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California Real Estate Salesperson — Requirements & Free Practice

US-CA · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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Real Estate Salesperson License

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate

Ninety day renewal extension for deficient good faith education evidence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Submit qualifying additional education evidence within the extension; the renewed four-year term retains its otherwise applicable start.
Discretion
The Commissioner may extend the license for 90 days when evidence submitted in good faith does not meet continuing education standards.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after relinquishment for government office
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Apply within six months after government service ends.
Fee and education
Pay the appropriate renewal fee; meet continuing education if the relinquished license was issued at least four years before the reinstatement application.
Prior license
The salesperson relinquished the license to assume local, state or federal government office.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with qualifying broker education
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Education waiver
Applicants satisfying the broker education requirements of BPC 10153.2 are exempt from additional salesperson coursework; the salesperson licensing examination remains required.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Initial licensure for California State Bar members
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Education waiver
A member of the California State Bar is exempt from the college-level course requirements under BPC 10151(d); the salesperson licensing examination remains required.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Initial licensure by examination
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Education
Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one authorized elective, each three semester units/four quarter units or a DRE-approved equivalent 45-hour course. Real Estate Practice must include the required implicit-bias and interactive fair-housing material. Courses must be completed before the examination.
Foreign education
Foreign coursework requires evaluation by an approved credential evaluation service.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Expedited initial licensure for a military spouse or partner
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Education
Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one authorized elective, each three semester units/four quarter units or a DRE-approved equivalent 45-hour course. Real Estate Practice must include the required implicit-bias and interactive fair-housing material. Courses must be completed before the examination.
Expedited processing
Provide military orders to a California duty station, proof of marriage/domestic partnership/other legal union, and proof of a current corresponding license in another jurisdiction; expedited processing does not waive the examination.
Foreign education
Foreign coursework requires evaluation by an approved credential evaluation service.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Initial licensure for nonresidents and outside jurisdiction license holders
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Education
Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one authorized elective, each three semester units/four quarter units or a DRE-approved equivalent 45-hour course. Real Estate Practice must include the required implicit-bias and interactive fair-housing material. Courses must be completed before the examination.
Foreign education
Foreign coursework requires evaluation by an approved credential evaluation service.
Nonresident documents
Submit Consent to Service of Process RE 234 and the required out-of-state fingerprint materials; qualifying education waivers remain available as applicable.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Residency
California residency is not required. California grants no reciprocity waiver based on a license elsewhere.
Expedited initial licensure for an honorably discharged veteran
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Education
Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one authorized elective, each three semester units/four quarter units or a DRE-approved equivalent 45-hour course. Real Estate Practice must include the required implicit-bias and interactive fair-housing material. Courses must be completed before the examination.
Expedited processing
Provide proof of honorable military discharge for expedited processing; all ordinary salesperson qualifications and the examination remain required.
Foreign education
Foreign coursework requires evaluation by an approved credential evaluation service.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Late renewal within two years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Meet applicable continuing education requirements, measured in the four years preceding the late-renewal application.
Deadline
Apply within two years of license expiration. Do not perform licensed activity while the license is expired.
Fee
Pay the late-renewal fee, one and one-half times the regular renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military reinstatement following failure to notify DRE
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Apply upon resuming business or within one year after military service ends, whichever is earlier.
Proof
Show eligibility except for failure to notify, previous licensure within seven years of entry into military service, and compliance with continuing education.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Deferred renewal following military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Meet the continuing education requirements applicable under BPC 10171.4.
Eligibility
Notify the Commissioner of military entry as required by BPC 10460. The privilege does not apply to dishonorable discharge or voluntary military service beyond seven years after notification.
Renewal
Renew at the license period first commencing after resuming business or one year after military service ends, whichever is earlier.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Timely four year renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Submit the prescribed renewal application, fee and qualifying continuing education; the normal requirement is 45 hours, subject to statutory exemptions including eligible licensees aged 70 with 30 continuous years in good standing.
Course assessments
Any course-completion assessments are education conditions, not separately registered licensing examinations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Regular license following the ninety day temporary license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Present evidence of continuing education compliance within 90 days and otherwise qualify.
Fee and term
The Commissioner issues the regular license without an additional fee; it expires four years from the date otherwise applicable without the temporary license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restricted Real Estate Salesperson License

Licensing authority: California Department of Real Estate

Restricted licensure following disciplinary action
Professional Responsibility Examination (practice unavailable)
Deadline
When imposed, pass within six months of the decision effective date and pay the examination fee.
Discretion
The Professional Responsibility Examination is involved when the Commissioner imposes standard disciplinary condition 5. The decision controls whether it is imposed.
Other terms
Apply and pay for the restricted license within the decision deadline; comply with continuing education, employing-broker supervision, restitution, monitoring and any other terms stated in the decision.
Prior license
An existing or former salesperson license and a disciplinary decision authorizing a restricted license are required.
Restricted initial licensure after a denial hearing
California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the examination application and fee, pass the examination, and submit the license application and fee within one year after qualifying.
Character
Honesty and truthfulness; conviction or concealment of a criminal conviction may result in denial; submit fingerprints for the required background review.
Discretion
The Commissioner may issue a restricted license after a hearing when examination and experience requirements are met but another licensing standard is not met. Restrictions may limit the term, employing broker or conditions of practice. A surety bond, restitution or monitoring costs may be imposed.
Practice
A salesperson must work under a responsible California real estate broker to perform licensed activity; an unaffiliated license does not authorize independent practice.
Reactivation after suspension for the Professional Responsibility Examination condition
Professional Responsibility Examination (practice unavailable)
Reactivation
Pass the Professional Responsibility Examination and meet the remaining conditions of the decision.
Suspension
This pathway applies when the Commissioner suspended the restricted license for failure to satisfy standard disciplinary condition 5.

California Real Estate Salesperson License Examination

Provider
California Department of Real Estate
Format
Multiple choice
Exam questions
150
Time limit
3 hours
Passing score
At least 70 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 Disclosures (Includes Specialty Areas)
    • 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
At least 70 percent
Practice scope

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

  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 1 — General Provisions
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 2 — Administration
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 3 — Real Estate Regulations
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 6 — Revenue
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 6.5 — Real Estate Recovery Program
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 1, Chapter 7 — Mineral, Oil and Gas Brokerage
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 2, Chapter 1 — Subdivided Lands
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 2, Chapter 2 — The Vacation Ownership and Time-Share Act of 2004
  • California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Chapter 6 — Real Estate Commissioner
  • Business and Professions Code — General Provisions
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 1, Chapter 1 — The Department
  • Business and Professions Code, Division 1.5, Chapter 3 — Suspension and Revocation of Licenses
  • Civil Code, Division 2, Part 4, Title 4, Chapter 2 — Transfer of Real Property
  • Civil Code, Division 3, Part 2, Title 4.1 — Buyer-Broker Representation Agreements
  • Civil Code, Division 3, Part 4, Title 4, Chapter 3 — Loan of Money
  • Civil Code, Division 3, Part 4, Title 6, Chapter 3 — Service Without Employment
  • Civil Code, Division 3, Part 4, Title 14, Chapter 2 — Mortgage
  • Corporations Code, Title 4, Division 1, Part 3, Chapter 1 — Exemptions
  • Government Code, Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 13.8 — Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission
  • Government Code, Title 2, Division 3, Part 1, Chapter 5 — Administrative Adjudication: Formal Hearing
  • Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2, Chapter 5 — Sales and Escrows
  • Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2, Chapter 6 — Multiple Listing Between Dealers of Manufactured Homes, Mobilehomes, or Commercial Coaches
  • Penal Code, Part 1, Title 13, Chapter 8 — False Personation and Cheats
Examination sources