California lets you reinstate an expired real estate license without retaking the exam, but only within a specific window and only if you meet the state's conditions
If your California real estate license has expired, you can restore it through reinstatement rather than starting over with the exam — but the Department of Real Estate (DRE) sets strict limits on when and how you can do this. The reinstatement path is available only if your license expired fewer than two years ago and you meet the DRE's requirements for continuing education and good standing. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must take the full exam again.
The reinstatement process itself is straightforward: you submit a reinstatement process to the DRE, pay the reinstatement fee, provide proof of the required continuing education hours, and wait for approval. The entire process typically takes four to six weeks from submission to receiving your reinstated license. Understanding which path applies to you — reinstatement or retesting — depends on how long ago your license lapsed.
Key Takeaways
- You can reinstate an expired California real estate license only if it expired within the past two years; licenses expired longer than two years ago require you to retake the exam.
- Reinstatement requires proof of 12 continuing education hours completed within the 12 months before you submit your process, plus payment of the reinstatement fee to the DRE.
- You must submit your reinstatement process directly to the Department of Real Estate, either by mail or through their online portal, along with all required documents.
- The DRE will review your process for compliance with continuing education requirements and good standing status before issuing your reinstated license.
The two-year window for reinstatement may be able to access
California real estate licenses expire on a set schedule based on your birth month, and the DRE allows reinstatement only if you explore within two years of that expiration date. If your license expired on June 30, 2023, for example, you can reinstate it anytime through June 30, 2025. After that date passes, reinstatement is no longer an option, and you must retake the salesperson or broker exam to get a new license.
The two-year window is firm — there are no exceptions or extensions. If you miss it, the DRE will not reinstate your license, and you will need to start the licensing process from the beginning. This means paying exam fees, studying for the test, and passing both the state exam and any required national exam (the National Association of Realtors exam for salespersons, or the broker exam for brokers).
To find your license expiration date, check your original license document or contact the DRE directly. You can also search the DRE's license lookup tool on their website to confirm your license status and expiration date.
Continuing education requirements for reinstatement
Before you can reinstate your license, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) approved by the DRE. These 12 hours must be completed within the 12 months when ready before you submit your reinstatement process. The DRE does not accept CE hours completed before that 12-month window, even if you completed them while your license was still active.
The 12 hours must include specific courses: 4 hours of consumer protection, 2 hours of trust account handling, 2 hours of fair housing, and 4 hours of elective courses approved by the DRE. You cannot substitute one type of course for another — the DRE requires this exact breakdown. Courses must be taken through DRE-approved providers, which include real estate schools, online platforms, and some professional associations.
When you complete your CE courses, your provider will issue you a certificate of completion. Keep these certificates — you will need to submit them with your reinstatement process as proof that you met the requirement. If you cannot locate your original certificates, contact the CE provider directly and ask them to issue duplicates or provide written confirmation of your completion.
Submitting your reinstatement process to the DRE
The DRE accepts reinstatement applications by mail or through their online licensing system. To explore online, you will need to create an account on the DRE's website and log into their licensing portal. The online route is faster — applications submitted online are typically processed within three to four weeks, while mail applications can take five to six weeks.
Your process packet must include the completed reinstatement form (Form RE 220, available on the DRE website), proof of your 12 CE hours (copies of your certificates of completion), your reinstatement fee payment, and a copy of your expired license if you have it. The reinstatement fee varies but is typically in the range of $200 to $300; check the DRE's current fee schedule on their website before submitting, as fees change periodically.
If you are explore by mail, send your complete packet to the Department of Real Estate at the address listed on their website. Include a cover letter stating that you are requesting reinstatement and listing all documents enclosed. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
What happens after you submit your process
Once the DRE receives your process, they will review it for completeness and compliance with reinstatement requirements. They check that your CE hours meet the type and timing requirements, that your fee was paid, and that you are not subject to any disciplinary action that would prevent reinstatement. This review process takes three to six weeks depending on the DRE's current workload.
If your process is complete and you meet all requirements, the DRE will issue your reinstated license and mail it to you. You can also check the status of your process online through the DRE's licensing portal if you applied online. If the DRE finds a problem — missing documents, incorrect CE hours, or a fee payment issue — they will contact you and ask you to correct it before they can approve your process.
Once your license is reinstated, it is valid for the same expiration date as your original license would have been. You do not get a new expiration date; you straightforward resume your previous license cycle. This means your next renewal will be due on your original renewal date, not two years from the reinstatement date.
When reinstatement is not an option
If your license expired more than two years ago, the DRE will not reinstate it, and you must retake the real estate exam. You will need to enroll in a DRE-approved real estate school, complete the required coursework (usually 30 hours for a salesperson license), pass the state exam, and pass the National Association of Realtors exam. This process typically takes two to four months depending on how quickly you complete the coursework and pass the exams.
Additionally, if you have any disciplinary action on your record — a citation, fine, or suspension issued by the DRE — reinstatement may be denied even if you are within the two-year window. The DRE reviews your disciplinary history as part of the reinstatement review. If you have questions about whether past disciplinary action will affect your reinstatement, contact the DRE directly before submitting your process.
If you are unsure whether reinstatement is available to you, the DRE's licensing department can answer questions about your specific situation. You can reach them by phone or through their website contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my license if I owe money to the DRE or have unpaid fines?
No. The DRE will not reinstate your license if you have outstanding fines, fees, or other financial obligations to the department. You must pay any amounts owed before your reinstatement process will be approved. Contact the DRE to find out what you owe and how to pay it.
Do I need to work for a broker to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to be employed by a broker or to have a sponsoring broker lined up. However, once your license is reinstated, you will need to be sponsored by a broker if you want to work in real estate. You can reinstate your license first and then find a broker, or arrange sponsorship before you submit your reinstatement process.
What if I completed my CE hours but lost my certificates?
Contact the CE provider directly and ask for duplicate certificates or a letter confirming your completion. Most providers will issue duplicates at no cost or for a small fee. Submit these duplicates with your reinstatement process. If a provider is no longer in business, contact the DRE and explain the situation — they may allow you to retake the courses or provide an alternative form of proof.
Can I reinstate my license if I let it expire on purpose?
Yes. The reason your license expired does not matter. As long as you are within the two-year window, meet the CE requirements, and have no disciplinary issues, the DRE will reinstate your license regardless of whether the expiration was accidental or intentional.
How long does reinstatement take from start to finish?
If you explore online with a complete process, reinstatement typically takes three to four weeks. Mail applications take four to six weeks. The timeline depends on the DRE's current workload and whether your process requires any corrections or additional information from you.