Last year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom issued four executive orders that extended deadlines for certain DRE licensees and pending applicants. The most recent order, N-83-20, extended some fee payment and license requirement deadlines until June 30, 2021.
That deadline is quickly approaching. Here is the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the orders:
1. What are the four groups affected by Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders and what must be done before the June 30, 2021 deadline.
- The first group affected is those whose DRE four-year license expired on or after April 16, 2020. You have until June 30, 2021 to submit your renewal application, renewal fee, and continuing education (CE) requirements.
- The second group is those whose DRE license rights expired on or after April 16, 2020. Licensees have two years after expiration to renew their license. In cases where that two-year period ended on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to submit your renewal application, late fee, and CE requirements.
- The third group affected is those who are in the two-year window to pass the license exam. For examinees whose two-year window to pass the licensing exam ended on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to schedule your license exam.
- The fourth group is those who have passed their exam, but not applied for their license. For those who passed the exam and whose one-year deadline to apply for a license expired on April 16, 2020 or after, you have until June 30, 2021 to apply for licensure.
Any affected licensee or examinee can make fee payments on time, but will not be penalized if they miss their original deadline, so long as the payment is made by June 30, 2021.
2. What’s the best way to renew my license?
Licensees are strongly encouraged to use DRE’s eLicensing system. The secure system offers expedited processing of salesperson, broker, and officer license renewals 24/7. eLicensing is easy to use, paperless, and interactive.
Licensees simply enter the information needed for license renewal, including the course number and completion date of any required continuing education classes. (All required continuing education must be completely satisfied in order to renew through eLicensing.) Acceptable methods of payment include VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards, or debit cards bearing a VISA or MasterCard logo.
3. Is there anyone who cannot use the eLicensing system?
Yes, eLicensing is not available for either officers renewing after the four-year license expiration date or any restricted licensees. These renewal applications must be submitted by mail to:
Department of Real Estate
P.O. Box 137003
Sacramento, CA 95813-7003
4. What else do I need to know about the June 30, 2021 deadline?
Your renewal is considered on-time if your eLicensing transaction is completed or your mailed application is postmarked before midnight on June 30, 2021. If you mail your renewal on time, Business and Professions Code Section 10156.2 permits you to continue operating under your existing license after its expiration date, unless notified otherwise by the DRE.
5. Will this extension change my expiration date going forward?
No. This will not change your future expiration date. For example, if your license expired on December 31, 2020 and you wait until June 30, 2021 to renew, your next expiration date will still be December 31, 2024. The extension simply applied to the most recent renewal or application period and not the term of your license.