California is popular for being the United States’ most populous state, with over 38 million residents as of 2023. There are two types of real estate licenses in CA: salesperson (agent) and broker licenses. Agents are required to work under a sponsoring broker, while brokers have the freedom to operate as independent real estate professionals. Both licenses require students to complete state-approved coursework, pass the exam, and undergo a criminal background check. Getting your real estate license in California can create opportunities to make substantial financial gains. The average agent in California takes home an annual salary of around $100,000.
Real Estate License California Requirements for Agents and Brokers
The estimated cost of getting a real estate license in California is between $900-12,000. This guide will walk you through how to obtain a real estate license in California and the requirements for getting an agent and broker real estate license.
The California real estate license requirements for agents are
- Be an American citizen aged 18 years or older
- Complete a 135-hour real estate coursework
The best way to meet the requirements for 135 hours of real estate education is to enroll in an accredited online real estate license California school such as RealEstateU. Attending schools that are not approved by the California Real Estate Commission is not advisable as your California real estate license application will be rejected.
- Pass the final exam with a score of 70% or greater.
If you are not successful in your first attempt, you can apply to retake the exam by paying additional fees.
- Complete a criminal background check.
The requirements for earning a real estate broker license in CA are:
- Be a U.S. citizen aged at least 18 years old.
- Have at two-year of work experience as an agent with the past five months
- Alternatively, potential brokers should have a four-year college degree in real estate
- Complete a 360-hour real estate coursework at an approved university or accredited private real estate school.
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Pass a criminal background check
How Long Does It Take to Get a California Real Estate License?
Most students take about four months to get their real estate license in California. Fortunately, you can get your license in as little as eight weeks if you accelerate the process. Consider taking RealEstateU’s online real estate pre-licensing course in CA to easily get your real estate license. This reputable school offers a complete 135 hours of DRE-approved CA real estate courses fully online. With online courses, students have the flexibility to take their time and earn their licenses in a year.
LA residents may want to learn how to get a real estate license in Los Angeles online. Online courses are ideal if you want to study at your own pace and benefit from on-demand lessons that prepare you for the real estate exam. In traditional classroom settings, students often have to follow the pace of the entire class. This option may also be convenient for individuals who want to interact with their peers.
Feel free to try RealEstateU for the next 30 days and listen to engaging on-demand audio courses. The school has a favorable money-back guarantee that refunds enrolled students who are not satisfied after completing less than 50% of the program.