Ready to start your pre-licensing education and wondering where to get a real estate license in California once you’re finished?
According to California real estate license requirements, you must take at least 135 hours of pre-licensing education to qualify for your California real estate license exam, and you must take your California real estate license exam at a state-approved, in-person facility.
According to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), testing is offered at just five exam centers across the state.
These locations are:
- Sacramento
- Oakland
- Fresno
- La Palma (Orange County)
- San Diego
So, if you’ve decided to earn your California real estate license, you’ll want to plan a trip to an approved test-taking location near you once you’re finished with your pre-licensing courses.
How to Apply for Your California Real Estate License Exam
To take your California real estate license exam, you’ll first have to apply through the California Department of Real Estate’s website.
You’ll fill out what is called a “Salesperson Examination Application (RE 400) or a “Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application”.
Additionally, you’ll need to show a valid form of photo identification, such as a:
- Current state-issued driver’s license or DMV identification card
- U.S. Passport or Passport issued by a foreign government
- U.S. Military identification card
You will also need to take fingerprints for a background check.
How to Pay for Your California Real Estate License Exam
If you’ve never taken the California real estate license exam before, you’ll need to pay a fee of $40 – $150 (depending on exam type and if you are retaking the exam) in the form of a credit card or check.
Keep in mind, the California DRE does charge a rescheduling fee, so be sure to schedule your test for a date and time you’re confident you can keep.
On top of application costs, you’ll also need to budget for the cost of the license itself. As of April 2021, the fee is $245.
What to Expect When You Take Your California Real Estate License Exam
The most important thing to remember about taking your California real estate license exam is you’ll need a score of at least 70% to pass.
If you’ve completed your pre-licensing education with an accredited, high-touch school like Allied, this should be an easy goal.
As for the test itself, expect a time limit of three hours and 150 multiple-choice questions.
The questions on your test will be a direct reflection of the state-approved course material you’ve learned during your pre-licensing education.
Another important note to consider? The DRE requires that examinees show up thirty minutes early to their exam to start their testing promptly at the listed start time.
After you complete your exam, your results will be mailed to you within five business days.
How to Retake the California Real Estate License Exam
If you don’t earn your California real estate license after the first exam, you’re allowed to retake the test an unlimited amount of times up to two years after your original test date.
The only catch? You must wait until after you’ve received your official results from your original exam to reschedule.
That means even if you think you didn’t pass, you won’t be able to reschedule the test until your official score is available.
To reschedule, you’ll need to reapply with the “Salesperson Examination Change Application RE 415A” and pay the appropriate fee.
Fortunately, if you took your pre-licensing courses with Allied, we offer a “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee—meaning if you don’t pass your test the first time around, we’ll refund what you paid for your pre-licensing courses and still help you pass.
But, with our reputation for consistently high pass rates, it’s likely you’ll pass the first time around.
Are You Ready to Prepare For Your California Real Estate License Exam?
If you’re ready to start taking steps towards earning your California real estate license, Allied is a reliable, accredited choice. We’ve helped over 350,000 students become real estate agents, and our supportive, experienced instructors are ready to help you take the first step towards a fulfilling career in California real estate.
