California real estate salespersons and brokers must complete 45 hours of continuing education every 4 years to renew their license. The required coursework includes specific state-mandated topics: ethics, agency, trust fund handling, fair housing, risk management, and implicit bias, along with additional elective hours approved by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Start your journey with LEAP's California real estate pre-licensing course.

For most licensees, the timing is tied to the renewal cycle rather than when you first start working. California allows renewal before expiration, and the CE must be completed before you renew. If you’re a broker or a salesperson, the same 45-hour requirement generally applies, though your exact renewal details can depend on whether you’re active or inactive and whether you’ve changed license status.

Costs vary based on the provider and format. Online courses are often the most flexible and affordable, while classroom options may cost more but offer live instruction. The biggest practical factor is making sure the course is DRE-approved; otherwise, it won’t count toward renewal. If you’re just getting started and still working toward licensure, it can help to understand the full education path early, including California’s pre-licensing requirements.

A simple next step is to review your current license expiration date and confirm how many approved hours you still need. If you’re exploring a career in real estate, starting with a solid pre-licensing program can make the whole process easier. You can also look into California real estate pre-licensing course as a convenient way to begin preparing for your license journey.