Resources: FAQ

Q: Where are Salesperson examinations administered?

Q: Where can I see the schedule of state examinations?

Q: How do I check my scheduled state exam date, time, and location?

Q: Am I allowed to use a calculator during the state exam?

Q: What happens once I pass the Salesperson examination?

Q: What are some of the Do's and Don'ts for exam applicants?

Q: Can I obtain a license or renwel my license if I owe back child support?

Q: Can I obtain a license if I live in another state?

Q: What are some of the most common reasons for denial of a license application?


Q: Where are Salesperson examinations administered?

Examination scheduling is based on the volume of applications received by the DRE. Examination availability is subject to the seating capacity of the facility and the demand for that site.

Examinations are generally administered as needed in the following areas:
Fresno
San Diego
Los Angeles
Oakland
Sacramento

NOTE: Examination locations within an area may vary. Requests for specific locations within the chosen area cannot be granted. However, you may use the eLicensing online system <https://secure.dre.ca.gov/elicensing/> to select a specific exam date and site.

Satellite Exam Sites
Through June 17, 2006, salesperson examinations can also be scheduled/rescheduled at ten satellite exam sites: Anaheim, Glendale, Redding, Colton (San Bernardino), San Jose (Santa Clara) and Santa Maria, as well as additional locations surrounding DRE's main exam sites in the Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno and San Diego areas.

For examinations occurring after July 1, 2006, salesperson examinations can be scheduled/rescheduled at three satellite exam sites: Anaheim, Riverside and Santa Clara/San Jose.

Space is limited at satellite exam sites and is subject to availability.

To apply for, reschedule or apply to re-take your salesperson examination at a satellite exam site, use the eLicensing online system. Scheduling at the satellite exam sites is subject to the availability of seating at those locations. eLicensing offers the best opportunity to be scheduled for examination at a satellite exam site.

Q: Where can I see the schedule of state examinations?

See our current exam schedule on this website.


Q: How do I check my scheduled state exam date, time, and location?

See: http://www.dre.ca.gov/exm_home.html


Q: Am I allowed to use a calculator during the state exam?

You are permitted to bring for your use during the examination a silent, battery-operated, electronic, pocket-size calculator that does not have a print capability or an alphabetic keyboard. Cell phone calculators are not permitted.

The following items are not permitted in the examination room: backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, food, drink, study materials, portable computers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), or programmable calculators. Furthermore, cell phone use is prohibited during the examination. All cell phones must be turned off and placed out of sight once you enter the exam room.

The Department of Real Estate and its employees will not be liable or responsible for the loss or damage of any personal belongings that are brought to a real estate examination. If personal belongs are brought to the examination, such items may not be taken by the examinee to the desk where the examination will be completed. They will be placed in a storage area apart from the owner. The storage area will not be operated or monitored by the Department.

Examination Security - Because of the need to ensure confidentiality of examinations, you cannot inspect your book or answer sheet after the examination session has ended (Section 1798.40(e) of the California Civil Code).


Q: What happens once I pass the Salesperson examination?

After you pass the examination, you will be sent a Salesperson License Application (RE 202). This form must be completed and returned along with the appropriate fee within one year after passing the examination. A completed Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) must be submitted with the application unless you held a real estate license which expired less than two years ago. See Fees and Fingerprint Requirements for further information.

You will also need to provide evidence of legal presence in the United states. See Proof of Legal Presence <Further information is available at http://www.dre.ca.gov/lic_proof.html

If you have completed the two additional required real estate courses, you may submit the transcripts with your license application.


Q: What are some of the Do's and Don'ts for exam applicants?

Do's

• Do complete the application form correctly and fully. Any misrepresentations or missing items may result in delays in obtaining an examination date or disqualification from the examination. Transcripts should accompany the initial application.
  
• Do use the eLicensing online system to inform the Department of any change in your exam mailing address. Changes may also be submitted in writing at the examination site; by letter to the DRE at P.O. Box 187001, Sacramento, CA 95818-7001; or by calling (916) 227-0900 (for salesperson exam changes) or (916) 227-0899 (for broker exam changes).
  
• Do check available exam dates to find out when and where the DRE is scheduling examinations; however, keep in mind that a particular exam may be filled by the time your exam application is submitted and processed.
  
• Do wait at least six weeks for notification of your examination date, time, and location. If you have not received your notice, please check your exam date on the DRE Web site, or through the Interactive Voice Response System by calling the DRE Examination Section at (916) 227-0900. If you have been scheduled, you can request a duplicate Examination Schedule Notice using the eLicensing online system. If you have not been scheduled, call the DRE Examination Section at (916) 227-0900.

• Don't send cash.
  
• Don't apply for an examination if you are not prepared to take it. You will be scheduled for the first available date on or after the date indicated on the application.
  
• Don't submit a fingerprint card with the examination application.
  
• Don't submit legal presence documents with the examination application.
  
• Don't expect a refund or credit for any fees submitted. The Business and Professions Code prohibits refunds of application fees.
  
• Don't mail or send duplicate faxes for the same transaction. This may result in your account inadvertently being charged twice and an unintentional rescheduling of your examination date. Fees remitted will not be refunded per Section 10207 of the Business and Professions Code. Due to workload demands, we cannot honor requests to confirm receipt of faxed documentation. Your fax machine confirmation sheet is your receipt. All applications are processed in date received order.

Each applicant must qualify for the appropriate written examination in California and meet all other requirements. Residency in the state is not a requirement to become licensed. California has no reciprocity with any other state to allow a waiver of any of the requirements to obtain a license.

In applying for the real estate broker or salesperson examination, evidence of completion (i.e. transcripts) of the statutory courses in out-of-state institutions is acceptable if the institution is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or a comparable regional accrediting entity, and each course provided for three semester-units credit or four quarter-units credit.

Courses completed through foreign institutions of higher learning must be evaluated by a foreign credentials evaluation service approved by the Department of Real Estate. See Examination Applicant Foreign Education Information (RE 223) .

Unless prior approval has been granted by the California Real Estate Commissioner, no private vocational real estate school outside the state of California may grant credit for the required pre-license courses.

License Applicant Information

Out-of-state residents must file a Consent to Service of Process (RE 234) with the California Department of Real Estate. This form must be completed, signed, notarized, and submitted to DRE with the original or renewal application.

Brokers must maintain a California business address if engaging in business in California. If not engaging in business in California, brokers must also file an Out-of-State Broker Acknowledgement (RE 235).

Salespersons must be licensed with a California broker if engaging in business in California.

Applicants for a California real estate license must submit one set of classifiable fingerprints, acceptable to the State Department of Justice (DOJ), unless the applicant is currently licensed by the DRE or has held a California real estate license which expired less than two years ago.

Applicants who reside outside of California must submit their fingerprints directly to the DRE. A fingerprint card (FBI Applicant FD-258 Rev 5/99) will be provided to all out-of-state applicants with the original license application. It should be taken to a local law enforcement agency for completion. The $56 fingerprint fee must be submitted to the DRE with the completed fingerprint card, original license application, and license fee.