Start Your California Real Estate Career
About Online Self-Paced
Choose Your Package
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing
Salesperson- 45-Hr. CA Real Estate Principles Course
- 45-Hr. CA Real Estate Practice Course
- 45-Hr. CA Real Estate Finance Course
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing
Salesperson- 45-Hr. CA Real Estate Principles Course
- 45-Hr. CA Real Estate Practice Course
- 45-Hr. CA Real Estate Finance Course
- California Exam Prep Edge
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing
Salesperson- 135- Hr. CA Pre-Licensing
- Exam Prep Edge- California
- Pass Guarantee
- Business Building Courses
135-Hr. CA Sales Pre-Licensing
Salesperson- 135-Hr. CA Pre-Licensing
- Exam Prep Edge- California
- Pass Guarantee
- Business Building Courses
- 45-Hr. First Renewal Package
Individual Courses
Not ready for a package? Purchase each course separately at your own pace. All courses are required for ca licensure.
45-Hr. CA Real Estate Principles Course
To apply for your California Real Estate Salesperson’s license, you first need to complete 135 credit hours of required education: Real Estate Principles (45 hours), Real Estate Practice (45 hou...
45-Hr. CA Real Estate Practice Course
To apply for a California Real Estate Salesperson’s license, you need to complete three courses (135 credit hours): Real Estate Principles (45 hours), Real Estate Practice (45 hours), and one ad...
45-Hr. CA Real Estate Finance Course
To apply for a California Real Estate Salesperson’s license, you need to complete three courses (135 credit hours): Real Estate Principles (45 hours), Real Estate Practice (45 hours), and one ad...
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Agent
Follow these 5 simple steps to start your real estate career in California
Complete All Three DRE Statutory Courses (135 Hours)
Required Before Applying to Take the Exam
Work through Fortune Academy's full 135-hour California pre-licensing package: Real Estate Principles (45 hrs), Real Estate Practice with implicit bias/fair housing (45 hrs), and one elective (45 hrs). All three DRE-approved, online, self-paced.
Each 45-hour course requires a proctored final exam.
Submit Live Scan Fingerprinting
DRE Background Check
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting at a California-approved Live Scan service (~\$50–\$80). Required by the DRE for the salesperson license application and criminal background check.
Apply and Pay the DRE Salesperson Exam Fee
Exam + License Application
File your Salesperson Exam/License Application (RE 435) with CA DRE, pay the \$60 exam fee and \$245 license fee (combined application). Processing typically takes 6–8 weeks.
Pass the PSI California Salesperson Exam
150 Questions, 3 Hrs 15 Min
Schedule your CA salesperson exam at a PSI test center. 150 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours 15 minutes, 70% passing score. Fortune Academy's PSI-aligned prep is included.
Affiliate with a Licensed CA Broker
Activate Your License
California salesperson licenses must be held by a licensed broker. After you pass the exam, find a broker to employ you and file the Salesperson Change Application (RE 214). Fortune Academy offers broker-placement assistance.
Meet Our Expert Instructors
Joseph F. Gobbett, Jr.
Licensed Broker, GRI
50+ YearsStarted his real estate career in Maryland in 1971. Training director, branch sales manager, and broker in charge of Rescom Realtors.
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Mark Davis-Cote
Licensed Broker, SFR
13+ YearsBA from URI, MBA from Webster University. Licensed salesperson since 2011, broker since 2016, SFR certified.
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Amanda Farnum
Licensed Real Estate Broker
17+ YearsAward-winning agent with experience across residential, commercial, foreclosures, and investments.
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Dale Clift
Real Estate Instructor
40+ YearsPassionate about real estate from age 20. Made it his goal to teach, train, and coach professionals across South Carolina.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our real estate courses
How do I get a California real estate license?
To get a California real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18, complete 135 hours of DRE-approved pre-licensing education (Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective), submit a license application with a \$60 fee, pass a Live Scan background check, and pass the PSI California salesperson exam. Average start-to-finish: 5–6 months.
How long does it take to get a California real estate license?
Most Californians complete their salesperson license in 5 to 6 months. California has mandatory 18-hour waiting periods between finishing coursework and taking the exam, plus DRE application processing (typically 6–8 weeks). The 135-hour Fortune Academy course itself can be done in 8–12 weeks part-time.
What are the three required courses for California real estate?
CA DRE requires three 45-hour statutory courses: (1) Real Estate Principles, (2) Real Estate Practice (including the 2024 fair housing + implicit bias requirements), and (3) one elective from an approved list (e.g., Real Estate Finance, Appraisal, Property Management, Legal Aspects). Fortune Academy bundles all three.
How much does it cost to get a California real estate license?
Expect total costs around $450–$700 in California. This includes Fortune Academy's 135-hour course, the $60 DRE application fee, the $60 PSI exam fee, Live Scan fingerprinting ($50–$80), and any broker sponsorship fees.
Is the California real estate course offered online?
Yes. Fortune Academy's 135-hour California pre-licensing course is 100% online, self-paced, and DRE-approved. Each statutory course requires a proctored final exam and a minimum 18-day enrollment period per DRE rules.
What is the pass rate for the California real estate exam?
The statewide first-time pass rate for the CA salesperson exam hovers around 50%. Fortune Academy students pass on their first try at 85% — well above the DRE state average — thanks to our PSI-aligned exam prep and unlimited practice tests.
Who administers the California real estate exam?
PSI administers the California real estate salesperson and broker licensing exams at test centers across California. The salesperson exam has 150 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours 15 minutes, requiring 70% to pass.
Do I need a sponsoring broker in California?
Yes. California salespersons must be employed by a licensed broker in order to perform any real estate activity. Your license is issued but cannot be activated for commission work until you affiliate with a broker. Fortune Academy offers broker-placement assistance.
What is the 2024 implicit bias requirement in California?
Effective January 1, 2024, California DRE requires all Real Estate Practice courses to include interactive implicit bias and fair housing training with role-play components. Fortune Academy's Real Estate Practice course includes the full updated curriculum and satisfies this requirement.
Can I take the California real estate course on my phone?
Yes. Fortune Academy's CA pre-licensing course runs on any device. Your progress syncs across desktop, tablet, and phone.