How to Become a Licensed CA Realtor

What to Expect, What It Costs, and How to Get Started

One of the questions that I get asked often as a realtor is, “Jake, I’ve been thinking about getting my license. How’d you get started?”

Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps to become a licensed realtor in California in just a few months.

Step 1: Register for the Required Courses

So you’ve been thinking about getting your real estate license but aren’t sure where to start? It’s simple, sign up for the required course! Agents need to complete 135 hours of pre-licensing coursework before applying for the exam. There are lots of websites you can register with. I used colibrirealestate.com

There are three courses to complete. Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practices, and one state approved course of your choice.

My recommendation is to choose the most affordable online program. The coursework is important to pass the exam, but it’s very different from what you’ll actually do as a realtor.

Step 2: Apply for the DRE Exam

When applying, I’d suggest going with the combined exam and license application. This will help speed up the process because your licensing paperwork will already be submitted once you pass the exam.

The application is straightforward, and it costs $100. The license fee is $350.

After submitting, you’ll be notified once it has been approved.

Step 3: Schedule and Pass the Exam!

Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to schedule the date, time, and test location.

One piece of advice I give is to take the exam shortly after completing a weekend crash course. These classes typically last two days and review a lot of the concepts that appear on the exam. It can significantly improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Most crash courses cost around $400, but can be worth it to avoid needing to retake the exam. I took one and passed on my first try!

I Passed, Now What?

You’ll need to “hang” your license with a brokerage that’s registered in California. This will allow you to officially begin working as a real estate agent!

Real estate can be an incredibly rewarding career. You’ll learn quickly, meet a lot of great people, and develop new skills that will carry you throughout life.

Feel free to reach out to me with your questions or feedback!

Wishing you success on your real estate journey,

Jake