2025 Idaho Real Estate Agent CE Requirements
If you're working as a real estate salesperson in Idaho, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date with the latest rules and best practices. That’s where continuing education (CE) comes in. It’s something every licensed agent has to do to keep their license active and stay on top of the game. But what exactly are the CE requirements? Let’s break it down so you can plan ahead and avoid any last-minute scrambles.
CE Requirements for Idaho Salespersons
New Salespersons (First Time Renewal)
If this is your first time renewing, the rules are a little different. You’ve already learned a lot on your initial classes but there are a couple of extra things you need to do to meet the IREC rules:
8-hour Post License Fundamentals course: This covers the important stuff that every new agent should know It must be completed within 6 months of activating your license.
One 4-hour post-license module: You get to choose a module that interests you from the options available. It can be completed any time before your first renewal date.
You do not need to complete the traditional renewal requirements on your first renewal. After your first renewal, you’ll follow the same rules as everyone else.
Active License Renewal
You must renew your license every two years. Your renewal deadline is the last day of your birth month. If you’ve renewed your license at least one time before, here’s what you need to do to renew your license moving forward:
Two core courses: These are courses the Idaho Real Estate Commission (IREC) requires because they cover the essentials every agent needs to know.
12 additional hours of education: This is where you get to pick courses that fit your interests and needs.
You can spread these out over the two years between renewals, so there’s no rush to do it all at once. Just make sure everything is done by the time you’re ready to renew!
Inactive Salespersons Going Active
Let’s say you’ve taken a break and your license is inactive, but now you want to get back into the game. To reactivate your license, here’s what you need:
Two core courses + 12 additional hours of education.
If your license went inactive during your first licensing period, you don’t have to worry about any extra CE. Just activate it when you're ready.
Rules and Limitations on CE Credits
Now, let’s talk about a few important rules for your continuing education credits.
No Double Credit: You can’t take the same course for credit twice during the same renewal period. Once you use a course for credit, it’s “spent.”
Excess Credit Doesn't Carry Over: If you take more than the required 12 hours, those extra hours don’t carry over to your next renewal period. You start fresh every two years.
No Credit for Commission-Ordered Education: If the Idaho Real Estate Commission orders you to take a course as part of disciplinary action, that course doesn’t count toward your required CE.
How to Earn CE Credits
There are different ways to earn your continuing education credits. Here’s how you can get it done:
Approved CE Courses: The easiest way is by taking courses that are approved by the Idaho Real Estate Commission. Make sure any online courses are ARELLO® certified, so you know they’ll count toward your CE.
Attending Commission Meetings: You can earn up to 4 hours of CE credit just by attending a commission meeting.
Teaching Approved CE Courses: If you’re a certified instructor, teaching one of these approved courses can earn you CE credit too. It’s a win-win!
Professional Designation Courses: If you’re working toward a professional designation (like ABR or CRS), the courses you take for that designation may count as CE. Just submit proof of completion to the Commission.
Courses from Other Professions or Jurisdictions: If you take courses for another profession (like law or finance) and they fit into the approved real estate topics, they might count too. Just make sure they meet Idaho’s standards.
Provisional License and Hardship
Life happens, right? If something gets in the way—like a health issue or some other hardship—you can request a 3-month extension to complete your CE. You’ll need to provide proof of why you couldn’t get it done on time, and the Commission will review your case.
Tips for Managing Your CE
Here are some quick tips to help you stay on track with your continuing education:
Spread it out: Don’t wait until the last minute. Doing a little bit of CE at a time makes it easier to manage. You can take the full 2 years between renewals to complete it all.
Keep track: Make sure you have proof of all your completed courses in case the Commission asks for it during an audit.
Double-check: Always check that the courses you take are approved by the Idaho Real Estate Commission.
What Happens If You Don’t Complete CE on Time?
If you don’t finish your CE by the time your license is up for renewal, your license will become inactive. This means you won’t be able to work as a real estate agent until you complete the necessary courses and reactivate your license.