Do the courses I took for my salesperson license count for the broker license?
Yes, the courses you took to qualify for the salesperson licensing exam are included in the eight required courses for the broker license. As such, most real estate agents who decided to sit for the broker exam usually need only five courses, or less.
Can I use college classes to meet any of the requirements for the broker license?
If you took an economics, accounting, or business law class in college, you can use any one of these classes meet the elective requirement. Similarly, if you took any real estate courses in college, it’s likely that they can be used to meet some of the requirements. Make sure the names are the same (or very similar) as required courses, and that the courses were completed at an accredited school in the US.
I took courses at a university in another country; can I use them to meet the requirements?
Possibly, but you’ll need to have your transcripts evaluated by a credentialing service chosen by the Bureau of Real Estate. See www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/forms/re223.pdf, for more information, including a list of credentialing services.
How long does it take to get a broker license?
That really depends on how many courses you need to complete. The DRE requires that you spend at least 18 days on each home study course. On an average, broker students need five courses to qualify for the licensing exam. The fastest you can complete five courses is 90 days. You can do the math if you need more, or less, courses. Once you’ve completed the courses, you’ll need to apply for the exam. It takes the DRE 2-4 weeks to process the application. Then, you’ll choose a test date (usually another lag of couple of weeks), take and pass the test, and get your license.
I’m an attorney; do I need to take any courses before taking the broker exam?
If you’re a member of the CA State Bar, you are exempt from the college-level course requirements. If you have at least two years real estate related experience you can apply for the broker licensing exam, but you will need to submit form RE 227 Equivalent Experience Verification to show proof of your experience (you can find the form on the DRE website). If you do not have the required experience, you’ll need to be a licensed salesperson for at least two years before you can become a broker. You are exempt from the coursework requirements but will need to take the salesperson license exam. Also, please note, to have the educational requirements waived, you need to submit a copy of your bar card along with your application.
I finished my home study classes, now what?
Check out our online video prep. It virtually guarantees you’ll pass.
How long is my broker license valid?
The DRE issues broker licenses for four years. At the end of that period you need to complete continuing education requirements to renew your license for another four years.