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How to become a licensed Property Manager in California. Real Estate Broker License required. 135 hours (broker) pre-licensing education. Total initial fees: $695. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Property Manager — PM
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60% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
Real Estate Broker License
License Type
135 hours (broker)
Pre-Licensing Hours
Yes
Exam Required
$695
Total Initial Fees
Every 4 years
Renewal Period
California property management licensing requirements
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Real Estate Broker License
Separate PM License
No
Standard real estate license covers property management activities
Own Property Exempt
Exempt
Managing your own property typically does not require a license
On-Site Manager Exempt
Exempt
Most states require a real estate license to manage property for others (collecting rent, leasing, marketing). Managing your own property typically does not require a license. A few states (Oregon, Montana, DC, Nevada, South Carolina) offer specific property management license categories separate from or in addition to the standard real estate license.
Education, Exams & Professional Certifications
VerifiedPre-Licensing Education
135 hours (broker)
Exam Required
Yes
CalBRE broker exam (200 questions, 5 hours). More rigorous than salesperson exam since broker license is required for PM.
Education Details
Must complete 8 college-level courses (135 hours) for broker license. Property management for others requires broker license, not just salesperson.
Professional Certifications (Voluntary)
Most states that require a license for property management mandate completion of pre-licensing real estate education courses and passing a state exam. Professional certifications such as CPM (Certified Property Manager from IREM), ARM (Accredited Residential Manager), and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager from NAA) are voluntary but can significantly enhance career prospects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee for real estate license in California | $300 |
Exam Fee Examination fee paid to testing provider (PSI, Pearson VUE, or state) | $95 |
License Fee Initial license issuance fee for California | $300 |
Renewal Fee License renewal fee — renews every 4 years | $300 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, and license fees. Does not include education costs, background check fees, or E&O insurance. | $695 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
VerifiedEvery 4 years
Renewal Period
45 hours per renewal
Continuing Education
$300
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Details
45 hours of continuing education every 4 years including ethics, agency, fair housing, and trust fund handling.
Regulatory Board
Most states require continuing education for license renewal. Topics typically include fair housing law, ethics, property management best practices, agency law, and state-specific regulatory updates. Failure to complete CE requirements may result in license suspension or lapse.
Step-by-step licensing process for California
Mostly verifiedComplete 135 hours (broker) of pre-licensing education from a California-approved provider
Pass the California real estate licensing examination (national and state portions)
Submit license application to California Department of Real Estate
Pass a background check (most states require fingerprinting)
Obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance if required by your state
Work as a licensed salesperson for at least 2 years before applying for broker license
Affiliate with a licensed broker (if obtaining salesperson license) or establish your own brokerage
Begin property management operations
Estimated Timeline
2-8 weeks after completing pre-licensing education and passing the exam
California requires a real estate BROKER license (not just salesperson) to manage property for others. This is a higher bar than most states, requiring 135 hours of education and 2 years of experience as a salesperson.
Property management of others' properties in California requires a Real Estate Broker License.
Managing your own property does not require a license in most cases.
On-site managers employed directly by the property owner may be exempt from licensing requirements.
Activities requiring a license typically include: collecting rent, leasing units, marketing properties, negotiating leases, and managing security deposits on behalf of property owners.
There is no interstate compact for property managers.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#5 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (SOC 11-9141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$72,510
+20% vs. national avg ($60,670)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+5%
High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
8–16 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for real estate and property management licensing exams.
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
California requires a Real Estate Broker License for property management. 135 hours (broker) of pre-licensing education required. Must complete 8 college-level courses (135 hours) for broker license. Property management for others requires broker license, not just salesperson. Licensing is managed through the California Department of Real Estate.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.