How To Earn A California Real Estate License

Real Estate License And Exam Prep Courses In California

When it is time to earn your real estate license, the first step is making sure you are prepared. Luckily, TrainingCenter has both the required California pre-licensing courses and training programs for how to list, sell, handle real estate objections, and more.

Essentially, you'll start by taking your state-specific pre-licensing course, then passing your exam. Tips for both, as well as recommended courses, appear below.

What Does An California Real Estate Agent Do?

Real Estate Agents in California help clients to purchase, rent, or sell property. This includes finding buyers and sellers, providing advice and helping to negotiate on price, and referring home inspectors or mortgage professionals - all within federal and state rules and regulations.

Further, they are required to represent the best interests of their clients, whether they be buyers or sellers in communities such as San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, and Oakland.

Generally speaking, California real estate agents are responsible for: california-real-estate-licensing

Communicating with buyers and sellers
Abiding by state and federal laws re advertising and communications
Staying involved to ensure any loan or financing requirements are met
Communicating with the other agent and attorney's throughout the process
Keeping an open line of communication with clients
Help to close the transaction

Agents often decide to represent buyers only, sellers only, or both. Depending upon whether representing the buyer or the seller, agents can recommend an appropriate selling price, market the property, negotiate offers, attend and/or review the home inspection and appraisal, and provide feedback on comparable sales. Regardless, the job is not just showing houses; there is lots of paperwork, planning, and phoning, and not just in a 9-5 time frame.

What Hours Do Real Estate Agents Work?

Since many buyers work 9-5, they typically look for properties "after hours". This means that a lot of a real estate agent's time is spent on nights and weekends showing properties.

That said, business time when not working with clients involves previewing properties, keeping up with paperwork, working on marketing or other business activities, and taking additional educational classes.

How Are Real Estate Agents Paid?

Most real estate agents are paid on commission when a property sells. A typical arrangement is that the selling agency and the buying agency split the real estate commission equally.

For example, if the real estate commission was 6%, each agency would receive 3% of the selling price. The buying and selling agent then typically split their 3% equally, though high-producing agents normally negotiate and receive a higher split.

What Is The Difference Between A Real Estate Broker And A Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents primarily work with buyers and sellers, but work for the agency with which they are affiliated.

While Real Estate Brokers also work with buyers and sellers, they also are responsible for overseeing their agents. This includes not just training, but overseeing forms and other paperwork. Additionally, Real Estate Brokers have to take additional education and earn a separate real estate broker license.

The Benefits Of Having A California Real Estate License

There are many benefits to having a real estate license. While helping to serve your community find their "dream house", you also benefit from flexible hours and the opportunity to have high earnings via your commissions. For those who invest in real estate, having a license also gives you early access to properties as they become available.

About Our California Real Estate Licensing Courses And Exam Prep Materials

We offer California real estate license training courses that fulfill California's pre-license education requirements. Our California training and exam prep materials are delivered in an easy-to-understand manner that provides important insights and valuable exam tips and strategies covering California's rules and regulations for California real estate licensing. You receive:

Both Print And Online Course Materials
Sample Exams
Exam Prep Materials
Instructor Support

When you have completed the training materials, make sure to take as many practice exams as possible. This will help you to pinpoint and overcome problem areas, and ensure that you pass your California real estate licensing exam on the first try!

Recommended California Real Estate Licensing Courses And Exam Prep Materials

You'll find the real estate licensing courses you need here at TrainingCenter. We offer state-approved courses that meet the California pre-licensing requirement.

To find the right state-approved course for you, simply select "Licensing" and your state from the search box below. Good luck earning your California Real Estate License!

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About The California Real Estate License Requirements

To help with how to get a real estate license in California, we have provided below information on California licensing requirements, its insurance department, and examination scheduling facilities, as well as info on what is on the exam and tips for passing it.

California Real Estate Licensing Department
California Department of Real Estate
Address:1651 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone: 877-373-4542
Website: https://www.dre.ca.gov/

Examination Scheduling
Provider: California Department of Real Estate
Phone: 877-373-4542
Website: https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/TakingExam.html

Topics On The California Real Estate License Exam

The California real estate licensing exam includes approximately 150 questions covering both national and state-specific information. Topics include laws of agency, disclosures, property valuation, contracts, land use, and financing.

California Real Estate License Requirements

The following lists any applicable pre-licensing, continuing education, renewal, and reciprocity requirements for Alaska real estate licensing.

Real Estate Education Requirements:

California real estate salesperson license: Successful completion of three college-level courses, including:
- Real Estate Principles and Real Estate Practice, as well as one of the following courses -- Real Estate Appraisal, Property Management, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Economics, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Office Administration, General Accounting, Business Law, Escrows, Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending, Computer Applications in Real Estate and Common Interest Developments.
California real estate broker license: Successful completion of the following 8 statutorily required college-level courses:
- Real Estate Practice
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Real Estate Economics or Accounting
They must also complete three of the following courses:
- Real Estate Principles
- Business Law
- Property Management Escrow
- Real Estate Office Administration
- Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
- Advanced Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Advanced Real Estate Finance
- Advanced Real Estate Appraisal
- Computer Applications in Real Estate
- Common Interest Developments

Note: If both Real Estate Economics and Accounting are taken, only two courses from the above group are required.

State Reciprocity:

California has no reciprocity with any other state to allow a waiver of any of the requirements to obtain a license.

Continuing Education And/Or License Renewal Requirements:

California real estate licenses must be renewed every four years from the date on the license.

License renewal requires the completion of 45 clock hours of California Department of Real Estate approved real estate CE consisting of:

One 8-hour survey course that covers the five required subjects (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing and Risk Management) OR
15 hours of continuing education courses in the following subjects: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing and Risk Management
Additionally, agents must complete at least 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses, and can meet the 45-clock-hour requirement with any real estate classes related to either consumer service or consumer protection

Tips For How To Get A Real Estate License In California

Below are the recommended steps for passing your real estate agent exam and earning your California real estate license.

Step 1: Review California's State Licensing Requirements
Since real estate licensing is state-specific, you want to make sure you qualify or meet the basic requirements for the state in which you want to be licensed. In most states, you have to be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and pass your state's exam. Click your state from the table above to find your state's requirements - and suggested licensing courses.
Step 2: Register For The California Real Estate Licensing Course
Our real estate training courses are designed to meet the state pre-licensing requirements, as well as prepare you for your state exam. Once you are done, you will be ready to take your state's real estate licensing exam. Click you state from the table above for information on where and how to register for your exam.

Note: Once you complete your course, be sure to obtain your official transcripts or certificate of completion from the school, which is required for your real estate license application.
Step 3: Study For Your Exam!
While exams often require you to know terms, definitions, and rules, real estate licensing exams are often more than just memorization, so make sure you understand the concepts and take as many of the practice exams that come with your real estate pre-licensing course materials as possible.
Step 4: Pass Your Real Estate Licensing Exam
Step 5: Submit An Application To Get Your California Real Estate License
Once you pass your exam, the next step is to apply for your real estate license. This usually includes completing an application and paying a licensing fee.
Step 6: Determine Where You Want To Work
New agents can work either individually, with a broker, or with a team. Those who want to work individually should make sure they have a good business plan and ample funding to carry them until their sales start rolling in. Separately, working with a broker could reduce up front costs while also providing a mentor relationship. Whichever option you decide is best for you, be sure to get trained!
Step 7: Get Training For Doing Listing Presentations, Handling Objections, And More!
While your real estate exam typically includes terms, definitions, and laws, it does not teach you how to sell real estate. For that, you'll need training on how to handle listing, FSBO, and expireds presentations, overcome objections, and more. Luckily, Training Center has lots of real estate training courses to help you succeed. Simply click one of the recommended courses below or select a topic from the search box below.

Good luck passing your California real estate licensing exam!

Disclaimer: This information provided is based on state laws and regulations, and is subject to change. While we make every effort to asure this information is current and accurate, it is not engaged in rendering legal or professional advice, and shall not be held responsible for inaccuracies contained herein.