How to Get a Real Estate License in California

Learn how to get your CA real estate license in 4 steps

Sposor ID#: S0615

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Real Estate Salesperson License Requirements

Choose Your California Real Estate License Study Plan - Our Online School Classes Packages

Course Only

If you're self-motivated, this state-approved course is all you need to prepare for your exam.

$149$99

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135-hour California Real Estate License Course

  • Includes the state-required 135 hours of training
  • Study at your own pace and on the go with on-demand lessons
  • If you're self-motivated, this is all you need to prepare for your exam

Most Popular

Course + Study Guide + Start Earning

Add our study guide and reduce your exam study time by up to 90%. Also, learn from a proven professional how to start earning as a new real estate agent.

$453$277

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135-hour California Real Estate License Course

  • Includes the state-required 135 hours of training
  • Study at your own pace and on the go with on-demand lessons
  • If you're self-motivated, this is all you need to prepare for your exam

State Exam Study Guide

  • Reduce study time by up to 90%
  • Focus on the exact information you need to know for the exam
  • Includes sample questions and 13 practice exams
  • Each lesson is connected to the full course for quick reference

How to Start A Successful Career in Real Estate

This 10-part course, taught by a master of real estate, will teach you precisely what you need to know to be successful as a NEW real estate agent:

  • Earnings potential, commissions, and agent costs
  • Choosing the right brokerage
  • Success strategies and myth-busting
  • Part-time agent feasibility and career jumpstart tips

Course + Study Guide + Agent Success

Pass the test the first time and jumpstart your real estate career with insider knowledge from a master of real estate.

$831$655

You can pay in 3 installments with Klarna.

Get started 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

135-hour California Real Estate License Course

  • Includes the state-required 135 hours of training
  • Study at your own pace and on the go with on-demand lessons
  • If you're self-motivated, this is all you need to prepare for your exam

State Exam Study Guide

  • Reduce study time by up to 90%
  • Focus on the exact information you need to know for the exam
  • Includes sample questions and 13 practice exams
  • Each lesson is connected to the full course for quick reference

How to Start A Successful Career in Real Estate

This 10-part course, taught by a master of real estate, will teach you precisely what you need to know to be successful as a NEW real estate agent:

  • Earnings potential, commissions, and agent costs
  • Choosing the right brokerage
  • Success strategies and myth-busting
  • Part-time agent feasibility and career jumpstart tips

Agent Success Path

This 5 part course, taught by two masters of real estate, will teach you exactly what you need to know to grow and maintain a strong client base, including...

  • How to pass your exam the first time
  • What to look for when choosing the right broker
  • Tips and tricks for building and converting leads
  • Negotiating tactics that will save you thousands

Blueprint to Making $245,415/year as a New Real Estate Agent

  • Are you wondering what other agents are doing to earn well? 
  • Excited with real estate but unsure of where to start?
  • Uncertain about how to solicit business from others without coming across like a used car salesperson?

This course equips new agents with the essential training to start closing deals and generating revenue from day one after getting their license.

How to Get a California Real Estate License in 4 Steps

California Real Estate License Requirements

 

Requirements for Real Estate License in California

 

Step #1

  • In order to apply for the California State real estate salesperson exam, you must first complete 135 hours of approved education, which is broken down into 3, 45-hour courses.
    Here is a list of the required courses and elective courses:
    • Real Estate Principles – 45 hours (required)
    • Real Estate Practice – 45 hours (required)
    • One elective course – 45 hours
  • Each course includes a final exam.
  • After passing the final exam for each course, you will receive a Course Completion Certificate from the school, which you will later submit as part of your State Exam application (see Step #2).

Step #2

The California real estate license requirements also stipulate that before you can schedule your State exam, you must first apply for an exam date, time, and location.

Step #2A

You will need to complete the Salesperson Examination Application or the Salesperson Exam/License Application. There is a $60 exam application fee, which is paid to the DRE.

Step #2B

Examination Schedule Notice:
 

  • Once your Exam Application is received and processed (click here for current processing times), you will receive an Examination Schedule Notice from the DRE, which includes the location, date and time of your exam.
  • The applicant has up to 2 years to take the State exam from the date the Exam Application is filed.

 

 

 

Woman with laptop in Florida real estate course

Step #3

The California real estate license requirements stipulate that a student must pass the California Real Estate Salesperson Exam :

  • The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, with a passing grade of 70%.
  • There is a 3 hour time limit for the exam.
  • If you take the exam in an electronic format, you will see your results immediately. If you take the exam in a written format, it may take up to 7 business days to see your results.

150 Questions

70%

Passing Grade

 

Step #4

Complete your Salesperson License Application (if you did not previously submit the Combined Examination/License Application) and get fingerprinted.

 

  • After passing the State exam, you will receive a Salesperson License Application.
  • Get fingerprinted at a live scan fingerprint service provider. There is a $49 finger fingerprinting fee, which is paid to the live scan fingerprint service provider.
  • Complete the application and mail back to the State (you have up to one year after passing the State exam to complete the application).
  • Pay the $245 application fee (paid to the DRE).
  • Once your application is received and approved, your salesperson license will be mailed to your sponsoring broker. If you do not have a sponsoring broker, your license will be mailed to you as a non-working status.

 

Congratulations, you satisfied the California real estate license requirements and now you are a licensed California real estate salesperson!

fl real estate course man writing on a notepad.

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California Real Estate License Requirements - The Course (Sponsor ID#: S0615)

The RealEstateU bundle for the California real estate salesperson course comprises of three online audio courses totaling 135 hours, which meets the license requirements for California.

The courses included are:

Additionally, each course comes with a downloadable PDF workbook, infographics, supporting documents booklet, and course glossary for download.

 

Course Structure

 

Course Final Exam

The final exam for each course is administered online and comprises of the following:

 

Course Materials Provided:

Each audio course comes with the following:
- Course Workbook
- Supporting Documents book
- Course Infographics/Diagrams book
- Course Glossary

 

Required Course Completion Time

In accordance with the California real estate license requirements, a student is not permitted to finish a course (including the final exam) within the following time frames:

Moreover, it is mandatory to complete all three courses, including the final exams, within 12 months of purchasing the course bundle.

 

Refund Policy

RealEstateU provides a 30-day refund period starting from the date of purchase. However, a refund will be granted only if the student has not completed over 50% of any of the three courses. Additionally, a $20 administrative fee will be deducted from any refunds. For further details, kindly refer to the Terms and Conditions.

 

CalDRE Disclaimer Statement

The California Department of Real Estate has granted pre-license education credit approval for this course, ensuring that it fully complies with the state's real estate license requirements. However, it should be noted that this approval does not imply any endorsement of the viewpoints or opinions expressed by the course sponsor, instructors, authors, or lecturers.

 

Online Evaluation Statement

To evaluate a course and its instructor, you may visit the California Department of Real Estate (CalDRE) website at www.dre.ca.gov. To access the evaluation form, simply type in "RE 318A" in the search box located at the upper right corner of the home page.

 

Course Provider Complaint Statement 

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) website at www.dre.ca.gov has a complaint form for course providers. Enter "RE 340" in the search field in the top right corner of the homepage to access this form. There is also a "RE 340A" informational form for course provider concerns.

 

 

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RealEstateU California Real Estate License Requirements FAQs

First-time applicants for a California real estate license must go through the following steps.

  • Be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the USA with a minimum high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED. 
  • Complete 135 hours of pre-licensing coursework consisting of three modules of 45 hours each. They are Principles of Real Estate, Practice of Real Estate, and an Elective course. 
  • Submit fingerprints for background verification of past criminal records.
  • Schedule a licensing exam. On the appointed date, appear for the test and pass it. 
  • Find a licensed real estate broker to sponsor you. 
  • Apply for a real estate license after completing all these eligibility norms and get a license to practice in California.

The process is the same as that followed by first-time applicants who are also without experience. These include being at least 18 years old, completing 135 hours of pre-licensing coursework, background verification, finding a sponsoring broker, and passing the licensing exam. You can then apply for a real estate license in California.

The 135-hour online real estate pre-licensing course, essential to pass the licensing exam to get a license, takes you through the same topics as a classroom-based real estate school. Enroll with a California Department of Real Estate (DRE) approved provider and go through the lessons. You have a choice of basic courses or advanced packages that offer e-textbooks and mock tests with practice questions to prepare better. 

You can download online courses and study at your convenience from any location at any time.

Out-of-state residents applying for a California real estate license must go through all the requirements that residents need to. These include going through the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework and passing the CA licensing exam. This is because California does not have full reciprocity for real estate licenses; that is, you cannot transfer a real estate license from another state to CA. 

Additionally, you must submit a Consent to Service of Process form. It stipulates that DRE can serve you with legal documents related to your license, even though you might be residing in another state.

The basic education requirement to get a real estate license in CA is a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED. After that, you must complete the general eligibility norms. These are going through the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework, background check, passing the licensing test, and finding a licensed broker for sponsorship.

In CA, a college degree is not necessary to get a real estate license; a high school diploma will do. However, you must complete the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework to apply for a license.

While studying part-time, you can go through the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework to complete an eligibility requirement to apply for a real estate license. In this case, online courses will be convenient as you can study anytime from any location after downloading the instructions.

The key to getting your CA real estate license quickly is to accelerate completing the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework. DRE stipulates that you can complete it in 54 hours at a minimum, so aim for it. Additionally, you can enroll in an accelerated online course. Study thoroughly and extensively so that you can pass the licensing exam on the first try.  

Once you go through the course, promptly submit your fingerprints for background verification and schedule your licensing exam. 

Focus on these key areas to get your license quickly.

You do not need a sales background to get a real estate license in CA. Simply complete the requirements of going through the 135-hour pre-licensing course and passing the licensing exam, as well as other formalities.

There is no limit in California to the number of times you can appear for the licensing test after failing it once. Simply pay the license fee of $60 and reschedule the licensing exam. However, you must pass the test within two years of scheduling the exam with DRE. If you fail to do so, you must restart the process by enrolling again in a pre-licensing course.

To get a real estate license in CA to change your career, you must go through the usual requirements of getting a license. These include going through the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework, background verification, passing the licensing exam, and finding a sponsoring broker. Get a license to launch a new career in this field.

You can enroll in online classes if you do not want to attend classroom-based learning. Online classes are more flexible and convenient. You can download the lessons onto any Internet-enabled device and study at any time from anywhere without disrupting your normal routine. You also have a choice of packages, from basic to advanced ones with e-textbooks and mock tests.

You need to be at least 18 years old in CA to apply for a real estate license. You can start on the pre-licensing coursework and complete other formalities before that, but you must be 18 years old on the date you apply for a license.

There are several steps to becoming a real estate agent in CA. 

  • Ensure that you are at least 18 years old before applying for a license. A high school diploma or a GED is the minimum educational qualification.  
  • Go through the 135-hour pre-licensing coursework.
  • Submit fingerprints for background verification of past criminal records, if any.  
  • Schedule a licensing exam on the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) portal.
  • Appear for the online licensing exam physically at a designated center on the appointed date.
  • Pass the licensing exam.
  • Apply for a real estate license in CA on the DRE portal. Get a provisional license.
  • Find a licensed broker to sponsor you.

Your provisional license will be activated after you inform DRE of your employment status.