California Real Estate License Requirements
California Real Estate License Requirements
Pre-requisites
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- A high school diploma or GED is not required to apply for a real estate license.
- Both California residents and non-residents can obtain a license. Click here to learn more about Out-of-State Applicants.
- Must be honest and truthful. Please note that the State requires an applicant to disclose any criminal violations or disciplinary action when applying for a license. For more information, see the following documents: Avoid Potential Denial of Your License Application and Application Eligibility Information.
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.
