What is the typical requirement for a real estate license to remain active regarding continuing education (CE)?

CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) REQUIREMENTS: To RENEW and keep a real estate license active, licensees must complete a state-specified number of CE hours within each renewal period. TYPICAL STRUCTURE: A set number of hours (e.g., commonly ranging from about 12 to 30+ hours) per renewal cycle (renewal periods are often every 1, 2, 3, or 4 years depending on the state); REQUIRED TOPICS often include: legal/license law updates; ETHICS; FAIR HOUSING; agency; sometimes other mandatory topics; ELECTIVE hours make up the remainder; PURPOSE: Keep licensees current on law changes, ethics, and best practices to protect the public; FAILURE TO COMPLETE: The license cannot be renewed / becomes inactive or lapses until CE is completed (and may require reinstatement procedures); FIRST RENEWAL: Some states have special post-licensing education requirements for newly licensed agents; PROOF: Licensees must keep records/certificates of CE completion; STATE-SPECIFIC: Exact hours, topics, and cycles vary by state; the requirement to complete ongoing continuing education (with mandatory topics like ethics and fair housing) to maintain an active license is standard across states and is tested on the state exam.