| Requirement | California |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 135 hours |
| Exam administrator | State exam (DRE) |
| License / application fee | n/a |
| Exam fee | n/a |
| Regulator | California Department of Real Estate (DRE) |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 17,500 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $57,560 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in California
To get a California real estate salesperson license you complete 135 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the State exam (DRE)-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a California real estate license?
California requires 135 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the State exam (DRE) salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in California?
Getting licensed in California takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 135 hours of pre-license education, pass the State exam (DRE) exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 135 hours of pre-license education
California requires 135 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the California salesperson exam
The exam is administered by State exam (DRE) and covers national real estate principles plus California law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new California salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), then activate under your broker.
How much does a California real estate license cost?
California's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in California?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in California earned a median of $57,560 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $40,150. See the full California agent salary breakdown.
What are California’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 39 California housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $585,000 as of September 2026, from $321,175 in Susanville to $6.11M in Montecito; 24 of 39 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $1.03M | -5.9% | 55 | 20,130 |
| Riverside, CA | $584,984 | -1.7% | 64 | 13,206 |
| San Francisco, CA | $957,475 | -1.8% | 37 | 5,840 |
| San Diego, CA | $888,450 | -6.3% | 46 | 5,749 |
| Sacramento, CA | $599,950 | -2.6% | 51 | 5,286 |
All tracked markets: California housing market hub.
California real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in California?
California requires 135 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirements.
How much does a California real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the California real estate exam?
State exam (DRE) administers the California salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in California?
No. California requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in California?
The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) licenses and regulates California real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) before enrolling.