law
California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
The agency that administers California's Real Estate Law (Business and Professions Code §10000 et seq.) and the Commissioner's Regulations in Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations. It is headed by the Real Estate Commissioner, appointed by the Governor. The DRE screens applicants, writes regulations, audits brokers, investigates complaints, and can deny, suspend, revoke, or restrict licenses and issue fines and desist and refrain orders. It does not set commission rates or award damages to consumers.
- Exam tip
- A common distractor says the Commissioner orders a broker to pay a seller's damages. The Commissioner disciplines licenses; courts award damages.
- Example
- A seller complains that a broker owes her money. The DRE can discipline the broker's license, but she must go to court, settlement, or the Recovery Account to get money back.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
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Last verified: 2026-10-23