How long is a real estate license valid before it expires?

A real estate license is typically valid for two to four years, depending on the state. New York licenses run two years, Michigan runs three years, and California and Georgia run four years. Most states require continuing education to renew.

Alabama real estate licenses follow a two-year cycle that begins October 1 of every even-numbered year and ends at midnight on September 30 of the next even-numbered year. The penalty-free renewal deadline is August 31 of the final year of the cycle. Licenses not renewed by September 30 are placed on inactive status on October 1, and a late penalty of $150 applies.

Arizona real estate salesperson and broker licenses are issued for a term of 2 years. License renewal must occur on or before the last day of the month in which the license was originally issued, and each renewal covers a 2-year period. The timely renewal fee is $60 for salespersons and $120 for brokers, while late renewal costs $125 for salespersons and $245 for brokers.

Arkansas real estate licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year. The deadline to renew without paying a penalty is September 30; renewals submitted after that date incur additional fees. If a licensee does not renew by December 31, the license automatically expires on January 1 of the following year.

A California real estate license is valid for 4 years from the date it is issued. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) emails a renewal reminder approximately 90 days before the expiration date, but non-receipt does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility to renew. If the license is not renewed before expiration, the licensee may renew on a late basis for up to 2 years following the expiration date, but may not perform activities requiring a real estate license during that period. Late renewal fees are 150% of on-time fees.

Newly issued Colorado broker licenses expire on December 31 of the year they are issued. If the license is issued between November 1 and December 31, it expires on December 31 of the following calendar year. After the initial licensure period, licenses operate on a three-year renewal cycle.

Connecticut real estate salesperson licenses expire on May 31st of every even-numbered year, and broker licenses expire on November 30th of every even-numbered year, making the renewal cycle biennial (two years). The full renewal fee is required the first renewal cycle after the license is issued, with no proration.

Delaware real estate licenses and permits are valid for two years and expire on April 30 of even-numbered years. This applies to Broker, Associate Broker, and Salesperson licenses, whether active or inactive, and to all office permits. Active licenses must be renewed through DELPROS before the expiration date. A late renewal may be filed up to 30 days after expiration with a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee, but practicing with an expired license during that period is illegal.

A Florida real estate license is initially valid for 18 to 24 months, depending on when the licensee passes the state exam. After the first renewal, each subsequent renewal period lasts 24 months. Renewal deadlines fall on either March 31 or September 30, based on the license issue date, and both the renewal fee and education requirements are due by midnight Eastern Standard Time on the expiration date.

Georgia individual real estate licenses are valid for a four-year renewal period and lapse on the last day of the month of the licensee's birthday. Licensees may renew up to 120 days before the expiration date. If a license is not renewed by the due date, it lapses and a $100 late fee applies. Firm licenses lapse on the last day of the month of the fourth anniversary of original licensure.

All Hawaii real estate licenses expire on December 31 of each even-numbered year and must be renewed by the renewal application deadline of November 30. License fees and renewal fees are not prorated, regardless of when the license was issued. Licenses not renewed by expiration automatically forfeit on January 1 of the following odd-numbered year.

Idaho real estate licenses are valid for 2 years. The licensing period ends on the last day of the licensee's birth month, and the new period begins on the first day of the following month. A license may be renewed up to 60 days prior to the expiration date. If the license expires, it can be renewed within one year by paying a $25 late fee, but it must be renewed on inactive status during that window.

Illinois broker licenses expire on April 30 of even-numbered years, and managing broker licenses expire on April 30 of odd-numbered years. The renewal window opens 90 days before the expiration date for most licenses, though an initial broker license has a 180-day renewal period. A licensee who receives an initial license during the first renewal period does not pay the initial renewal fee and receives a license expiring on the second renewal deadline.

An Indiana real estate broker license is valid for 3 years before renewal. The renewal fee is $60.00, and renewal notices are sent approximately 90 days before the expiration date. A late penalty applies if the renewal is submitted after the expiration date, in addition to the standard renewal fee.

Iowa real estate licenses are issued for three-year terms and expire on December 31 of the third year. The Iowa Real Estate Commission sends renewal notices approximately 45 days before expiration, and the renewal period opens on November 16 for licenses expiring December 31. Licensees may renew to active status (which requires 36 hours of continuing education), renew to inactive status (no CE required, but the license fee still applies), or allow the license to lapse.

Kansas real estate licenses are valid for two years. For licenses issued after January 1, 2019, the expiration date is the first day of the month two years after the date of issuance. An expired license must be renewed within 6 months of the expiration date, or the license is forfeited and the holder must reapply.

Kentucky real estate licenses must be renewed biennially, by March 31 of each even-numbered year. Failure to renew before that deadline results in license cancellation and a late renewal fee of $200. Active licensees must also purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance before renewing.

A Louisiana real estate license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The timely renewal period runs from August 1 to September 30, as established by Act 193 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session, effective April 1, 2022. Licensees who renew between October 1 and December 31 pay delinquent fees ranging from $50 to $200. Any license not renewed by December 31 expires, and the licensee must reapply as an initial applicant.

All Maine real estate license types are issued for a 2-year term. The Sales Agent license is non-renewable after its 2-year term, while the Associate Broker and Broker/Designated Broker licenses are renewable. Licenses renew biennially on the anniversary of the original license issuance date, and renewal reminders are emailed at least 30 days before expiration. A $50 late fee applies if a license is renewed within 90 calendar days after the expiration date.

Maryland real estate licenses are valid for a two-year term beginning on the date of issuance. After that term, the license must be renewed. A license that has been expired or inactive for more than three years requires the licensee to retake the licensing exam before reinstatement.

A Massachusetts real estate license is valid for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years. The issue date is the date the candidate passed the licensing examination, and the expiration date is the licensee's birthday. Licenses are renewed biennially on the licensee's birthday during the renewal year, and the renewal window opens 90 days before the expiration date.

Michigan real estate licenses are valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. The 3-year cycle applies to both salespersons and brokers, and expiration dates are tied to the original license issue date after the first MiPLUS renewal. Licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education within each cycle to qualify for renewal.

A Minnesota real estate license is valid for up to 2 years and expires on June 30 of the expiration year. Renewal requires 30 hours of continuing education during each 2-year period, with at least 15 hours completed each license year.

A Mississippi temporary real estate license is valid for one year following the first day of the month after its issuance and is not subject to renewal. Permanent licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle. The holder of a temporary license must complete a 30-hour post-license course within 12 months of issuance to receive a permanent license; failure to do so places the license on inactive status, and the temporary license expires if the course is not completed within the year.

A Missouri real estate license is valid for two years. Salesperson licenses expire on September 30 of every even-numbered year, and broker licenses expire on June 30 of every even-numbered year. Licensees must complete 12 hours of continuing education, including at least 3 hours of a CORE course identified by the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC), before renewing through the MoPro online portal.

Montana real estate licenses expire annually on October 31. The renewal period opens 60 days before the expiration date, running from September 1 through October 31. All licensees, including salespersons, brokers, and property managers, must complete 12 hours of Board-approved continuing education each licensing year (November 1 through October 31) to renew an active license. Late fees may apply for renewals submitted close to the deadline.

An initial Nebraska real estate license is issued for a calendar year and expires on December 31 of the year the license is issued. Subsequent renewals cover a 2-year period, and fees are not prorated. A licensee must renew before November 30 to avoid late fees, and the option to renew late expires at 5:00 p.m. CDT on June 30 of the ensuing year.

An original Nevada real estate license is valid for one year, ending on the last day of the month in which the license was issued. After the first renewal, each subsequent license period covers two years. If a license expires, the licensee has up to 12 months to pay the renewal fee and a late penalty before the license is permanently closed and reapplication is required.

A New Hampshire real estate license is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) sends an email renewal notification 90 days before the license expiration date, and renewal is completed online through the New Hampshire Online Licensing portal. If a license has been expired less than 1 year, the licensee may reinstate online; if it has been expired more than 1 year, the licensee must reapply online using the application portal.

A New Jersey real estate license is valid for two years on a biennial cycle, expiring June 30 of odd-numbered years. For the 2025-2027 cycle, the continuing education completion deadline is April 30, 2027, and the license renewal deadline is June 30, 2027. A $200 late fee applies if CE is not completed by the April 30 deadline, and any license not renewed by June 30, 2027 will expire.

A New Mexico real estate license is valid for 3 years and expires on the last day of the month following the licensee's birth month. The on-time renewal fee is $270 plus a $30 recovery fee, totaling $300. If the license is not renewed by the expiration date, a late renewal fee of $810 (which includes the $270 renewal fee and a $540 penalty) is available up to one year after expiration. The New Mexico Real Estate Commission sends a renewal email approximately 60 days before the license expiration date, and all renewals must be submitted through the NM-PLUS online portal.

A New York real estate salesperson license is valid for two years. The expiration date is printed on the license, and the Department of State sends email and postcard reminders three months before expiration. All license renewals must be completed online through the eAccessNY system.

All North Carolina real estate licenses expire on June 30 each year. The annual renewal period runs from midnight on May 15 through 11:59pm on June 30, and renewal must be completed online per Commission Rule 58A.0503. As of the 2026 renewal period, the annual renewal fee is $50, payable by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal.

A North Dakota real estate license is valid for one year and expires on December 31. Licensees must renew by November 15 each year to avoid late fees, which accumulate at $100 per month per license beginning November 16. If an active license is not renewed by December 31, it automatically becomes inactive on January 1. Licenses that are not renewed by January 15 are cancelled, and the licensee must reapply.

An Ohio real estate license is valid for three years. The first renewal is due on the licensee's first birthday following licensure and requires only the renewal information and the $182 fee for salespersons ($243 for brokers), with no continuing education required. The third-year renewal, due three years after the first-year renewal, is the first renewal that requires 30 hours of continuing education, and every renewal thereafter follows the same three-year cycle with 30 hours of CE.

Oklahoma real estate licenses are valid for three years. The Provisional Sales Associate license is non-renewable and requires completion of a 45-hour post-license course before its expiration date. Active licensees must complete continuing education to renew; inactive licensees must still renew every three years but are not required to complete CE. Renewal access opens 60 days before the expiration date through the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission (OREC) License Portal.

An Oregon real estate license expires on the last day of the licensee's birthday month. The first license period is less than 24 months but no less than 13 months, and subsequent license periods are 24 months. Licensees can renew in eLicense starting the first day of the month their license expires.

Pennsylvania real estate licenses are valid for a two-year period and expire on May 31 of every even-numbered year. The Commission emails renewal notices approximately 60 days before the expiration date, and there is no grace period for any license or registration. Licensees must complete 14 hours of Commission-approved continuing education during each two-year cycle to renew, and all renewals must be completed online through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website.

Rhode Island real estate licenses are valid for two calendar years and expire on the anniversary date of issuance. Licenses issued before January 1, 2020 follow a different cycle, renewing every two years with a filing deadline of April 30 of each even-numbered year (renewal effective May 1). All licenses require 24 hours of Department-approved continuing education within each two-year period, including 9 hours of core instruction with 3 hours in Fair Housing.

South Carolina real estate licenses expire every two years on June 30 of the assigned renewal year. The renewal window opens April 1, and active licensees must complete continuing education before submitting the renewal application. A license not renewed by June 30 immediately lapses, and the licensee has 24 months from the expiration date to complete reinstatement before the license is canceled.

A South Dakota real estate license is valid for 2 years, with renewal applications due by November 30 of the renewal year. Continuing education must be completed by December 31, and licensees who do not submit renewal by January 1 are placed on non-renewal status with until June 30 to complete the process. If a licensee fails to renew by July 1, the license becomes invalid and the individual must begin the licensing process from scratch, including prelicensing education and exams.

Tennessee real estate licenses are valid for two years. Licensees must complete 16 hours of continuing education, including a 6-hour Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) Core course, and pay the $75 renewal fee every two years to maintain an active license. Renewals are submitted online through the CORE system at core.tn.gov.

A Texas real estate sales agent license is valid for two years. Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) sends a renewal notice approximately 90 days before the expiration date. The licensee must complete required continuing education and pay the renewal fee to maintain active status.

A Utah real estate license is valid for a two-year period. The renewal period opens 45 days before the last day of the month in which the license expires, and all continuing education must be completed by the 15th day of the renewal month to ensure on-time renewal. Licenses not renewed during the renewal period will expire, and late fees will apply.

Vermont real estate licenses are valid for two years on a fixed biennial renewal schedule. Salesperson licenses renew on May 31st of even-numbered years, and broker licenses renew on March 31st of even-numbered years. A licensee may request inactive status before expiration to avoid lapse; a license expired for less than five years may be reinstated by paying the renewal fee, late penalty, and providing proof of required continuing education hours taken within the previous 24 months.

Virginia real estate salesperson licenses are valid for two years. The license expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued. Board regulations provide a 30-day period after the expiration date in which a license may be renewed without a reinstatement fee, but this is not a license extension, and the licensee cannot practice real estate once the license expires. An inactive license must also be renewed every two years, though no continuing education is required while on inactive status.

Both Washington broker and managing broker licenses are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. Licensees can renew up to 120 days before the expiration date, and renewal dates are determined by the initial license issuance date. Fingerprint background check results must be renewed separately, every 6 years from the date the Department of Licensing (DOL) receives them.

All West Virginia real estate licenses expire on June 30 of every year, regardless of the date the license was originally issued. The online renewal portal opens on May 1 each year. If a licensee does not renew by June 30, late fees apply on an escalating schedule from July 1 through December 31, after which the license is cancelled and the individual must reapply for licensure from scratch, including retaking the licensing exam.

A Wyoming real estate license is valid for three years, expiring on December 31 of the third year or three years from the date of issue, whichever is earlier. A newly issued active license must be renewed by December 31 of the year it was issued, with no continuing education required for that first renewal. That initial renewal starts the licensee on a three-year renewal cycle.