1.4 License Maintenance and Renewal

License Term and Renewal Cycle

Delaware uses a fixed biennial cycle — every license in the state renews on the same date, not on each licensee's anniversary.

Because everyone renews together, a license issued partway through a cycle has a shorter first term — which is exactly why first-renewal CE is prorated (below).

Continuing Education — 21 Hours, Seven Modules

Active brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons must complete 21 hours of Commission-approved CE each full cycle, organized as seven required 3-hour modules. Memorize the current module list — it is tested, and older study materials often list outdated topics:

Seven modules × 3 hours = 21 hours. All seven module categories must be satisfied — you cannot, for example, take seven "elective" courses and skip the legislative or fair-housing content.

Prorated first renewal

For a licensee's first renewal, hours are prorated by when the license was issued during the cycle:

After the first renewal, every subsequent full cycle requires the full 21 hours.

New-Licensee Education Is Separate

The 12-hour new-licensee modules within 90 days (Section 1.2) are a one-time requirement at the start of a career. They are in addition to — not a substitute for — the prorated first-cycle CE. New agents commonly under-count their obligations by conflating the two.

Renewal Fees

Exam trap: The renewal deadline is April 30 of even years for everyone — do not pick a date tied to the individual's license anniversary.

License Status — Active vs. Inactive

Understanding status is essential because only an active license permits practice.

Inactive status

A licensee with no current broker affiliation goes inactive. While inactive, the licensee:

• Cannot list, show, negotiate, or earn commission
• Must still meet CE to renew the license on the normal cycle
• Reactivates by affiliating with a broker and notifying the Commission

Letting the license go inactive is the correct, legal way to step away from practice — the wrong answer on the exam is "just stop paying and let it lapse."

Change Notifications — The 10-Day Rule

Licensees must notify the Commission within 10 days of any change to:

• Legal name
• Home address
• Business address
• Employing broker (affiliation change)

Failing to keep current contact information on file is itself a violation. The number to remember is 10 days, not 30.

Late Renewal, Lapse, and Reinstatement

Worked scenario: Priya forgets to renew by April 30, 2026. Within the reinstatement window she can pay the renewal fee plus a late penalty and document her 21 hours of CE to restore the license — but she may not show property until it is active again. If she instead lets it sit for years, she risks having to retake the 99-hour course and the Pearson VUE exam as a brand-new applicant.

Reciprocity and Out-of-State Licensees

Delaware may extend recognition to licensees from certain states. Typical conditions:

• Hold an active, good-standing license in the home state
• Possibly waive some pre-license education based on the home credential
• Pass the Delaware state portion of the exam
• Meet Delaware background-check requirements
• Affiliate with a Delaware broker before practicing

Note: Reciprocity terms change; confirm current agreements with the Commission. A reciprocal applicant still almost always sits the state-specific exam content.