Real Estate License Renewal and CE Deadlines by State (2026)
Real estate CE deadlines fall into two groups: about 20 states use one fixed date for everyone, such as June 10 in North Carolina or Dec. 31 in Arkansas and Louisiana, and the rest tie the deadline to your own license expiration. The table below shows the deadline in every state, so you can see whether you’re working against a statewide date or your own renewal date.
Updated October 2026. Every deadline comes from that state’s real estate commission; each state page lists its official sources.
Real estate CE and renewal deadlines by state
| State | CE / renewal deadline | Deadline type | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Sept. 30 of even years | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Alaska | Jan. 31 of even years; no grace period | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Arizona | Before your license expires | Your license date | 2 years |
| Arkansas | Dec. 31 every year | Fixed date | 1 year |
| California | Before your license expires | Your license date | 4 years |
| Colorado | Dec. 31 of the last year of your cycle | Fixed date | 3 years |
| Connecticut | Feb. 28, 2028 for the current cycle; licenses expire May 31 of even years | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Delaware | April 30 of even years | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Florida | Before your license expires | Your license date | 2 years |
| Georgia | Before your renewal date | Your license date | 4 years |
| Hawaii | Nov. 30 of even years (renewal deadline) | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Idaho | Before your renewal date | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Illinois | April 30 of even years | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Indiana | June 30 every year (CE year July 1–June 30) | Fixed date | 1 year |
| Iowa | Dec. 31 of the third year of your term | Fixed date | 3 years |
| Kansas | Before your license expires | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Kentucky | 6 hours in the first year of the period, 12 by its end | Your license date | 2 years |
| Louisiana | Dec. 31 every year | Fixed date | 1 year |
| Maine | Before your license expires | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Maryland | At least 30 days before you submit your renewal | Your license date | Each license term |
| Massachusetts | Before renewal on your birthday | Your license date | Each license term |
| Michigan | Before renewal, with law and fair housing hours each year | Your license date | 3 years |
| Minnesota | 15 hours in the first 12 months, 30 by the end of the period | Your license date | 24 months |
| Mississippi | Before your license expires | Your license date | 2 years |
| Missouri | Salespersons Sept. 30, brokers June 30, of even years | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Montana | Oct. 31 every year | Fixed date | 1 year |
| Nebraska | Before renewal | Your license date | 2 years |
| Nevada | Before your license expires | Your license date | 2 years |
| New Hampshire | Within your current license period, before renewal | Your license date | 2 years |
| New Jersey | April 30, 2027 for the current term ($200 late fee after); licenses expire June 30, 2027 | Fixed date | 2 years |
| New Mexico | Before renewal; the core course is due each year | Your license date | 3 years |
| New York | Before your license expires | Your license date | 2 years |
| North Carolina | June 10 every year (renew by June 30) | Fixed date | 1 year |
| North Dakota | Nov. 15 every year | Fixed date | Each cycle |
| Ohio | On or before your birthday, every 3 years from licensure | Your license date | 3 years |
| Oklahoma | Before renewal | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Oregon | Before renewal | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Pennsylvania | May 31 of even years; no grace period | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Rhode Island | Before renewal on your license anniversary | Your license date | 2 years |
| South Carolina | Before your renewal | Your license date | 2 years |
| South Dakota | Dec. 31 (renewal application due Nov. 30) | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Tennessee | On or before your license expiration | Your license date | 2 years |
| Texas | Before your license expires; TREC suggests 10 days early | Your license date | 2 years |
| Utah | By the 15th of your renewal month | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Vermont | Before your license expires | Your license date | Each renewal |
| Virginia | Before your license expires | Your license date | 2 years |
| Washington | Before your renewal date (2 years from issue) | Your license date | 2 years |
| West Virginia | Each year; renewal opens May 1 | Fixed date | 1 year |
| Wisconsin | Dec. 14 of even years | Fixed date | 2 years |
| Wyoming | Before renewal | Your license date | 3 years |
“Your license date” means the deadline is your own license expiration or renewal date, which you’ll find on your license or in your state’s online licensing account.
States with one deadline for everyone
- Every year: North Carolina (June 10), Indiana (June 30), Montana (Oct. 31), North Dakota (Nov. 15), and Arkansas and Louisiana (Dec. 31).
- Even-numbered years: Alaska (Jan. 31), Illinois and Delaware (April 30), Pennsylvania (May 31), Alabama (Sept. 30), Missouri (Sept. 30 for salespersons), Hawaii (Nov. 30) and Wisconsin (Dec. 14).
- End of a multi-year cycle: Colorado and Iowa (Dec. 31 of the cycle’s last year), Connecticut (Feb. 28, 2028) and New Jersey (April 30, 2027).
States where the deadline is your license date
In the other states, including Texas, Florida, California, New York, Georgia and Virginia, CE is due before your own license expires. The date depends on when you were licensed, and in Ohio and Massachusetts it’s tied to your birthday. Some add a cutoff before that date: Utah requires CE by the 15th of your renewal month, and Maryland at least 30 days before you submit your renewal.
What happens if you miss it
- Texas: renew active with a $200 CE deferral fee for 60 more days to finish.
- New Jersey: a mandatory $200 late CE processing fee.
- Missouri: late renewals cost $50 a month, up to $200.
- South Dakota: inactive status on Jan. 1 until your CE is reported.
- North Carolina and Massachusetts: you can renew, but on inactive status until CE is done.
- Ohio: automatic suspension, then revocation after 12 more months.
- Alaska and Pennsylvania: no grace period; you can’t practice on an expired license.
How to never miss a deadline
- Look up your exact expiration date in your state’s online licensing account.
- Finish early. Schools may take days to report your hours: New Jersey says about 10 business days, and Missouri gives schools 10 days.
- Check what’s required, not just how many hours. See our CE requirements by state for each state’s mandatory courses.
- If you’re newly licensed, check whether post-license education replaces CE for your first renewal.
Common questions about CE deadlines
When is my real estate CE due?
It depends on your state. About 20 states use one fixed deadline for everyone, such as June 10 in North Carolina or Dec. 31 in Arkansas and Louisiana. The rest tie it to your own license expiration, often your license anniversary or, in Ohio and Massachusetts, your birthday.
Which states require CE every year?
Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina and West Virginia have annual CE deadlines.
What happens if I miss my CE deadline?
It varies. Texas lets you renew active with a $200 deferral fee and 60 more days; New Jersey charges a $200 late CE fee; South Dakota moves you to inactive status on Jan. 1; Ohio suspends the license automatically; and Alaska and Pennsylvania have no grace period to keep practicing.
Can I get an extension?
Rarely. California allows a 90-day extension with form RE 213 if you qualify, and New York grants extensions only for documented hardship. Most states require CE before renewal with no extension.
How early should I finish?
Leave time for your school to report your hours. Texas recommends at least 10 days before expiration, Maryland requires CE at least 30 days before you submit your renewal, and Connecticut's CE deadline falls three months before its renewal deadline.
Do I need CE if my license is inactive?
Usually not to renew inactive, but most states require the missed hours before you reactivate.
Find your state’s CE courses: pick your state in the table above to compare approved online courses and finish before your deadline.