How do you get a real estate license in California?

Who issues the license and what it lets you do

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) licenses salespersons and brokers. As a salesperson you do licensed real estate work under the supervision of a licensed broker. You can hold the license without working for a broker yet, but until a responsible broker takes you on, you cannot do anything that requires a license. Most new agents line up a brokerage while they study, so they can start work as soon as the license is issued.

The three required courses

Before DRE will let you sit the exam, you must finish three college-level courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective. The elective list covers appraisal, property management, finance, economics, legal aspects, office administration, general accounting, business law, escrows, mortgage loan brokering and lending, computer applications in real estate, and common interest developments. Anyone who plans to move into property or HOA management later should look hard at the property management or common interest development options.

Each course must carry three semester units or four quarter units. Take it at an accredited college or a private real estate school whose courses the Real Estate Commissioner has approved. DRE-approved courses run at least 45 hours each, so plan on at least 135 hours of study in total. Since January 1, 2024, the Practice course must include implicit bias and fair housing training, with a role-play exercise in which you act as both the consumer and the agent. California State Bar members are exempt from the course requirement.

Applying, fingerprints and the exam

Most people use the combined application (RE 435), filed online through eLicensing or by mail. It covers the exam and the license in one filing. You upload your transcripts and a Live Scan request form (RE 237) and pay DRE $100 for the exam and $350 for the license. California residents pay the $49 fingerprint fee directly to the Live Scan provider. DRE fees are nonrefundable. DRE will not issue the license until your fingerprint results come back.

The salesperson exam gives you 3 hours for 150 multiple-choice questions, each with four answer choices. You need at least 70% correct to pass. If you take the electronic version, you see your result when you finish. You have two years from the date DRE receives your application to qualify and pass. You can retake the exam as many times as you need in that window, at $100 per attempt. If the window closes first, you start over with a new application and fee.

Renewal and continuing education

California licenses run for four years. An on-time salesperson renewal costs $350. If you renew late, during the two-year grace period after expiration, it costs $525, and you cannot do licensed work until the renewal goes through. Your first renewal requires 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education. That includes three-hour courses in ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management and fair housing, a two-hour implicit bias course, and at least 18 hours of consumer protection. Later renewals also require 45 hours.

Pay

USD a year, before tax. BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates for real estate sales agents, moved to 2026 with the Employment Cost Index. BLS counts only employees, so most self-employed, commission-only agents are not in these numbers. What you actually earn depends on how many deals you close and your split with the broker. Refer to the Real Estate Sales & Brokerage salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

• AgeYou must be at least 18 years old to be issued a license.
• EducationYou need Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one approved elective. Each must be a college-level course worth three semester or four quarter units, and DRE-approved courses run at least 45 hours.
• ExamThe exam has 150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, and you need 70% correct to pass. You must pass within two years of filing your application.
• FingerprintsCalifornia residents complete Live Scan with form RE 237 and pay $49 to the provider. DRE needs the results before it can issue the license.
• FeesYou pay DRE $100 for the exam and $350 for the license, $450 in total on the combined application. Fees are nonrefundable.
• HonestyApplicants must be truthful on the application. A criminal conviction can lead DRE to deny the license.
• Responsible brokerYou may hold the license without a broker. To do any work that needs a license, you must work under a responsible licensed broker.

How to get there

1. Step 1Complete the three coursesFinish Principles, Practice (including the fair housing and implicit bias components) and one elective at an accredited college or a DRE-approved school.
2. Step 2File the combined applicationSubmit RE 435 through eLicensing or by mail with your transcripts and RE 237. Pay the $450 total to DRE.
3. Step 2-3Get fingerprintedGo to a Live Scan provider and pay the $49 fee. You can do this when you apply or at any point afterward.
4. Within 2 years of filingSchedule and pass the examOnce DRE approves you, choose a date in eLicensing and score at least 70% on the 150 questions.
5. After passingJoin a responsible brokerDRE issues the license after you pass and your fingerprints clear. You need a broker before you can do licensed work.
6. Every 4 yearsRenew every four yearsComplete 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education and pay the $350 renewal fee before your license expires.

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Sources

1. California DRE: Requirements to apply for a real estate salesperson license
2. California DRE: Salesperson examination and license application process
3. California DRE: Combined salesperson exam and license application
4. California DRE: Fees
5. California DRE: Taking the exam
6. California DRE: Renewing your license
7. California DRE: Continuing education requirements