Often referred to as the land of opportunity, California’s real estate landscape offers a fertile ground for aspiring and experienced agents, brokers and realtors.
If you dream of a career in real estate where you can work on your own terms, be your own boss and find your own clients, then you can certainly achieve it in a few steps.
Home to some of the hottest real estate markets in the country, the Golden Gate state continues to attract a swarm of visitors, homebuyers and real estate investors.
Be it San Francisco, Fresco, Santa Barba, San Diego or Los Angeles, California’s real estate offers a diverse and inviting mix of residential and commercial properties.
Thanks to the strong economy and world-class job opportunities, living in CA is a dream for thousands and as a real estate agent, you can help them achieve their dreams.
Did you know that the top real estate agents in California can earn as much as $180K annually while enjoying additional perks and exciting career benefits.
All you need to start your career is a California real estate license and you will be on your way to work with clients and help them buy and sell properties anywhere in the state.
Obtaining a license can open up a wealth of rewarding career benefits and advantages which will make it worth the time and effort you need to invest in getting a license.
If you are interested in working part-time or as a full-time real estate professional in California’s flourishing real estate market, now is a good time to plan your move.
Starting a new career can be overwhelming, especially if you have no prior experience of working as a professional.
To help you get started, we have put together this article which outlines all the essential aspects of becoming a licensed professional in a step-by-step way.
Steps to obtain your real estate license in California
If you are completely new to the industry, you should start by obtaining a salesperson’s license in California.
As you gain industry experience and expand your knowledge, you can complete additional education to apply for a broker’s license in CA.
Like most states, California also follows state-specific real estate licensing laws and guidelines which are applicable for all individuals.
If you are ready to embark on your licensing journey, here are the key steps you must follow.
Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirements
Before applying for a California real estate license, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements which are as follows:
- Age: You must be 18 years of age or older
- Citizenship: You must be a legal resident of the state of California
- Education: You must have a high school degree or GED equivalent in education
If you qualify all the above statutory requirements, you can proceed to complete the next steps in your licensing journey.
Step 2: Complete pre-licensing education
To qualify for the California real estate licensing exam, you must complete 135 hours of DRE approved pre-licensing education.
The pre licensing education courses will give you an understanding of the fundamental principles of working in the real estate industry and the various state and federal laws.
You can decide whether you want to learn in an in-person college environment or complete your education online in a self-paced way.
However, most students prefer the convenience and practicality of online courses as they are more flexible and can be completed from anywhere at your own schedule.
As long as your education provider is recognized and their courses are accredited by the DRE in California, you are good to go.
Step 3: Pass the California real estate licensing test
The California DRE requires all individuals to take the salesperson licensing exam to prove their knowledge and competence to work with clients.
Taking the California real estate licensing exam is the step where all your preparation and hard work will be tested.
The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering state and national portions and you will get 3 hours to complete the test.
To pass the exam, applicants must score at least 75% or above.
If you successfully pass the test, you can submit your licensing application to the DRE in California.
Along with your application, you will also be required to submit additional documents such as proof of completion of your pre-licensing education.
Additionally, you must also submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints to pass the federal criminal history check.
The DRE in California requires all applicants to complete mandatory background verification and criminal history check.
This step is crucial to meet the qualifying standards of ethics and good moral conduct established by the state and federal regulatory bodies.
Step 4: Find employer sponsorship
After successfully passing the salesperson licensing test and verification process, you will receive your California real estate license within a few weeks.
However, to activate your license, you must find and work with a sponsoring brokerage with an active license in the state of California.
The California law requires all newly licensed salespersons to work under the supervision and guidance of experienced brokers.