California real estate continuing education is due every four years, on or before your license expiration date. In other words, you don’t wait for a separate annual deadline—your renewal cycle is tied to the date your salesperson or broker license was originally issued, and you must complete the required continuing education before you renew. Start your journey with LEAP's California real estate pre-licensing course.

For California licensees, the standard renewal requirement is 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education. These courses must be completed before you submit a renewal, and they are especially important for your first renewal after getting licensed. If you miss the deadline, renewal can become more complicated, so it’s smart to keep an eye on your expiration date well in advance.

Timing and cost can vary depending on how you take the classes. Online CE is often the most flexible option for working agents, while live classes may offer more interaction. Prices depend on the provider and package, but they’re usually much lower than the cost of letting a license lapse and dealing with late renewal issues. It also helps to remember that California’s education rules can change, so checking the DRE’s current requirements before renewing is always a good idea.

If you’re still working toward becoming licensed, it can be helpful to plan ahead from the start. A California pre-licensing course can give you a clear path into the industry and help you understand the education timeline before you ever reach renewal season. If you’re exploring that next step, you can look into California real estate pre-licensing course as a straightforward place to begin.