Introduction 

California is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country and it continues to be a fertile opportunity ground for agents and brokers. 

The top real estate agents in California can earn as much as $150K to $200K annually while enjoying a flexible schedule and stable work-life balance. 

If you too want to achieve this dream, you must obtain a real estate license in California by completing your education from an approved education provider like RealEstateU. 

Click here to learn more about how RealEstateU can help you complete California pre license courses for getting a salesperson license. 

Getting a real estate license is a mandatory step to start a prosperous career, irrespective of whether you want to work as a part-time professional or launch a full-time career. 

Did you know that since the last decade, housing prices in California have seen significant growth, with a median price of a single family home reaching a staggering $900K.

Imagine earning between 5 to 6 percent of commission as a real estate agent while working with clients anywhere in the state – you can achieve this goal with a CA real estate license. 

With a strong economic outlook, world-class job opportunities, pleasant climate and a growing population, working in CA real estate can be a rewarding and lucrative career path.

To start your career, you can apply for a salesperson license in CA, which is the ideal way to enter the industry as a complete beginner and build a strong foundation. 

As you gain experience, grow your knowledge and build a clientele, you can complete advanced education and obtain a broker’s license. 

In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to become a licensed real estate agent in California and kickstart your career. 

The need for a real estate license 

Be it San Francisco , Los Angeles, San Diego, Bakersfield and Santa Barbara, California’s real estate landscape is a diverse and exciting mix of residential and commercial real estate. 

California requires aspiring real estate agents and brokers to obtain a valid salesperson or broker’s license to work with clients. 

As per the Department of Real Estate (DRE) in California, getting a license is a mandatory requirement to meet the state and federal guidelines for professionals.

Since real estate is a regulated industry governed by a specific set of laws, frameworks and industry standards, it is a must to follow and fulfill them. 

Beyond legal and regulatory requirements, getting a license is a must to become competent and equip yourself with the required knowledge and training of the industry. 

Since you will be required to complete a mandatory pre-license education to apply for a license, it will help you understand the principles of real estate, consumer rights, industry standards and your job duties and responsibilities. 

Steps to obtain a CA real estate license 

The California DRE requires aspiring real estate agents to meet the basic eligibility criteria: 

• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You must be a legal resident of the state of California
• You must have a high school degree or GED equivalent

If you meet the basic statutory requirements, the next step is to fulfill the California pre license education requirements. 

In California, you must complete 135 hours of DRE approved pre license education and training from a state approved education provider. 

You are free to choose between a physical, classroom based real estate college or enroll in an online, self-paced or instructor led pre license course from RealEstateU. 

Generally, most students prefer the convenience and flexibility of online courses as they can be completed from anywhere. 

After completing the pre-licensing education, the next step is to prepare for the California salesperson license exam. 

The salesperson license exam in CA consists of 150 multiple choice questions based on state and national specific portions and you will get 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete it. 

The DRE in California requires every student to take the state license exam and pass it by scoring at least 75 percent or above. 

Assuming you have successfully completed your education and passed the exam, you can then apply for a salesperson license in California. 

Along with your application, you will also have to submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints to clear the federal background verification and criminal history check. 

This is a mandatory requirement for all aspiring professionals – you must meet the minimum standards of honesty, integrity and good moral conduct to obtain a license. 

If you complete all the above steps successfully, you will receive your California salesperson license within a few weeks. 

However, to work with clients and earn commissions as a real estate agent, you must find a sponsoring broker licensed in California. 

The DRE in California requires newly licensed agents to work under the supervision and guidance of senior brokers or brokerage firms to activate a license. 

Once you shortlist and finalize a supervising brokerage firm or broker, you can send your employer sponsorship details for review. 

Wendy K. Wilson