How to Maintain Your Real Estate License

Once your complete your training and pass the licensing exam, what do you need to do to keep the license active?

Real estate licenses need to be renewed periodically and states require certain continuing education classes be completed before the license can be renewed. The courses can’t be just any courses, but those approved or accredited by the state’s license regulating entity. The following is a brief overview of what is required in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Connecticut

Agents must renew their license every year, on November 30 for Brokers and May 31 for Salespersons. 12 hours of accredited continuing education is required for renewal in even years. There are two 3-hour courses that are mandatory (6 hours total). Topics for the mandatory courses change every renewal cycle, so be sure the courses you take meet the requirements for your license renewal. The other 6 hours of CE can be selected from a wide variety of approved continuing education classes. Agents that let their licenses expire may be able to renew them if they pay a late fee. More information is available on the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Website.

Maine

Brokers are required to take 21 hours of continuing education courses, 3 hours are Core, and 18 hours are electives. For Brokers, there are specific required Core courses for Designated Brokers vs Brokers and Associate Brokers. The Core course changes for every renewal cycle and has a specific expiration date. All Brokers must make sure they take the Core course that corresponds to their renewal date. Check the official Maine Real Estate Commission site to be sure you are taking the correct course.

Massachusetts

Agents renew their license every 2 years by their birthday. The first renewal will be 2 years from the time the license was issued plus the amount of time to the licensee’s birthday. They must take 12 hours of approved continuing education classes in each renewal cycle.

New Hampshire

Agents renew their licenses every 2 years, from the date their license was issued. 

The following classes must be taken within the 2-year anniversary of a license being issued:

  1. 3-hour New Hampshire Core Class

  2. 12 hours of accredited CE electives*

* NOTE: The first time a license is renewed, or the first time a license is put on active status, there are specific Post-Licensing classes that must be completed. They are:

  1. 3-hour New Hampshire Core Class

  2. At least 2 hours of accredited classes in each of all the following Post-Licensing areas:

    1. 2 to 3 hour class in Purchase and Sales Agreements

    2. 2 to 3 hour class in Agency

    3. 2 to 3 hour class in Disclosure Forms

    4. 2 to 3 hour class in Ethical Behavior

  3. If the Post-Licensing area classes are less than 12 hours in total, then accredited class(es) in the following areas may be taken:

    1. Fair Housing

    2. New Construction

    3. Advertising

    4. Conflict and Dispute Resolution 

    5. Negotiations; and

    6. Broker Agreements

What if my New Hampshire license expired?

New Hampshire Salespersons and Brokers may renew their license within 6 months of expiration if they take an additional 9-hours of accredited continuing education classes, pay $60 late fee plus $200 per 4-week period that the license has been lapsed in addition to the renewal fee.

If a license has lapsed for more than 6 months, but less than 12 months, it may be renewed with the $60 late fee, plus $200 per 4-week period, the renewal fee, plus a certificate of completion from a 40-hour NH Pre-Licensing class.

The NH Real Estate Commission may waive the lapsed fee if good cause is shown, such as a serious accident, illness, or other cause outside of the control of the candidate.


Vermont


WIthin 90 days of obtaining a salesperson’s license, new VT real estate licensees must take 8 Post-Licensing continuing education credit hours.

Salespersons must take a 4-hour mandatory course plus 12 hours of other approved courses. This is due on May 31 in even numbered years. Brokers must take the 4-hour mandatory course plus an additional 20 hours of approved courses, which are due on May 31 of odd years.

What if my Vermont license expired?

A real estate salesperson or broker with a lapsed license may apply to renew their license for up to 5 years. After 5 years, the individual would need to start over by completing  a pre-licensing course and passing the licensing exam. A waiver may be issued if the individual has been practicing real estate in another jurisdiction.