Licensing

If a person wishes to engage in the real estate business and to act in the capacity of, advertise, or assume to act as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson within the State of California, a real estate license must first be obtained from the Department of Real Estate (DRE). Before an applicant for a real estate salesperson license may obtain a license, he or she must apply for and pass a real estate examination and fulfill certain real estate education requirements. The real estate license authorizes real estate activity only if the salesperson is in the employ of a licensed broker. Anyone acting as a real estate agent without a license is guilty of a crime punishable by six months imprisonment, plus a $10,000 fine.

For more information about obtaining and maintaining your real estate license, please visit the licensees section of the DRE's website.

Education Course Availability (Statutory/Pre-License Courses)

Department of Real Estate (DRE)

The Department of Real Estate is the governing real estate body in California design "To protect the public in real estate transactions and provide related services to the real estate industry". The DRE has five district offices, located in Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Diego. DRE business hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.

For more information, please visit the DRE's website.

Ethics Requirements: NAR & COE

REALTOR® Code of Ethics Training

Code of Ethics training is a mandatory requirement of REALTOR® membership. New members are required to complete Code of Ethics training within six (6) months of joining. Existing REALTOR® members are also required to complete Code of Ethics training every two (2) years. Code of Ethics training can be taken free of charge, online at the National Association of REALTOR® website.