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Real Estate Broker
Total cost: $1550
360 hrs
Pre-License Hours
2 yrs
Experience Required
Yes
Exam Required
45 hrs
CE Hours
$1550
Total Fees
Permitted
Dual Agency
Broker Pre-License Education
VerifiedPre-License Hours
360 hours
College Degree Required
No
Approved Providers
California-approved real estate schools, colleges, and online providers
Additional Broker Courses
Additional broker-specific courses in management, supervision, and advanced real estate topics required beyond salesperson education
Course Topics
Real estate broker education requirements include pre-license coursework covering topics such as real estate law, brokerage management, contracts, finance, and ethics. Some states require a college degree in addition to pre-license hours, while others accept equivalent experience.
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Start with the salesperson license
Broker licensing in California typically requires completing your salesperson (real estate agent) license first and practicing for 2 years before you can sit for the broker exam. The pre-licensing courses below are the recommended starting point on the path to a broker license.
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Agent Experience & Transaction History
VerifiedAgent Experience Required
Prior real estate sales agent experience
2 yrs
Min Years as Agent
Most states require a period of active experience as a licensed real estate sales agent before qualifying for a broker license. Some states use a points-based system or require a minimum number of closed transactions as an alternative or additional requirement.
State Broker Exam
VerifiedState Broker Exam Required
Real estate broker licensing examination
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Format
State-administered (DRE directly)
Provider
75%
Passing Score
$150
Exam Fee
Exam Sections
The real estate broker exam typically includes both a national portion covering general real estate principles and a state-specific portion covering local laws and regulations. Exams are usually administered by third-party providers such as PSI or Pearson VUE at authorized testing centers.
Overall licensing difficulty: 12/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Broker Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Real Estate Broker Exam
Passing Score
75%
Format
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Administered By
State-administered (DRE directly)
Key Topics Covered
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $150Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Real Estate Broker Exam.
Study guides for the real estate broker licensing exam.
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Broker Practice Capabilities
VerifiedYes
Independent Practice
Yes
Supervise Agents
Yes
Operate Brokerage
Yes
Property Management
Yes
Escrow Handling
Yes
Dual Agency
Yes
Designated Agency
Restricted Activities
Real estate brokers have a broader scope of practice than sales agents, including the ability to operate their own brokerage, supervise agents, and handle escrow funds. Dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) and designated agency rules vary significantly by state.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Increased from $95 effective July 2024. NOTE: On the official DRE fee schedule (RE 206 Rev 6/24), 'application fee' is not a separate line item — CA uses an Examination fee + License fee model. The $150 here represents the Examination fee component. Pending human verification of field semantic. | $150 |
Exam Fee Paid to State-administered; increased from $95 effective July 2024 | $150 |
License Fee Increased from $300 effective July 2024 | $450 |
E&O Insurance Errors and omissions insurance; varies by provider | $300 |
MLS Fees MLS membership varies by local association | $500 |
Renewal Fee | $450 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, license, E&O insurance, and MLS fees | $1550 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified4 years
Renewal Period
45 hrs
CE Hours Required
CA does not require separate post-license education for Brokers; CE requirements (45 hours per 4-year cycle) apply for renewal.
Post-License Education
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$450
Regulatory Board
Broker licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state real estate commission. Continuing education typically covers topics such as ethics, fair housing, agency law, and state-specific legal updates. Some states also require post-license education within the first renewal period.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
ARELLO Certification
Accepted
Reciprocal States
Reciprocity Requirements
Real estate broker reciprocity agreements allow brokers licensed in one state to obtain a license in another state with reduced requirements. ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) certification may be accepted in some states. Requirements typically include passing the state-specific portion of the broker exam.
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.
California requires 360 hours of pre-license education, the highest in the nation, and uses a state-administered exam with a 4-year renewal cycle. Implicit bias and fair housing components required in real estate practice courses effective 1/1/2024. CA fee schedule last updated 7/1/2024 (B&P Code §10156.2; first fee increase since 1997).
California requires 360 hours of pre-license education for broker licensure (8 statutorily required college-level courses, each minimum 45 hours).
Experience: 2 years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last 5 years, OR 2 years of unlicensed equivalent experience, OR a 4-year degree with a major or minor in real estate.
Members of California State Bar are statutorily exempt from the college-level course requirements.
Effective 1/1/2024: real estate practice courses for license exam qualification must include implicit bias and fair housing components, with an interactive participatory role-play component.
45 CE hours required per 4-year renewal cycle.
Dual agency is permitted with proper disclosure in California.
CA fee schedule per RE 206 Rev 6/24 (effective 7/1/2024): Examination $150, License $450, Renewal $450, Fingerprint live scan $49 (paid to live scan provider for CA residents; out-of-state applicants submit $49 to DRE). Combined Exam + License: $649. Late renewal: $675. Re-Examination: $150. Rescheduled exam: $45.
First fee increase since 1997 (B&P Code §10156.2).
Real Estate Broker Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
California requires 360 hours of pre-license education and 2 years of agent experience for broker licensure. A state broker exam is required. All licensing is managed through the California Department of Real Estate.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state real estate commission.