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Real Estate License Guides

1. Getting a Real Estate License
2. DRE State Exam License Tips
3. After you get your Real Estate License
4. Broker vs. Salesperson: Key Differences
5. California Real Estate License Requirements: DRE Checklist

Last Updated: 6/14/2026

California Real Estate License Requirements in 2026: The Complete DRE Checklist

If you're planning to get your California real estate license this year, you need to know exactly what the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires before you can practice. This isn't a step-by-step walkthrough — it's a reference checklist you can come back to at any stage of the process.

Bookmark this page. Return when you need to confirm a requirement, a fee, or a deadline.

Table of Contents

• Who This Checklist Is For
• Eligibility Requirements
• Education Requirements: 135 Hours Across 3 Courses
• How Long Does the Coursework Take?
• Exam Requirements
• Background Check and Fingerprinting
• Application and Fees
• License Activation: You Need a Sponsoring Broker
• Summary: Salesperson License Requirements at a Glance
• Renewal Requirements: What Happens After You're Licensed
• Mandatory CE Topics for 2026
• First Renewal: Different Rules
• When to Renew
• A Note on DRE Approval
• Questions? We're Here
• Frequently Asked Questions

Who This Checklist Is For

This guide covers the salesperson license path — the one most people pursue first. If you're already licensed and working toward a broker license, some requirements differ (experience hours, additional courses), but the core eligibility and exam rules below still apply to you.

Eligibility Requirements

Before you enroll in a single course, make sure you meet the DRE's basic eligibility criteria.

Age: You must be at least 18 years old when you apply. There's no upper age limit.

Honesty requirement: California requires applicants to be honest and truthful. If you have a criminal history, a prior license revocation, or a civil judgment related to fraud, the DRE will review your background before approving your application. A past conviction doesn't automatically disqualify you — the DRE evaluates each case individually. That said, omissions are treated more seriously than the underlying issue itself, so disclose everything accurately.

Residency: You don't need to be a California resident to apply for a California salesperson license.

Education Requirements: 135 Hours Across 3 Courses

This is the first major hurdle, and it's a real one. The DRE requires 135 hours of DRE-approved pre-licensing education before you can sit for the exam.

Those 135 hours are split across three mandatory courses:

• Real Estate Principles — 45 hours
• Real Estate Practice — 45 hours
• One DRE-approved elective — 45 hours

Elective options include Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Appraisal, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Property Management, and several other approved subjects. Pick one that aligns with where you expect to work or what genuinely interests you.

All three courses must come from a DRE-approved school. At Revei, the 3-Course Package — Principles, Practice, and one elective — is $250 and comes with a money-back guarantee: if you don't pass the Revei exams, you can get your money back. Courses are cloud-based and accessible on any device, so you can work through the material on your own schedule.

How Long Does the Coursework Take?

You can complete all 135 hours in as little as 54 days if you move through it efficiently. The maximum enrollment is one year, but you can't rush past the minimum hour requirements — the system tracks your progress.

Exam Requirements

Once you've finished your 135 hours, you're eligible to sit for the California real estate salesperson exam, administered by the DRE.

Here's what to expect:

• Format: 150 multiple-choice questions
• Time limit: 3 hours and 15 minutes
• Passing score: 70% — that's at least 105 questions answered correctly
• Testing locations: DRE centers in Sacramento, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Fresno
• Exam fee: $100 per attempt

The exam covers property ownership, contracts, finance, agency relationships, fair housing, and California-specific real estate law. If you don't pass, you can retake it — but you'll pay the $100 fee.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

The DRE requires a Live Scan fingerprint submission as part of your license application. This is how they run your background check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI.

A few things to know:

• You submit fingerprints at a Live Scan provider — many UPS stores, police departments, and private services offer this.
• The fingerprinting fee typically runs $49–$70 depending on the provider, plus a $56 DRE processing fee.
• You only need to do this once. If you later apply for a broker license, you won't need to repeat it.

Submit your fingerprints before or at the same time as your license application. The DRE won't issue your license until the background check clears.

Application and Fees

After you pass the exam, you apply for your salesperson license through the DRE's eLicensing portal.

What you'll submit:

• Completed RE 202 application form
• Proof of your 135-hour education requirement
• Exam passage confirmation
• Fingerprint clearance
• License fee payment

License fee: $350 for a four-year salesperson license.

Most applications process within a few weeks if everything is in order. You can track your status through the eLicensing system.

License Activation: You Need a Sponsoring Broker

This is the step a lot of new licensees don't think about until the very end. The DRE will issue your license — but you can't legally practice real estate in California until your license is activated under a licensed California broker.

You don't need a broker lined up before you take the exam. But you do need one before you can work with clients, write offers, or earn a commission.

When you find a broker willing to sponsor you, they submit an activation request through the DRE's system. Your license status moves from "inactive" to "active" once that's processed. If you ever leave a brokerage, your license returns to inactive until another broker activates it.

Summary: Salesperson License Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Detail
Minimum age	18
Education	135 hours (3 courses, 45 hours each)
Exam questions	150 multiple choice
Passing score	70% (105 correct)
Exam time	3 hours 15 minutes
Exam fee	$100
Fingerprinting	Required (Live Scan)
License fee	$350 (4-year term)
Broker activation	Required before practicing

Renewal Requirements: What Happens After You're Licensed

Your salesperson license is valid for four years. To renew it, you must complete 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education (CE).

Those 45 hours break down as:

• 18 hours of mandatory courses — fixed topics the DRE requires
• 27 hours of elective courses — your choice from DRE-approved subjects

Mandatory CE Topics for 2026

Within that mandatory block, every licensee renewing in 2026 must complete:

• Ethics — 3 hours
• Agency — 3 hours
• Trust Fund Handling — 3 hours
• Fair Housing — 3 hours
• Risk Management — 3 hours
• Management and Supervision (brokers) — 3 hours

California also requires coursework on implicit bias as part of fair housing education. This came out of AB 2992 and applies to all licensees renewing on or after January 1, 2023. If you're renewing in 2026, it applies to you.

First Renewal: Different Rules

If this is your first renewal after getting your salesperson license, the breakdown looks a little different. Your first renewal must include:

• 20 hours of mandatory courses (same subjects as above)
• 25 hours of consumer protection courses

That consumer protection requirement only applies to your first renewal. After that, you move to the standard 45-hour structure.

When to Renew

Your expiration date is printed on your license. You can renew up to 90 days before it expires. If your license lapses, you have a two-year grace period to renew — but you'll pay a late fee, and your license will show as expired during that window. Wait more than two years, and you'll need to reapply from scratch.

Revei offers DRE-approved CE courses to help you meet all 45 hours, including the mandatory implicit bias and fair housing content. You can browse the full CE catalog at www.revei.com.

A Note on DRE Approval

Not every online course counts. The DRE only accepts CE and pre-licensing hours from approved providers. Before you enroll anywhere, confirm the school is on the DRE's approved list. Revei is DRE-approved for both pre-licensing and continuing education courses in California. DRE Sponsor numbers 2473 & S0625

Questions? We're Here

Requirements change, and keeping up with DRE updates isn't always easy. If you're not sure whether a course counts, how your background history might affect your application, or when your renewal deadline is — call us. We'd rather answer your questions before you run into a problem than after. Our clients are part of our family business, and we'll bend over backwards to make sure you have what you need.

The bottom line: getting your California real estate license in 2026 means meeting clear, specific criteria — age, education, exam, fingerprinting, fees, and broker activation. Renewal adds 45 hours of CE every four years, with mandatory fair housing and implicit bias content now built in. None of it is complicated once you know exactly what's required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the education requirements for a California real estate salesperson license?

You need to complete 135 hours of DRE-approved pre-licensing education across three courses: Real Estate Principles (45 hours), Real Estate Practice (45 hours), and one approved elective (45 hours). All courses must come from a DRE-approved school.

What score do you need to pass the California real estate exam?

You need at least 70%, which means answering 105 out of 150 questions correctly. The exam runs 3 hours and 15 minutes and costs $100 per attempt.

Do I need to be a California resident to get a California real estate license?

No. California doesn't require residency to apply for a salesperson license. You do need to meet the age (18+) and honesty requirements, and you'll need a licensed California broker to activate your license before you can practice.

What continuing education is required to renew a California real estate license?

You need 45 hours of DRE-approved CE every four years — 18 hours of mandatory topics (ethics, agency, trust fund handling, fair housing, risk management, and broker supervision) and 27 hours of electives. As of 2026, implicit bias education is required within the fair housing component under AB 2992.

How long does it take to get a California real estate license?

The minimum is 54 days from starting your courses to submitting your application, but most people take 3 to 6 months depending on how quickly they work through the 135-hour coursework and how soon they can schedule the exam.

What happens if my California real estate license expires?

You have a two-year grace period to renew a lapsed license, though you'll pay a late fee and your license will show as expired in the meantime. Wait more than two years, and you'll need to reapply and meet current requirements from the beginning.

Is Revei's 3-Course Package DRE-approved?

Yes. Revei is a DRE-approved provider. The 3-Course Package includes Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and an elective for $250, with a money-back guarantee if you don't pass the Revei exams.

For more information about how to get your California DRE Real Estate License, see our education packages for your education requirement at www.revei.com/prelicensing.