California Real Estate License Courses Compared (2026)
Compare DRE-approved California real estate license courses by checkout price, support, and exam-prep fit.
California salesperson education is three college-level courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective. Each course approved by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) is a minimum of 45 hours. The comparison table below is the live price source. Verified partner prices on this page run from $89.10 to $399 before the current CE Shop promo. The CE Shop Basic package lists at $139. Confirm the current CE Shop code at checkout. Official checklist: Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License (DRE).
| # | School & fit | Format · Access | List price▾ | Code / workflow | After workflow▾ | Go to school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The CE ShopBest Value | Self-Paced Online 6-month access 4 packages | $139.00 List price | ANYWHERE40 | $83.40 save $55.60−40% | Go to The CE Shop |
| 2 | RealEstateU | Self-Paced Online 6-month access 3 packages | $99.00 List price | CERTLAUNCH | $89.10 save $9.90−10% | Go to RealEstateU |
| 3 | Self-Paced Online + Livestream 6-month access 4 packages | $165.00 List price | CERTLAUNCH | $90.75 save $74.25−45% | Go to Colibri Real Estate | |
| 4 | California School of Real Estate | Self-Paced Online 1-year access 1 package | $99.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $99.00 no discount | Go to California School of Real Estate |
| 5 | License Solution | Self-Paced Online Varies access 3 packages | $99.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $99.00 no discount | Go to License Solution |
| 6 | VanEd | Self-Paced Online 6-month access 3 packages | $110.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $110.00 no discount | Go to VanEd |
| 7 | OnlineEd | Self-Paced Online 1-year access 3 packages | $129.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $129.00 no discount | Go to OnlineEd |
| 8 | Aceable Agent | Self-Paced Online + mobile app 6-month access 3 packages | $199.00 List price | MILLION30 | $139.30 save $59.70−30% | Go to Aceable Agent |
| 9 | firsttuesday | Self-Paced Online 1-year access 3 packages | $165.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $165.00 no discount | Go to firsttuesday |
| 10 | Adhi Schools | Online + Livestream Varies access 2 packages | $299.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $299.00 no discount | Go to Adhi Schools |
| 11 | Kaplan Real Estate | Self-Paced Online + Live Online 6-month access 2 packages | $399.00 List price | AFFCERTLAUNCH | $359.10 save $39.90−10% | Go to Kaplan Real Estate |
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in California?
| Band | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual income | $65,000 – $120,000 | Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024, as cited on the May 7 page |
| Top earners | $150,000 – $250,000+ | Experienced agents in top markets |
Commission Structure
California real estate agents typically earn 2.5%–3% commission per transaction. On an $850,000 home (California median, as cited on the May 7 page), that is approximately $21,250–$25,500 per sale. New agents on a 70/30 split with their brokerage would keep $14,875–$17,850. Closing 3–5 deals in the first year is a common benchmark, putting first-year earnings at $45,000–$89,000. These figures are an illustration, not a forecast.
Top-Earning California Markets
Markets named on the May 7 page: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Irvine, Riverside, and Fresno.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022). National Association of Realtors — Member Profile. Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change. Verify current requirements with the California Department of Real Estate before enrolling or applying. How we source our data.
Is a California Real Estate License Worth It?
Pros
- Highest commissions: California median home price cited above (~$850,000) means larger commission checks per deal.
- Large market: California is described as the largest real estate market in the US by volume.
- No college degree needed: three college-level DRE courses and a state exam. Each DRE-approved course is a minimum of 45 hours.
Cons
- High startup costs: license fee ($350), exam ($100), fingerprint processing ($49), and courses on this page. RealEstateU Course Only is $89.10 after CERTLAUNCH. The CE Shop Basic package lists at $139; confirm the current CE Shop code at checkout. $399 is the Kaplan Exam Prep list price ($359.10 after AFFCERTLAUNCH).
- Tough exam: a first-attempt pass rate near 50–55% is often cited (150 questions, 70% to pass). That pass-rate band is commentary, not a figure DRE publishes.
- Long education requirement: three college-level courses, with a minimum of about 18 days per course (about 54 days at that floor).
How to Get a Real Estate License in California
Complete Three College-Level Pre-License Courses
Complete three college-level courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective from the DRE-approved list. Each course the Department approves is a minimum of 45 hours. Pick the package in the comparison table that covers those three courses. Checklist: DRE salesperson requirements.
Apply for the Exam and License
Submit your application to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) along with proof of completed education. The fee schedule effective July 1, 2024 lists $100 for the salesperson exam, $350 for the original salesperson license, and $450 for the combined exam-and-license filing: DRE fees.
Submit Fingerprints
Get fingerprinted by a Live Scan service provider using the DRE form to start the background check. RE 206 lists a $49 fingerprint processing fee paid to the Live Scan operator. The operator rolling fee can differ.
Pass the State Exam
Schedule and pass the California real estate salesperson exam. You must score at least 70%. Taking the Exam says the salesperson exam is 3 hours and 150 multiple-choice questions (105 of 150).
Find a Sponsoring Broker
To activate your license and start working, you must be hired by a licensed California real estate broker. A salesperson may not perform licensed acts until a responsible broker supervises that work.
California Real Estate License Requirements
Confirm the current checklist on the DRE salesperson requirements page before you apply.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be honest and truthful (background check)
- Proof of legal presence in the US
- No college degree required
Education and Exam Requirements
- Three college-level DRE-approved courses (Principles + Practice + one elective; each a minimum of 45 hours)
- Pass course final exams
- Pass the California state exam (150 questions, 70% to pass)
- Exam administered by the DRE
California Real Estate License Cost
Here is the breakdown of what it costs to get a California real estate license in 2026. Course dollars are the comparison table. State dollars are the DRE fee schedule and RE 206.
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-license course | $89.10 – $399 | Comparison table, before the rotating CE Shop promo. $89.10 is RealEstateU Course Only after CERTLAUNCH. $399 is the Kaplan Exam Prep list price ($359.10 after AFFCERTLAUNCH). The CE Shop Basic package lists at $139; confirm the current code at checkout. |
| Salesperson exam | $100 | DRE fees, effective July 1, 2024. Re-exam is also $100. |
| Original salesperson license | $350 | DRE fees. Combined exam and license filing is $450. |
| Fingerprint processing | $49 | RE 206. Paid to the Live Scan operator. Rolling fees vary. |
| Working total | Course + $499 | Exam, license, and fingerprint processing before a rolling fee. An $89.10 course plus those fees is $588.10. A $399 list-price course plus those fees is $898. |
Course dollars are the September 28, 2026 cart ledger. Confirm every line before you pay.
The California Real Estate Exam
Exam Details
- Format: 150 multiple-choice questions
- Passing score: 70% (105 correct answers)
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Provider: California DRE
- Cost: $100
Source: Taking the Exam and DRE fees (effective July 1, 2024).
Exam Topics
- Property Ownership and Land Use Controls
- Laws of Agency and Fiduciary Duties
- Property Valuation and Market Analysis
- Financing
- Practice of Real Estate and Mandated Disclosures
Exam Prep Tip
The California exam is known for tricky wording. Focus on vocabulary and take as many practice exams as possible.
How Long Does It Take?
| Pace | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 2.5 – 3 months | Courses require a minimum of about 18 days each (about 54 days at that floor) |
| Part-time | 4 – 6 months | Studying evenings and weekends |
| Casual pace | 6 – 12 months | One course at a time |
DRE says a single statutory course may not be completed in less than 2 1/2 weeks, and no more than two courses may be completed in any five-week period. Three courses at that floor is about 54 days, before application review and an exam date. Source: DRE education course availability.