What is the cost of getting a real estate license in California?
Yes, there are costs involved with becoming a real estate agent. The California real estate agent exam fee can be $40 – $150 depending on exam type and if you are retaking the exam, along with additional fees if you reschedule.
However, the greater investment is in your real estate pre-licensing education. Tuition can vary, but your total cost will likely be under $1000.
The better question to ask yourself is whether your education is worth it. Does the school have a high pass rate? Does it give you exam prep materials and support beyond the course hours? And, above all, will it help you past the real estate exam?
At Allied, we’re so proud of our curriculum and instructors that we offer a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee. If you don’t pass the exam, you get a full refund. And when you do pass, you’ll be ready to launch your California real estate career.
See more about California real estate license fees here.
Is it hard to get a California real estate license?
The California real estate exam is one of the most difficult, with a pass rate often under 50%. But don’t worry! You can prepare yourself to pass the exam with ease.
Consisting of 150 questions that you must answer in about 3 hours, the exam covers seven sections about the material you will have studied during your real estate pre-licensing education. The most challenging area varies from person to person, but the Practice of Real Estate and Disclosures section is often described as the most difficult—and one of the most important, making up 25% of the exam.
The key to succeeding at the California real estate agent exam, then, is having preparation that equips you to master the topics and feel confident about passing the exam. With local expert instructors, flexible course options, and proprietary exam prep materials, Allied empowers you to study however works best for you so that you can go into the exam knowing that you’re ready to pass.
How long does it take to get a real estate license?
California requires students to spend at least 54 days in an accredited real estate program. So, it will take you at least almost 2 months. However, just how long this education takes is up to you. Some are faster than others, so you can pick the approach that best suits your lifestyle.
Regardless of your learning modality, your schedule will spend 18 days on three different required courses:
- Real Estate Practice
- Real Estate Principles
- Elective Course
If you prefer a self-paced approach, you can look into online courses that let you go as fast or as slow as you’d like. But you’ll still have to fulfill the 54-day requirement.
Getting to take the actual exam can take some time, too. After you apply, you may wait up to 3 months. So, when you plan your timeline for getting your California real estate license, it will likely take 5 months or longer.
If you want to earn your license as fast as possible, here are some tips:
- Choose an online course, like Allied can offer, so that you can study on your own schedule.
- Apply for the real estate exam as soon as you finish your education. Applying online is often the fastest route, but it still may take 3 to 6 months to receive approval.
But don’t forget: the most important part of earning your California real estate license is passing the exam! So, first and foremost, pick the education that fits you best.
What jobs can you get with a real estate license?
Sales Agent
You know this one. Not only do you have the chance to earn the income you want, but you also get to help people find the home that they’ll love.
Real Estate Broker
After working as a California sales agent for two years, you can become a broker. For some people, this is a great opportunity to level up your real estate career.
Beyond these common real estate careers, there are also roles that you could pursue with your California real estate license.
Property Manager
If you’re not as interested in the client-facing side of real estate, this option could be appealing if you’re interested in maintaining or improving properties.
Office Manager
Many brokerages want a licensed professional to help out with their office. If you have a license, you’ll be able to handle activities that require licensure.
Broker Price Opinions
If you enjoy the financial side of real estate, you can offer broker price opinions to banks and lenders who want to get a home valuation without going through the formal appraisal process.
Leasing Agent
With California’s growing population, many people are interested in renting rather than buying. California requires agents to have a license in order to list, show, and help renters lease.
Real Estate Instructor
To help other aspiring agents learn the craft of real estate, you can teach courses. Often, this can be a great secondary income avenue beyond other real estate careers.
There are many other potential career paths, too, including foreclosure bidder, consultant, showing agent, transaction coordinator, and more.
Does California offer real estate license reciprocity?
In short, no. With California’s real estate exam being one of the most difficult in the country, the state wants to make sure all practicing agents meet its standards. However, this doesn’t mean there are no options to help you earn your California real estate license if you’re already licensed in another state.
First, your existing real estate education can qualify. If you’ve taken courses at an out-of-state institution, these may meet California’s requirements.
Second, even if not, you can take courses remotely if you’re not a California resident.
Third, for aspiring brokers, existing real estate work may count toward the experience that’s required for earning a California broker’s license. However, before you can do so, you will need to be an established business in California.
So while there’s no reciprocity, there are still ways that earning a California real estate license can be a bit easier if you’re not already in the Golden State.
