CA California licensing path
What you need before and after the exam.
A practical checklist for a first-time California applicant seeking a real estate salesperson license. Confirm your own situation with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) before you apply.
Eligibility
Meet the statutory basics first.
California sets a minimum age and a character-review standard. Be honest on the application; DRE reviews criminal and disciplinary history rather than only a credit check.
Education
Complete three 45-hour courses before the exam.
- Real Estate Principles (45 hours).
- Real Estate Practice (45 hours) — including implicit-bias and fair-housing components since January 1, 2024.
- One approved elective, such as Real Estate Finance, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Appraisal, Property Management, or Escrows.
Examination
Pass the salesperson examination through the DRE.
DRE administers a 150-question, 3-hour salesperson examination with a 70% passing score. The exam samples from a broad content pool, so study across all subject areas rather than chasing a single topic.
Fingerprinting
Complete the Live Scan fingerprint requirement.
DRE requires applicant fingerprinting processed through Live Scan as part of the background check. Do this as directed in your application flow rather than at a random vendor.
Timing
Plan around the two-year pass window.
When you file a combined salesperson exam-and-license application, you generally must pass the examination within two years of the application's submission date, or the application lapses. DRE fees are non-refundable once submitted, so only file when you are ready to act.