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How to get a real estate license in California. 135 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $499. 4-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
Pre-License Hours
$499
Total Gov Fees
150
Exam Questions
3 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in California
Complete three 45-hour DRE-approved courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective.
Estimated time: 8–16 weeks (minimum 54 calendar days)
Create an eLicensing account at secure.dre.ca.gov. Submit form RE 435 (Combined Salesperson Exam/License Application) with transcripts. Pay $450 combo fee.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Visit an authorized LiveScan provider. Pay $49. Fingerprints submitted to DOJ and FBI.
Estimated time: 1 day
DRE reviews application, education transcripts, and background check.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Schedule via eLicensing portal. Take the 150-question exam (3 hours, 70% to pass). Results given immediately.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
If combo application was filed and exam is passed, license is automatically issued.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Find and affiliate with a licensed California real estate broker to begin practicing.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Citizenship | Not required Must provide proof of legal presence. SSN or ITIN required. |
| Education | No general education requirement Only the 3 real estate courses (135 hours) are required. |
| Residency | Not required Out-of-state applicants must submit Consent to Service of Process (form RE 234). |
| Background Check | Required LiveScan fingerprinting for DOJ + FBI criminal background check. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required to practice License is issued but cannot perform licensed activity without a responsible broker. |
Education Requirements
VerifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
Institutions accredited by WASC or comparable regional agency, or private schools with courses approved by the CA Real Estate Commissioner
Required Courses
Minimum 18 calendar days per course (54 days minimum total). Members of the California State Bar are exempt from course requirements.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
150
Total Time
180 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice (4 answer choices per question)
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesperson Exam (combined) | 150 | 180 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
No limit on retakes within 2-year application window. Must pay $100 re-exam fee per attempt.
Results given immediately. Exam locations: Sacramento, Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, San Diego. Some third-party sources cite 3 hours 15 minutes — DRE official says 3 hours. Exam reschedule fee: $40 (only if rescheduling after scheduling).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee Paid to: California DRE ⚠ Conflict: Aceable Agent (pre-July 2024 fee) reports $60. DRE raised fees effective July 1, 2024. Aceable Agent's page has not been updated. | |
Original License Fee Paid to: California DRE ⚠ Conflict: Aceable Agent (pre-July 2024 fee) reports $245. DRE raised fees effective July 1, 2024. | |
Fingerprinting (LiveScan) Paid to: LiveScan provider | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $499 |
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Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in California with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
VerifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
License valid for 4 years. Late renewal allowed within 2 years of expiration with additional fee.
First Renewal Notes
First renewal CE: five 3-hour courses (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Risk Management, Fair Housing with interactive component), 2-hour Implicit Bias Training, minimum 18 hours Consumer Protection, and 10 remaining hours in Consumer Service or Consumer Protection courses (45 hours total per DRE form RE 251).
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
No
Out-of-state agents must meet all California requirements. California is a 'physical location' state — out-of-state agents can only act as referring agents for a referral fee.
14–26 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum includes 8 weeks for education (54-day minimum per DRE rules) + 4 weeks processing + 2 weeks exam/license.
2024-07-01
DRE implemented new fee schedule — first change since 1997. Exam fee increased from $60 to $100. License fee increased from $245 to $350. Renewal fee increased from $245 to $350.
2024-01-01
Real Estate Practice course must now include implicit bias and fair housing training with an interactive role-play component.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#49 of 49
Salary
#8 of 49
Cost
#46 of 49
Processing
#1 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$46,820
25th percentile
Median
$62,420
+11% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$97,010
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
22,370 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+46% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$62,420
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$62,420
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$82,050
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$91,400
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
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: 14–26 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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