Having taught thousands of aspiring agents in California, we make it easy for you to get up to speed on the state’s license requirements.
Learn what's required to get your real estate license in California
This real estate licensing information summarizes the minimum requirements established by the California Bureau of Real Estate . We recommend you contact the Commission for more detailed information or changes.
Are you planning to obtain real estate licenses in multiple states? If so, we recommend you check each state’s requirements.
California real estate salesperson requirements
General Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to become licensed in California. Additionally, you must have Proof of Legal Presence in the United States. If you are not a California resident, see the requirements for out-of-state applicants.
Honesty: 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).
Education requirements
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
Exam requirements
To obtain a real estate salesperson license in California, you must first qualify for and pass a written examination. Those who pass the examination are provided a license application, which must be submitted to and approved by the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE).
To perform real estate acts, an individual must be a licensed real estate salesperson and supervised by a licensed real estate broker. A license may also be obtained by a person who does not immediately intend to be employed by a broker. However, a salesperson without an employing broker may not perform acts requiring a real estate license.
Find the full details on license requirements by visiting the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Real Estate website.
California real estate broker license requirements
To obtain a real estate broker license in California, you must first qualify for and pass a written examination. Those who pass the examination are provided a license application, which must be submitted to and approved by the CalBRE.
General requirements
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- Proof of legal presence in the United States is required. If you are not a California resident, see Out-of-State Applicants.
- Honesty: Applicants must be honest and truthful. Conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Failure to disclose any criminal violation or disciplinary action in an applicant’s entire history 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).
- Experience: A minimum of two years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last five years or the equivalent is required. For further information, please visit the California government web page: Documenting Experience Requirements for the Broker Examination.
Education requirements
Applicants for a real estate broker license examination must have successfully completed five mandatory and three elective college-level courses from the list below:
- Real Estate Practice
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Real Estate Economics or Accounting
- Plus three courses from the following list:
- Real Estate Principles
- Business Law
- Property Management
- Escrow
- Real Estate Office Administration
- Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
- Advanced Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Advanced Real Estate Finance
- Advanced Real Estate Appraisal
- Computer Applications in Real Estate
- Common Interest Developments
Any course on this list that was used to qualify for the salesperson license examination may also be used to qualify for the broker license examination.
Note: If both Real Estate Economics and Accounting are taken, only two courses from the above group are required.
To read the full list of requirements and exceptions, visit the broker’s page on the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Real Estate website.
California real estate license: continuing education requirements
The license renewal period is every four years from the date your license is issued. Forty-five hours in continuing education courses are required to renew your license. For information on renewal requirements, visit the California Bureau of Real Estate website.
California real estate license fees
- The California examination fee for a real estate agent’s license is $100, the renewal fee is $350 and fingerprinting is $49.
- The California examination fee for a broker’s license is $150, the renewal fee is $450 and fingerprinting is $49.
- For other fees, see the fees chart on the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Real Estate website.
Useful links to key California state websites
Here is a list of California Bureau of Real Estate website pages to help keep you informed:
- How to apply for the salesperson exam
- Taking the exam
Good to know
Other insights about getting your California real estate license
- California can update its requirements at any time. Before taking an exam, it’s a good idea to reconfirm the licensing requirements at the California Bureau of Real Estate website.