Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
A California real-estate license must be renewed every:
Answer: C. California licenses run on a FOUR-year term, renewed with the required continuing education. Miss the date and late-renewal rules (with penalties) apply for up to two years.
Question 2 of 5
How many hours of continuing education must a California licensee complete for each license renewal?
Answer: C. California requires 45 hours of continuing education for each 4-year license renewal.
Question 3 of 5
How many hours of continuing education must a California licensee complete to renew the license each four-year cycle?
Answer: C. California requires 45 hours of approved continuing education each four-year renewal cycle to keep a real estate license current.
Question 4 of 5
A California real estate salesperson license issued by the DRE is valid for what term before it must be renewed?
Answer: A. California real estate salesperson and broker licenses are issued for a four-year term. The license must be renewed before expiration to continue practicing, and renewal requires completion of the mandated continuing education.
Question 5 of 5
To renew a California real estate license at the end of the four-year term, how many hours of continuing education must a licensee complete?
Answer: C. California requires 45 clock hours of approved continuing education for each four-year renewal of a real estate license. This is separate from the 135 hours of qualifying pre-license education required to obtain the license initially.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What you need to know
California salesperson licenses run for a four-year term and are renewed by completing 45 hours of approved continuing education before expiration. Mishandling client or escrow funds, including commingling, is a serious DRE violation that can lead to discipline against the license.
California Trust-Fund Handling and License Renewal/Continuing Education: FAQs
Is California Trust-Fund Handling and License Renewal/Continuing Education on the real estate exam?
Yes. State License Law is a scored domain on the California real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the state license-law portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
Does California test this differently?
California applies its own license law on top of the national portion. This page covers the California rules specifically, which is what the state section of your exam tests.
