What is included on the CA real estate licensing exam?
There are seven main topics that are tested on the California state licensing exam. These seven topics include the following: 1) Property ownership and land use controls and regulations (15% of the exam) 2) Laws of agency and fiduciary duties (17% of the exam) 3) Property valuation and financial analysis (14% of the exam) 4) Financing (9% of the exam) 5) Transfer of property (8% of the exam) 6) Practice of real estate and disclosures (25% of the exam) 7) Contracts (12% of the exam)
These topics are further broken down into the following sub-topics:
1) Property Ownership and Land Use Controls and Regulations
Classes of Property
Property Characteristics
Encumbrances
Types of Ownership
Descriptions of Property
Government Rights in Land
Public Controls
Environmental Hazards and Regulations
Private Controls
Water Rights
Special Categories of Land
2) Law of Agency and Fiduciary Duties
Law, Definition and Nature of Agency Relationships, Types of Agencies, and Agents
Creation of Agency and Agency Agreements
Responsibilities of Agent to Seller/Buyer as Principal
Disclosure of Agency
Disclosure of Acting as Principal or Other Interest
Termination of Agency
Commission and Fees
Responsibilities of Agent to Non-Client Third Parties
3) Property Valuation and Financial Analysis
Value
Methods of Estimating Value
Financial Analysis
4) Financing
General Concepts
Types of Loans
Sources of Financing
Government Programs
Mortgages/Deeds of Trust/Notes
Financing/Credit Laws
Loan Brokerage
Types of Loan Originators
5) Transfer of Property
Title Insurance
Deeds
Escrow
Tax Aspects
Special Processes
Transfer through Court Supervision
Types of Vesting
6) Practice of Real Estate and Disclosures
Trust Account Management
Fair Housing Laws
Truth in Advertising
Record Keeping Requirements
Agency Supervision
Permitted Activities of Unlicensed Sales Assistants
DRE Jurisdiction and Disciplinary Actions
Licensing, and Continuing Education Requirements and Procedures
California Real Estate Recovery Fund
General Ethics
Technology
Property Management
Commercial/Industrial/Income Properties
Specialty Areas
Transfer Disclosure Statement
Natural Hazard Disclosure Statements
Disclosure of Material Facts Affecting Property Value
Need for Inspection and Obtaining/Verifying Information
Reports
Servicing Diverse Populations
7) Contracts
General
Listing Agreements
Buyer Broker Agreements
Offers/Purchase Contracts
Agreements
Promissory Notes/Securities
Purchase/Lease Options
Advanced Fee
Related FAQs
The California state real estate salespersons exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour time limit. You must answer at least 70% (105 questions) of the questions correctly in order to pass the exam.
The California state licensing exam tests the following seven topics: Property ownership and land use controls and regulations, Laws of agency and fiduciary duties, Property valuation and financial analysis, Financing, Transfer of property, Practice of real estate and disclosures, and Contracts.
If you took the state exam in an electronic format, you will receive your exam results right after you complete the exam. If you took the exam in a paper format, your results will be mailed to you within five business days after your exam date.
If you previously submitted a Salesperson Examination Application to apply for the state exam, the DRE will mail you a Salesperson License Application to complete. If you previously submitted a Combined Exam/License Application, the DRE will issue you your real estate salespersons license.
There is no limit as to how many times you can take the state exam. You can take the state exam as many times as needed until you pass. You simply have to reschedule your next exam attempt and pay the $60 exam fee.
If you did not pass the state licensing exam, you will have to apply to retake the exam and pay the $60 exam fee again. You have two years to pass the exam from the date your exam application is received by the DRE.
You can only apply to retake the state exam after you have received notification that you failed the exam. You can apply to retake the state exam by using the eLicensing Online System. Or, you can mail in your Examination Result Notice form along with the $60 exam fee to the DRE.
No, you are not permitted to bring a calculator into the exam room. Instead, the testing center will provide you with a basic calculator to use for the exam.
In order to take the state exam, you must present a valid photo ID that has been issued within the past 5 years. If you do not have a valid photo ID, you will not be permitted to sit for the state exam.
Yes, the DRE can provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. You must submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request for Examination form along with the required documentation.
While taking the state exam, you must abide by the rules set forth by the Real Estate Commissioner. Cell phones are strictly prohibited in the exam room and cannot be used while out on a break. For security reasons, there are several items that are not permitted in the exam room.