How to Take the California Real Estate License Exam
California has the largest population among U.S. states. It has a vibrant real estate market for aspiring agents. The California Department of Real Estate administers exams and issues licenses for real estate salespersons and real estate brokers. It imposes separate educational or experience requirements that must be met before applying for either license exam. Interested individuals need to learn the requirements for each exam. They can apply for the exam after completing required real estate courses or gaining real estate work experience.
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Things You'll Need
- Real estate exam application
- Internet access
- employment verification form
- college transcripts
Instructions
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California Real Estate Salesperson Examination
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Complete college-level or DRE-approved courses in Real Estate Practice and Real Estate Principles. You must also complete one of the additional courses listed on the exam application. See the DRE website for the exam application. Ensure that each course offers three semester units or four quarter units. The college you attend must have recognition as an accredited institution through the U.S. Department of Education. You can use the Department of Education database to determine if a school is accredited. You may also select courses and schools approved by DRE on its website.
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Access the "Salesperson Examination Application" on the DRE website . You will receive the place and time for your exam in the mail. Alternatively, you may apply for and schedule your exam using the DRE online eLicensing system.
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3
Prepare to pay the exam application fee. You can use a check, cashier's check, money order or credit card. Make your fee payable to the "Dept. of Real Estate." Fill out a "Credit Card Payment" form if paying by credit card. As of 2010, the fee is $60.
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Send the application, fee and official transcripts or credit certificate to the California Department of Real Estate. Use the following contact information:
Department of Real Estate
P.O. Box 187001
Sacramento, CA 95818-7001
877-373-4542
dre.ca.gov
California Real Estate Broker Examination
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5
Complete at least two years of full-time work as a licensed real estate salesperson. You must complete this experience in the previous five years. You may also substitute a four-year college degree in any major for work experience so long as you have completed the required real estate courses. The college you attend must be accredited through the Department of Education. Check the database to determine if a school is accredited (see Resources). Fill out the "Employment Verification" form with your employer to verify your work experience.
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6
Complete the following college-level courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Finance and Real Estate Economics or General Accounting. You must also complete at least three of the courses listed on Page 12 of the "Instructions to License Applicants" publication .
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7
Fill out the "Broker Examination Application" or use the eLicensing system to apply for your California real estate exam. Use the same mailing address and payment details as the salesperson application. However, the fee is $95 as of 2010. Don't forget to send your "Employment Verification" form and official transcripts or credit certificate with the application and fee.
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Tips & Warnings
You must submit fingerprints and a separate application to get a California real estate license. However, you can wait and see if you pass the exam first before submitting these documents.
Applicants who took classes in a foreign country must use a credentialing service to verify the course credits. Select a credentialing and translation service from the "Examination Applicant Foreign Education Information" form.
References
Resources
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