Get Your California Real Estate License
135 hours of pre-license education required. Three DRE-approved courses stand between you and your California real estate license.
135 hours required
California pre-license requirements at a glance
- Eligibility
- 18 or older and honest and truthful
- Education
- Three college-level courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one elective
- Course length
- Each DRE-approved course is at least 45 hours (three semester units or four quarter units)
- Elective options
- Appraisal, Finance, Economics, Legal Aspects, Property Management, Escrows and others on the DRE list
- Application
- Apply through DRE eLicensing: exam first, or exam and license together (RE 435)
- Fingerprints
- Live Scan; no license is issued until DOJ fingerprint results are received
Source: DRE: Instructions to Obtain a Salesperson License · DRE: Requirements to Apply for a Salesperson License
Compare California Pre-License Courses
California 135-Hour The Basics Package
135 Hours
135-hour California pre-license course from Colibri Real Estate.
The Basics – 135-Hour Pre-License
135 Hours
State-required 135-hour pre-license course with live instructor support and Pass or Don't Pay Guarantee.
Exam Preparation – 135-Hour Pre-License
135 Hours
Pre-license course plus comprehensive exam prep tools including simulated exams, flashcards, and study guides.
Exam Preparation Plus – 135-Hour Pre-License
135 Hours
Everything in Exam Preparation plus exclusive instructor-led Q&A sessions to maximize exam readiness.
Ultimate Learning – 135-Hour Pre-License
135 Hours
The complete package — everything in Exam Preparation Plus, with a printed textbook and career-launch resources.
California 135-Hour Pre-License Course
135 Hours
135-hour DRE-approved pre-license course. 100% online and self-paced.
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing Courses Only Package
135 Hours
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing Premium Package
135 Hours
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing Standard Package
135 Hours
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing Value Package
135 Hours
Getting a California real estate license: common questions
How many hours of pre-license education does California require?
Three college-level courses of at least 45 hours each, 135 hours in total: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one approved elective.
Which electives count?
Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Economics or General Economics, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Office Administration, General Accounting, Business Law, Property Management, Escrows, Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending, Common Interest Developments, or Computer Applications in Real Estate.
Do continuing education courses count toward the pre-license requirement?
No. DRE says continuing education offerings don't satisfy the college-level course requirement. Courses must come from an accredited college or a private school with Commissioner-approved courses.
Can I apply for the exam and license at the same time?
Yes. You can apply for the exam first and then the license after you pass, or apply for both together with form RE 435. Either way you apply through DRE eLicensing.
Do I need fingerprints?
Yes. You'll submit fingerprints through Live Scan, and DRE won't issue your license until it receives your Department of Justice fingerprint results.
Source: DRE: Instructions to Obtain a Salesperson License · DRE: Requirements to Apply for a Salesperson License