Alabama Real Estate License Renewal and CE Requirements

Alabama real estate licensees must complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) and renew their license every two years through the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC). The current license period runs from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026. Active licensees who finish their real estate CE and submit renewal by August 31 avoid a $150 late penalty, and licenses not renewed by September 30 expire and move to inactive status on October 1.

Alabama real estate license renewal cycle and deadlines

Alabama's two-year license period begins October 1 of each even-numbered year and ends September 30 of the next even-numbered year, as stated on the AREC licensing FAQ page^[1]. The current cycle runs October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026. Online renewal opens in mid-June of the renewal year through the AREC website.

Three dates structure every renewal cycle:

Both active and inactive licenses must be renewed to remain current, according to the AREC license renewal page^[2]. Inactive licensees do not need to complete CE to renew, but they cannot practice real estate while inactive.

The Alabama real estate license renewal process

Active licensees log in to the AREC license renewal portal^[2], confirm their CE hours are on file, and pay the renewal fee. The portal accepts eCheck, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Renewal fees vary by license type, as the AREC licensing application instructions^[3] note that "fees vary depending upon the license-type you are seeking."

AREC typically mails renewal postcard reminders in mid-July, but licensees are responsible for meeting deadlines regardless of whether a reminder arrives.

Continuing education hours required for Alabama license renewal

Active licensees in Alabama must earn 15 CE hours during each license period to renew. The Commission sets the completion deadline for September 30 in even-numbered years, and CE is not required for inactive renewals, according to the AREC course requirements page^[4].

Salesperson CE requirements

The mandatory "Risk Management: Initial Contact to Accepted Offer" course is required for every active salesperson renewal, with remaining hours drawn from Commission-approved electives, as listed on the AREC course requirements page^[4].

Broker CE requirements

Brokers must complete two mandatory courses: the Risk Management course and the Mandatory Broker CE Course, plus elective hours, per the AREC course requirements page^[4]. Any licensee may take the Mandatory Broker CE Course as an elective.

Completing Alabama real estate CE online and in person

Alabama permits distance education for CE credit through providers approved by AREC. The provider must hold specific Alabama approval; out-of-state online programs do not qualify, as stated on the AREC FAQ page^[1]. Traditional classroom options are also available from approved providers.

For licensees who prefer in-person instruction or need help finding approved providers, the AREC course requirements page^[4] lists the mandatory courses that count toward renewal.

Courses that count toward Alabama CE requirements

Several education activities beyond standard CE courses can satisfy Alabama's renewal requirement. The post-license course, the broker prelicense course, and reciprocal licensure certifications each provide alternative pathways to meeting the CE obligation.

Post-license course and first renewal CE

New salespersons who complete the post-license course satisfy the CE requirement for their first renewal cycle, according to the AREC FAQ page^[1].

The AREC course requirements page^[4] sets different completion deadlines depending on whether the licensee holds an active or inactive license.

Broker prelicense course as CE credit

Licensees who complete the 60-hour broker prelicense course satisfy the full CE requirement for the following license period, as stated on the AREC FAQ page^[1]. A licensee upgrading to broker status does not need to complete separate CE courses for the renewal cycle in which they take the prelicense course.

Out-of-state and reciprocal licensee CE

Reciprocal licensees who hold an active license in another state can meet Alabama's CE requirement by submitting a certification of active licensure from their original state, dated between June 1 and September 30 of the renewal year, instead of completing Alabama CE. The AREC reciprocal license requirements rule^[5] specifies this alternative, noting that reciprocal licensees who fail to satisfy CE requirements by the deadline are placed on inactive status.

CE taken in another state counts toward Alabama renewal only if it was a classroom course with documentation verifying approval by a real estate commission, the number of hours, and 100% attendance, according to the AREC FAQ page^[1].

What happens if you miss the renewal deadline

Late renewals in Alabama follow a tiered penalty structure. Licensees who renew during September pay a late penalty on top of the renewal fee but keep their license current, since the license has not yet expired. After expiration, unrenewed licenses move to inactive status, and an activation fee must be paid to reactivate, according to the AREC FAQ page^[1]. Licensees have 12 months to reactivate by paying the renewal fee, the late penalty, and completing the required CE hours. After the 12-month window, the license is lapsed and cannot be reactivated. The licensee must retake the 60-hour prelicense course, pass the state exam, and submit a new application. Practicing real estate with an inactive or expired license is illegal in Alabama.

Alabama CE rules and exemptions

Alabama's CE rules include limits on carry-over, scheduling flexibility, and a narrow age-based exemption. Most licensees must complete the full requirement each cycle.

CE carry-over and scheduling

Excess CE hours do not carry over to the next renewal cycle. If a licensee completes 21 hours in a given period, all 21 hours are archived upon renewal, as stated on the AREC FAQ page^[1]. CE can be taken at any point during the license period, so licensees can spread coursework across the full two-year cycle.

Age and hardship exemptions

Licensees who reached age 65 on or before September 30, 2000, and had at least 10 years of licensure prior to that date, are exempt from CE requirements, as stated on the AREC FAQ page^[1]. This exemption applies only to licensees meeting both conditions. AREC may also grant late renewal upon a showing of hardship, though specific criteria are not published.

Is Code of Ethics required for Alabama license renewal

Code of Ethics training is not required by AREC for license renewal. The AREC FAQ page^[1] states that "you are not required to take Code of Ethics in order to renew your salesperson or broker license." Code of Ethics is instead a membership obligation of the National Association of REALTORS®, as described on the NAR continuing education requirements page^[6], not a state licensing requirement.

How to check your Alabama CE credits

The AREC CE credit check page^[7] provides an online tool that displays CE hours on file with the Commission. Checking this before submitting renewal helps confirm the requirement is met.

Next steps

Renew your license through the AREC renewal portal^[2] before the penalty-free deadline. If you have not started your CE coursework, begin with the mandatory Risk Management course, then complete your remaining elective hours (brokers must also complete the Mandatory Broker CE Course). Confirm your completed hours through the AREC CE credit check page^[7] before submitting your renewal.