59: This package fulfills all of your first renewal requirements with a course textbook and online exam.
- California 45-Hour First Renewal OnDemand Package $144: Enjoy everything from the 45-hour home study package in Kaplan’s OnDemand video lecture format.
(California prelicensing package prices as of May 2022)
Renew your California real estate license by enrolling in the 45-hour California Continuing Education Course through Kaplan!
BEST FEATURE: Kaplan’s CE courses do stand out for their access to engaging video courses since the alternative is text-heavy study.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Kaplan’s prices are higher than the other schools on our list. For a simpler format and lower price, consider The CE Shop.
BOTTOM LINE: Choose Kaplan if you’d appreciate a more engaging video lecture to complete your CE hours.
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Best California Real Estate Continuing Education for Mobile Devices: 360training
Typical price per individual CE course: $15-$19
Packages or subscriptions available? Yes
360training is a top-notch online provider offering various real estate education programs nationwide. Their platform is well-designed and organized so you can get around easily and quickly.
Plus, their platform is optimized for mobile devices so that you can easily take your course from your tablet or mobile device.
360training Pricing
360training offers three convenient renewal CE packages:
- California 45-Hour Salesperson First Renewal CE Package $60: This package includes your mandatory five topics, 18-hour consumer protection courses, and electives.
- California 45-Hour Broker First Renewal CE Package $60: This package includes your mandatory six topics, 18-hour consumer protection courses, and electives.
- California 45-Hour Broker & Salesperson Subsequent Renewal CE Package $60: This package includes your eight-hour overview of six topics, 18-hour consumer protection courses, and electives.
(California prelicensing package prices as of May 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We like how easy 360training’s platform is to navigate. The material is organized to help make your progress through the course as efficient as possible.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: You’ll need some self-motivation to get through 360training’s online material since they are primarily text-based.
BOTTOM LINE: You won’t regret choosing 360training’s CE courses if you’re on the go and need a reliable platform for your mobile device.
5 Best Online Real Estate Schools: Our Top Picks for 2023
Best California Real Estate Continuing Education Package Options: Revei Real Estate Education
Typical price per individual CE course: No individual courses available
Packages or subscriptions available? Yes
Revei Real Estate Education is unique in that it only offers CE courses in package format, foregoing offering individual classes. You get the choice between online study, home study, and packages with extra features.
What makes Revei Real Estate Education unique is its concierge feature, which will store your CE best-packagescredits for easy access down the road or wherever you move and help you with your renewal.
Revei Real Estate Education Pricing
Revei Real Estate Education offers four CE packages in online and home study formats.
- Basic Online CE $65: All of your CE material is online, including exams, but also includes phone and email support.
- Physical Books CE $85: You’ll get printed CE materials, but your exams will be online, plus the phone and email support.
- Premier Concierge + Online CE $99: You’ll get everything in the Basic Online package, plus Revei will store your CE credits and help you renew your license.
- Premier Concierge + Physical Books CE $119: You’ll get everything in the Physical Books package, plus Revei will store your CE credits and help you renew your license.
(California prelicensing package prices as of March 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We appreciate that Revei Real Estate Education offers a concierge service for anyone who needs extra help or enjoys saving a bit of time.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Revei Real Estate Education doesn’t offer individual CE courses, so you won’t be able to mix and match the classes most relevant to you.
BOTTOM LINE: Revei Real Estate Education’s packages are great if you aren’t looking for specific classes.
California Real Estate License Renewal: FAQs
Got questions about renewing your real estate license in California? We’ve got answers! Scroll down for answers to the most frequently asked questions, and don’t forget drop us your questions in the comments section if there’s anything we missed.
How do I renew my California real estate license?
You’ll have to renew your license through California’s Department of Real Estate (DRE). The easiest way to renew is through their online licensing system. There, you’ll have access to renew your salesperson or broker license at any time.
You’ll need to input the course number and the date you completed your continuing education courses. You’ll also be able to pay your fee online through the licensing system.
You also have the option to renew your application by completing an application form instead of through the online system.
When should I submit my license renewal application?
The California Department of Real Estate accepts real estate salesperson and broker license renewal applications through their eLicense online system up to 90 days prior to your license expiration date.
What if I don't renew my license before it expires?
If you weren’t able to renew your license before your license expiration date, you’ll still be able to renew within a two-year period immediately following your expiration date. This period is called the two-year late renewal period.
Keep in mind that if you are renewing your license under the two-year late renewal period, you are not permitted to perform any activities that require a real estate license. You’ll have to wait until your license has been renewed.
How can I check if my license has been renewed?
The California Department of Real Estate allows you to check on the status of your license renewal application. You can check the status of your renewal and license by visiting their website.
Are my continuing education classes tax deductible?
Yes! Your real estate CE classes are a professional expense. Keep all of your receipts and records that outline when you took and completed your CE classes, and how much you spent, for tax season.
More Career Resources From The Close
We hope we’ve made your search for a continuing education provider in California a breeze. With a busy and dynamic real estate career, we hope to make fulfilling your CE requirements and completing your California real estate license renewal as efficient as possible.
At The Close, we’re committed to providing real strategies you can use at every stage of your career. Get our tips directly to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. You can also upgrade your skills with The Close Pro, or join our Facebook Mastermind Group to connect with agents nationwide.
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