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California Real Estate Salesperson License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in California


Quick Overview:

To become a real estate agent in California, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age. The state also emphasizes honesty as a requirement. Applicants must be considered honest and truthful, and conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Follow these steps:

  1. Take the Required 135 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
  2. Pass the Final Exam for Your Course
  3. Pass the California Licensing Exam
  4. Select a Sponsoring Broker
  5. Submit an Application for a California Salesperson License

BUY YOUR CALIFORNIA PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in California

The California Department of Real Estate requires all prospective agents to complete the following steps to become a licensed real estate agent. Follow the steps below to get started with your real estate career.

1. Take the Required 135 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Prospective real estate agents must complete
135 hours of Pre-Licensing education from a provider that’s been approved by the California Department of Real Estate.

The 135 hours of education consists of three “college-level courses.” They are:

  • Real Estate Principles
  • Real Estate Practice
  • One of the following electives:

    • Real Estate Finance
    • Real Estate Economics
    • Legal Aspects of Real Estate
    • Real Estate Office Administration
    • General Accounting
    • Business Law
    • Escrows
    • Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
    • Computer Applications in Real Estate
    • Common Interest Developments

2. Pass the Final Exam for Your Course

Once you’ve completed each of your three Pre-Licensing courses, you must pass the course final exam. You must receive a score of at least 70% to pass, and each exam can be attempted twice. A proctor is not required, and you’re allotted one minute per question.

3. Apply to Take the California Salesperson Licensing Exam and Apply for Your License

Once you’ve completed your education, you must apply to take California’s real estate Salesperson exam.
The California Department of Real Estate’s website has more information on how to apply to take the exam.

To simplify the process, you can apply and pay for your real estate Salesperson exam and license at the same time. This involves submitting one application form, known as a
Salesperson Exam/License Application (RE 435), in addition to a completed Live Scan Service Request form (RE 237), documentation of completed education requirement, and both the exam and licensee fees. You must also get fingerprinted.

You have two years from the date that the California Department of Real Estate receives your application to complete the qualifications and take the examination.

4. Pass the California Licensing Exam

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, and you must receive a score of at least 70% to pass. The exam has a time limit of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Do you need help passing your California real estate licensing exam? Many schools offer
Exam Prep courses to help test takers feel confident on the day of their licensing exam.

5. Select a Sponsoring Broker

To begin working as a real estate agent in California, you must be sponsored by an active California real estate Broker. Choosing the right Broker to work with is a key factor to becoming a successful California real estate agent, so it’s important to find a good fit.

When searching for a sponsoring Broker, here are some questions to consider:

  • Do they have a good reputation, locally and nationally?
  • Are they looking for a specific type of real estate agent?
  • What kind of education and training do they offer?
  • What does their fee and commission structure look like?
  • What kind of benefits do they offer?


Quick Facts:

Common Questions About Getting Your California Real Estate License

1. How much does it cost to get your real estate license in California?

The cost of getting a real estate license in California can vary considerably, but you can typically expect to pay between $434 and $750.

Average Course Tuition $129-$445
Exam Fee $60
License Fee $245
Total $434-$750

2. How long does it take to get a real estate license in California?

The amount of time it will take to get a real estate license in California can vary considerably, but one of the major factors is how long it takes you to complete your 135 hours of required Pre-Licensing education.

Courses can be completed at your own pace, but the state says that a single course can’t be completed in less than 2½ weeks, and no more than two courses may be completed in a five-week period.

Number of Courses Minimum Completion Time
1 2.5 weeks
2 5 weeks
3 7.5 weeks

3. If I get a real estate license in California, where else can I work?

If you get a real estate license in California, you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your California license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide for more information on reciprocity.

4. How much money can I make as a California Real Estate Agent?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a California real estate agent is $114,000.


California Real Estate Post-Licensing Requirements

California requires that real estate Salespersons renewing their license for the first time take
45 hours of Post-Licensing Education, consisting of:

  • Five separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: ethics, agency, trust fund handling, fair housing, and risk management
  • A minimum of 18 hours of consumer protection courses
  • The remaining hours may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses

California Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

California requires that real estate Salespersons renewing their license take
45 hours of Continuing Education, consisting of:

  • Licensees can choose to take an eight-hour survey course covering the six mandatory subjects (ethics, agency, fair housing, trust fund handling, risk management, and management and supervision), or they can choose to take each of the mandatory subjects separately
  • A minimum of 18 hours of consumer protection courses
  • The remaining hours may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses

Continuing Education must be completed every four years.