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Q
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Do I need prior experience in real estate to apply for a salesperson's license? |
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A |
No.
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Q
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What qualifications must I meet in order to obtain a salesperson's license from the State of California?
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A |
You must be 18 years old, successfully complete a Real Estate Principles course, and pass the qualifying exam of the DRE.
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Q
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What does "DRE" stand for?
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A |
Department of Real Estate.
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Q
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How do I prove I passed the Principles course?
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A |
An approved school will issue you a certificate of completion when you've
successfully passed the course. You submit this certificate to the Department
of Real Estate along with your application for the State exam.
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Q
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Do I have to be a resident of California to apply for a license?
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A |
No. But out-of-state applicants must submit a notarized Consent to Service of
Process form (request DRE Form RE 234).
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Q
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Do I have to be a US citizen to apply for a license
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A |
No, although you will need to submit proof of legal presence in the United States.
A U.S. birth certificate is most commonly used, although there are a variety of
documents that establish proof of U.S. citizenship or legal alien status.
Contact the DRE at 916-227-0931 for more information.
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Q
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I already have a license in another state. May I have the California exam waived?
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A |
No. California has no reciprocity agreements with other states.
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Q
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Once I apply, how long will it take to receive notice of my exam date?
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A |
Approximately two weeks.
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Q
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How long after I get my notice do I take my exam?
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A |
You will be scheduled for the first available date on or after the date you indicate
on your exam application, so make sure you're ready!
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Q
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Is the exam administered in a language other than English?
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A |
No: The exam is offered only in English.
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Q
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How long is the exam?
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A |
3 hours 15 minutes (in one session).
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Q
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How many questions are on the exam?
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There are 150 questions.
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Q
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What is the minimum passing score?
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70% (i.e., 105 of 150 questions).
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Q
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What type of questions are on the exam?
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A |
All are multiple-choice (four choices).
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Q
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What is the DRE fee to take the exam?
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A |
$25.
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Q
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Is there a re-examination fee if I must take the exam again?
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A |
Yes. It's the same as the original exam fee: $25.
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Q
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May I re-schedule an exam?
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A |
Yes. The first re-scheduling costs $10. Subsequent requests cost $25.
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Q
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Are there any other State fees?
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A |
The DRE license fee depends on several factors: Check with the DRE for the
most recent fee schedule.
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Q
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Does the DRE accept credit card payments?
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A |
Yes... by phone, mail, or fax. For further information, call 916-227-0988.
The DRE's fax number is 916-227-0925 (24 hr).
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Q
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May I request an expedited exam date?
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A |
Not really. But it wouldn't hurt to turn in the application in person, across the
counter at the nearest DRE district office, together with a cashier's check,
money order, or the exact amount of cash.
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Q
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What other courses are required after the Real Estate Principles course?
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A |
You must complete Real Estate Practice and one of the following:
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Q
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When must I take the two additional courses?
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A |
They must be completed within EIGHTEEN MONTHS of the issuance of the
salesperson's license. To qualify for the salesperson's exam, you must take only
the Principles course. But you may also submit proof of completing all three
courses when applying for the salesperson's exam. Or, after passing the exam,
you may submit proof of completing the remaining two courses when you are
applying for the actual license. (The DRE licensing fee is slightly lower if proof
of completing all three courses is submitted with the application for the exam
or license.)
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Q
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After I receive my salesperson's license, are there continuing education (CE)
requirements beyond the three initial courses?
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A |
Yes. They are too detailed to list here. Request a copy of the DRE's most recent
brochure entitled Instructions to License Applicants.
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Q
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May I get a refund of DRE fees if I change my mind?
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A |
No. DRE fees are not refundable.
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Q
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Once I pass the State test and pay the license fee, how long will my license be valid?
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A |
All real estate licenses are issued for four years.
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Q
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Is it possible to have the salesperson's exam waived?
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A |
No. But the course requirements may be waived if you are a member of the bar
in any state in the USA or a graduate of a law school recognized by the
California State Bar. You may be exempt from taking the Principles
course, but you must still take the salesperson's qualifying exam.
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Q
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What's the difference between a CONDITIONAL and a NON-CONDITIONAL license?
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A |
If you have completed only the Real Estate Principles course when you apply
for the salesperson's license, you will be issued a CONDITIONAL license: i.e.,
it is issued on condition that you complete the other two required courses
within 18 months. If you have completed all three of the required courses by the
time you apply for the salesperson's license, you will be issued a
NON-CONDITIONAL license.
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Q
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What will happen if I don't complete the two additional courses within 18 months?
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A |
The conditional license will automatically be suspended by the DRE.
You may renew the license within FOUR YEARS from the date the license was
issued if you provide transcripts from the two additional courses. If you don't do
this within the four years, you must re-qualify through the examination route again.
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Q
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What if I have physical limitations that require special accommodations at the exam site?
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A |
Submit a letter from a physician when you apply for the exam.
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Q
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Can I check about my exam date by phone?
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A |
If you haven't received a notice by mail within three weeks, you may phone the
DRE Examination Section at 916-227-0900.
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Q
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May I check by phone if I passed the exam?
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A |
Exam results are mailed within a few days of the exam.
After TWO WORKING DAYS you may call 916-227-0900 to find out the results.
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Q
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Can I learn my actual score?
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A |
Only if you fail. You will also be notified of the percentage of questions
answered correctly in different subject areas.
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Q
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If I fail the State exam, do I have to take the Principles course again?
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A |
No! You just have to take the exam again.
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Q
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How many times may I take the State exam if I fail?
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A |
There is no limit. But the original application for the exam expires after
TWO YEARS. If you wish to take the exam again after the original application
has expired, you must file a new application.
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Q
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Does the DRE have a Website?
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A |
Yes: http://www.dre.ca.gov is the address.
It has information for license applicants as well as the general public.
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Q
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Once I get my license, may I work on my own as a salesperson?
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A |
No. A salesperson must always work under the control and supervision of a broker.
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Q
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Once I get my license, do I HAVE to be employed by a broker?
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A |
No. You do not have to be employed by a broker to keep your license, but if you
wish to WORK as a real estate salesperson you must be so employed.
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Q
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Is an Exam Preparation course required by the DRE before taking the exam?
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A |
No, but we think it's indispensable. The State exam is widely agreed to be much
more difficult than a Real Estate Principles course.
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