How to get a real estate license in California
The official path to a California salesperson license in 4 steps, with fees and rules taken from the state regulator.
Take the pre-licensing course
135 hours from a state-approved school.
3 college-level courses, each min. 45 hours
Verified from official source · Oct 16, 2026Pass the state exam
Administered by DRE (state-administered). Exam fee: $100.
No third-party vendor named
Verified from official source · Oct 16, 2026Apply for your license
License / application fee: $350. Fingerprint / background: $49. Deadline: Exam/license fee valid 2 years; qualify and pass within that period
Original salesperson license fee, RE 206 (Rev 7/26)
Verified from official source · Oct 16, 2026After you're licensed
Not published
Not on an official source · searched Oct 16, 2026
Other rules
- E&O insurance required
- Not published
No E&O requirement found in the regulator pages we read; absence is not confirmation
Not on an official source · searched Oct 16, 2026 - Reciprocity
- Not published
DRE requirements page mentions out-of-state applicants but no reciprocity agreement
Not on an official source · searched Oct 16, 2026 - Official pass rate
- 51% of 2,662 salesperson exams passed in Aug 2026; 52% FY-to-date (5,510 exams). All attempts incl. retakes
Recent rule changes
- No changes detected since tracking began.
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