Real Estate Salesperson Examination

About the exam

The Real Estate Salesperson Examination is California's state licensing exam for real estate salespeople, set and run by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Once you pass and the DRE issues your licence, you may help clients buy, sell and lease property in California, but only while a licensed broker is responsible for your work.

It is a single sitting of 150 multiple-choice questions, each with four answer options, and you need 70% to pass. The DRE delivers it on computer at its own exam sites in five areas of the state, and you book your date and site yourself through its eLicensing system.

Two things catch candidates out. If you pass, the DRE does not tell you your score; only failing candidates see their score and a percentage for each subject area. And passing starts a clock: your licence application, fingerprints and licence fee must reach the DRE within one year of the exam date.

Who has to sit it

Anyone who wants to act as a real estate salesperson in California needs this licence, and you must be at least 18 for it to be issued. Before you can sit the exam you must complete three college-level real estate courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective from the DRE's list (such as finance, appraisal, property management or escrow). Each course must be at least 45 hours, carry three semester or four quarter units, and come from an accredited college or a private school approved by the Real Estate Commissioner; since 1 January 2024 the practice course must include implicit bias and fair housing content with an interactive role-play. Continuing education does not count, and courses taken abroad need a DRE-approved evaluation. Members of the California State Bar are exempt from the course requirement, and anyone who has completed the eight statutory broker courses may sit the salesperson exam without further evidence. A criminal conviction can lead to a licence being refused. You do not need to live in California.

What is on it

Practice of real estate and disclosures (including specialty areas) 25%

Trust accounts, fair housing, advertising, record keeping, supervision, DRE jurisdiction and discipline, licensing, ethics, property management, commercial property and the disclosures a transaction requires.

Laws of agency and fiduciary duties 17%

How agency relationships are created and ended, what an agent owes a client, disclosing agency and personal interests, commissions, and duties towards third parties.

Property ownership and land use controls and regulations 15%

Classes of property, forms of ownership, encumbrances, legal descriptions, public and private land-use controls, environmental hazards and water rights.

Property valuation and financial analysis 14%

What makes up value, the methods used to estimate it, and basic financial analysis of property.

Contracts 12%

General contract law, listing and buyer broker agreements, offers and purchase contracts, options, promissory notes and advance fee arrangements.

Financing 9%

Loan types and sources, government programmes, mortgages and deeds of trust, credit laws, and mortgage loan brokerage.

Transfer of property 8%

Deeds, escrow, title insurance, tax aspects, court-supervised transfers and ways of holding title.

The paper

• 150 multiple-choice questions, each with four answer options, in three hours.
• The pass mark is 70% of the questions, which is 105 correct answers.
• The exam is electronic and is held at DRE sites in Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego and the Los Angeles area; arrive 30 minutes early, as sessions start on time.
• You must show a current driving licence or DMV identity card, a passport, or a US military identity card; without one you are not admitted.
• Phones must be switched off and stored in a locker for the whole session, breaks included; study materials, bags, watches, food and drink are not allowed in the room.
• Electronic results appear when you finish; further correspondence is normally posted within five business days.
• Candidates with a disability can request reasonable accommodations with form RE 413; non-visible conditions need supporting documentation from a qualified professional.

How to book it

1. Complete the three required courses (or check that an exemption applies) and gather official transcripts.
2. Apply to the DRE through eLicensing or by post, either for the exam alone or with the combined exam and licence application (RE 435), which also needs Live Scan fingerprints and both fees.
3. Once you are qualified, choose a date and site in eLicensing; seats depend on demand, and you can book an open seat as late as 6:00 a.m. on the exam day, then print the barcoded schedule notice.
4. Bring an accepted photo ID on the day; without it you will not be admitted.
5. If you fail, wait for the failure notice, then apply for a re-exam in eLicensing or with the result notice (RE 418A) and pay the re-exam fee; applying before your result is released holds up your record.
6. You may sit the exam as often as you need within two years of the DRE receiving your application; after that you must apply again and requalify.
7. After passing (unless you filed the combined application), submit the licence application (RE 202), the Live Scan request (RE 237) and the licence fee within one year of the exam.

Fees and dates

Exam fee

USD 100 (about EUR 92); each re-exam also USD 100 (source 1)

Licence fee

USD 350 (about EUR 322); USD 450 (about EUR 414) for the combined exam and licence application (source 1)

Fingerprint fee

USD 49 (about EUR 45) (source 1)

Rescheduling

USD 40 (about EUR 37) for each rescheduled exam (source 1)

When

Booked through eLicensing at DRE sites in five areas, subject to seats; open seats can be taken until 6:00 a.m. on the exam day (source 5)

Results

On screen when you finish; correspondence normally posted within five business days (source 2)

Retakes

No limit, within two years of the DRE receiving your exam application (source 6)

After passing

Licence application, fingerprints and fee must arrive within one year of the exam date (source 7)

Fees and dates change: each is as its source stated it on 29 October 2026. Check it there before you book.

Questions people ask

How many questions are on the California real estate salesperson exam?

There are 150 multiple-choice questions, each with four options, and you have three hours. The DRE groups them into seven content areas, from real estate practice and disclosures (about a quarter of the exam) to transfer of property.

What is the passing score?

You need 70%, which is 105 of the 150 questions. If you pass, the DRE does not tell you your exact score.

What happens if I fail?

You receive your score and a percentage for each subject area. Once the failure notice arrives you can apply for a re-exam through eLicensing and pay USD 100 again. There is no limit on attempts within two years of your original application.

Can I take the exam online?

The DRE does not describe any remote option. It gives the exam on computer at its own exam sites in five areas of California, and you pick the date and site in eLicensing.

How long is a pass valid?

You have one year from the date you pass to get your licence application, fingerprints and licence fee to the DRE. Separately, you must pass within two years of the DRE receiving your exam application, or the application and fee lapse.

Do I need a broker before I can sit the exam?

No. You can sit the exam and be licensed without a broker, but you cannot do licensed work until a responsible broker employs you.

Can I apply if I live outside California?

Yes. Out-of-state applicants send FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and a notarised Consent to Service of Process (RE 234) with their application.

Sources

1. Fees — California Department of Real Estate
2. Taking the Exam — California Department of Real Estate
3. Salesperson Examination Content — California Department of Real Estate
4. Salesperson Requirements — California Department of Real Estate
5. How and Where Exams Are Scheduled — California Department of Real Estate
6. How to Apply for the Salesperson Exam and License — California Department of Real Estate
7. Salesperson License Application Instructions (RE 202A) — California Department of Real Estate
8. Once You Pass the Examination — California Department of Real Estate

Checked against these sources on 29 October 2026.