How do I reactivate my real estate license in Arizona?

When you get a real estate license, it’s crucial to remember that your status as a licensee is not permanent. Real estate agents and real estate Brokers have to complete requirements to renew their license on a continual basis. Each state has different specifications for this additional education, so it’s important to know what the Continuing Education requirements are according to your state’s real estate commission. Agents also need to know the expiration date of their license, which varies by state. This guide will cover how to avoid letting your license expire, why it expires, and a breakdown of the real estate licensing renewal process, detailing the steps an agent can take if they accidentally let their license expire. 

Avoid Having Your Real Estate License Expire 

In order to ensure that your real estate license is active, you have to complete the required CE courses for your state. As mentioned above, the real estate license renewal periods and requirements differ by state. You can find the specific CE rules for your state’s commission here. 

Regardless of your state’s license renewal deadline, don’t wait until the last second to complete your Continuing Education requirements. Stay on top of it so you don’t put yourself in a bind. Plus, you never know when life will happen. You may not be able to get ahead of the license expiration date, but if there’s any possible way to complete your CE ahead of time, find a way to make it happen. Life as an agent or Broker is stressful enough, so do yourself the favor of limiting the pressure to complete your Continuing Education by finishing it as soon as you can. 

You may be wondering why real estate licenses expire at all. Given how much this industry changes, it’s crucial that agents of all license types stay abreast of legislative updates that can impact their real estate practice. By requiring Continuing Education to be completed on a regular basis, real estate commissions can ensure that their practicing agents are using up-to-date knowledge to best serve the public. Real estate licenses expire when these CE requirements aren’t fulfilled in a timely manner as dictated by each individual state’s real estate commission.

One of the best ways to plan ahead and complete your state’s Continuing Education courses early is by putting your renewal dates into your calendar. It is not uncommon for agents to forget about their real estate education requirements until someone reminds them at the last minute. By being proactive and setting a reminder for yourself, you can avoid having your real estate license expire.

Reinstating Your Expired Real Estate License 

If your license expires, while not ideal, it’s not the end of the world. You can re-apply for your license, pay the late renewal fee, and get back to practicing real estate in your area - especially if you take quick action to restore your license status. Just as each state requires different Continuing Education coursework, each state has different requirements for how long you can hold an inactive license before renewing it. After a certain amount of time elapses, you may not be able to renew your license. The typical time frame for a simple license status update is a year. After that point, you may have to retake the CE in your state and pay a fine, though again, these consequences vary by state. We recommend visiting your specific state’s real estate commission website to understand what your specific requirements are for reinstating an expired license. For now, here’s an example of what you would have to do if your license expired in Alabama. 

Example: Alabama

The Alabama Real Estate Commission requires that CE is completed every even-numbered year. The license renewal date is 8/31, and the CE due date is 9/30. The CE renewal process in Alabama begins again in mid-June 2022. In essence, a real estate Salesperson License in Alabama is good for two years. Here are the Alabama renewal requirements:

  • To renew your license in Alabama for the current cycle, you must complete 15 hours of CE by 9/30/2022.
  • All licenses, except temporary Salesperson and temporary Broker Licenses,
  • expire at midnight on 9/30/2022.
  • Both active and inactive licenses must be renewed to remain current.
  • If a licensee has not renewed by 9/30, they will be placed on inactive status on 10/1/2022.
  • If at any point the Alabama Salesperson License expires, the process to activate a license starts over. That means enrolling in 60 hours of Pre-Licensing coursework, re-taking the Alabama real estate exam, and paying any related fees.  

To avoid having to deal with the hassle of renewal applications and reinstatement fees when activating an expired real estate license, know when your state’s CE requirements are due and understand the renewal time frame. If you stay up to date on your Continuing Education with The CE Shop, you can avoid any hiccups and continue to enjoy your active real estate license. 

How do I reactivate my real estate license in Arizona?

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In order to renew an Arizona real estate license, the applicant must do the following:

NOTE: The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) is urging you to renew your real estate license online  Be sure to log on at http://www.azre.gov/ and have your credit card ready along with all of your certificates for classes attended.

As a result of legislation that went into affect July 2010, ADRE now issues a 2-year license upon renewal.

If you still have a 4-year license, you still must obtain 24 hours of renewal credit each 2-years and upload your completed course information on ADRE's website. There is no cost to update your CE credit at the 2 year point of a 4 year license.

Arizona Real Estate License Requirements

Complete 24 hours of renewal credit through any approved Real Estate school, within the 2 year period of the current license.

~The 24 hours must include 18 hours in the 6 required classes, and the balance of 6 hours in any class you desire.

  The 6 required classes consists of at least 3 hours in each topic:

    * Contract Law     * Agency Law     * Real Estate Legal Issues     * Disclosure     * Fair Housing

    * Commissioners Standards


~While you may duplicate a course type to complete your 24 hours, you may not duplicate a course number during your renewal.


~You may renew your license up to 90 days prior to expiration.

~CAUTION: You may not use any class that you attended during any gap in time between the date of the month you renewed vs. the actual expiration. For example, if your license was due to expire August 30, and you renewed it August 18, you may not use any class you attended from August 18 through August 31 for this renewal.

*NOTE; You must provide proof of citizenship or right to be in the United States BEFORE you may renew your license. Click here for information.  

HOW TO ADD CE CLASSES OR RENEW YOUR LICENSE-Online

  • ADRE requests that this be done online!  Always add your CE classes before renewing your license to show that you are in compliance. Log on to http://www.azre.gov/ , under Quick Links, select Online License System (large blue box/button on the right). From there just follow instructions.  Be sure to have your license number to process this information.                                                                                                                                                    

  • Print a copy of the confirmation for your records; you may need to provide this confirmation to your real estate broker. Once you renew your license, you and/or your broker may print your license online at the ADRE website.

    In the event you are unable to renew online, you must go to the Arizona Real Estate Department at 2910 N 44th Street in Phoenix. (Corner or 44th Street and Thomas Roads) BUT BE AWARE... If you attempt to renew your license or add CE hours at the Real Estate Department office, be prepared to wait for service and pay an additional fee.    Fee Schedule: http://www.azre.gov/PublicInfo/Documents/Fee_Schedule.pdf