Before we go into the various aspects of completing the California real estate license course and getting a license in the state, let us evaluate whether it is worth your time and effort to obtain one.
By any yardstick, becoming a real estate agent in California is a very lucrative career option. Consider the following benefits before you take the plunge.
- Unlike most professions, you will not be tied down to a 9-6 job. You fix your working hours and schedules and thus have a perfect work-life balance, getting to spend more quality time with friends and family.
- With hard work and dedication, the sky is the limit in earnings for you. It is not uncommon for real estate agents with experience to take home income in sixfigures.
- You can specialize in various branches of real estate as you prefer. Some of the options before you are becoming a real estate investor, buyers’ or sellers’ agent, and property manager. You can also choose either commercial or residential properties to deal in, both having their own benefits.
However, to enter this field in California, you must complete a California real estate license course and be awarded a real estate license to practice in the Golden State. This is mandated by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), a body that lays down all rules related to the industry in CA. As we shall see, the DRE plays a crucial role in fixing the content of the California real estate license course and what you should do to earn a license.
Click here to learn more about the California real estate license course.
This post will now elaborate on the various eligibility requirements for getting a real estate license in California with a special focus on the California real estate license course.
# To apply for a real estate license in California, you must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the US. Legally admitted aliens may also apply for a license provided they have working rights in the country. You should also have a high school pass, GED, or equivalent.
# The next crucial step is to complete the California real estate license course as stipulated by the DRE. Any course that you select must be approved by the DRE to count as fulfilling the eligibility norm for appearing for the licensing exam.
The reason why going through this course is so emphasized is because it imparts knowledge about the real estate industry and its constantly evolving rules and regulations. Without a firm grip on the topics, you will not be able to deliver accurate and optimized services to your clients in the future.
The duration of the California real estate license course is 135 hours, categorized into 3 modules of 45 hours each. There are two compulsory modules consisting of:
- Principles of Real Estate
- Practice of Real Estate
The third module is an elective one consisting of a subject of your preference. However, your choice must be restricted to one of the following topics.
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Real Estate Economics
- Real Estate Investments
California real estate license courses are available in both online and classroom settings. You can choose one based on your learning style but there are certain distinct advantages in online courses.
The primary one is that you are not tied down to classroom timings and do not have to waste time commuting. On the other hand, online course materials can be downloaded on any Internet-enabled device such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile and studied at your convenience from anywhere and at any time. Your routine life is not disturbed at all.
Further, since the course can be downloaded, you can repeatedly study the topics as many times as you want. The same cannot be said for a classroom environment.
One of the leading state-approved online course providers in CA is RealEstateU. Their California real estate license course is designed by top professionals in this field and hence quality is assured.
# After completing the coursework, submit your fingerprints to a law enforcement agency for verification of any past criminal records. Since real estate agents are expected to have high honesty and ethics, getting a fingerprint clearance certificate is essential to getting a real estate license in California. The fingerprint check fee is $40.
# Visit the website of the DRE to schedule a licensing exam after paying a fee of $60. Though the exam is held online, you must physically visit a designated center to appear for the test that is proctored by a third-party service provider. Currently, the locations for the licensing exam in California are Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego.
On the fixed date, appear for the licensing test and pass it. There are 175 multiple-choice questions in the exam and you must score at least 75% to crack it. After the exam is over, the results in pass/fail mode are informed to the candidates in the center.
# After passing the exam, visit the portal of the DRE and apply for a real estate license. The license application fee is $245. To the application, attach proof of having completed the 135 hours of the California real estate license course along with the fingerprint clearance certificate. After DRE verifies all your documents, a provisional real estate license will be issued to you. However, you cannot start your practice with this provisional license.
# Find a broker to sponsor you and inform this employment status to DRE. After verification, you will be awarded an active real estate license in California to launch your career.