So you figured how to get a real estate license and California and now you’re officially ready to hit the field… But how long is a California real estate license good for?
Great question!
The short answer—a California real estate license is good for four years.
That means when you register for your California real estate license exam, you’re registering to obtain an active license in California for the four years that follow.
So in addition to knowing how to get a real estate license in California, it’s important to know how to keep your real estate license, too.
Now, let’s take a look at what to expect to keep your California real estate license active.
How to Get a California Real Estate License Renewed
Fortunately, when you get your California real estate license, the expiration date will be listed on the physical copy of the license.
However, the California Department of Real Estate will send you a reminder two months before your license expires reminding you to apply for your renewal.
When you receive that reminder, it’s up to you to apply for your renewal on the California Department of Real Estate’s website.
Free Guide: Learn how to keep your California real estate license active with this free guide.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a California Real Estate License?
At this time, renewing your real estate license in California costs $245. To see the full list of California real estate license fees, visit the California Department of Real Estate’s fee schedule here.
What Are the Requirements to Renew a California Real Estate License?
The first time you renew your California real estate license, you’ll need to have completed 45 hours of continuing education before your license’s expiration date.
Allied Real Estate School offers continuing education online, so you can complete your continuing education courses according to your schedule and availability.
In fact, Allied offers additional resources to continuing education such as:
- Real-time coaching from a seasoned real estate mentor with our online coaching tool
- Product and service discounts to help you in the field
- A full library of supplemental professional development courses
These resources are designed to fine-tune your skills as you grow into your real estate career, rather than simply offering state-mandated courses.
Of course, you can also choose to streamline your continuing education with Allied and just take the required 45 hours of mandatory courses, but we’re proud to offer more tools and instruction if you need it.
What Happens If You Submit Your California Real Estate License Renewal Late?
If you forget to renew your California real estate license on time, you can still apply to renew it for up to two years after the expiration date listed on your license.
However, you will need to pay a “late fee”, and you won’t be able to practice real estate until your renewal is complete.
To be safe, the California Department of Real Estate allows real estate agents to renew their license up to 90 days before the expiration date (and again, the DRE sends a reminder 60 days from your expiration date) so you have a better chance of renewing on time.
The best approach? Set a reminder in your CRM or digital calendar 90 days before your expiration date to get the process started.
Free Report: Learn how much you could earn as a California real estate agent in this free Income Report.
What Happens If My License Is Expired For More Than Two Years?
If your California real estate license is more than two years expired, you’ll need to retake your California real estate license exam and resubmit a California real estate exam application.
Need Continuing Education to Renew Your California Real Estate License?
If you’re ready to start taking steps towards renewing your California real estate license, Allied is a reliable, accredited choice. We’ve helped over 350,000 students become real estate agents and continue their real estate education, and our supportive, experienced instructors are ready to help you keep your California real estate license current.
