You can get your real estate license in California when you turn 18. This may be your goal after seeing videos like this one that show young people making a tremendous amount of money by working in the industry. However, these videos fail to mention that you must have a real estate license to work as an agent. Keep reading, and we’ll tell you how fast you can get your real estate license in California – and a quick overview of the process.
California Pre-Licensing Education Requirements Overview
You must be at least 18 years old to get your real estate license in California. Here’s a brief overview of the licensing process for becoming a real estate salesperson:
Pre-Licensing Courses: Complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education. (These aren’t college hours; these are classroom hours. So, if you spend 40 hours per week on real estate classes, you can get through the coursework in about 3 1/2 weeks.)
Salesperson Exam: California’s real estate licensing exam is three ¼ hours with 150 questions. You need to get at least 70% to pass the test.
Application: The application is available on the California Department of Real Estate’s website.
Sponsoring Broker: Real estate salespeople must work under the supervision of a real estate broker or an experienced real estate agent with an additional license. You must find a sponsoring broker before legally earning real estate commissions.
How Early Can You Get Your Real Estate License in California?
You can earn your real estate license in California when you turn 18. However, you can start taking pre-licensing courses before your 18th birthday to be ready to submit your license application when you reach that magic age.
It’s worth noting that you don’t have to wait until you graduate from high school to get your license. According to the California Department of Real Estate, you must be 18 years old, a California resident, and be “honest and truthful to be issued a license.” A high school diploma is not listed as a requirement.
Can you start real estate classes in high school in California?
Yes, you can start real estate classes while you are in high school in California. Depending on your birthday, you can make your first commission check before graduating high school!
Can you get your real estate license at 16?
No, you must be at least 18 to get your real estate license in California. However, you can start taking real estate classes before you turn 18.
How Fast Can You Get Your Real Estate License in California?
You can get your real estate license in as soon as five months. Here are some factors determining how long it will take and the fastest way to get a real estate license in California.
Pre-licensing courses (1 month): You must complete 135 hours of coursework to get a real estate license in California. The courses can be taken in-person, via live stream, or at your own pace online.
Choosing self-paced courses is the fastest way to get a real estate license in any state. When you enroll in online pre-licensing courses, you can start learning immediately. Disciplined students can get through the material in about a month.
Prepare for the salesperson exam (1 -2 months): While taking the California licensing exam will take only a few hours, you must set aside time to study. Quality study materials will make this process easier and increase the likelihood of passing the test the first time you take it.
Application (1-2 months): It takes time for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn. However, the California Department of Real Estate publishes processing times, so you know approximately how long it will take to process your application.
Find a sponsoring broker (2 weeks to 1 month): You may already have a broker in mind who has already agreed to work with you. However, if you don’t, you will want to spend time chatting with several brokerages to find the right fit.
Five to six months may feel like an eternity for those getting started in real estate. However, setting realistic goals and timelines for obtaining a real estate license is important so you don’t become discouraged with the process.
What Is the Expected Starting Salary for Real Estate Agents?
The average first-year salary for real estate agents in California is $66,334, according to this salary guide. (It’s worth noting that the average income of real estate agents with four years of experience is $271,875!) However, those numbers may vary depending on your niche or specialty.
Is Becoming a Real Estate Agent Right for You?
It’s scary to spend time and money to prepare for a career without knowing if you will like it. Ask these questions to determine if you should become a real estate agent.
- Do you want to set your own hours?
- Do you want to be your own boss?
- Do you want to work in an exciting, dynamic industry?
- Are you interested in architecture and design?
- Do you want to work outside of a traditional office?
- Do you like interacting with new people?
- Do you want your income to be based on factors you control?
If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, real estate might be the right career (or side hustle!) for you.
More Information: Learn the overall cost of getting your real estate license in California here: How Much Is a Real Estate License in California?
If you’re ready to get started in real estate and want to get your California real estate license quickly, choose Allied Real Estate School’s online pre-licensing courses. You can start within minutes and complete the courses on your own schedule. Another perk of working with Allied Real Estate School is our “pass or don’t pay” guarantee.
Learn more about becoming a real estate agent in California by chatting with one of our licensing experts at Allied.
Key Takeaways: How Old to Get a Real Estate License
- You can take real estate pre-licensing classes before graduating high school or turning 18.
- You must be 18 years old to apply for your real estate license in California.
- Earning a real estate license in CA takes five to six months.
