Connecticut real estate license renewal and continuing education requirements

Connecticut real estate licensees must renew every two years and complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) before each renewal. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) sets the renewal dates, fees, and CE requirements for both salespersons and brokers. All CE must be completed 90 days before the license expiration date, and licensees attest to completion at renewal.

Connecticut real estate license renewal cycle and fees

Salesperson licenses expire on May 31 of every even-numbered year, and broker licenses expire on November 30 of every even-numbered year. According to the DCP renewal page^[1], the renewal fees and late fees are:

The full renewal fee is required the first renewal cycle after license issuance — DCP does not prorate. Renewal notices are emailed approximately 30 to 45 days before the expiration date, and if no email is on file, the notice is sent by regular mail. Connecticut uses biennial renewal, so licenses expire only in even-numbered years and fees cover a two-year period.

Submitting your license renewal

The DCP online renewal page^[2] provides system access details for licensees submitting a renewal. DCP staff cannot process credit card payments or provide login credentials by telephone.

At renewal, licensees attest to completing the required CE. Certificates must be retained for at least four years for audit purposes. Salespersons with an inactive license are not eligible to renew — they must have a sponsoring broker before submitting a renewal application.

real estate agent license renewal follows the same DCP process and CE requirements as for any other licensee. NAR membership does not change the state renewal obligation, though NAR members must also complete a separate ethics training requirement every three years.

Connecticut continuing education requirements

Connecticut requires all licensed real estate salespersons and brokers to complete CE before each biennial renewal. The DCP salesperson CE page^[3] states that CE applies to every licensee, including those who obtained a license through reciprocity — reciprocity covers obtaining a license, not maintaining it. Only Connecticut-approved courses satisfy the requirement.

For the current salesperson CE cycle, the mandatory course is titled "2028 CT Real Estate License Law." For the current broker CE cycle, it is "2026 CT Real Estate License Law." The DCP CE FAQ page^[4] clarifies that only one mandatory course is required per cycle; any additional mandatory courses taken count toward elective hours. No course may be counted more than once toward CE in a single cycle.

For a broker license held by a business entity, the designated broker is responsible for completing the required CE, according to the DCP broker CE page^[5].

Salesperson and broker CE cycle dates

CE must be completed during a specific two-year window that ends 90 days before the license expiration date. The DCP CE FAQ page^[4] states that the CE completion deadline is three months before license expiration.

For salespersons, the current CE cycle runs from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2028, per the DCP salesperson CE page^[3]. Salespersons must finish all required CE by February 28, 2028, and renew by May 31, 2028.

For brokers, the current CE cycle runs from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2026, per the DCP broker CE page^[5]. Brokers must complete all required CE by August 31, 2026, and renew by November 30, 2026.

The 90-day gap between the CE deadline and the renewal deadline is a common source of confusion. Completing CE on time does not renew the license — the renewal fee and application are separate steps that must be submitted by the expiration date.

CE format options and online courses

Connecticut-approved providers offer real estate continuing education in multiple formats, including in-person seminars and online courses. The DCP approved schools search^[6] lets licensees find courses by category for both salespersons and brokers. Course completions can optionally be uploaded through the DCP eLicensing system at no charge, according to CT REALTORS®^[7].

In-person seminars remain available through community colleges and real estate associations. Licensees can mix formats — completing the mandatory course online and electives in person, or any combination — as long as every course appears on the state-approved list.

The 40-question CE examination alternative

Instead of completing coursework, licensees can pass a 40-question Connecticut CE Examination during the CE cycle. The DCP salesperson CE page^[3] and the DCP broker CE page^[5] both describe this option. Brokers must email PSI^[8], the state's exam administrator, to receive authorization to take the test.

Passing the exam satisfies the full CE requirement for that cycle — no additional coursework is needed. Licensees who choose this option should contact PSI to schedule the examination.

CE exemptions: first-cycle and reciprocal licensees

New licensees who passed a Connecticut licensing exam during the current CE cycle are exempt from CE for that cycle. The DCP salesperson CE page^[3] confirms that no CE is due for salespersons who passed the licensing exam within the current cycle window. The same exemption applies to brokers who passed during the broker CE cycle window, per the DCP broker CE page^[5].

Reciprocal licensees are not exempt from Connecticut CE. The DCP states that CE is required for all Connecticut-licensed salespersons and brokers, including those who received a license by reciprocity. Reciprocal licensees who received their license before the cycle start date must complete CE for the current cycle. For salespersons, those who reinstated their license or received it via full reciprocity on or after January 1, 2028 are exempt from CE for that cycle. For brokers, the same exemption applies to those who reinstated or received a full reciprocity license on or after July 1, 2026.

Late fees and penalties for missed deadlines

Missing either the CE completion deadline or the license renewal deadline triggers separate penalties. CE completed after the deadline carries additional nonrefundable fees, and failure to complete CE may result in civil fines and license revocation or suspension, according to the DCP CE FAQ page^[4].

These CE late fees are separate from the late renewal fees listed in the renewal cycle table above. The DCP CE FAQ page^[4] notes that these late fees took effect after April 1, 2024.

After the late CE windows close, a lapsed license cannot be renewed through the standard online process. Licensees facing an expired license should contact DCP directly to discuss reinstatement.

Out-of-state CE equivalency and waivers

Out-of-state CE courses may be submitted for equivalency credit toward elective hours only. The mandatory Connecticut course has no equivalency and must be completed through a state-approved provider. The DCP salesperson CE page^[3] states that equivalency review requests must be submitted 30 days before the next Real Estate Commission meeting, which must be at least 90 days before the end of the CE period.

CE waivers are available for military service or physical handicap. The DCP requires waiver requests to be submitted 60 days prior to license renewal.

Retiree and referral status

The DCP offers Retiree Status and Referral Status options for salespersons who no longer actively practice. The DCP salesperson licensing page^[9] states that no work requiring licensing, including referrals, may be done while in retirement status. Referral-only agents who maintain an active license must still complete CE — choosing to use the license only for referrals does not exempt a licensee from Connecticut CE requirements, according to CT REALTORS®^[7].

Finding approved Connecticut CE courses

Only courses from DCP-approved providers satisfy the Connecticut CE requirement. The DCP approved schools search^[6] allows licensees to filter by license type and course category. Questions about approved providers can be directed to dcp.realestate@ct.gov.

Next steps for your renewal

Review your CE cycle dates and confirm your completion deadline before registering for courses, then submit the renewal fee and application through the DCP eLicensing portal before the license expiration date. Contact DCP at 860-713-6150 with questions about renewal eligibility, equivalency credit, or waiver requests.