How do I become a real estate agent in California?
Becoming a real estate agent in California requires completing pre-license education, passing a real estate licensing exam, and submitting a license application and fees.

Do California real estate agents need a license?
Yes! You must be licensed to show homes to clients, write contracts, negotiate deals, and earn commissions. Working without a license is illegal. Your real estate license will be issued by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).

What is the difference between a real estate "salesperson" and a "broker" in California?
A “salesperson” is an entry-level real estate agent. “Real estate salesperson” is the legal term in California for a person that works as a real estate agent under the supervision of a “real estate broker” as part of a brokerage. A “real estate broker” is a person who operates a brokerage. A broker has years of real estate experience and has been trained and licensed to operate an independent business.

What courses do I need to take to get a real estate license in California?
Getting a salesperson license requires 135 total hours of “pre-license training” courses before applying for a license. These courses are required by law. Pre-license courses will teach you about California real estate law, ethics, agency, and other real estate practices. A broker license requires 8 45-hour college level courses. Most in-state licensed agents will have already completed 3 of these courses as part of their salesperson license training.

Can I take my pre-license courses online?
Yes! You can take courses entirely online and you can start immediately. You can still opt for classroom courses, but most people now take their education online.

Can I get my California real estate license online?
Yes, mostly. The DRE utilizes their eLicensing system to apply for and track real estate licenses. However, your real estate exam and your background check fingerprinting must be attended in-person.

How long does the DRE real estate application process take?
3-4 months. It takes a minimum of about 8 weeks to complete all of the required real estate salesperson training (broker applicants will have additional course work to complete). The license application process can take about 6 weeks, depending on the volume of applications that the Department of Real Estate is processing. Finally, you will need to make time to sit for a real estate exam. These are scheduled with an exam provider.

Does California offer real estate license reciprocity?
No. If you already hold a real estate license in another state, you must still take 135 hours of required pre-license education and apply for a California real estate salesperson license.