How to get your real estate license

Choose your state and entry-level license, check official education and application steps, then build a budget from verified fees and your own course quotes.

EstatePass provides independent study aids. It does not award approved pre-license education credit or determine your eligibility.

Choose your state

California · First-time Salesperson

Confirm age, honesty and any out-of-state conditions with DRE.
Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and an accepted elective. DRE-approved courses are at least 45 hours each; check course approval and the current fair-housing requirements.
Follow DRE examination/application instructions. Passing an exam alone does not issue a license.
Complete the required application and background process. A salesperson needs a responsible broker before performing licensed activities.

Path reviewed 2026-10-15. Fees, exceptions and processing time need separate confirmation.

California official application and education source →California role and learning guide →California independent practice →

Record each fee source, quote date and applicable role before entering it below. Training, examination, application and background checks are separate; optional prep is not required education. Leave unverified charges blank. This is a worksheet of your quotes, not an official price list.

Build a licensing-cost budget

Amounts are USD. Enter a current quote for each component. Blank means unknown; enter zero only after confirming no charge applies. This worksheet does not transmit your amounts.

Required education — provider quoteSource URL or quote reference for Required education — provider quoteChecked date for Required education — provider quote

Examination — official feeSource URL or quote reference for Examination — official feeChecked date for Examination — official fee

Application / license — official feeSource URL or quote reference for Application / license — official feeChecked date for Application / license — official fee

Background / fingerprints — official feeSource URL or quote reference for Background / fingerprints — official feeChecked date for Background / fingerprints — official fee

Optional exam prep — selected quoteSource URL or quote reference for Optional exam prep — selected quoteChecked date for Optional exam prep — selected quote

Other required costs — verify applicabilitySource URL or quote reference for Other required costs — verify applicabilityChecked date for Other required costs — verify applicability

Known subtotal: USD 0.00

6 fields unknown or invalid; complete cost unavailable.

Not an official fee determination. Keep training, applications and retakes separate; add costs not covered by these fields to your own budget.

A different licensing route?

Broker or another role: choose your state →
Already licensed elsewhere: reciprocity resources →
Requirements directory and renewal resources → — verify the current rule with your regulator before relying on a directory value.
Exam scheduling guidance and study resources →

Common questions

Is there one nationwide license process?

No. Roles, required education, examination and application sequence depend on the state and applicant. Use the selected regulator source; broker, reciprocity and renewal are different routes.

How much does a license cost?

Use current education quotes and official examination, application and background-check fees. Unknown charges remain unknown. A known subtotal is not a complete cost, and optional prep does not replace approved education.

How long does it take?

Completion depends on approved education, application review, examination availability and personal circumstances. This guide does not promise a nationwide completion time or passing outcome.