Delaware real estate continuing education and license renewal requirements

Delaware real estate licensees renew every two years by completing 21 hours of approved continuing education (CE), whether through a local association, a CE store, real estate school, or online provider approved by the Delaware Real Estate Commission. All license types (Broker, Associate Broker, and Salesperson) share the same CE requirement and the same renewal deadline. The renewal process runs through DELPROS (Delaware Professional Regulation Online Service), the state's online licensing portal, where licensees attest to completing their CE before the license can be renewed. The Delaware Real Estate Commission sets these requirements under 24 Del. C., Chapter 29^[1], and the Division of Professional Regulation administers them.

Delaware real estate license renewal cycle and deadlines

Delaware real estate licenses expire on April 30 of even-numbered years, and every licensee must renew before that date to keep practicing. According to the Delaware DPR renewal page^[2], Broker, Associate Broker, and Salesperson licenses, along with all office permits, share this biennial expiration. The renewal cycle runs from May 1 to April 30 of even-numbered years, so the next full cycle spans May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028.

An active license must be renewed every two years before the expiration date. Renewal is completed online through DELPROS.

CE hour requirements for Delaware license renewal

Delaware requires 21 hours of approved CE during each full renewal period for all license types. According to the Delaware Real Estate Commission's CE and audit page^[3], active Brokers, Associate Brokers, and Salespersons must all meet this requirement.

First-renewal CE hours are prorated based on the license issue date. A licensee whose first renewal period is shorter than a full two-year cycle owes fewer hours:

Required CE modules for Delaware license renewal

Delaware structures its CE requirement around seven modules, each worth 3 hours. Six modules are mandatory and one is elective, though courses approved for any of the first six modules automatically qualify for elective credit as well.

A licensee who completes all six mandatory modules has also satisfied the elective requirement, because courses approved for Modules 1 through 6 automatically qualify for credit toward Module 7.

New salesperson post-license education requirements

Newly licensed salespersons in Delaware must complete 12 hours of post-license education within 90 days of license issuance, separate from the CE hours required for renewal. Effective May 1, 2022, the Delaware Real Estate Commission^[3] requires these 12 hours across four modules:

These new salesperson modules are in addition to the CE required for licensure renewal and are included in the CE audit. Salespersons licensed by reciprocity are exempt from this requirement.

The new salesperson modules interact with the first-renewal CE requirement. If a new salesperson's first-renewal CE obligation is the full amount, they must complete core modules 1, 5, and 6 in addition to the four new salesperson modules. If the obligation is 18 hours, they must complete any two of core modules 1, 5, or 6 alongside the four new salesperson modules. If the obligation is 12 or 6 hours, the new salesperson modules alone satisfy the CE requirement.

The renewal process in DELPROS

Licensees complete the renewal process through DELPROS, the state's online licensing portal.

When renewing a Salesperson, Associate Broker, or Main Office permit, the DPR renewal page^[2] requires the Broker of Record license to be renewed first and have a future expiration date before the renewal can be processed.

Renewal fees and late renewal penalties

The Delaware DPR fee schedule^[4] does not publish the renewal fee amount; licensees are notified of the cost through DELPROS at the time of renewal. The late fee is 50% of the renewal fee, charged in addition to the renewal fee itself. All processing fees are non-refundable.

A licensee may file a late renewal application up to 30 days after the expiration date. The DPR renewal page^[2] states that the late period is not a grace period: it is illegal to practice real estate until the license is actually renewed. If a licensee fails to renew by the end of the late period, the license is no longer renewable, and the licensee must apply for reinstatement.

Other service request fees on the DPR fee schedule^[4] include:

License reinstatement after expiration

A Delaware real estate license that is no longer renewable must be reinstated through DELPROS. The Delaware DPR reinstatement page defines three reinstatement tiers based on how long the license has been expired:

Reinstatement fees are published on the DPR fee schedule^[4]:

Reinstatement requirements include a Statement of Broker (if reinstating as a Salesperson or Associate Broker), copies of CE completion certificates, and state or jurisdiction license verifications. Former license types R1 and R2 map to Broker and Associate Broker, while R3 and R4 map to Salesperson under pre-2012 legislation.

Inactive license status and reactivation

Delaware allows licensees to place their license on inactive status, which removes the CE requirement but prohibits the practice of real estate. To request inactive status, a licensee submits a Service Request in DELPROS and pays the status change fee per the DPR fee schedule^[4]. All renewals, including inactive licenses, require a renewal fee.

No CE is required to renew an inactive license. To reactivate, the licensee submits a Service Request in DELPROS with a fee and proof of continuing education. The licensee cannot practice until the reactivation is processed.

CE tracking and audit requirements

The Delaware Real Estate Commission performs random CE audits after each renewal cycle. If a renewal application is submitted after the expiration date, CE will be audited automatically.

Licensees should retain all CE completion certificates in case of audit selection.

Approved CE providers in Delaware

CE classes for real estate in Delaware are available from providers approved by the state's real estate commission, including online platforms, local associations, and commercial education companies. Many licensees complete their real estate education online through computer-based training, while others attend in-person sessions.

CE providers and instructors must be approved by the state commission before offering credit-bearing courses.

NAR education obligations for Delaware REALTORS®

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) imposes education obligations on its members that are separate from Delaware's state-mandated CE.

These NAR requirements do not count toward the state CE obligation unless the course is separately approved by the Delaware Real Estate Commission for CE credit.

Preparing for your next renewal

Start planning your CE coursework well before the deadline. Log into DELPROS to verify your expiration date and confirm whether you owe full or prorated hours for a first renewal. If you are a newly licensed salesperson, complete your post-license modules on time. Submit your renewal before the expiration date through DELPROS. If your license has lapsed, begin the reinstatement process immediately, as exam re-take requirements escalate with time.