In order to obtain your California real estate salespersons license, you will have to complete the following steps:
Step 1: Complete 3, 45-hour courses (135 hours in total).
These courses must be approved by the California Department of Real Estate.
The 3 courses include the following:
1) Real Estate Principles - 45-hours
2) Real Estate Practice - 45-hours
3) One Elective Course - 45-hours
The courses can be taken in a classroom setting or online.
Many students prefer to take the course online, since it offers them the flexibility to take the course on their own time.
If you take the course in a classroom, you will have to abide by the school’s pre-set schedule.
At the end of each of the 3 courses is a final exam that must be passed in order to get your Course Completion Certificate.
Step 2: Apply for the State Salesperson Exam
You will need to complete and submit either a Salesperson Examination Application or a Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application using the Real Estate eLicensing System..
We recommend that you submit the Combined application if you have a sponsoring broker. This will allow you to save time, as you will be submitting both your exam application and your license application upfront.
If you do not have a sponsoring broker when it comes time to apply for the State exam, you will have to complete the Salesperson Examination Application. After you pass the State exam, you will then have to submit a separate License Application.
The State exam costs $60 per attempt, which must be included with your application.
You must also include copies of your 3 Course Completion Certificates, which the DRE will use as evidence that you have completed the education requirement.
Once your application is received and processed by the DRE, you will receive an Examination Schedule Notice, which includes the location, date and time of your State exam.
Step 3: Pass the State Exam
The State exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a passing grade of 70%
Step 4: Get Fingerprinted
You will have to get fingerprinted through the State Department of Justice Live Scan Program and pay the required $49 fingerprinting fee.
Step 5: Submit Your Salesperson License Application
If you did not previously submit a Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application, the DRE will notify you to submit the Salesperson License Application using the eLicense System.
You will have to complete the Salesperson License Application and pay the required $245 licensing fee within one year of passing the State exam.
If you have a sponsoring broker, your active real estate 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.