How To Get Your Real Estate License

The information below is a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements for getting your California real estate license.

We recommend contacting the California Department Of Real Estate for more detailed information and for any changes that may have occurred in the licensing process or the steps in how to get your real estate license.

NOTE: If you are not in California, you will need to verify the requirements for your state.

Follow These Steps To Get Your California Real Estate License

1) Verify License Requirements For How To Get Your Real Estate License In California

  • Age: You must be 18 years of age or older to be issued a license.
  • Residence: Proof of Legal Presence in the United States is required. If you are not a California resident, see Out-of-State Applicants.
  • Honesty: Applicants must be honest and truthful. Conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license. Failure to disclose any criminal violation or disciplinary action in an applicant’s entire history may also result in the denial of a license. For further information, see Help Avoid Denial of Your License Application and Application Eligibility Information (RE 222).
    Successful completion of three college-level courses is required to qualify for a real estate salesperson examination.

2) Find A California Real Estate School

Find a school to learn how to get your real estate license. You can either take your courses in a classroom setting or online from the comfort of your own home; the online version allows you to finish at your own pace and from anywhere. For your convenience, Real Estate Web Schools lists online real estate schools for your state.

3) File Your Application To Take Your California Real Estate Exam

Individuals may apply and pay for their real estate salesperson examination and license at the same time by submitting one application form, Salesperson Exam/License Application (RE 435).
First time applicants must submit:

  • A completed State Public Benefits Statement (RE205).
  • Proof of Legal Presence, such as a copy of a birth certificate or passport, with their application.
  • Applicants must also be fingerprinted using a Live Scan Service Request Form (RE 237) and Live Scan service provider.
  • Applicants may get their fingerprints taken at the time they submit their Examination/License application or any time thereafter, however, results from the fingerprint process must still be received before a real estate license can be issued.
  • Fingerprint processing fees are not refundable under any circumstances, including failure to qualify by examination for a license.

4) Schedule And Pass Your California Real Estate Exam

Examination scheduling is based on the volume of applications received by the DRE. Examination availability is subject to the seating capacity of the facility and the demand for that site.

Examinations are generally administered as needed in the following areas:

  • Fresno
  • San Diego
  • Los Angeles
  • Oakland
  • Sacramento

NOTE: Examination locations within an area may vary. Requests for specific locations within the chosen area cannot be granted. However, you may use the eLicensing online system to select a specific exam date and site. Check available exam dates.

5) Set Up Your Interview With Keller Williams Realty

Once you have scheduled your real estate exam, contact us to set up your confidential interview. You owe it to yourself to see all that KW has to offer your new real estate career.

Real Estate AgentMonica Rivera