Last updated: August 31st, 2026
Thinking about starting a career in real estate?
Getting your California real estate license is a major first step, and the process is easier to navigate once you understand the education, exam, and application requirements.
If you don’t live in California, no worries. Real Estate License Guru also partners with The CE Shop to offer real estate education and exam-preparation options for many other states.
Here’s what you need to know to get started in California.
The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) regulates real estate salesperson and broker licensing in the state.
To qualify for a California real estate salesperson license, you generally must:
Be at least 18 years old
Complete the required pre-licensing education
Apply for and pass the California real estate salesperson examination
Complete the required fingerprint/background-check process
Submit the appropriate license application and fees
Meet DRE’s other licensing requirements
A salesperson license may be issued even if you are not immediately affiliated with a broker. However, you cannot perform licensed real estate activities without working under a responsible California real estate broker.
You can review the official California DRE salesperson requirements for current information.
California salesperson applicants generally need to complete three approved college-level real estate courses.
Each approved course is a minimum of 45 hours, for a total of 135 hours of pre-licensing education.
The required courses are:
Real Estate Principles
Real Estate Practice
One approved elective
Approved electives include subjects such as:
Real Estate Finance
Real Estate Appraisal
Property Management
Real Estate Economics
Legal Aspects of Real Estate
Business Law
Escrows
General Accounting
Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
Common Interest Developments
Other electives approved by DRE
The Real Estate Practice course must also meet California’s current requirements involving fair housing and implicit bias training.
If you’d rather complete your education online, we partner with The CE Shop for online real estate education.
Depending on the package you choose, available options may include:
California Pre-Licensing courses
Exam preparation
Continuing education
Real estate education for other states
Explore California Real Estate Courses With The CE Shop
Check the site for current packages, pricing, promotions, and any trial offers that may be available.
Once you’ve completed the required education, you can apply to take the California real estate salesperson examination.
DRE allows applicants to apply through its eLicensing system or use the applicable paper application.
You’ll need to provide documentation showing completion of the required education.
Applicants can also submit a combined Salesperson Examination and License Application, allowing the exam and licensing portions of the process to be handled together.
For current application instructions, visit the California DRE Salesperson Exam and License Application page.
Your pre-licensing courses give you the education required to qualify for the exam, but many applicants also use a separate exam-preparation program before test day.
Exam prep can help you:
Review major real estate concepts
Practice multiple-choice questions
Identify weak areas
Become more comfortable with exam terminology
Reinforce California-specific real estate law
The CE Shop offers exam-preparation options in addition to pre-licensing education.
View Real Estate Pre-Licensing and Exam Prep Options
Passing the examination is a major step, but your license still has to be issued by DRE.
Depending on how you applied, you’ll need to complete the remaining licensing requirements, which can include:
License application
Fingerprinting
Required fees
Education verification
Additional documentation requested by DRE
Once your salesperson license is issued, remember that you need to work under a responsible broker before performing activities that require a real estate license.
Pre-licensing education and continuing education are different.
Once you’re licensed, California real estate salespersons generally must complete 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education when renewing their license.
The exact required subjects depend on whether it’s your first renewal or a subsequent renewal.
So if you’re already licensed rather than just getting started, make sure you’re shopping for California Continuing Education, not Pre-Licensing.
California salesperson applicants generally complete 135 hours of approved education consisting of three 45-hour courses.
You generally need:
Real Estate Principles
Real Estate Practice
One approved elective
Yes, provided the courses satisfy California DRE requirements.
We partner with The CE Shop for online real estate education.
Not necessarily.
California can issue a salesperson license without immediate broker affiliation, but you cannot perform licensed real estate activities until you’re working under a responsible broker.
Yes.
Licensed California salespersons generally need 45 hours of approved continuing education for renewal.
Yes.
California has procedures for out-of-state applicants, and The CE Shop also offers real estate education products for many states.
If you plan to become licensed outside California, make sure you select the requirements and courses for the state where you intend to obtain your license.
Getting your real estate license can open the door to a completely new career, but the first step is completing the right education.
If you’re ready to begin, explore the current California Pre-Licensing and Exam Prep options available through Real Estate License Guru and The CE Shop.
Start Your Real Estate Licensing Education
Already licensed? You can also use The CE Shop for available Continuing Education options to help satisfy your renewal requirements.
Whether you’re beginning your first real estate course or preparing for the state exam, make sure you’re using current, DRE-approved education that matches your licensing goal.
