1.3 License Maintenance and Renewal

A Nebraska real estate license is not a one-time achievement - it must be maintained through timely renewal, continuing education, and (for new licensees) post-license education.

License Term and Renewal Deadline

Renewal runs on a fixed two-year cycle; for example, the 2026-2027 renewal period had a renewal deadline of December 1, 2025. NREC mails renewal notices in the fall, but the duty to renew on time is yours whether or not a notice arrives.

Correction note: Some materials state a "November 30" deadline. NREC's stated deadline is December 1; the late penalty begins the first day of December.

Continuing Education (18 hours per cycle)

Every licensee must complete 18 hours of CE each two-year cycle, structured as follows:

What is an "R" course?

Designated subject matter courses carry an "R" in their NREC approval number and cover mandatory topics NREC wants every licensee refreshed on - typically agency, fair housing, license-law updates, trust-account management, and disclosure. A given "R" topic can be repeated in consecutive renewal periods but not twice within the same period. Up to 6 hours of Commission-approved training may count toward the 18-hour total.

Specialty add-ons

Licensees with particular activities have extra CE: property management practitioners need 3 hours per cycle on that subject, and a team leader must complete 3 hours within 180 days of taking on the role plus a "1000R" course every four years. These are layered on top of - not instead of - the base 18 hours where applicable.

Post-License Education (new licensees)

A new salesperson must complete 12 hours of post-license education (Course 7000) within 180 days of initial licensure.

2026 change: A completed Course 7000 is now valid for four years. If your completion is older than four years when you finally activate a license, you must retake Course 7000 within 180 days. Mark the 180-day deadline the day you are licensed.

Designated-broker post-license (Course 6000)

A broker who will supervise affiliated licensees must complete Course 6000 (12 hours) - trust accounting, brokerage finance, ethics, and risk management - before supervising anyone. This is separate from the new-salesperson Course 7000.

Renewal Process

1. Complete 18 hours of CE (including 6 hours of "R" courses) before the deadline.
2. Log in to the NREC online renewal system.
3. Submit the renewal application and confirm CE.
4. Pay the renewal fee ($180 salesperson / $220 broker).
5. Receive the renewed two-year license.

Complete CE before you submit - you cannot renew on time if your required hours are unfinished.

Late Renewal and Expiration

Late penalties

For example, a renewal filed in February incurs three months of penalty (December, January, February). After July 1, you can no longer renew late - you must reapply, potentially including re-examination.

Warning: You cannot practice while your license is expired. Any compensated real estate activity on an expired license is unlicensed activity, a separate and serious violation.

License Status Types

Inactive status

A license becomes inactive when the licensee is not affiliated with a designated broker, voluntarily goes inactive, or fails to complete required education (such as post-license Course 7000). To reactivate, affiliate with a designated broker and complete any outstanding education. Unlike an expired license, an inactive license is still valid - it simply cannot be used to practice until reactivated.

Required Notifications to NREC

Licensees must promptly notify NREC, through the online system, of changes to:

• Business or mailing address
• Legal name
• Designated broker (for salespersons - a change of affiliation)

Exam point: A salesperson's license is held in connection with a designated broker. When you change brokers, both the departure and the new affiliation must be processed; you are inactive in the interim and may not practice.

Putting the Education Requirements in Order

Three different education obligations apply at different stages of a career; do not confuse them:

Exam takeaway: A new licensee in their first year faces both post-license Course 7000 (one-time, within 180 days) and, at the next renewal, the ongoing 18-hour CE requirement. Missing the 180-day post-license deadline makes the license inactive; missing CE blocks renewal.