Fazlur Rahman
The California real estate salesperson exam has 150 multiple-choice questions across three sections — Practice (45%), Law (30%), and Finance (25%) — with a 70% pass mark (105/150) and a 2h15m time limit. You must complete 135 hours of DRE-approved pre-licensing courses (Principles 45 + Practice 45 + Finance 45) before applying. Total fees are $394 ($245 exam + $100 licence + $49 Recovery Fund). The licence is issued for 18 months initially (California DRE, 2026).
Data last verified September 2026 from the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) and the current Real Estate Law and Practice textbooks.
Eligibility
- Age: 18+ (California DRE, 2026).
- Pre-licensing: 135 hours from a DRE-approved school (Principles, Practice, Finance).
- Honesty: Disclose any criminal/financial history — DRE reviews for moral character.
- Residency: California residency not required; out-of-state applicants can apply.
Test format
| Section | Questions | Weight | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Practice | ~67 | 45% | Combined 70% |
| Real Estate Law | ~45 | 30% | Combined 70% |
| Real Estate Finance | ~38 | 25% | Combined 70% |
| Total | 150 | 100% | 105/150 (70%) |
Source: California DRE Salesperson Examination Content Outline (2026).
