Start with the official requirements.
Your regulator is California Department of Real Estate. Verify eligibility, approved schools, application timing, background checks, fees and any sponsoring-broker requirements directly before committing to a course.
Official regulator ↗- Regulator
- California Department of Real Estate
- Prelicense education
- 135 hours
- Exam provider
- State-administered (CA DRE)
- Questions
- 150 questions (150 combined)
- Time
- 180 minutes
- Passing rule
- 70% correct (105 of 150)
The steps, in order.
01
Confirm eligibility
Check age, education, background review and other requirements with the regulator.
02
Complete approved education
Confirm the current 135 hours education requirement and approved providers. LicenseIQ does not replace required prelicensing education.
03
Apply and schedule
Follow the regulator’s application and testing authorization sequence; submit required documents and fees. Exact sequencing varies.
04
Prepare and take the exam
Use the State-administered (CA DRE) candidate handbook for check-in, accommodations, allowed materials and current scoring.
05
Complete license issuance
After passing, complete remaining regulator requirements. Do not practice until the license is issued and active.
06
Maintain your license
Verify post-license education, renewal deadlines and continuing education with the regulator.
Post-license education
None
Continuing education
45 hrs every 4 yrs
What’s on the state portion?
Topics from your LicenseIQ state course; the official exam outline controls.
- California Real Estate Law, the DRE, and Licensing3 lessons
- California Agency Law and Mandated Agency Disclosures3 lessons
- Broker Supervision, Trust Funds, Advertising, Discipline, and the Recovery Account4 lessons
- California Property Disclosures: TDS, NHD, and Statutory Notices3 lessons
- California Ownership, Transfer, Common Interest Developments, and Financing Rules4 lessons
- California Property Taxation: Proposition 13, Proposition 19, and Transfer Taxes3 lessons
- California Landlord-Tenant Law, Property Management, and Fair Housing4 lessons
Try three practice questions.
Question 1
A husband holds record title to community real property in his name alone. He signs a two-year lease of the property without his wife's signature. What is the status of the lease?
- A. It is void only if the tenant knew of the marriage, with no time limit
- B. It is valid, because the husband holds record title
- C. It is valid, because leases are not conveyances
- D. The wife may void it, because both spouses must join in leases of community real property longer than one year
Question 2
Which of the following is one of the six hazard zones on California's Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement?
- A. Hurricane evacuation zone
- B. Seismic hazard zone (landslide or liquefaction)
- C. Tornado alley zone
- D. Radon hazard zone
Question 3
Since July 1, 2024, what is the general maximum security deposit for a California residential rental, furnished or unfurnished?
- A. No statutory limit
- B. Two months' rent unfurnished; three months' rent furnished
- C. One month's rent
- D. Three months' rent
Catalog facts may change. Verify with primary sources. Explore California exam prep.