Continuing Education courses for California Real Estate Licensees were first required in the 1970s. The number of hours required has never changed since the start, but many special topic courses are required each year. There are many possible questions about what you complete. In their Winter Bulletin, the DRE answered many of the confusing aspects. Absorb it.
The first approvals included no exams, and a student had to complete at least 21 hours of Consumer Protection designation, and the remainder could be either Consumer Protection or Consumer Service. Some Consumer Service courses on the State List include Effective Advertising, Temas Electivos, Sex and Real Estate (Harassment, Discrimination, and Fair Housing). Today, at least 18 of your 45 hours must be considered Consumer Protection.
Following is the official word: Salespersons renewing their license for the first time must complete 45 hours of DRE-approved CE, including:
- Four separate 3-hour courses on ethics, agency, trust fund handling, and risk management
- One 3-hour course on fair housing with an interactive component where you role-play as both a consumer and a real estate professional
- One 2-hour course on implicit bias training
- At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
- The remaining hours can be either consumer service or consumer protection courses
Brokers renewing for the first time have one small extra requirement. A three-hour course on management and supervision. Only difference. So a Salesperson can take a Broker-designed course, but a Broker cannot take a Salesperson’s course.
Now, another regulation: All Licensees for subsequent license renewals must complete 45 hours of DRE-approved CE, including:
- One 9-hour CE survey course covering ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision, fair housing, and implicit bias training, OR take individual courses in each of these subjects
- At least 18 hours of consumer protection courses
- Remaining hours can be either consumer service or consumer protection courses
This states that every time after the first renewals mentioned above, you take a 9 Hour Survey Course for every subsequent renewal. However, most of you have renewed at least one time, and I believe that many of you have never taken a Survey Course. How can that be? DRE allows the Broker First-Time Course Renewal to be used for all subsequent renewals as well. As a result, many companies like Duane Gomer Education offer only this course. Why? So many people took the wrong courses when offered a variety. To eliminate confusion, we adopted a single renewal course package that satisfies the requirements and fits all renewing licensees. There are 63 Course Providers, but only 11 Survey Course Providers.
Another rule: The DRE does allow a two-year grace period. However, if you are late renewing and enter into this two-year grace period, you can not work until you complete your 45 hours and renew your license. The penalty is a 50% increase in your fees, whether you are late one day or almost two years. If you go beyond the two-year grace period, you will be required to re-qualify and sit for the state exam again.
Under certain circumstances, you can request a 90-day extension to your renewal date to complete your education. The words I hear when this extension is requested are Bona Fide Attempt.
A licensee (Broker or Salesperson) can request an exemption to the four-year requirement if they are over 70 years of age, with 30 years of continuous licensing, all in good standing. Interesting item, you must request this exemption by mail, nothing online. Not automatic; must request.
By the way, if you have any questions about Continuing Education or License Qualification Courses, call Duane Gomer Education. We have been in Education in California since 1964. We know these laws better than other companies. I have enough trouble understanding our DRE regulations; I do not know how I could know 49 other states. Also, we can help you determine which courses on your college transcript qualify for license qualification purposes for DRE Licenses. See you around campus.
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