What is Real Estate Post-Licensing?

In addition to pre-licensing, some states also require candidates to complete post-licensing courses. In states where it’s required, post-licensing amounts to more coursework to be taken after you have passed the licensing exam. These courses are typically meant to be completed within a licensee’s first renewal period and are generally only completed once as part of the initial licensing process. This is unlike continuing education, which must be completed during the second and all subsequent renewal periods. Real estate license renewal periods vary by state.  

In states where it’s required, post-licensing serves as advanced coursework to facilitate and support a real estate professional’s first few years on the job. While pre-licensing courses teach candidates the basics of the real estate industry, post-licensing courses apply that material through practical instruction. Generally speaking, post-licensing courses cover elements of real estate business planning, marketing, prospecting, and closing transactions.  

States that require post-licensing education vary widely in their coursework hours requirement. For example, Vermont requires as few as 8 hours, while Tennessee requires 120 hours of post-licensing education. No matter the state, though, post-licensing must be completed within the first renewal period. In this way, it behaves similarly to continuing education, only post-licensing is designed for new licensees.

Fail to complete post-licensing courses by the deadline and your license will become null and void because states consider post-licensing as important as pre-licensing. The post-licensing deadline is typically the first renewal date, meaning post-licensing must be completed within the first renewal period after initially earning your license.

If you have a four-year degree or higher in real estate, however, you may be exempt from post-licensing education. If you think you may qualify for an exemption, check your states requirements for full details.

After successfully completing pre-licensing, the licensing exam, and post-licensing, licensees must complete continuing education during each renewal period as a condition to have their license renewed. Real estate continuing education requirements vary by state. Real estate continuing education courses typically cover updates to state laws as well as ethics and business practices. The purpose of real estate continuing education is to inform real estate professionals of legal updates, explain ethical business practices, and establish an industry standard of expertise and professionalism.

It’s important to note that continuing education is different from post-licensing. While both are completed after receiving a real estate license, post-licensing is only required during the first renewal period. This also means new licensees do not have to complete continuing education during their first renewal period in states where post-licensing is required. In these states, continuing education becomes a requirement only during the second renewal period and all subsequent periods.

Education plays a major role in earning and keeping a real estate license. In fact, some real estate professionals even earn other certifications—in insurance and securities, for example—to expand their expertise and career flexibility even further. If you’re considering earning a real estate license or another professional credential, explore our catalog or reach out to our award-winning Support Services team today at 877-488-9308.