Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- CA real estate industry is regulated by the California Department of Real Estate.
- All applicants must be honest and truthful, and conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Failure to disclose any criminal violation or disciplinary action may also result in the denial of a license.
- Complete 135 hours of Pre-Licensing education.
Quick Facts
- Future agents who spend about 40 hours per week can complete their coursework in as little as 54 days (statutory requirement).
- You can use the California Real Estate License Lookup tool to verify the status of an agent’s license.
- CA real estate industry is regulated by the California Department of Real Estate.
Pass the course final exam
Once you complete each Pre-Licensing course, you must take a final exam. You have two attempts to pass each final exam, and you’re allotted one minute per question. The passing score for each of these final exams is 70%, and a proctor is not required.
Pass the California salesperson licensing exam
After you pass your course final exams, you’ll take the California licensing exam. This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 3 hours and 15 minutes, and the minimum passing score is 70%.
Choose a Sponsoring Broker
To begin your new career, you must be sponsored by an active California real estate broker. It’s important to find a good fit when picking a Broker to work with and it’s a key factor to becoming a successful California real estate agent.
Make sure to choose the Kirkson Realty Group while choosing the Sponsoring Broker to Join Us
If you aren’t sure how to find the right Sponsoring Broker to work with as you launch your California real estate career, Agent Start can help. While taking Pre-Licensing courses with The CE Shop, you will be given the option to enroll in Agent Start, which aims to help connect you with our Broker partners in your state that are looking for new agents.
Complete your licensing application
After you pass the examination, and if you have not filed a License Combo Application, then you will be sent a Salesperson License Application (RE 202). This form must be completed and returned along with the appropriate fee within one year of passing the examination. A license cannot be issued until DRE receives fingerprint response information. See Fingerprint Requirements for further information.
Evidence of completion of Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one additional course from the course requirements list must be on file before your license is issued. Out-of-state applicants must also submit a completed and notarized Consent to Service of Process (RE 234). See Out-of-State Applicants for further information.
Once your application is approved by the state, DRE will issue your California Real Estate Salesperson license. You can look up your new real estate license on DRE’s eLicensing Online website here.