Key Takeaways:
Colorado real estate agents must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every three-year license cycle, including 12 mandatory update course hours. Failing to meet these requirements before your license renewal deadline results in your license status changing to inactive, preventing you from legally practicing real estate. Real estate professionals can reactivate an inactive license by completing missed education or, in some cases, passing the state portion of the licensing exam. CE courses can be completed online through approved Colorado real estate schools, providing flexibility for busy professionals.
As a licensed real estate professional in Colorado, staying compliant with the state’s continuing education (CE) requirements is more than just a renewal checkbox; it’s essential for maintaining your active license and professional credibility. Each renewal cycle, real estate agents in Colorado must demonstrate that they’ve kept up with the latest laws, ethical standards, and industry changes that affect how business is conducted. Failing to do so can temporarily prevent you from practicing real estate and assisting your clients with their transactions.
Whether you’re a seasoned real estate agent or new to the industry and still learning the ropes, understanding what happens when you fall behind on your continuing education requirements is critical. Colorado’s real estate licensing rules are strict, but the state also provides clear pathways to get back in good standing. The following overview breaks down what you need to know about Colorado’s CE requirements, the consequences of missing deadlines, and how to quickly reactivate your license if it goes inactive.
To maintain an active real estate license in Colorado, agents are required by the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DIRE) to complete 24 hours of continuing education credits every three-year license cycle. These requirements are designed to ensure that real estate agents remain current on evolving laws, ethical standards, and best practices in the industry.
Colorado’s continuing education requirements are broken up into two distinct sections:
Staying on top of the ACU courses is especially critical since you cannot “make up” missed ACU courses from previous years. Instead, you must complete one of the following options to maintain an active license:
While real estate continuing education providers have to maintain records of completion for four years, you’re solely responsible for keeping track of your completion of CE hours and certificates in case you get audited.
If you don’t complete the required education by your license expiration date, the primary consequence is that your license automatically becomes inactive. This means:
An inactive license can disrupt client relationships and business momentum. Reinstating your license will take time and if you delay, it could affect both your professional reputation and your ability to earn a living.
While there is a one-month grace period for license renewal, there is no grace period for completion of your continuing education requirements. If your classes aren’t completed by the end of the license cycle and you’re audited, you will incur fines and be required to complete additional education.
In addition, you’ll incur a $192 late fee if your license is renewed during the grace period. This late fee increases to $384 if you fail to renew your license within one year of it becoming inactive.
Your real estate continuing education obligations will pause while your license is inactive; however, they don’t disappear. You’ll still have to complete all necessary real estate continuing education coursework prior to reactivating your license.
To reactivate a Colorado real estate license that has been inactive for less than three years, you must:
If your license has been inactive for more than three years, you must either pass the state portion of the Colorado Real Estate Exam or complete 72 hours of coursework (48 hours in Colorado Contracts & Regulations and 24 hours in Real Estate Closings) before you can reactivate your license.
Once DORA verifies that you’ve met the educational or exam requirements, your license can be returned to active status, allowing you to legally resume practicing real estate. It’s important that you retain your CE records for four years so that you can provide proof of completion in the event that you are audited.
Many approved continuing education providers in Colorado offer online continuing education courses that can be completed at your own pace. These courses are available on demand, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere you have internet access. This is often the most convenient and efficient way for busy real estate professionals to stay compliant.
The Colorado Real Estate Commission fully accepts online CE hours to make up your missed coursework as long as the provider is authorized. In addition, online CE courses must be state-approved and meet all CREC guidelines.
Beyond compliance, completing your continuing education ensures you stay competitive in Colorado’s dynamic real estate market. Each Annual Commission Update course covers new legislation, form changes, and case law that directly impacts how you serve clients. Missing these updates could put you at a disadvantage or even expose you to legal risks.
In addition, your clients expect professionalism, integrity, and expertise. Staying current with your continuing education requirements helps you deliver on that expectation and maintain your reputation as a knowledgeable, trustworthy real estate professional. This is especially true if you choose to specialize in a real estate niche since your CE courses provide you with an opportunity to expand your knowledge of your area of specialization.
The consequences for failing to fulfill your real estate continuing education requirements are serious. An expired license can damage your professional reputation and prevent you from serving your clients. It’s critical to stay on top of these continuing education requirements to ensure your license remains in good standing. At Colorado Real Estate School, we have you covered.
We offer the most comprehensive online continuing education courses in the state, ensuring you’ll be able to explore subjects that align with the needs of your real estate practice and any niche you choose to specialize in. With our online format, you’ll have access to the course materials any time, day or night, allowing you to fit your coursework into your busy schedule.
All our online continuing education courses feature local Colorado real estate professionals providing you with their expert insights on the most important subjects impacting real estate agents. You’ll also benefit from video-based presentations that cultivate an authentic learning environment that resembles a traditional classroom setting, all from the comfort of your own home.
Contact us today to learn more about our continuing education courses.
