How to Obtain a California Real Estate Salesperson License

Minimum Requirements to Apply for License

Age: 18 years of age or older.

Residence: Residency in the state is not a requirement to become licensed.

Honesty: Conviction of a crime which is either a felony or involves moral turpitude may result in the denial of a license. The failure to reveal a criminal conviction on an original license application may also result in the denial of a license.

Education: Evidence of successful completion of the three qualifying courses is required.

Experience: None required.

Legal Presence in United States: None required. Applicants are only required to provide a social security number or an individual taxpayer identification number for licensure.

License Fee

There is a $60 examination fee and $245 license fee paid directly to CalBRE. Total: $305.

Fingerprints

One set of classifiable electronic fingerprints and a fingerprint processing fee are required from every license applicant. Original license applicants who reside in California will pay a $49 fingerprint processing fee directly to the live scan fingerprint service provider. If you are not a California resident, see Out-of-State Applicants.

Step by step Process to get a Real Estate License

Complete Qualifying Courses

All three pre-license courses are required by the California Bureau of Real Estate before you can apply for the state exam. They are designed to give you a basic understanding of the necessary subjects and a foundation of real estate terminology.

As you are working on your courses we recommend you complete your Livescan (electronic finger prints) by filling out the 237 form processing time is up to 2 – 3 weeks.

Apply for State Exam

Once you have successfully completed all three required courses, it is time to apply for the state exam. Examination applications can be submitted online through eLicensing, by mail, or by fax. Combined Salesperson Examination Application (RE 435A) to CalBRE along with proof of completion of the required courses and the $305 total (License fee: $245 + Exam fee: $60). RE 400A is just for applying for the state exam and will add time to you getting your license. The eLicensing is fast and efficient. Watch this short video that goes through the documents and forms to upload.

Work on the Practice Tests

If you enroll in our complete pre-license package, you will practice tests for the state exam. This is the most important phase of your studying. Now that you have a foundation of knowledge from the pre-license courses, you will now study the subject matter in more detail by looking at sample state exam questions. Your goal is to take and retake these sample exams until you are scoring 90% or better (on each practice test) before taking the actual state examination. Concentrate on learning the subjects rather than memorizing the questions.

Take your State Exam

To pass the California Salesperson License Exam you will need a score of 70% or better. Check for Available California Real Estate Exam Dates (here).

Get your California Real Estate Licence and Join Keller Williams!

Get your Real Estate license! If you applied for 400A you will now need to apply for 202, this will add 4 – 6 weeks to the licensing process.

Timeline for Overall Licensing Process

Complete qualifying courses: 7 ½ weeks minimum (2 ½ weeks per course)
Mail examination application to CalBRE and wait for processing: 4-8 weeks
Schedule state test date through eLicensing and PASS state exam
Receive license immediately upon passing if you submitted the combined application.

Total: Approximately 12-16 weeks. This is only an estimate and represents the fastest possible time frame. Of course you may progress at your own pace.

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