What does the extended California renewal deadline mean for me?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 and early 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a series of Executive Orders (N-52-20, N-69-20, and N-71-20) pertaining to California state applicant and licensees by extending some deadlines to June 30, 2021. 

The first Executive order pertained to those whose DRE four-year license expired on or after April 16, 2020. Those who wish to submit their renewal application, Continuing education requirement and renewal fee can do that before until June 30, 2021.

The second order pertained to those whose DRE license rights expired on or after April 16, 2020. License applicants have two years to renew their license after expiration. In cases where that two-year period ended on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to submit your renewal application, late fee, and Continuing Education requirements. 

The third Executive order he gave was concerning those who were in the two-year window to pass the license exam. For licensees whose two-year window to pass the licensing exam ended on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to schedule and take your license exam. 

The fourth Executive order was concerning those who have passed their exam, but not applied for their license. If you passed the exam and your one-year deadline to apply for a license expired on April 16, 2020, or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to apply for license. 

Here are some FAQ’s and their answers, provided by the California Department of Real Estate to help you further understand how these orders may affect you. 

 

1. What are the four groups affected by Governor Newsom's Executive Orders and what must be done before the June 30, 2021 deadline.  

  • The first group affected is those whose DRE four-year license expired on or after April 16, 2020. You have until June 30, 2021 to submit your renewal application, renewal fee, and continuing education (CE) requirements. 
  • The second group is those whose DRE license rights expired on or after April 16, 2020. Licensees have two years after expiration to renew their license. In cases where that two-year period ended on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to submit your renewal application, late fee, and CE requirements. 
  • The third group affected is those who are in the two-year window to pass the license exam. For examinees whose two-year window to pass the licensing exam ended on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to schedule your license exam. 
  • The fourth group is those who have passed their exam, but not applied for their license. For those who passed the exam and whose one-year deadline to apply for a license expired on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to apply for licensure. 

 

Any affected licensee or examinee can make fee payments on time but will not be penalized if they miss their original deadline, so long as the payment is made by June 30, 2021.  

 

2. What's the best way to renew my license?  

  • Licensees are strongly encouraged to use DRE's eLicensing system. The secure system offers expedited processing of salesperson, broker, and officer license renewals 24/7. eLicensing is easy to use, paperless, and interactive.  

 

3. Is there anyone who cannot use the eLicensing system?  

  • Yes, eLicensing is not available for either officers renewing after the four-year license expiration date or any restricted licensees. These renewal applications must be submitted by mail to:  
    Department of Real Estate  
    P.O. Box 137003   
    Sacramento, CA 95813-7003  

 

4. What else do I need to know about the June 30, 2021 deadline? 

  • Your renewal is considered on-time if your eLicensing transaction is completed or your mailed application is postmarked before midnight on June 30, 2021. If you mail your renewal on time, Business and Professions Code Section 10156.2 permits you to continue operating under your existing license after its expiration date, unless notified otherwise by the DRE. 

 

5. Will this extension change my expiration date going forward?  

  • No. This will not change your future expiration date. For example, if your license expired on December 31, 2020 and you wait until June 30, 2021 to renew, your next expiration date will still be December 31, 2024. The extension simply applied to the most recent renewal or application period and not the term of your license. 

 

6. Will this extension change my expiration date going forward? 

  • This will not change your future expiration date. For example, if your license expired on December 31, 2020, and you wait until June 30, 2021 to renew, your next expiration date will still be December 31, 2024. The extension simply applied to the most recent renewal or application period and not the term of your license. 

 

For more information, visit the California Department of Real Estate’s website

How long will it take to finish a continuing education course?

When it comes to Completing a Continuing Education course, each state has its own requirement. If it is a timed state, you will need to attend a course for the required number of hours. For instance, if it a 5-hour course, you will be required to be in the course for 5 hours. 

Taking an online course at Agent Real Estate Schools will take you an average of 2-3months to finish a continuing education course. Also, active licensees are required to complete 18 clock hours of education every two years. Education requirements will be due every time you renew your two-year license.  

Please check with your state agency or Student Support (858) 329-0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

How do I get my continuing education completion certificate?

Continuing education in real estate licensing is defined as a specialized form of learning designed to provide new or enhance existing knowledge, skills, and abilities of real estate professionals. It enables them to practice real estate brokerage business in a manner that protects the public interest. Every real estate licensee must complete a continuing education to maintain an active license. 

Requirements vary by state, so you will have to contact your state’s real estate commission, but you must complete 14 hours of commission-approved continuing education during each two-year license period. 

You can take the Continuing Education course with us at Agent Real Estate Schools and your Certificate will always be located on your student portal. Once you log in, click on the “My Courses” tab. There will be a list of your courses with an icon next to each where you can download your certificate. 

Courses section

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Do I have to take tests during the continuing education courses?

Continuing education is required for licensees to stay current with the latest developments, skills, and new technologies required for their field. When taking a Continuing Education course at Agent Real Estate Schools, there are short tests that must be passed at the end of each course unit and there’s a final exam on completion of all course units. Essentially, tests taken during the CE courses helps you retain information provided. They also help you prepare for the final state licensing exams, so it is quite important to take the tests.

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Can I take real estate courses on the internet to complete my continuing education requirements?

Are you looking for where you can take your real estate course online so you can complete your Continuing Education requirement? You came to the right place! 

At Agent Real Estate Schools, we make it easy and affordable for aspiring agents to earn their license from anywhere and anytime. You can easily complete your Continuing Education requirements Online. Our online courses have been specifically designed to make it easy to access and digest the state required information. 

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Agent Real Estate Schools’ ADA Policy for continuing education

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 ensures students with documented disabilities or certified learning differences receive reasonable accommodations. It makes it clear that a business has no intention to discriminate on the basis of disability or other legally prohibited bases. 

At Agent Real Estate Schools, our policy is to create a learning environment which facilitates all kinds of learning styles suitable for everybody. Anybody with access to the internet can take our online courses. For example, if you have a hearing disability, we can provide you with text in the form of a PDF copy of any course just to facilitate your learning. We also have an online course instructor you can contact if you have any question.

 
If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Where do I take my real estate licensing exam?

Thinking about where you can take a real estate licensing exam? The first thing you need to know is that the process varies by state. You can contact your state’s licensing commission where you can find appropriate and up to date information regarding your real estate exams or visit the State Licensing Requirements tab on our website. 

Real estate exams are typically conducted on a computer and consist of two sections: a national portion covering real estate principles and practices and a state-specific section that tests your knowledge of your state's real estate law. 

However, before taking the exams, you must take a pre-licensing course and you can do that with us at Agent Real Estate Schools. We make it easy and affordable for aspiring agents to earn their license from anywhere and anytime. Our courses have been specifically designed to make it easy to access and digest the state required information so you can pass the exams with ease. Agent Real Estate Schools has a dedicated team of enrollment advisors who will ensure you are guided through every step of the process. 

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

State licensing exam proctoring

A proctored state exam is an exam that is monitored by a proctor, a designated individual certified to monitor state examinations. This is just to make sure students do not cheat. Most states use a third-party testing provider to monitor these state exams.

They include: 

  • Alabama 
  • Georgia 
  • New York 
  • Nevada 
  • Pennsylvania 

 

These states require you include a proctor to monitor your final examination and so you will need to locate a valid proctor and submit a proctor form to take your final exam. 

 
Others still administer the test themselves at specific places in the state. Proctoring of real estate license exam depends on the state you are in. If your state decides to hire a proctor to monitor your online exams, you are always asked permission before allowing a proctor to have remote access to your computer and you still have ultimate control because you can override that the proctor is doing. 

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

How do I get my fingerprints done for a real estate background check?

Getting your fingerprints done is one of the requirements for having a real estate license and they are required by each state although instructions vary from state to state. After completing a course and passing the exams at an accredited real estate school like Agent Real Estate Schools, you will be required to get your fingerprints done and a background check completed before you can qualify for a real estate license. 

Fingerprint requirements and instructions will vary by state. We recommend that you refer to your course documents, which will contain specific information, requirements, and instructions for your state. 

If you have completed your course work and are waiting to take your state exam, we offer a preparation course called Prep Practice. Prep Practice is designed as a drop-in web class for existing students that need a little extra preparation powering through the 1100+ Practice Questions & Key Word Term Practice Questions already included in their enrollment packages. The instructor leads this web class by discussing the rationale behind each multiple-choice question and Key Word Term to boost knowledge confidence in preparation of the state exam. 

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Do I need a broker to sponsor me?

Who is a sponsoring broker? A sponsoring broker is an agent with their employing broker’s license. They are responsible for guiding you through your first years as an agent as well as providing other business, marketing, and brand benefits. 

To kick start your real estate career you’ll need a sponsoring broker so your state can approve your license application. Some states might even require that you be sponsored by a broker when you take your real estate exam. 

A sponsoring broker will have had years of experience and would have gained additional knowledge of real estate laws and practices. They help mentor and guide real estate agents and in return they receive a considerable amount of commission as a new agent with so many uncertainties surrounding your new field, it is important you have a sponsoring broker you can questions. You may also need a sponsoring broker if you opt to submit a Combined Salesperson Exam/License Application​. 

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.