Key Takeaways
- DC real estate salesperson licenses expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years; broker licenses expire February 28 of odd-numbered years
- Salespersons must complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) for renewal
- Mandatory CE courses include Fair Housing (3 hrs), Ethics (3 hrs), Legislative Update (3 hrs), and Property Management (3 hrs)
- There is no grace period for late renewal; expired licenses become inactive
- Licenses can be reactivated within 5 years by completing requirements and paying fees
License Maintenance and Renewal
DC real estate licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely renewal.
License Terms and Renewal Dates
| License Type | Renewal Date | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson | August 31 (odd years) | 2 years |
| Broker | February 28 (odd years) | 2 years |
| Property Manager | Varies | 2 years |
Renewal Fees
| Fee Type | Salesperson | Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal fee | ~$130 | ~$175 |
| Method | Online via Access DC | Online via Access DC |
Continuing Education Requirements
Salesperson CE (15 hours per renewal cycle)
| Course | Hours | Required |
|---|---|---|
| DC Fair Housing | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| DC Ethics | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| DC Legislative Update | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| Property Management | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| Elective courses | 3 hours | Choose from approved |
| Total | 15 hours |
Broker CE (15 hours per renewal cycle)
| Course | Hours | Required |
|---|---|---|
| DC Fair Housing | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| DC Ethics | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| DC Legislative Update | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| Property Management | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| Broker Supervision | 3 hours | Mandatory |
| Total | 15 hours |
Important: All CE courses must be completed through DCREC-approved providers.
Renewal Process
- Complete all CE hours before renewal deadline
- Log into Access DC portal
- Upload CE certificates (DC does not have automatic reporting)
- Submit renewal application
- Pay renewal fee
- Receive renewed license
Warning: Keep all Certificates of Completion—DC does not have an online platform to receive CE credits automatically.
Late Renewal and Expired Licenses
No Grace Period
DC has no grace period for license renewal:
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Missed deadline | License becomes INACTIVE |
| Practice while inactive | Violation of license law |
| Reactivation | Additional steps and fees required |
Critical: If you miss the renewal deadline, you cannot legally practice real estate until your license is reactivated.
Reactivation Within 5 Years
If your license has expired but is within 5 years:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CE completion | Complete all required CE hours |
| Application | Submit reactivation application |
| Fees | Pay renewal fee plus late fees |
| Background check | May be required |
Expired More Than 5 Years
If your license has been expired for more than 5 years:
- Must retake the licensing exam
- May need to complete pre-license education again
- Apply as a new applicant
License Status Types
| Status | Meaning | Can Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current, affiliated with broker | Yes |
| Inactive | Not renewed or not affiliated | No |
| Expired | Past renewal date | No |
| Suspended | Disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | License permanently cancelled | No |
Inactive Status
A salesperson's license becomes inactive when:
- Not affiliated with a supervising broker
- Not renewed by deadline
- Voluntarily placed on inactive status
To reactivate, complete CE requirements, pay fees, and affiliate with a broker.
Address and Status Changes
Licensees must notify DCREC of:
- Change of business address
- Change of mailing address
- Change of legal name
- Change of supervising broker (salespersons)
Changes are made through the Access DC online portal.
How many hours of continuing education are required to renew a DC real estate salesperson license?
When do DC salesperson licenses expire?
What happens if a DC licensee misses the renewal deadline?