Indiana real estate CE requirements and license renewal

Indiana real estate brokers renew their license every 3 years and must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) each year from July 1 to June 30 to maintain an active license. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency^[1] (IPLA) administers the renewal process, and the Indiana Real Estate Commission sets the education rules under Indiana Administrative Code Title 876.

Indiana real estate license renewal cycle and fees

Indiana broker licenses operate on a 3-year renewal cycle managed through the IPLA's MyLicense One portal^[2]. The agency sends notices before each expiration date so brokers can verify education compliance and update contact information.

A mail-in option is available through the Indiana PLA Generic Real Estate Broker Renewal Form for brokers who cannot use the online system. All broker transfers, status changes, and activation requests must also be submitted through MyLicense One.

Indiana CE requirements by license status

Indiana ties the continuing education obligation to license status. Active and Unassigned brokers must complete annual education to renew, while Inactive and Referral licensees are exempt from the requirement.

Under 876 IAC 7-5-4^[1], no fixed mandatory topic hours apply to regular brokers. All annual hours may be completed in any commission-approved subject, including topics listed in IC 25-34.1-9-11(a), environmental issues, ethics and standards, time-shares and condos, investment real estate analysis, and other commission-approved courses relating to real estate practices. Coursework on agency law must cover Indiana agency law, and coursework on license and escrow law must cover Indiana licensure and escrow law.

Post-licensing education for new Indiana brokers

Brokers licensed on or after July 1, 2014 must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within 2 years of their license issuance date, according to the Indiana Real Estate Commission^[1]. Completing the 30 hours satisfies the CE requirement for two CE years, and the CE year in which the broker was initially licensed does not count toward those two years.

The 30 hours are allocated across specific subject areas:

After completing the post-licensing requirement, the broker transitions to the standard annual CE schedule.

Managing Broker continuing education requirements

Managing Brokers must dedicate a portion of their annual CE to managing broker coursework under 876 IAC 7-5-2^[1], with the remaining hours available in any commission-approved subject.

Instructors face a separate allocation under 876 IAC 7-5-3^[1], dedicating part of their annual hours to instructor-specific CE. An instructor may not receive CE credit for instructing beyond the annual maximum during any renewal period. Managing Broker eligibility requires active broker experience, a managing broker course, and a passing exam score through Pearson VUE^[3].

CE course format rules in Indiana

Indiana sets specific rules for CE course structure and delivery. The IPLA^[1] requires a 50-minute instruction period per credit hour and regulates minimum course length, daily classroom hour caps, and distance learning provisions.

Excess CE hours do not carry forward to the next CE year. A broker who attends the same approved course more than once in the same CE year receives credit for only one course.

Taking Indiana real estate continuing education online

All annual CE hours can be taken through distance learning from approved providers. Online courses require a timing mechanism that tracks participation and times out after inactivity.

The IPLA Free Search and Verify page^[2] allows brokers to find approved CE providers. Courses may also be approved by recognized organizations such as accredited colleges, federal or state government agencies, and national organizations of practitioners, in addition to direct Commission approval.

Free and low-cost Indiana real estate CE options

Indiana Association of REALTORS® (IAR) members receive a no-cost annual CE package through RECP as part of their membership benefits, covering both broker and managing broker requirements.

For brokers who are not IAR members, state-approved providers offer CE packages and individual courses at varying price points in online and in-person formats.

Late renewal, expiration, and reinstatement

A $50 late fee applies when a renewal is postmarked or submitted after the expiration date, in addition to the $60 renewal fee, for a total of $110, according to the Indiana PLA Generic Real Estate Broker Renewal Form. The IPLA fee schedule^[1] lists $60 for a broker expired less than 3 years and $120 for reinstatement of a license expired more than 3 years.

Brokers expired for 3 through 8 years take the Broker by Endorsement exam (state portion only) through Pearson VUE^[3], at a cost of $55 per attempt. Those expired for 9 or more years must retake both the national and state exams.

CE compliance: audits and record-keeping

The audit process is how Indiana verifies CE compliance without requiring certificate submission at renewal. Brokers should retain completion certificates in case they are selected for review.

The Commission's random audit system means brokers must track their own CE completions throughout each year and maintain documentation for their records.

NAR ethics and fair housing training for Indiana brokers

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) requires Code of Ethics training on a triennial basis, separate from state CE requirements. Fair Housing training is also required on the same schedule, according to NAR's continuing education requirements page^[4].

These NAR obligations are distinct from the Indiana Real Estate Commission's CE rules. IAR members receive Code of Ethics coverage through their annual member CE package at no additional cost.

Preparing for your next renewal cycle

Verify your license expiration date and CE status through the MyLicense One portal^[2] well before your renewal deadline. Complete any outstanding CE hours by June 30, retain your certificates, and submit the renewal payment before the expiration date to avoid the late fee. New brokers should confirm whether they are still within the 2-year post-licensing window before starting standard CE. Managing Brokers should verify that their course selections include the required managing broker coursework.