California exam at a glance
Who runs the California exam
- Licensing agency: California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
- Exam vendor: California Department of Real Estate (state-administered, no outside vendor)
- Official handbook: candidate handbook / bulletin - DRE Taking the Exam page + RE 425 Examination Description
- Scheduling: www.dre.ca.gov/Examinees/HowWhereScheduled.html
The handbook is the document that governs your exam day. Read it once, end to end, before you book.
How to get a California license, step by step
Complete the three required college-level courses (Principles, Practice, one elective)
Apply for the exam (or the combined exam + license application) with DRE
Schedule through DRE eLicensing and pass the 150-question exam with 70%
Submit Live Scan fingerprints and the license application/fee
Work under a California responsible broker to perform licensed activity
Exam format and scoring
- National portion: None - one California exam (no separate national/state portions)
- State portion: 150 - Seven subject areas shared with the broker exam
- Time: 3 hours
- To pass: 70% correct
What the California state portion covers
Use these weights to split your study time: the biggest rows are where the points are.
| Topic | Weight |
|---|---|
| Property ownership and land use controls and regulations | 15% |
| Laws of agency and fiduciary duties | 17% |
| Property valuation and financial analysis | 14% |
| Financing | 9% |
| Transfer of property | 8% |
| Practice of real estate and disclosures (incl. specialty areas) | 25% |
| Contracts | 12% |
Retakes, deadlines and eligibility
- Retakes: Apply to re-take after notice of failure, through eLicensing; no new application needed
- Background check: Yes - Live Scan fingerprints ($49 fee)
- Eligibility: 18+ to be issued a license; no residency requirement to apply (out-of-state rules apply)
Exam practice only. RealEstateExamKit does not provide, and does not replace, the pre-licensing education your state requires. Finish your commission-approved course first; we help you pass the exam that follows.
Free California state-portion quiz
California real estate state-portion practice questions
How close are you to a California pass?
Take the free 25-question readiness check. You get a predicted score by topic and a study plan to your exam date.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the California real estate exam?
150 questions on one state-written exam (no separate national portion).
What is the passing score for the California real estate exam?
70% correct.
How much does the California real estate exam cost?
The exam fee is $100 per attempt (RE 206 (Rev 7/26); rescheduled exam $45). The license fee is $350.
How many pre-licensing hours does California require?
135 hours. Three college-level courses (Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, plus one elective); each DRE-approved course is a minimum of 45 hours We do not sell pre-licensing courses.
What happens if I fail the California exam?
Apply to re-take after notice of failure, through eLicensing; no new application needed.
Sources
- California Department of Real Estate (DRE) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Department of Real Estate (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Department of Real Estate (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Department of Real Estate (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Department of Real Estate (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Department of Real Estate (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Department of Real Estate (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Legislative Information (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Legislative Information (accessed 2026-09-23)
- California Legislative Information (accessed 2026-09-23)