Topic 2.10: License Renewal Education

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this topic, you will be able to

• describe the requirements for post-licensing education,
• state when the continuing education requirement begins for a licensee’s renewal,
• list the three parts of the 14-hour continuing education course,
• state which licensees are exempt from the continuing education requirement, and
• state when a continuing education course exam is required.

Post-Licensing Education

The initial real estate license is on probation. If the licensee fails to complete the required post-licensing course before the license expires, the person’s license becomes void. If the person wants to continue in real estate, he or she must take and pass the prelicense course and pass the state exam to receive a new license.

Sales associates must successfully complete a 45-hour post-license course. Brokers must successfully complete a 60-hour course. The course may be taken in the classroom, by livestreaming, or online. Students who fail the final examination may take an alternate examination immediately. Students who fail the second examination must retake the course.

Alternatively, a broker may apply for a sales associate’s license after the license becomes void by taking the 14-hour continuing education course and renewing.

Sales associates and brokers who have a four-year degree (or higher) in real estate are exempt from the post-license education requirement.

Hardship Cases

The commission may allow a six-month hardship extension after the license expiration to sales associates and brokers to allow them to complete the required post-licensing course or reactivation course and renew. A hardship is defined as
• a licensee’s long-term illness or an illness involving a close relative or person for whom the licensee has care-giving responsibilities,
• the required course is not reasonably available, or
• a licensee’s economic or technological hardship that substantially relates to the ability to complete education requirements.

The FREC defines an economic hardship as the inability to meet reasonable basic living expenses. Any person requesting an extension hardship shall make a request to the Commission in writing, setting forth the basis of the alleged hardship. The Commission may require additional documentation.

Continuing Education

After the first renewal, a licensee must complete a FREC-approved 14-hour continuing education course every two years before renewing the license. The course includes three hours of core law, three hours of business ethics, and 8 hours of “specialty” education on various real estate subjects. A licensee can take the 3-hour core law in each year of the renewal period to obtain six hours credit toward the 14-hour requirement.

Exemptions from Renewal Education Requirements

Licensees can complete the 14-hour requirement in the classroom or in a Commission-approved seminar with no examination. If the licensee completes the course by correspondence or by distance education, the licensee must pass a 30-question examination, getting at least 24 correct.