Getting your California real estate license might seem daunting, but we’re here to guide you through the process.
Read on to learn about the 5 steps you’ll need to complete before starting your career in California real estate. To learn about how much it costs to get your real estate license, visit our California Pre-Licensing pricing page.
You must be at least 18 years of age.
If you are not a California resident, see Out-of-State Applicants here.
All applicants must be honest and truthful, and conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Failure to disclose any criminal violation or disciplinary action may also result in the denial of a license.
You must first take and pass 135 hours of Pre-Licensing coursework, which consists of three courses, including:
Once you complete each Pre-Licensing course, you must take a final exam. You have two attempts to pass each final exam, and you're allotted one minute per question.
The passing score for each of these final exams is 70%, and a proctor is not required.
After you pass your course final exams, you'll take the California licensing exam. This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 3 hours, and the minimum passing score is 70%.
Do you need help passing your California real estate exam? The CE Shop also offers comprehensive Exam Prep tailored to California. If you have any additional questions, visit our California real estate exam frequently asked questions page.
After passing your licensing exam, you must become associated with a current and active sponsoring broker. This broker will be a career and education mentor providing you with an inside view into the day-to-day operations of a real estate agent.
Here are some questions to consider when searching for the right broker:
What is their reputation, both locally and nationally?
What kind of real estate agents are they looking for?
Are they technologically advanced and up-to-date with the latest systems?
How do they support their agents with education and training?
What kind of commission structure do they offer?
Do they offer benefits?
Do they provide their agents with leads and marketing material?
Is there room to grow with the brokerage?
After you pass the examination, and if you have not filed a License Combo Application, then you will be sent a Salesperson License Application (RE 202). This form must be completed and returned along with the appropriate fee within one year of passing the examination. A license cannot be issued until DRE receives fingerprint response information. See Fingerprint Requirements for further information.
Evidence of completion of Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one additional course from the course requirements list must be on file before your license is issued. Out-of-state applicants must also submit a completed and notarized Consent to Service of Process (RE 234). See Out-of-State Applicants for further information.
Once your application is approved by the state, DRE will issue your California Real Estate Salesperson license. You can look up your new real estate license on DRE's eLicensing Online website here.
