We know how challenging it can be to navigate complex departmental websites, so we’ve created this guide to help real estate professionals in California access documents and get their department-related questions answered. Whether you’re looking for an application or need to know how to contact the Department, this guide has you covered.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common forms and resources you’ll need to get licensed and maintain your license in California. If you can’t find what you’re looking for below, check out the California Department of Real Estate website.

_{California State Requirement Details for Real Estate Broker Pre-Licensing Education}

Hours Required by the State: 360 hours

Licensing Exam: The licensing exam is administered by the CA DRE. Registration for the state licensing exam is an entirely separate process from proctoring for your course final exam. For instructions to register for your state licensing exam and further information, please click here.

Course Completions: A student may enroll in any number of courses with the following guidelines:

1. Schools may not offer a single correspondence course that is to be completed* in less than 2½ weeks. This rule applies regardless of the number of schools the student is taking courses from (see example below.)

2. No more than two courses may be completed in a five-week period.

^{*The time from the date the student receives access to the course material to the date the final exam is successfully passed.}
Provider Approval Number: S0673

The CE Shop’s Offering: 135 hours

Effective 1/1/2024: The CA DRE requires all applicants for the salesperson and broker licensing examinations to complete a CA Real Estate Practice course which includes a component on implicit bias, and a component on federal and state fair housing laws (including an interactive participatory component) as outlined in SB 1495. The CE Shop’s Real Estate Practice course is compliant with SB 1495.

Reporting: The state does not require schools to report course completions.

Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary by course. Each individual course will have an expiration date listed in your account.The CE Shop’s Pre-Licensing courses expire six months after the date of purchase. Each student will be granted a one-month extension at no charge, to be applied immediately after the initial six-month term. For any reactivation or extension of the course after the seventh month, The CE Shop will charge the student 20% of the current retail price of the course for each 30-day extension or partial 30-day extension in the event that the course finally terminates before the end of the final 30-day extension. Students may also elect to re-enroll for 50% of the current retail price of the course, if the course has hit the year expiration or the student is at the 7 month mark and wants to repurchase and restart the course and enrollment. Extensions or reactivations cannot be granted beyond 12 months from the purchase of the course since, in all events, the course terminates 12 months after purchase.

Certificates: Immediately upon course completions, The CE Shop will provide students with an electronic copy of the course certificate of completion. Certificates will remain in your account for a minimum of five years, should you need additional copies at a later time. Please refer to your application to determine if you need to submit your certificate(s) of completion. Course completion dates are recorded using Central Standard Time. Please note that the date on your certificate of completion will reflect this.

Final Exam: Final exams must be passed with a minimum of 70% and may be taken a maximum of 2 times.

Seat Time: It is required that all students spend a minimum amount of seat time engaged in the course content. Our online course delivery system manages this requirement for you.

Still have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions or Contact Us.

General Information Page

California Department of Real Estate

Street Address: 651 Bannon Street, Suite 500, Sacramento, CA 95811

Telephone: 877-373-4542

California Department of Real Estate Website

CA DRE License Exam FAQs

Contact California Dept. of Real Estate

The CE Shop Approved Prelicense Courses (enter "CE Shop" in the Enter Course Provider Name field)

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