Loading...
Loading...
Real Estate Agent
To get a California real estate license in 2026, you must complete 135 hours of California Department of Real Estate (DRE)-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the CA DRE (administered directly) licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $648–$999 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$499
Total Gov Fees
150
Exam Questions
3 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
DRE
Authority
⚠ Recent Changes in California
| 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. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
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.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in California.
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
Salesperson Re-Examination fee: $100
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).
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
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
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
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in California: Continuing education details →
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare California with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Official Sources
Real Estate Agent requirements in California verified against California Department of Real Estate (DRE), April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
Report incorrect data — help us keep GetLicenseMap accurate.
GetLicenseMap.com has an advertising relationship with The CE Shop. Clicking links may result in GetLicenseMap.com receiving a commission. This does not affect the price you pay.