Your Practical Guide To Becoming a Successful Real Estate Agent in California
California is one of the most sought-after destinations for skilled professionals, retirees, high net worth individuals and real estate investors.
A pleasant climate, world-class amenities, tech and innovation hub and a growing economy are factors contributing to California’s rising popularity.
With over 6 percent growth in home prices and a 44 percent surge in inventory levels compared to last year, California’s real estate sector is steadily marching ahead with no signs of slowing down.
As the number of homes sold increases and the median price of a CA home reaches $850K, there couldn’t be a better time than now to be a part of California real estate.
Thanks to a booming economic outlook, attractive climate, world-class entertainment, and lifestyle choices, California continues to attract buyers and homeowners.
San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, and Bakersfield are some of the hottest real estate destinations witnessing an increase in property listings.
Whether you are looking to become a part-time real estate agent or start a full-time career, now is a good time to start preparing for it and reap the benefits of an exciting profession.
Did you know that the top real estate professionals in CA make as much as $120K to $150K annually while enjoying a flexible work-life balance?
Imagine earning a six-figure income while being in control of your career growth - does this sound like a dream come true?
To work with clients and earn commissions, it is mandatory to obtain a valid California real estate license first. Without a license, you will not be legally allowed to work in real estate.
If you are curious to know how to work in real estate and are already wondering how can I get my real estate license California, this article will answer your questions.
Getting licensed is a step-by-step process that can be completed within a few months if you are determined and sincere in your efforts.
To help you get started, we have covered all the key aspects of becoming a licensed professional in California.
From basic qualifying criteria to education requirements and beyond, you will learn about the entire process after reading this article.
The job profile of a real estate agent
Before committing to a profession, it is important to understand what you will be doing and what your job profile will look like.
Pursuing a profession is an important career decision and it must be made after careful consideration and planning.
This is why before you learn about how to get a real estate license in California, it will be helpful to learn about the role and responsibilities you will perform as an agent.
Real estate agents are licensed professionals who work with clients to help them in buying, selling, or leasing properties.
The core job of a real estate agent is to connect buyers and sellers and facilitate a deal or transaction between the two parties.
Thus, a real estate agent is able to represent either the buyer or the seller, depending on who their client is.
Although your exact duties and responsibilities might vary depending on your skill and experience level, here are some of the common tasks and duties you can expect to perform:
- Responding to inquiries from prospects and clients
- Scouting for sales and lead generation opportunities
- Helping clients buy, sell, and lease properties in California
- Maintaining property listing database and keeping up-to-date records
- Arranging property showings and site visits for potential buyers
- Guiding potential clients about a property and its, value, fixtures, and features
- Formulating and discussing deeds, purchase contracts in a deal
- Promoting properties and listings through ads and marketing activities
- Educating clients about property terms, conditions, and other key information
- Liaising with brokers, home appraisers, and underwriters to provide fair and accurate property evaluation to clients
- Assist clients in making informed decisions regarding buying or selling of properties
- Generating leads and inquiries on behalf of a broker or a brokerage firm
- Engaging in promotional activities at networking events and meetups
Evidently, there is never a dull moment in the life of a real estate agent as you will be juggling multiple tasks and duties.
Now that you have learned about what the job entails, let us walk you through the process of getting a real estate license as a beginner.
Note that you can start your career with a salesperson license which can be obtained by completing the license requirements established by the DRE (Department of Real Estate) in California for aspiring real estate agents.
As you gain experience and learn the ropes, you can complete additional education and apply for a broker’s license to progress in your career.
Eligibility requirements to obtain a California real estate license
The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has established a set of minimum eligibility requirements for aspiring real estate agents.
As per the law, you must meet the basic statutory requirements to prove your eligibility before applying for a salesperson license. These are:
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- You must be a legal resident of the state of California
Before you start preparing for getting your license, it is recommended to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility criteria.
Let us take a detailed look at the next set of California real estate requirements to help you prepare better.
Education requirements to get a California salesperson license
In California, aspiring real estate agents are required to complete a minimum level of qualifying education to become eligible for a license.
As per the California DRE, you must complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education from a state approved education provider.
Pre license education refers to mandatory and elective courses as part of a curriculum formulated to give students an understanding of the principles of real estate.
You will learn about the various laws, regulations, industry standards and best practices for professionals in CA real estate.
The 135 hours of pre-licensing education will cover important courses such as:
- Principles of Real Estate: This course will expose you to the basic principles of working in the real estate industry and its core frameworks, processes, and policies. You will also learn about the state and federal laws governing real estate professionals and consumer rights.
- Practice of Real Estate: This course will teach you the fundamental knowledge of real estate concepts and principles such as property management, contracts, escrow, types of property, appraisal, real estate finance among others.
In addition to the mandatory courses, you will also have to choose from a list of elective courses based on your interests and prospects.
It is recommended to visit the website of the DRE in California to learn about the latest education and course requirements.
You have the flexibility to join an in-person, physical classroom-based course or enroll in an online pre-license course to complete your course credits.
However, it is mandatory that you choose a state-approved education provider to ensure that your education credits are valid.
Generally, students prefer enrolling in online courses to complete their pre-license education from any location using any device.
Passing the California Salesperson License Exam
In California, you are required to take and pass the state license exam to qualify for a real estate license.
The DRE in CA requires all applicants to prove their competence and preparation by applying for the salesperson license exam.
The salesperson licensing exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering both state and national-specific portions.
You will get a total of 3 hours to complete all the questions and you must score at least 75 percent or above to pass the test.
If you are attempting the test for the first time, it is recommended that you make use of the California real estate practice exam and sample test questions to boost your preparation.
Students often find the exam challenging, especially the ones taking it for the first time, however, with the help of mock tests and sample questions, you will feel more confident.
Clear the background history check.
After completing the pre-licensing education and clearing the state license test, you will have to complete just a few California real estate requirements to get your license.
Like other states, California also requires aspiring real estate professionals to meet the standards of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness.
As a result of this regulation, you are required to clear the mandatory federal background verification and criminal history check.
This is to ensure that only professionals with good moral conduct and no criminal history are allowed to work with clients.
To complete this requirement, you are required to submit an electronic copy of your fingerprints to complete the background check.
It will cost you around $49 to get your electronic fingerprints at any of the state approved live scan providers.
Note that if you are not a resident of California, you are required to submit a consent to service your application by processing your personal information.
After submitting your salesperson licensing application along with the required documents such as the proof of completion of your pre license education and a certificate of passing the licensing exam, you will have to wait for a few weeks.
Once the DRE processes and approves our salesperson license application and approves the documents attached, you shall receive your license.
Finding a sponsoring brokerage
If you have successfully completed all the steps, congratulations on receiving your salesperson license as your hard work has paid off.
You might be eager and ready to start working with clients, however, there is one last step you must complete to start your career and it is an important one.
California law requires all newly licensed agents to work under the supervision of a senior brokerage firm or broker licensed in the state.
This is a mandatory requirement to activate your salesperson license and start working in the industry.
To complete this requirement, you must find a supervising broker who will be willing to sponsor you and guide you early on in your career.
Sponsoring brokers help newly licensed agents to get hands-on and gain real-world experience of working with clients in a regulated industry.
This is not just a requirement that you must complete, it is a crucial step in building a thriving, long-term career and achieving your professional goals in California real estate.
You can easily look for state licensed brokerage firms in your region and shortlist the ones most suitable to your professional aspirations.