Learn How Do You Get a Real Estate License in CA Easily
When it comes to popularity, valuation, growth prospects and opportunities, California’s real estate landscape is second to none.
The Golden Gate state offers a diverse mix of residential, luxury and commercial real estate for the wealthiest and discerning consumers.
Imagine working in popular markets like Beverly Hills, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Nevada and earning thousands of dollars in commission money in exchange for your services.
California’s eclectic mix of world-class cities, neighborhoods and towns is second to none and the state continues to be amongst the most sought-after real estate markets.
What makes California an alluring real estate market is an ideal mix of world-class amenities, international quality of living, strong job market and an abundance of natural parks, beautiful beaches and entertainment options.
Considering the rising home prices, sky high valuation, sustained demand and promising investment potential, working in CA real estate can be a great career move.
With more than four hundred thousands real estate professionals, California is brimming with opportunities which can give you the chance to build a successful career around your goals.
Imagine earning a six figure income while helping people achieve their goals - a career as a real estate agent in California can be monetarily rewarding and emotionally fulfilling.
Whether you want to start a profitable side gig or become a full-time real estate professional, California can offer you a launchpad to embark on a journey to financial independence.
However, to reap the exciting benefits of working in CA real estate, you must first complete a set of state and federal requirements and obtain your salesperson license.
Becoming a real estate agent requires knowledge, training and skills but most importantly, you must obtain a California real estate license to work with clients.
In the state of California, it is a legal and regulatory requirement to obtain a state issued, valid real estate license to work with clients and earn commissions through deals.
Beginners might find the licensing process complex or overwhelming, and rightly so, because one has to fulfill a specific set of requirements.
To help you get started in the right direction, we have put together this in-depth guide which will walk you through all the steps to get real estate license in California.
By the end of this guide, you will gain complete clarity about the licensing process, requirements and other key aspects of starting a new career from scratch as a beginner.
Why pursue a career in CA real estate
Before committing to a career and embarking on a professional journey, it is important to understand how it is going to benefit you.
If you are wondering whether working in CA real estate is a good career path or not - here is the short answer - it certainly offers numerous benefits and advantages for professionals.
Working as a licensed real estate agent can be a life changing opportunity, especially if you are seeking a high paying career where you can work on your own schedule.
Here are some of the key benefits of choosing real estate as a profession:
Lower barrier to entry:
To start your career in real estate, all you need is a high school diploma or GED equivalent to qualify.
Unlike other high paying professions which require years of education, specialized training and qualifications, real estate offers a low barrier to entry.
If you want to work as a real estate agent, you do not need any graduate degree or advanced education - all you need to do is complete pre license education from a California approved education provider.
As long as you have the knowledge, skills and dedication to succeed, you can start to work with clients and make a living as a real estate agent.
This means if you meet the basic education requirements and earn your license, you can easily work in a high paying industry with rewarding earning opportunities.
The best part is that you do not need to spend years to renew your license - by simply completing a few hours of courses, you can continue to work in the industry.
Higher professional flexibility:
Working in real estate is a popular career choice for professionals who seek freedom and autonomy in their careers.
As a real estate agent in CA, you can set your own working hours and establish your work-life balance.
Real estate professionals do not have to follow a strict nine-to-five schedule or report at a fixed time. You will be the one in control of your professional destiny.
Instead, a career in CA real estate can give you the flexibility to choose your clients, working schedule and other terms.
You can choose to decide how many hours you want to put in to meet your financial and professional goals.
Further, you can also take time-off to meet your personal goals, as long as you manage your targets.
The high level of professional autonomy and flexibility is one of the key benefits of working in real estate.
Unlimited earning potential:
If you are thinking about how much to get real estate license in California, keep an important aspect in mind - your investment in getting licensed will pay off.
Real estate offers a limitless earning potential to agents and brokers, especially as there is no upper limit on how much you can earn in this profession.
The top real estate agents in CA can easily make around $100K to $120K annually and the more experienced ones can even surpass that.
The cost to obtain a salesperson license in CA can be easily recovered in just a few months of starting your career.
In real estate, you do not have to settle for a fixed income or a limited salary - you can control how much money you can make.
By deciding your sales goals, target markets, niche and clientele, you can impact your earnings.
Imagine earning $50K in commissions by helping close a luxury real estate deal worth $2 million dollars.
The more deals you close as a real estate agent, the more commissions you can earn as there is no limit to how much you can earn.
Professional development:
Do you want to be a part of a dynamic industry where you can grow your network and expand your horizons by meeting other professionals?
Real estate offers you an opportunity to connect, network and grow with the help of events, communities, seminars, conferences and members-only groups.
As a real estate agent, you will get to work with fellow peers such as brokers, realtors, property appraisers, home appraisers, mortgage loan officers among others.
This can help you get feedback, grow your skills, stay updated on industry trends and identify new opportunities for business development.
Most experienced real estate agents value their professional network immensely as it helps them in their career as well as their personal goals.
Clearly, there are numerous exciting, rewarding and fulfilling benefits of choosing to pursue the path of working in CA real estate.
Do you dream of becoming financially independent and living a comfortable life where you can be of value to others, then working in real estate can be a great career fit for you.
Basic eligibility requirements for a real estate license in CA
Real estate is a highly organized and regulated industry and to work as a professional, you must fulfill a set of minimum eligibility requirements.
Like most states, California follows a pre-established set of state laws and federal license guidelines for real estate professionals and firms.
To work with clients and help consumers buy and sell real estate, you need to obtain a state approved license in California first.
The Department of Real Estate (DRE) in California requires all individuals to meet certain statutory requirements to prove their eligibility for working as a real estate agent or broker.
If you want to know how to get a real estate license in CA online, you must first meet the basic eligibility criteria which is:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must be a legal resident of the state of California
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
If you meet the above eligibility criteria, you can proceed to move to the next steps and complete the other requirements.
Educational requirements for getting a real estate agent license
Like most states, California also requires aspiring real estate agents to complete pre-license education and equip themselves with the knowledge and training required to work.
As per the California DRE, you must complete a minimum level of qualifying education to become eligible for a salesperson license.
To get your salesperson license in CA, you must complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education and training from a DRE approved education provider.
Here are some of the mandatory courses which you will cover during your pre license education and training:
- Real Estate Principles
- Real Estate Finance
- Law of Contracts
- Law of Agency
- Promulgated Contact Forms
The purpose of pre licensing education is to equip you with the fundamental knowledge of real estate principles, practices and various laws and regulations.
Completing these courses will also give you a foundation to learn about the industry, its processes, and the job duties and tasks you will perform in your role.
As a student, you have the flexibility to choose whether you want to learn in an in-person, classroom environment or complete your pre licensing education online.
Generally, most students prefer the flexibility and convenience of enrolling in online real estate pre license courses in CA as they can be completed from anywhere on any device.
Once you complete mandatory education and course credits, you will be eligible to take the salesperson licensing exam in California.
Purpose and Importance of Pre-License Courses
Many students often wonder whether there is any practical benefit of completing 135 hours of pre license course credits.
The importance of pre-licensing courses is that it prepares applicants to enter the real estate market with the right set of education and skills.
Completing pre-license courses will help you to obtain your real estate license with knowledge and preparation.
The courses and topics will help you understand the industry and your role in it, plus it will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become successful in the profession.
You should think of your pre-licensing education as a stepping stone to a successful, high-paying career.
Duration and Time Commitment for Pre-License Courses
Average Course Length
The DRE in California requires students to complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education to become eligible for a salesperson license.
The total coursework is divided into three courses - Real Estate Principles (45 hours), Real Estate Practice (45 hours) and Elective Course (45 hours).
Typically, most students take between a few weeks to a couple of months to complete the coursework.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Study Options
Many full-time professionals who are trying to transition into real estate often find it difficult to manage the time required to complete 135 hours of coursework.
Luckily, there are many education providers which offer part-time and flexible learning options for students.
As most of the online pre-licensing courses are self-paced, you can easily learn at your own pace and convenience.
This means you can complete your pre-licensing education even while working full or part-time.
Passing the California real estate licensing exam
Once you have successfully completed your education and obtained a certificate of completion, the next step is to take the salesperson license exam in CA.
According to the DRE in California, passing the licensing exam is a mandatory requirement to prove your eligibility and obtain a license.
You can schedule your test online by visiting the California DRE website and choosing a preferred location for taking the test at any of the Pearson VUE centers in CA.
If you are wondering how can I get my real estate license in CA, passing the licensing exam is a must and you can do that by scoring at least 75 percent or above in the test.
The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and you will get 3 hours in total to complete all the questions.
Note that you will have to pay a one-time examination fee of $100 to take the salesperson licensing exam in California.
Exam Preparation for the California Real Estate License Exam
Study Strategies and Techniques
The first tip for exam preparation is to establish a defined schedule and learning plan that gives you enough time to spend on each topic.
Some course topics are going to be more difficult than others and to ensure you are well-prepared, you will need to allocate extra time to understand and tackle them.
Practice Exams and Mock Tests
Mock tests are a great way to familiarize yourself with the exam format and type of questions, especially if you are taking the test for the first time.
With the help of sample test questions and practice papers, you can get comfortable with what the final exam will look like.
Many students opt for dedicated exam prep resources and offer specialized study material to help students monitor their progress and practice better.
Reviewing Course Materials and Notes
As the exam date approaches you, it is recommended to allocate time to review course materials and important notes again.
You can make use of printable flashcards and summary notes of important topics to prepare and retain them before the exam.
Clear federal background verification and criminal history check
Now that you have completed your education and passed the licensing exam, you are just a few steps away from becoming a licensed real estate agent.
Are you wondering how to get your California real estate license? You must meet the standards of honesty, integrity and truthfulness and prove good moral conduct.
The state and federal law wants to protect the rights and interests of consumers and professionals, and thus, they have put background verification requirements in place.
The California law requires you to pass the state and federal background verification and criminal history check to apply for a salesperson license.
You can get your fingerprints scanned at any of the live scan vendor locations approved by the California DRE.
After that, you need to submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints along with additional verification documents to the department for review and approval.
Note that you will have to pay a one time fee of $49 for getting your fingerprints taken.
After your background verification and application review is completed, you will receive your license within a few weeks.
Find employer sponsorship
The California law states that every newly licensed individual must work under the supervision of a state based brokerage firm or licensed broker.
To activate your license, you must submit your employer sponsorship details to the DRE in California for review and approval.
Once your details have been approved, your license will be active and you will be allowed to work with clients.