To obtain a real estate broker license, you must be 18 years of age or older; meet resident or out-of-state applicants requirements; disclose any and all criminal violations or disciplinary actions; have a minimum of 2 years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last 5 years (or equivalent); complete 8 college-level courses in real estate (Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Economics or General Accounting, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Practice, and 3 electives as detailed in your Course Orientation); and pass a written broker licensing examination.
Here's what you need to get your California Real Estate license
The information below is a summary of the minimum requirements set forth by the California Department of Real Estate. For a more detailed requirements breakdown, please see the board's site.
If you hold Real Estate licenses in multiple states, please make sure to check each state's requirements.
California Real Estate: Broker (Pre-Licensing)
Total Hours Required:
360
Mandatory Hours:
225
Elective Hours:
135
Online Info
Online Limitations
There is no limit to the number of QE hours that may be taken online. Students are given six months to complete an individual course.
Students cannot receive credit for completing a course in less than 18 days, therefore, the first attempt at a course final exam is not accessible until at least the 18th day after starting the course (provided the student has completed all units and unit quizzes). If a student fails the first attempt at the course final exam, a second attempt will not be available until 18 days have passed since the first exam was failed. If a student fails the final exam for a course twice, then the student has failed the course. In order to receive credit, the student will need to re-register for the course, complete all units and unit quizzes in the new course, and pass the course final exam.
Students cannot receive credit for completing a course in less than 18 days, therefore, the first attempt at a course final exam is not accessible until at least the 18th day after starting the course (provided the student has completed all units and unit quizzes). If a student fails the first attempt at the course final exam, a second attempt will not be available until 18 days have passed since the first exam was failed. If a student fails the final exam for a course twice, then the student has failed the course. In order to receive credit, the student will need to re-register for the course, complete all units and unit quizzes in the new course, and pass the course final exam.
Roster
Roster Required:
no
Roster Process:
Rosters are not required to be submitted for QE.
Roster Sent:
Every 0 days
Governing Agency
Name:
California Department of Real Estate
Phone:
9165763366
Fax:
Website:
https://www.dre.ca.gov/
Address:
1651 Exposition Boulevard PO Box 137009 Sacramento, 95813
California Real Estate: Broker First Time Renewal (Continuing Education)
Total Hours Required:
45
Mandatory Hours:
38
Elective Hours:
7
Online Info
New Renewal Requirements Effective January 1, 2023:
A real estate broker who is renewing for the first time on or after January 1, 2023, must complete a total of 45 clock-hours of approved CE courses, which includes:
• Five separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision; and
• A three-hour course in fair housing, which must include an interactive participatory component during which the applicant shall role-play as both a consumer and real estate professional; and
• A two-hour course in implicit bias training; and
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
A real estate broker who is renewing for the first time on or after January 1, 2023, must complete a total of 45 clock-hours of approved CE courses, which includes:
• Five separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision; and
• A three-hour course in fair housing, which must include an interactive participatory component during which the applicant shall role-play as both a consumer and real estate professional; and
• A two-hour course in implicit bias training; and
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
Online Limitations
Licensees may complete final examinations for a maximum of 15 credit hours per 24-hour period.
Correspondence has a study time of only 8 hours per day (24-hour day) - Study time starts once the student has access to the course materials.
Online correspondence in CA means the exam must be taken online.
There are no limits on the number of hours allowed to be taken online.
A timing mechanism is also required for all online courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours.
You will only be allotted 1 minute per question on the final exam. For example, a 10 question final exam must be completed within 10 minutes.
The state will allow for only TWO attempts on the final exam before requiring the course be retaken. This is a requirement by the California Department of Real Estate.
All offerings shall require completion within one year from the date of registration.
Roster
Roster Required:
no
Roster Process:
No roster required.
Roster Sent:
Every 0 days
Governing Agency
Name:
California Department of Real Estate
Phone:
9165763366
Fax:
Website:
https://www.dre.ca.gov/
Address:
1651 Exposition Boulevard PO Box 137009 Sacramento, 95813
California Real Estate: Salesperson (Pre-Licensing)
Total Hours Required:
135
Mandatory Hours:
90
Elective Hours:
45
Online Info
- Comply with the General Real Estate License Requirements in California
- You must be at least 18 years old to become licensed in California.
- While residency in the state is not a requirement to become licensed in California, you may need to comply with the requirements for out-of-state applicants.
- Applicants must be honest and truthful. Conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Failure to disclose any past criminal violation or disciplinary action may also result in the denial of a license. For further information, see Avoid Potential Denial of Your License Application (RE 229) and Applicant Eligibility Information (RE 222).
- Meet the Educational Real Estate License Requirements in California
- You must complete three college-level courses to qualify for a real estate salesperson examination:
- Real Estate Principles
- Real Estate Practice
- Plus one course from the following list:
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Property Management
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Economics
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Real Estate Office Administration
- General Accounting
- Business Law
- Escrows
- Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
- Computer Applications in Real Estate
- Common Interest Developments
- Pass the Written California Real Estate License Exam
- To obtain a real estate salesperson license in California, you must first qualify for and pass a written examination
- Complete the California Real Estate License application
- Those who pass the examination are provided a license application, which must be submitted to and approved by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
Online Limitations
There is no limit to the number of QE hours that may be taken online. Courses must be completed within 1 year of the enrollment date.
Students cannot receive credit for completing a course in less than 18 days, therefore, the first attempt at a course final exam is not accessible until at least the 18th day after starting the course (provided the student has completed all units and unit quizzes). If a student fails the first attempt at the course final exam, a second attempt will not be available until 18 days have passed since the first exam was failed. If a student fails the final exam for a course twice, then the student has failed the course. In order to receive credit, the student will need to re-register for the course, complete all units and unit quizzes in the new course, and pass the course final exam.
Students cannot receive credit for completing a course in less than 18 days, therefore, the first attempt at a course final exam is not accessible until at least the 18th day after starting the course (provided the student has completed all units and unit quizzes). If a student fails the first attempt at the course final exam, a second attempt will not be available until 18 days have passed since the first exam was failed. If a student fails the final exam for a course twice, then the student has failed the course. In order to receive credit, the student will need to re-register for the course, complete all units and unit quizzes in the new course, and pass the course final exam.
Roster
Roster Required:
no
Roster Process:
Rosters are not required to be submitted for QE.
Roster Sent:
Every 0 days
Governing Agency
Name:
California Department of Real Estate
Phone:
9165763366
Fax:
Website:
https://www.dre.ca.gov/
Address:
1651 Exposition Boulevard PO Box 137009 Sacramento, 95813
California Real Estate: Salesperson First Time Renewal (Continuing Education)
Total Hours Required:
45
Mandatory Hours:
35
Elective Hours:
10
Online Info
New Renewal Requirements Effective January 1, 2023:
A salesperson renewing for the first time must complete a total of 45 clock-hours of approved continuing education courses, which includes:
• Four separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management; and
• A three-hour course in fair housing, which must include an interactive participatory component during which the applicant shall role-play as both a consumer and real estate professional; and
• A two-hour course in implicit bias training
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
A salesperson renewing for the first time must complete a total of 45 clock-hours of approved continuing education courses, which includes:
• Four separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: ethics, agency, trust fund handling, risk management; and
• A three-hour course in fair housing, which must include an interactive participatory component during which the applicant shall role-play as both a consumer and real estate professional; and
• A two-hour course in implicit bias training
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
Online Limitations
Licensees may complete final examinations for a maximum of 15 credit hours per 24-hour period.
Correspondence has a study time of only 8 hours per day (24-hour day) - Study time starts once the student has access to the course materials.
Online correspondence in CA means the exam must be taken online.
There are no limits on the number of hours allowed to be taken online.
A timing mechanism is also required for all online courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours.
You will only be allotted 1 minute per question on the final exam. For example, a 10 question final exam must be completed within 10 minutes.
The state will allow for only TWO attempts on the final exam before requiring the course be retaken. This is a requirement by the California Department of Real Estate.
All offerings shall require completion within one year from the date of registration.
Roster
Roster Required:
no
Roster Process:
No roster required.
Roster Sent:
Every 0 days
Governing Agency
Name:
California Department of Real Estate
Phone:
9165763366
Fax:
Website:
https://www.dre.ca.gov/
Address:
1651 Exposition Boulevard PO Box 137009 Sacramento, 95813
California Real Estate: Second and Subsequent Renewals (Continuing Education)
Total Hours Required:
45
Mandatory Hours:
27
Elective Hours:
18
Renewal Cycle in Years:
4
Education Cycle in Months:
48
Online Info
New Renewal Requirements Effective January 1, 2023:
For all subsequent renewals after January 1, 2023, licensees must complete a total of 45 hours of continuing education, which must include the following:
• One nine-hour survey course covering the seven mandatory subjects ( (ethics, agency, fair housing, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision, and implicit bias training)) OR licensees can choose to take each of the mandatory subjects separately; and
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
For all subsequent renewals after January 1, 2023, licensees must complete a total of 45 hours of continuing education, which must include the following:
• One nine-hour survey course covering the seven mandatory subjects ( (ethics, agency, fair housing, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision, and implicit bias training)) OR licensees can choose to take each of the mandatory subjects separately; and
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
Online Limitations
Licensees may complete final examinations for a maximum of 15 credit hours per 24-hour period.
Correspondence has a study time of only 8 hours per day (24-hour day) - Study time starts once the student has access to the course materials.
Online correspondence in CA means the exam must be taken online.
There are no limits on the number of hours allowed to be taken online.
A timing mechanism is also required for all online courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours.
You will only be allotted 1 minute per question on the final exam. For example, a 10 question final exam must be completed within 10 minutes.
The state will allow for only TWO attempts on the final exam before requiring the course be retaken. This is a requirement by the California Department of Real Estate.
All offerings shall require completion within one year from the date of registration.
Roster
Roster Required:
no
Roster Process:
No roster required.
Roster Sent:
Every 0 days
Governing Agency
Name:
California Department of Real Estate
Phone:
9165763366
Fax:
Website:
https://www.dre.ca.gov/
Address:
1651 Exposition Boulevard PO Box 137009 Sacramento, 95813
Good to know
Other facts and insights about completing your CE
Note: This license renewal information is provided as a convenience only and is subject to change at any time. It's ultimately the responsibility of the licensee to be sure that he or she is meeting all requirements for each license and corresponding renewal period.