PREPARE TO PASS THE CA STATE EXAM

Apply online or mail your application packet to:

Department of Real Estate
P.O. Box 137001
Sacramento, CA 95813-7001

Current Processing Timeframes: https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/CurrentTimeframes_ExamLicense.html 

Salesperson Exam

• Complete one of the following applications:

• Salesperson Examination Application (RE 400A) 
• Recommended! Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application (RE 435). While this requires a little more work and $$ upfront, it'll save you time after you complete the state exam.

• Upload your three college-level real estate course certificates. Need to know if your courses are approved by the DRE? Check out https://secure.dre.ca.gov/publicasp/cestatutory.asp to learn more.
• Make the following payments. The DRE accepts all major credit cards, checks, and money orders made payable to the DRE.

• Examination fee = $60
• License fee = $245
• Live Scan fee = $50-$80 range depending on the location. You will pay this fee directly to the live scan provider. For out-of-state applicants, you will submit the fingerprint processing fee directly to the DRE, not a local live scan provider.

• Submit the Reasonable Accommodations Request for Examination (RE 413) if a disability-related reasonable accommodation is needed.
• For out-of-state applicants, you must also submit the Consent to Service of Process form and Fingerprint Cards directly to the DRE. 

Broker Exam

• Complete one of the following applications:

• Broker Examination Application (RE 400B)
• Recommended! Combined Broker Examination and License Application (RE 436). While this requires a little more work upfront, it'll save you time after you complete the state exam.

• Upload your eight college-level real estate course certificates. Need to know if your courses are approved by the DRE? Check out https://secure.dre.ca.gov/publicasp/cestatutory.asp to learn more.
• Provide proof of one of the following:

• A minimum of two years of full-time licensed real estate agent experience within the last five years.
• A minimum of two years of unlicensed equivalent experience.
• A four-year degree from an accredited university or college with a major/minor in real estate.

For more information on experience requirements, visit https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/BrokerExperience.html. 

• Make the following payments. The DRE accepts all major credit cards, checks, and money orders made payable to the DRE.

• Examination fee = $95
• License fee = $300. 
• Live Scan fee = $50-$80 range depending on the location. You will pay this fee directly to the live scan provider. For out-of-state applicants, you will submit the fingerprint processing fee directly to the DRE, not a local live scan provider.

• Submit the Reasonable Accommodations Request for Examination (RE 413) if a disability-related reasonable accommodation is needed.
• For out-of-state applicants, you must also submit the Consent to Service of Process form and Fingerprint Cards directly to the DRE. 

Salesperson Examination: You have 3 hours to complete 150 multiple choice questions. 

Broker Examination: You have 4 hours to complete 200 multiple choice questions. 

Exams are conducted on a computer at one of the following locations: Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego.

• Salesperson Exam Content Outline
• Broker Exam Content Outline

Salesperson Examination: You must correctly answer at least 70% of the questions to pass. That means at least 105 of the 150 multiple choice questions. 

Broker Examination: You must correctly answer at least 75% of the questions to pass. That means at least 150 of the 200 multiple choice questions.

Since the exam is qualifying in nature, examinees who pass are not informed of their final score. You will be notified of the actual score, and the percentage of questions answered correctly in each of the subject areas, only when unsuccessful. Those who do not receive a passing grade may apply to retake the exam through the Department of Real Estate's (DRE) eLicensing portal or by mailing in the Examination Result Notice (RE 418A, Salesperson or RE 418B, Broker). You will be charged $60 to retake the exam. 

There is no limitation on the number of exams you may take during the two-year period following the date your application is filed by the DRE. 

You are required to bring a valid form of photo identification issued within the past 5 years.

• Current state-issued Driver's License or DMV identification card; or
• U.S. Passport or Passport issued by a foreign government; or
• U.S. Military identification card.

Many items, like cell phones, calculators, and bags, are prohibited at the exam site. Lockers or storage bins will be made available in the event you forget to leave these items in your vehicle. 

A basic calculator will be provided to you along with a sheet of paper and a writing tool.

• Requirements to obtain RE License
• Requirements to obtain Broker License
• Taking the Exam
• DRE Exam Schedule
• DRE Application Timeframes
• Out-Of-State Applicants
• DRE eLicensing Portal