How to Become a Realtor in California: A Guide

If you’re considering a career in California real estate, you’ve probably come across two important terms: real estate salesperson and REALTOR®. While they’re related, they’re not the same. A licensed real estate salesperson in California has met the state’s education and exam requirements to legally represent buyers and sellers in transactions. A REALTOR® is a salesperson (or broker) who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to uphold its Code of Ethics.

This guide is designed for aspiring agents who want to start their journey with a clear, step-by-step roadmap. We’ll cover everything from licensing requirements and education to joining a brokerage and growing your career. Along the way, you’ll learn how SOLD.com supports agents long after they’re licensed—providing referral opportunities, marketing tools, and guidance that help you not only start in real estate but thrive in it.

California Real Estate License Basics

In California, there are two main types of real estate licenses: salesperson and broker. Most people begin as salespersons, working under the supervision of a broker. A broker holds additional education and experience and can operate independently, while salespersons must work under a broker’s license.

Before you can apply for the salesperson exam, you’ll need to meet California’s basic eligibility requirements:

Minimum Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Honesty and Character: The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires applicants to have a record free of serious legal or ethical violations. Misdemeanors or felonies involving fraud or moral turpitude can disqualify you.
Residency: California residency is not required, but non-residents must file an Out-of-State Applicant form and may have additional paperwork.

Once you’ve met these requirements, your first major step is to qualify for and pass the California salesperson licensing exam. This ensures you’ve mastered the core concepts of property law, contracts, financing, and ethics that you’ll need to serve clients effectively.

The Educational Requirements

Before you can take the California salesperson exam, you must complete 135 hours of DRE-approved pre-license education. These hours are split into three required college-level courses:

Real Estate Principles (45 hours) – Covers the foundational concepts of property ownership, land use, contracts, agency relationships, and state regulations.
Real Estate Practice (45 hours) – Focuses on the day-to-day skills and responsibilities of an agent, from prospecting to closing.
One Elective Course (45 hours) – Choices include subjects like Real Estate Finance, Property Management, or Real Estate Appraisal.

The 2024 Course Update You Can’t Ignore
As of January 1, 2024, the Real Estate Practice course now includes implicit bias training and interactive fair housing role-play exercises. This change is designed to help new agents identify and prevent discrimination in transactions, and it’s a mandatory component—your course provider must offer it to meet DRE requirements.

Choosing the Right School
You can take your courses either online or in a classroom setting, as long as the provider is DRE-approved. Before you enroll, confirm the school’s approval by checking the DRE’s official course provider list.

Online courses are ideal if you need flexibility. Many providers allow you to work at your own pace, so you could finish in just a few weeks if you study consistently. Classroom courses may be better if you prefer in-person instruction and networking opportunities.

Pacing and Completion Tips
If you’re working full-time, plan on completing one course every 4–6 weeks. If you can commit 15–20 hours a week, you can complete all three in as little as 2–3 months. Keep a weekly schedule, set mini-deadlines, and use practice quizzes to reinforce what you learn.

When your courses are complete, your school will issue certificates of completion. You’ll need these when you apply for the state exam, so keep both printed and digital copies for your records.

Applying to Sit for the California Salesperson Exam

Once you’ve finished your 135 hours of required education, your next step is to apply for the California real estate salesperson exam. You can do this online through the DRE’s eLicensing system or by mailing in the paper application.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Completed Exam Application – Available on the DRE’s website or within the eLicensing portal.
Course Completion Certificates – One for each of the three required courses.
Application Fee – As of 2025, the fee for the salesperson exam is around $60, but always confirm the latest amount on the DRE site.
Identification – A valid government-issued photo ID is required on test day, but you don’t need to submit a copy when applying.

ADA Accommodations
If you require special accommodations due to a disability, you must submit the Reasonable Accommodation Request form along with your application. The DRE may request additional documentation, so apply early to ensure enough processing time.

Timelines and Processing
Processing times can vary. Depending on the volume of applications, you might wait anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks for your approval and test scheduling notice. The DRE posts current processing times on its website, so check regularly to plan your timeline.

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions to select your exam location, date, and time. The DRE offers testing sites across California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, and Fresno.

What’s on the Exam? (And How to Prep)

The California real estate salesperson exam is designed to ensure you understand the legal, financial, and practical aspects of representing clients in real estate transactions.

Exam Format

Number of Questions: 150 multiple-choice questions.
Time Limit: 3 hours.
Passing Score: 70% or higher (105 correct answers).
Delivery: In-person, computer-based testing at an official DRE testing center.

Topics Covered
The exam covers seven major content areas:

Property Ownership and Land Use Controls
Laws of Agency and Fiduciary Duties
Property Valuation and Financial Analysis
Financing
Transfer of Property
Practice of Real Estate and Mandated Disclosures
Contracts

Test-Day Logistics
On exam day, bring your admission notice and a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in. You may not bring any reference materials, notes, or electronic devices into the exam room.

How to Prepare

Study the DRE’s Candidate Handbook: This outlines the content areas and sample questions.
Use Practice Exams: They help you get comfortable with question wording and pacing.
Create a Study Schedule: Break topics into manageable chunks over several weeks.
Focus on Weak Areas: Use your practice results to target the subjects where you score lowest.

If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam by reapplying with a new fee. There’s no limit to the number of times you can retake it, but spacing out attempts for more study time is recommended.

Fingerprinting and Background Check

Before you can be licensed, the California Department of Real Estate requires you to complete Live Scan fingerprinting so they can conduct a background check. This step helps the DRE confirm your identity and evaluate your honesty and character—two critical requirements for working with the public in real estate.

How Live Scan Works
Live Scan is an electronic fingerprinting process used by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. You’ll complete it at an approved Live Scan location, where your fingerprints are scanned digitally and sent directly to the agencies for processing.

When to Complete It
You can do Live Scan before or after your exam, but many candidates choose to do it early so the results are ready when they pass the test. This can speed up your license approval.

Tips to Avoid Delays

Use the Correct Form: The DRE has its own Request for Live Scan Service form that must be used.
Ensure Information Matches: Your name and details on the Live Scan form must match exactly with your exam application.
Keep Your Receipt: The operator will give you a copy of the form with an ATI number—keep it until your license is issued in case there are processing questions.

Background check results are sent directly to the DRE. If there are no issues, your licensing process moves forward. If there’s a record that needs review, the DRE may request additional information or documentation, which can delay approval.

The License Application

Once you pass the California real estate salesperson exam, you’re halfway to officially starting your career. The next step is to submit your Salesperson License Application to the DRE. If you applied using the combined exam/license application, you may have already completed some of this paperwork—otherwise, you’ll need to file it now.

What You’ll Need

Completed License Application Form (provided by the DRE after you pass).
Proof of Completed Live Scan Fingerprinting.
License Fee (verify current amount on the DRE website).
Sponsoring Broker Information – Your license won’t be active until you’re affiliated with a responsible broker.

Broker Sponsorship
A sponsoring broker is required for you to legally conduct real estate business in California. This broker will oversee your work, provide resources, and ensure you follow state laws. Once the DRE verifies your sponsorship, they will issue your license and you’ll be ready to start helping clients.

Timing and Approval
If all documents are correct and your background check is clear, your license can be approved in as little as 2–4 weeks after submission. The DRE will mail you a paper license, and your broker will receive an office copy to display.

Choosing Your First Brokerage

Selecting the right brokerage is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a new California real estate agent. Your sponsoring broker will influence your training, lead opportunities, earnings, and overall career growth.

Look for a firm that offers strong mentorship, structured training, and modern tools such as CRM systems and marketing resources. Understand their commission splits, desk or transaction fees, and how leads are generated and distributed. Culture and geographic focus also matter—align yourself with a brokerage that has a solid presence in your target market and whose values match your work style.

Take time to interview multiple options, ask detailed questions, and choose the one that best supports your niche, whether that’s first-time buyers, luxury homes, or investment properties.

Becoming a REALTOR®

After earning your license, you can choose to join the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through your local real estate board, which also makes you a member of the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

This membership allows you to legally use the REALTOR® title and provides valuable benefits such as access to industry-standard forms, a legal hotline, ongoing education, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that protect the profession. Membership requires annual dues, so weigh the cost against the tools and credibility it brings, especially in your first year when establishing your professional brand.

How Long Does it Take and How Much Does it Cost?

Becoming a real estate agent in California usually takes four to six months. The timeline depends on how quickly you finish the required 135 hours of pre-license education, pass the exam, complete Live Scan fingerprinting, and submit your license application. Processing times at the DRE can vary, so it’s smart to check their current estimates and plan accordingly.

Costs also vary, but you can expect to pay for education ($150–$700), the state exam and license application fees, Live Scan fingerprinting, and first-year association dues if you choose to join C.A.R. and NAR. Additional startup expenses like marketing materials, business cards, MLS access, and lockbox keys can bring your first-year total to $1,000–$3,000. Budgeting for these costs upfront will help you launch your career smoothly without financial strain.

Reciprocity and Moving From Out of State

California does not offer license reciprocity with other states, meaning out-of-state agents must complete the full licensing process, including the 135 hours of approved education, the state exam, and fingerprinting. While prior coursework from another state may sometimes meet certain requirements, it’s essential to confirm with the California Department of Real Estate before enrolling in new classes.

If you hold a current license elsewhere, your market knowledge and sales experience can give you an advantage once licensed, but you’ll still need to learn California’s specific real estate laws, contracts, and disclosure rules to operate successfully.

Common Roadblocks and How to Avoid Them

Taking non–DRE-approved courses – Always verify the provider on the DRE’s approved list.
Missing updated 2024 course requirements – The Real Estate Practice course must now include implicit bias and fair-housing components.
Delaying Live Scan fingerprinting – Schedule as soon as possible to avoid background check delays.
Submitting incomplete applications – Double-check every field and required document before sending.
Lack of a timeline – Use a weekly checklist to track course completion, application submission, and exam prep milestones.

By planning ahead and avoiding these mistakes, you can keep your licensing journey moving forward without unnecessary delays. Staying organized and proactive will help you reach the exam stage faster and start your real estate career on schedule.

Life After You’re Licensed

Once you receive your California real estate license, the first step is onboarding with your broker. This includes learning their systems, marketing tools, client management processes, and office policies. Many brokers also provide new-agent training programs to help you master contracts, disclosures, and best practices for working with buyers and sellers.

As you settle into your role, remember that California requires 45 hours of continuing education (CE) every four years to renew your license, with specific courses in ethics, agency, and fair housing. Beyond meeting state requirements, focus on building your business through lead generation, networking, open houses, and maintaining relationships with your sphere of influence. Setting clear production goals and tracking your results will help you grow from a new licensee into a consistently producing agent.

How SOLD.com Can Help New California Agents Succeed

SOLD.com offers new California agents a head start by connecting them with motivated buyers and sellers through its referral network. Instead of spending months cold-calling or buying leads, agents can focus on delivering excellent service and closing deals. Our matching platform pairs clients with agents based on location, experience, and service style, helping you work with people who fit your strengths.

SOLD.com also provides resources to support your growth, from marketing tools to guidance on building lasting client relationships. By integrating these referrals into your business plan and CRM, you can accelerate your production, strengthen your pipeline, and establish a reputation in your local market faster.

Starting a real estate career in California? Join our growing partner network to get matched with ready buyers and sellers near you!

FAQS: Quick Answers for Aspiring California REALTORS®

Do I need a college degree to become a real estate agent in California?
No. A degree is not required, but you must complete the state’s 135 hours of pre-license education.

Are attorneys exempt from any requirements?
Yes. Licensed attorneys may be exempt from some education requirements. Check with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) for details.

Can I take all my pre-license courses online?
Yes. Most DRE-approved schools offer fully online courses, but the state exam and fingerprinting must be done in person.

What’s on the California real estate exam?
The salesperson exam has 150 multiple-choice questions, requires a 70% passing score, and covers topics like agency, contracts, financing, and property ownership.

Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Yes. You can retake the exam as many times as needed, though you must pay the exam fee each time.

Does California offer real estate license reciprocity?
No. Out-of-state applicants must complete the full licensing process in California.

Step-by-step checklist for becoming a Realtor® in California

Meet eligibility requirements – Be at least 18, have legal U.S. residency, and meet character/honesty standards.
Choose a DRE-approved school – Enroll in 135 hours of required courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective.
Complete all coursework – Ensure the Practice course includes the updated fair-housing and implicit-bias components.
Apply for the state exam – Submit your application and fees via DRE eLicensing or by mail.
Schedule Live Scan fingerprinting – Complete your background check early to avoid delays.
Prepare for the exam – Study all test areas and take multiple practice exams.
Pass the state exam – Score at least 70% on the 150-question, 3-hour multiple-choice test.
Find a sponsoring broker – You must be supervised by a broker to practice as a salesperson.
Submit your license application – Provide proof of passing the exam and broker sponsorship to the DRE.
Join your local REALTOR® association – If you want to use the REALTOR® title, join NAR, C.A.R., and your local association.
Launch your business – Set a 90-day plan for marketing, lead generation, and networking.

How to Become a Realtor in California