Frequently Asked Questions

License Types: Salesperson and Broker

Agents in California are broken down into two categories: brokers and salespersons.  Most new real estate agents become a real estate salesperson and are required to place their real estate license under a real estate broker.  Real estate brokers oversee and are liable for all of the salespersons transactions.  Many decide to remain as salespersons during their entire real estate career; others may down the road decide to obtain their real estate broker’s license in order to become more independent and possibly start their own real estate brokerage company and hire real estate salespersons under them. 

Licensee Activities

Many real estate property purchases and sales in California involve real estate agents who help facilitate the purchases and sales of real properties and are licensed by the California Department of Real Estate.  For detailed information, see our Licensing Information page.

Salesperson Licensing Requirements

According to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), here are the requirements to obtaining a California Real Estate Salesperson License: 

To obtain a real estate salesperson license, 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 DRE. 

Age: You must be 18 years of age or older to be issued a license.

Residence: 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. 

Education:  You must complete a minimum of three (3) statutorily required college-level courses. 

Required:

  • Real Estate Principles
  • Real Estate Practice

Elective:

Pick one (1) of the following courses.  However, some previously completed three semester unit, four quarter unit, or higher college classes may count toward your elective course (e.g., Accounting, Business Law, or Economics).

  • Property Management
  • Escrow
  • Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
  • Legal Aspects of Real Estate
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Appraisal
  • Real Estate Economics
  • Business Law

If you would like more information, please contact a representative or the California Department of Real Estate.

Broker Licensing Requirements

According to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), here are the requirements to obtaining a California Real Estate Broker License: 

To obtain a real estate broker license, 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 DRE. 

Age: You must be 18 years of age or older to be issued a license.

Residence: 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. 

Experience: A minimum of two years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last five years (or equivalent) or a four year college degree with a major or minor in Real Estate. 

Education:  You must complete a minimum of eight (8) statutorily required college-level courses. 

Required:

  • Real Estate Practice
  • Legal Aspects of Real Estate
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Appraisal
  • Real Estate Economics

Elective:

Pick three (3) from the following. However, some previously completed three semester unit, four quarter unit, or higher college classes may count toward elective courses (e.g., Accounting, Business Law, or Economics).

  • Real Estate Principles
  • Property Management
  • Escrow
  • Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
  • Business Law

If you would like more information, please contact the California Department of Real Estate.

Refund Policy

  • Home Study Courses (Continuing Education and Statutory)

    • Unconditional money-back guarantee on home study courses if returned unused within 7 days from enrollment date, less the $25 enrollment fee and any shipping charges if applicable.  

  • Exam Preparation Material (e.g., Practice Questions, Online Video, etc.)

    • Exam Preparation Material is NON-REFUNDABLE.  

  • Live Seven Night Exam Preparation Class and Live Tutorials of Home Study Courses

    • Unconditional money-back guarantee if returned at least three business days prior to day of class, less the $25 enrollment fee and any shipping charges if applicable.  There is a $25 transfer fee if student elects for another class date than what was originally selected.  

  • One Day Crash Course

    • Unconditional money-back guarantee if returned at least one business day before 2pm prior to day of class, less the $25 enrollment fee and any shipping charges if applicable.  There is a $25 transfer fee if student elects for another class date than what was originally selected.