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California Real Estate Broker — Requirements & Free Practice

US-CA · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Real Estate Broker/Officer License

Individual corporate broker officer authority; activities under this license are on behalf of the corporation. A separate individual broker license is optional.

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate · Application information

Additional officer
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Corporate status
Existing licensed corporation seeks an additional qualified officer with an actual corporate title. File RE 201 and fee. An officer may qualify through a current individual broker license or a recent passing broker examination; the license-based exception is an applicant condition.
Prior pass
When relying on examination qualification rather than an existing individual broker license, DRE's twelve-month examination qualification limit applies.
Licensed broker officer
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Authority
Officer acts for the corporation; designation assigns supervision duties.
Prior license
Officer holds a current California real estate broker license, has an officer title in the corporation, and submits RE 201 and the corporate documentation, background statements and fees. This route uses the existing license as a condition.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Examination qualified officer
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Authority
Acts under the officer license must be on behalf of the corporation.
Corporate status
Applicant holds an actual officer title; corporation must be in good legal standing. Submit RE 201, applicable RE 212 statements, fees and required fingerprints and Secretary of State documentation.
Prior pass
Officer has passed the currently offered California broker license examination and remains qualified to obtain the license; DRE requires examination qualification within the twelve months before receipt of application.
Late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
A license expired within the two-year statutory late-renewal period.
Renewal
Submit renewal application, late fee and required continuing education; no licensed activities may be performed until renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete current DRE-approved continuing education; a 70-or-older licensee with 30 continuous years in good standing may claim the statutory CE exemption. An eligible CE extension may be requested. Corporate officers also follow BPC § 10171.5.
Existing license
Hold the relevant current broker, corporate or broker/officer license.
Renewal
File the appropriate renewal application, fee and evidence of required continuing education before expiration; ordinary term is four years. The courses' final assessments are education conditions rather than separately registered licensing examinations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Real Estate Corporation License

Entity broker license held through one or more qualified corporate officers.

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate · Application information

Licensed broker officer
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Authority
Officer acts for the corporation; designation assigns supervision duties.
Prior license
Officer holds a current California real estate broker license, has an officer title in the corporation, and submits RE 201 and the corporate documentation, background statements and fees. This route uses the existing license as a condition.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Examination qualified officer
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Authority
Acts under the officer license must be on behalf of the corporation.
Corporate status
Applicant holds an actual officer title; corporation must be in good legal standing. Submit RE 201, applicable RE 212 statements, fees and required fingerprints and Secretary of State documentation.
Prior pass
Officer has passed the currently offered California broker license examination and remains qualified to obtain the license; DRE requires examination qualification within the twelve months before receipt of application.
Fictitious business name
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing broker
Broker or corporation seeks its license under a fictitious name; this is a name form of the existing credential, not a separate profession.
Name filing
Submit certified county-filed fictitious business name statement and DRE name application; the name must meet 10 CCR § 2731 and any required non-independent broker escrow qualification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
A license expired within the two-year statutory late-renewal period.
Renewal
Submit renewal application, late fee and required continuing education; no licensed activities may be performed until renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete current DRE-approved continuing education; a 70-or-older licensee with 30 continuous years in good standing may claim the statutory CE exemption. An eligible CE extension may be requested. Corporate officers also follow BPC § 10171.5.
Existing license
Hold the relevant current broker, corporate or broker/officer license.
Renewal
File the appropriate renewal application, fee and evidence of required continuing education before expiration; ordinary term is four years. The courses' final assessments are education conditions rather than separately registered licensing examinations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Real Estate Broker License

Individual broker license under Chapter 3. A broker associate retains this same broker license; corporation officer, restricted, temporary, and military registration forms are separately recorded.

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate · Application information

Expedited examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Expedited processing
DRE expedites active-duty applications supported by military identification or current orders; ordinary broker qualifications still apply.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
California State Bar membership exempts the eight college-level courses; provide proof of membership.
Experience
Bar membership does not exempt experience: two years of qualifying licensed salesperson work within five years or qualifying real estate experience in California law practice within five years must be shown, using RE 227 for equivalent experience.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Child support release
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Release
An otherwise qualified holder of a 150-day broker license obtains the required child support agency release within 150 days for full-term licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Corporate officer conversion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
BPC § 10171.5 requires completion of continuing education before an individual or further officer license may be issued; submit original individual broker application and fee.
Current officer license
Applicant is currently licensed as a broker only as a corporate officer and seeks an individual broker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Experience
Two years of equivalent real estate-related experience within the preceding five years, subject to DRE evaluation; combinations of licensed and equivalent experience may qualify. RE 227 requires two verifying signatures. Unlicensed conduct requiring a license is not qualifying experience.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Requalification
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Former license
Former broker license is beyond the two-year renewal period; requalify by examination rather than late renewal.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Government service reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Government service
License was relinquished to assume government office; seek reinstatement within six months after that service ends, paying appropriate renewal fee and complying with CE when the prior license was issued four or more years before application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Expedited processing
Provide DD Form 214, NGB Form 22 or another honorable discharge certificate with the ordinary application; qualifying military real estate-related experience may be evaluated.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Fictitious business name
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing broker
Broker or corporation seeks its license under a fictitious name; this is a name form of the existing credential, not a separate profession.
Name filing
Submit certified county-filed fictitious business name statement and DRE name application; the name must meet 10 CCR § 2731 and any required non-independent broker escrow qualification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
A license expired within the two-year statutory late-renewal period.
Renewal
Submit renewal application, late fee and required continuing education; no licensed activities may be performed until renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete current DRE-approved continuing education; a 70-or-older licensee with 30 continuous years in good standing may claim the statutory CE exemption. An eligible CE extension may be requested. Corporate officers also follow BPC § 10171.5.
Existing license
Hold the relevant current broker, corporate or broker/officer license.
Renewal
File the appropriate renewal application, fee and evidence of required continuing education before expiration; ordinary term is four years. The courses' final assessments are education conditions rather than separately registered licensing examinations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Experience
Two years of full-time licensed salesperson activity within the preceding five years, or equivalent prorated part-time activity. Document with RE 226; if a former broker cannot certify, provide RE 226 and two RE 228 certifications for each such broker.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Military service return
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Military service
A qualifying military licensee returns to business or reaches one year after military service, whichever is earlier. Where notice of military entry was omitted, prove prior licensure within seven years of entry and satisfy BPC § 10463 and continuing education.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Expedited processing
BPC § 10151.2(d) requires proof of marriage, domestic partnership or other legal union with an active-duty servicemember stationed in California and a current professional license elsewhere. This is ordinary California licensure, distinct from portable registration.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Other license
An out-of-state or foreign real estate professional license and experience may support equivalent experience but do not waive California requirements.
Reciprocity
DRE Out-of-State Applicants states: California has no reciprocity with any other state to allow a waiver of any of the requirements to obtain a license.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Examination
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Experience substitution
An accredited four-year degree with a major or minor in real estate may substitute for two years of salesperson experience; provide the degree transcript. A two-year degree or certificate does not qualify; foreign degrees require DRE-approved evaluation.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Reinstatement
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Commissioner discretion
BPC § 10182 permits a qualifying examination as a condition of reinstatement. DRE's Licensing Reference Handbook § 4.11 identifies the broker examination and RE 400B; the order determines whether this applicant must sit it.
Continuing education
Provide applicable CE, restitution and monitoring-cost compliance; the order may impose additional conditions.
Petition
Follow the order and Government Code § 11522; ordinarily wait at least one year after revocation or denial of a similar petition. File RE 506, fees, current fingerprints and rehabilitation evidence.
Prior status
Broker license automatically suspended after qualifying Consumer Recovery Account payment.
Repayment
Repay the payment in full plus statutory interest; bankruptcy discharge does not remove this disability.
Removal of restrictions
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Commissioner discretion
BPC § 10182 permits a qualifying examination as a condition of reinstatement. DRE's Licensing Reference Handbook § 4.11 identifies the broker examination and RE 400B; the order determines whether this applicant must sit it.
Continuing education
Provide applicable CE, restitution and monitoring-cost compliance; the order may impose additional conditions.
Current license
Holder of a restricted broker license petitions for removal of restrictions; agency evaluates rehabilitation and may impose qualifying examination or CE.
Petition
Follow the order and Government Code § 11522; ordinarily wait at least one year after revocation or denial of a similar petition. File RE 506, fees, current fingerprints and rehabilitation evidence.
Reinstatement
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Commissioner discretion
BPC § 10182 permits a qualifying examination as a condition of reinstatement. DRE's Licensing Reference Handbook § 4.11 identifies the broker examination and RE 400B; the order determines whether this applicant must sit it.
Continuing education
Provide applicable CE, restitution and monitoring-cost compliance; the order may impose additional conditions.
Petition
Follow the order and Government Code § 11522; ordinarily wait at least one year after revocation or denial of a similar petition. File RE 506, fees, current fingerprints and rehabilitation evidence.
Prior status
Former broker license revoked by disciplinary decision.
Reinstatement
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Commissioner discretion
BPC § 10182 permits a qualifying examination as a condition of reinstatement. DRE's Licensing Reference Handbook § 4.11 identifies the broker examination and RE 400B; the order determines whether this applicant must sit it.
Continuing education
Provide applicable CE, restitution and monitoring-cost compliance; the order may impose additional conditions.
Petition
Follow the order and Government Code § 11522; ordinarily wait at least one year after revocation or denial of a similar petition. File RE 506, fees, current fingerprints and rehabilitation evidence.
Prior status
Broker license voluntarily surrendered during disciplinary proceedings; allegations and investigative statements may be considered true for reinstatement.
Reinstatement
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Commissioner discretion
BPC § 10182 permits a qualifying examination as a condition of reinstatement. DRE's Licensing Reference Handbook § 4.11 identifies the broker examination and RE 400B; the order determines whether this applicant must sit it.
Continuing education
Provide applicable CE, restitution and monitoring-cost compliance; the order may impose additional conditions.
Petition
Follow the order and Government Code § 11522; ordinarily wait at least one year after revocation or denial of a similar petition. File RE 506, fees, current fingerprints and rehabilitation evidence.
Prior status
Broker license suspended; reinstatement depends on the order and applicable statutory terms.
Tax release
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Release
Obtain the applicable tax authority release; provide reinstatement applications and fees where required. BPC § 494.5 specifies release as the condition for reinstating a tax-suspended license or issuing the regular remainder of a temporary term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary ce license conversion
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Temporary license
Holder of the BPC § 10171.4 temporary 90-day broker license presents evidence of CE compliance within the 90 days and is otherwise qualified; regular license issues without an additional fee for the remainder of the otherwise applicable term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restricted Real Estate Broker License

Broker license issued subject to the Commissioner's terms after denial or disciplinary action.

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate · Application information

Restricted disciplinary issuance

All of the following:

Commissioner discretion
BPC § 10182 permits a qualifying examination as a condition of reinstatement. DRE's Licensing Reference Handbook § 4.11 identifies the broker examination and RE 400B; the order determines whether this applicant must sit it.
Continuing education
Provide applicable CE, restitution and monitoring-cost compliance; the order may impose additional conditions.
Decision
Current or former broker was found after hearing to violate Division 4; Commissioner grants a restricted license.
Petition
Follow the order and Government Code § 11522; ordinarily wait at least one year after revocation or denial of a similar petition. File RE 506, fees, current fingerprints and rehabilitation evidence.
Professional responsibility
The Commissioner may impose the Professional Responsibility Examination under 10 CCR § 2930 item 5. If imposed, pass within six months or the license may be suspended; the condition determines applicability to the individual.
Restricted initial issuance

All of the following:

Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Decision
Applicant has satisfied original broker examination and experience requirements, but a hearing establishes grounds to deny the unrestricted license and the Commissioner authorizes a restricted license.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Professional responsibility
The Commissioner may impose the Professional Responsibility Examination under 10 CCR § 2930 item 5. If imposed, pass within six months or the license may be suspended; the condition determines applicability to the individual.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Restrictions
The order specifies term, conduct, surety, monitoring, restitution and any examination deadlines. There is no right to renewal.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Continuation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restricted license
Holder has no renewal right but may apply for discretionary continuation using the renewal form unless suspended or revoked; satisfy the existing order, applicable CE and fee; eLicensing is unavailable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Real Estate Broker License (150 days)

Temporary form for an otherwise qualified broker applicant or renewing licensee on the child support obligor list.

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate · Application information

Temporary issuance
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Child support
Otherwise qualified original broker applicant appears on the child support obligor list; obtain agency release within 150 days for a full-term license.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Temporary issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Child support
Otherwise qualified renewing broker is on the child support obligor list; temporary term is 150 days while seeking the agency release.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Real Estate Broker License (90 days)

Temporary broker form during qualifying military/government reinstatement with outstanding continuing education, or for an otherwise qualified applicant on the tax delinquency list.

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate · Application information

Temporary issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Temporary eligibility
Military-service renewal or government/military reinstatement under BPC §§ 10461, 10161.5 or 10463; prior active license was issued at least four years earlier and qualifying CE evidence is outstanding. Commissioner may issue a 90-day license while CE is completed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary issuance
California Real Estate Broker License Examination
Application
Use examination-only or combined examination/license filing; the two administrative filing sequences are not separate applicant pathways. Submit the required application, fees, documentation and fingerprints; licensing requires DOJ fingerprint results.
Education
Complete eight college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Finance, Appraisal, Economics or Accounting, and three approved electives (two electives if both Economics and Accounting are completed). Practice must include implicit bias, fair housing and interactive roleplay. Three semester or four quarter units per course; approved equivalent private-school courses are at least 45 hours. Courses must be completed before examination scheduling. Approved foreign education evaluation is required for foreign coursework.
Honesty
Applicants must be honest and truthful; criminal convictions or prior discipline may affect issuance.
Minimum age
At least 18 years old.
Residence
California residency is not required. Nonresidents provide notarized consent to service of process and California business address when conducting California business; an out-of-state broker acknowledgment applies when not conducting California business.
Score window
File the license application and fee within one year of qualifying by examination; a combined application must be completed within two years of filing.
Tax delinquency
Otherwise qualified original broker applicant is on a certified top-500 tax delinquency list; only one temporary license per ordinary license term, not extendable, for the first 90 days.
Temporary issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Tax delinquency
Otherwise eligible renewing broker on a certified tax list; one nonextendable 90-day temporary term pending the tax authority release.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

California Real Estate Broker License Examination

Provider
California Department of Real Estate
Format
Multiple choice; answers selected from four choices
Exam questions
200
Time limit
4 hours
Passing score
75 percent correct
Examination outline
  • Property Ownership and Land Use Controls and Regulations
    • Classes of Property
    • Property Characteristics
    • Encumbrances
    • Types of Ownership
    • Descriptions of Property
    • Government Rights in Land
    • Public Controls
    • Environmental Hazards and Regulations
    • Private Controls
    • Water Rights
    • Special Categories of Land
  • Laws of Agency and Fiduciary Duties
    • Law, Definition and Nature of Agency Relationships, Types of Agencies, and Agents
    • Creation of Agency and Agency Agreements
    • Responsibilities of Agent to Seller/Buyer as Principal
    • Disclosure of Agency
    • Disclosure of Acting as Principal or Other Interest
    • Termination of Agency
    • Commission and Fees
    • Responsibilities of Agent to Non-Client Third Parties
  • Property Valuation and Financial Analysis
    • Value
    • Methods of Estimating Value
    • Financial Analysis
  • Financing
    • General Concepts
    • Types of Loans
    • Sources of Financing
    • Government Programs
    • Mortgages/Deeds of Trust/Notes
    • Financing/Credit Laws
    • Loan Brokerage
    • Types of Loan Originators
  • Transfer of Property
    • Title Insurance
    • Deeds
    • Escrow
    • Tax Aspects
    • Special Processes
    • Transfer through Court Supervision
    • Types of Vesting
  • Practice of Real Estate and Mandated Disclosures
    • Trust Account Management
    • Fair Housing Laws
    • Truth in Advertising
    • Record Keeping Requirements
    • Agency Supervision
    • Permitted Activities of Unlicensed Sales Assistants
    • DRE Jurisdiction and Disciplinary Actions
    • Licensing, and Continuing Education Requirements and Procedures
    • California Real Estate Recovery Fund
    • General Ethics
    • Technology
    • Property Management
    • Commercial/Industrial/Income Properties
    • Specialty Areas
    • Transfer Disclosure Statement
    • Natural Hazard Disclosure Statements
    • Disclosure of Material Facts Affecting Property Value
    • Need for Inspection and Obtaining/Verifying Information
    • Reports
    • Servicing Diverse Populations
  • Contracts
    • General
    • Listing Agreements
    • Buyer Broker Agreements
    • Offers/Purchase Contracts
    • Agreements
    • Promissory Notes/Securities
    • Purchase/Lease Options
    • Advanced Fee
Examination sources

Professional Responsibility Examination

Provider
California Department of Real Estate
Format
Multiple choice
Exam questions
75
Passing score
70 percent
Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • General Provisions
  • Administration
  • Real Estate Regulations
  • Revenue
  • Real Estate Recovery Program
  • Mineral, Oil and Gas Brokerage
  • Subdivided Lands
  • Vacation Ownership and Time-Share Act of 2004
  • Regulations of the Real Estate Commissioner
Examination sources