Start your journey towards becoming a licensed
estate broker in
California.
If you've dreamed of a real estate career and are interested in earning your real estate license, you may be wondering exactly what you need to do in order to pursue your dream.
One of the first steps if you want to sell or lease real estate in the state of California is to obtain your California Real Estate Salesperson license.
Fortunately for you, applicants wishing to obtain a California real estate broker license face a rather straightforward process.
After completing some easy educational requirements with ADHI Schools and the required experience, you can hop on over and test to become a California real estate broker!
Keep in mind that you'll also need to pay a couple of small fees to the state in order to take the real estate broker exam in California.
It's $95 for the state examination and $300 for a four-year real estate broker license.
We will prepare you well for the examination and help you pull together all the knowledge you’ve accumulated from ADHI Schools’ real estate courses, on-the-job experience, and our legendary crash course.
Don’t forget, you’ll also need to clear criminal background in California which involves submitting fingerprints prior to licensure.
Clear criminal history isn’t just a California real estate broker requirement; virtually all states require real estate agents and brokers to submit to a background check prior to obtaining a license.
There are three broad requirements for all prospective real estate brokers in California which will be outlined below.
This is particularly important, as California requires you to take pre-licensing training from an approved course provider before you can even think about sitting for the exam. Note that the required number of training hours will vary wildly depending on the state. In California, for example, you need to take 135 hours to meet this criteria. That number might be different if you were taking courses in another state.
In California, you have the option of taking this pre-licensing education both in-person and by
way of real estate
courses online.
To meet the California real estate broker license requirements, do the following:
Step 1
In terms of the background check, you need to be at least 18 years old and demonstrate 100 percent honesty on the "criminal history" and background sections of the broker license application. Not having a criminal record is not a de facto ground for denial of a license.
Rather, the Department of Real Estate (DRE) investigates each application individually. It is up to the Real Estate Commissioner to decide whether a past legal infraction warrants denial of licensing. One thing that will almost invariably lead to denial is lack of full disclosure on the application. The Department of Real Estate makes its determination based upon the relevance of any criminal offenses as they might pertain to the practice of real estate brokerage. Things like felony fraud, theft and any types of violent crimes are often grounds for denial of a license. Applicants should know that failure to list any part of a criminal record, no matter how seemingly insignificant a particular charge or conviction might seem, can lead to swift denial of a license application.
Steps to getting a
Real estate license
Step 2
You also have to submit written verification of experience, which can be done a few different ways. If you have 2 years of full-time and verifiable real estate experience that has taken place during the prior 5 years, that's all you need. Also, remember that the Department of Real Estate will accept a 4-year college degree, with a minor or major in real estate, as fulfilling the requirement.
A few alternate forms of experience also work. For example, if you have 2 years of experience working in another state or country as a real estate agent, or worked 2 years or more as a real estate developer, property manager, loan officer, escrow officer, or builder, you may meet the requirement. Applicants who are unsure whether their experience is relevant for purposes of obtaining a real estate broker license should contact the DRE and find out before they send in an application.
Step 3
ADHI Schools has you covered on all of the eight courses you will need. They are as below:
Step 4
ADHI Schools has you covered on all of the eight courses you will need. They are as below:
On the Broker Examination and License Application, you must fill out everything and submit the fees. No cash! Credit cards, cashier's checks, money orders and checks are acceptable. The RE 436 form is the main form that you'll need.
Currently the fee to take the California real estate broker exam is $95 and a four-year license will set you back $300.
On the application, you can choose to schedule your own exam time or let the DRE pick a time for you.
After that, it's time to wait. The Department of Real Estate will get back to you within 4-8 weeks.
Step 5
If you opted to determine your own exam time when you sent in the application, you will receive communication from the state stating that you can now choose your exam time, location and date. If you chose to let DRE pick your exam time, you will get an Exam Schedule Notice stating the time, date and location where you will take the test.
Step 6
The exam is given at various sites around the state. You'll be able to choose one of five locations that is most convenient for you. Testing takes place throughout the week and is year round. Don't forget your government issued photo identification.
You'll have five hours to respond to 200 questions, all of which are multiple-choice format. All real estate broker exams are now administered in electronic form, which allows you to get your exam results instantaneously. If you score 75 percent or above, you pass.
The California real estate broker exam tests candidates in several areas, including real estate law, accounting, contracts, laws of agency, financing, mandated disclosures, appraisal, real estate practice, property ownership, transfer of property, market analysis, land use regulations and controls, and more. The test has been designed to be truly comprehensive and challenging.
This is why it's so important to take a live crash course like the one we offer. Head on over to www.crashcourseonline.com to learn more.
Always keep an eye on state requirements for continuing education and consider joining the National Association of Realtors if you want MLS access and other benefits. Brokers should stay abreast of California's real estate licensing requirements and know where they stand in terms of continuing education courses, annual fees and any new rulings issued by the California Department of Real Estate.
Got more questions?
Call us at 888-768-5285 or chat below
Local number: 949 385 5683
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ADHI Schools
Becoming a real estate broker in California offers numerous advantages for those looking to advance their careers in the real estate industry. As a broker, you not only gain greater autonomy but also the potential to earn significantly higher income through commissions and the ability to open your own brokerage firm. This step up from a real estate salesperson allows you to employ other agents, which can multiply your earning potential as you benefit from their sales as well.
The advanced knowledge and skills gained through broker-specific education in legal aspects of real estate, property management, and finance add immense value. This expertise enables brokers to provide superior advice and service, making them indispensable to clients navigating the complexities of property transactions.
Moreover, the prestige associated with being a licensed real estate broker can lead to broader professional opportunities, including consulting roles and industry leadership positions. For those passionate about real estate, becoming a broker in California is a powerful step toward a fulfilling and prosperous career.
A broker license matters because it grants you the authority to run your own real estate business, leading to higher earning potential and the ability to oversee other agents. It reflects a high level of expertise and trust, essential for advising clients on significant investments and complex transactions.
To become a real estate broker in California, you must meet the following requirements:
Find out if you meet the experience requirements to become a
licensed real estate broker in California!
Are you currently licensed as a salesperson in California?
Have you been working full-time in real estate for two of the last five years?
Do you have at least two years of unlicensed equivalent experience in real estate or a four-year degree with a major or minor in real estate?
Congratulations!
You likely meet the experience requirements to become a real estate broker in California!
You are not eligible for answer
It looks like you may not meet the experience requirements to become a broker at this time. Consider gaining more experience or starting with our salesperson program.
"Hey guys,
I took the exam today and passed!!!!
It only took me one try which was one of my goals. I took the online
classes and follow your suggestions so I took the crash course,
used the crash course app a lot, took 7 mock tests and went
confident to present the exam. Thank you for the great job you are
doing, you guys are awesome!!!! May God continue to bless you!"
Willie V.
