To get a California real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old, meet DRE honesty and truthfulness requirements, complete 135 hours of approved pre-licensing education, apply for and pass the salesperson exam with a score of 70% or higher, submit fingerprints for the required background check, and complete the DRE license application. You can be issued a salesperson license without immediately working for a broker, but you must work under a responsible broker before performing activities that require a real estate license.

Read more about the California real estate license requirements.

A real estate license in California can cost between $544-$1065 depending on your preferred real estate school and course. At Colibri Real Estate, our California real estate pre-licensing courses start as low as $120, with pay as-you-go options available through Affirm.
Here is a breakdown of the various fees and expenses included in the total cost of a real estate license in California:

– Course / Package Fees: As low as $120
– Background Check: $49
– Salesperson License Fees: $350
– Salesperson Examination Fees: $100

On average, it takes about five to six months, depending on how quickly you complete the 135 hours of pre-licensing education, apply for and pass the salesperson exam, submit fingerprints, complete the license application, and current DRE processing times.

California requires 135 hours of approved pre-licensing education across three 45-hour courses. Each course has its own 18-day minimum before the final exam, so the education portion takes at least 54 days. The full licensing process typically takes five to six months depending on how quickly you complete your courses, schedule and pass the exam, finish the application process, and current DRE processing times.

No. California does not offer real estate license reciprocity. If you already hold a license in another state, you still need to meet California’s licensing requirements. Some completed real estate coursework may qualify toward the education requirement, so review the DRE’s out-of-state guidance before enrolling.

Each class must be completed in the format it was started to receive credit.

Yes, you can! Colibri offers students or licensees to attend classes and complete their pre-licensing course fully online with livestream and flexible self-paced packages.

Just as if you were in a classroom, attending all sessions from start to finish are crucial to earn credit. We understand some things are out of your control! Please review your welcome letter, located on your student dashboard for more attendance details.

No, you cannot take the exam without completing your real estate pre-licensing course in California.

If a student does not pass the California real estate license exam within 30 days of completing the exam prep course, we’ll reimburse the original cost of either your pre-licensing package or the exclusive exam prep you purchased.* For reimbursement, email us at [email protected] with a copy of your exam results, including the date of the exams, within 30 days of the failed exam attempt.  
*Specific state laws or regulations prohibit some students from qualifying. For example, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, and New Jersey do not permit guarantees to passing the real estate licensing exam. 

No. A college degree is not required to become a California real estate salesperson. You do need to complete the required 135 hours of pre-licensing education and pass the state licensing exam.

A salesperson works under the supervision of a licensed California broker. A broker can operate a brokerage and has additional education and experience requirements.

The California salesperson exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions and requires a score of 70% or higher to pass. The exam covers seven sections based on material from your pre-licensing education.