Washington, D.C. real estate CE requirements and license renewal

Washington, D.C. real estate licensees must complete 15 hours of continuing education and pay a renewal fee every two years to maintain an active license. Salespersons renew by August 31 of odd-numbered years, while brokers and property managers renew by February 28 of odd-numbered years. The DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) sets CE real estate requirements, approves education providers, and collects renewal fees through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).

When DC real estate licenses expire and must be renewed

DC real estate licenses expire on a two-year cycle, with different deadlines for salespersons and brokers. Salesperson licenses expire on August 31 in odd-numbered years. Broker, associate broker, and property manager licenses expire on February 28 in odd-numbered years. The DC Real Estate Commission^[1] publishes these dates and the current cycle's CE requirements on its website.

The current cycle is labeled "2023-2025 Real Estate Renewal Cycle CE Requirements," confirming the biennial schedule for all license types.

DC real estate license renewal process

Renewing a DC real estate license requires completing the required CE hours from a DCREC-approved provider, paying the applicable renewal fee, and submitting the renewal through DLCP before the expiration date. The DC Real Estate Commission fee schedule^[1] lists all renewal-related costs.

DC continuing education requirements for salesperson renewal

DC salespersons have specific CE obligations at each renewal. The 2023-2025 Real Estate Renewal Cycle CE Requirements^[2] document from DLCP defines the hour allocation for the current cycle.

Broker continuing education requirements

Broker licensees face their own CE obligations at renewal. The DC Real Estate Commission^[1] sets the broker curriculum, which covers Fair Housing, Ethics, and Legislative Update along with additional required topics.

Taking DC real estate CE courses online and in person

DC continuing education courses are available both online and in person from DCREC-approved providers. Online self-paced CE packages are generally less expensive than live webinars or in-person classes, and many licensees prefer online classes for real estate license renewal because they allow flexible scheduling. Course providers deliver content through web-based platforms accessible 24/7.

Finding approved DC continuing education providers

The DC Real Estate Commission certifies which education providers may issue CE credit. The approved CE providers roster^[3] is available on the DLCP website and updated periodically. Only courses from these approved providers satisfy DC renewal requirements.

CE certification and credit reporting

DC treats continuing education certification as the documented completion of required CE hours from approved providers, verified at renewal. Licensees must retain course completion certificates and ensure their provider reports credits to DCREC.

Late renewal, inactive status, and license reinstatement

Missing a renewal deadline triggers additional fees and may require a reinstatement process. A $60 Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund contribution is included in the licensee fees at every renewal. The following fee schedule from the DC Real Estate Commission^[1] outlines the costs:

The $50 late renewal penalty applies in addition to the standard renewal fee. All fees are non-refundable under D.C. Code § 47-2853.10.

First renewal: post-licensing education and CE exemptions

DC handles first-time licensees differently from experienced licensees at renewal. The DC Real Estate Commission^[1] does not impose a separate post-licensing education requirement on new licensees.

Next steps

Start your CE coursework well before your renewal deadline to avoid late penalties and reinstatement costs. Verify your required hours and topic breakdown on the DC Real Estate Commission page^[1] and select a DCREC-approved provider from the approved CE providers list^[3].