How to Become a Real Estate Broker in California
In California, a Broker license typically requires 360 hours of pre-license education, a state exam, a 70% passing score, and a $60 exam fee.
Owns or manages a brokerage and supervises salespersons. Requires additional experience and a harder exam. Requirements change — always confirm with California Department of Real Estate before paying.
Licensing steps in California
- 1Meet the basic requirements
Minimum age 18.
- 2Complete pre-license education
360 hours of approved training is the documented requirement in California.
- 3Register and pass the exam
The exam is administered by PSI; you need 70% to pass.
- 4Pay fees and get licensed
Exam fee $60
- 5Stay current
License renews every 4 years with 45 hours of continuing education.
Broker requirements — California at a glance
| Education hours | 360 hrs |
| Exam vendor | PSI |
| Questions (national/state) | — / — |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | $60 |
| Application fee | — |
| License fee | — |
| First-attempt pass rate | not published |
| Retake rule | — |
| Renewal | every 4 years · 45 CE |
| Reciprocity | — |
Official source: California Department of Real Estate ↗
Transferring a Broker license between states
No real estate compact — licensure is state by state. Broker licences do not transfer between states. Each commission sets its own education, experience and examination requirements, and out-of-state experience is assessed case by case.
Ask the destination commission how it credits out-of-state brokerage experience and what examination it requires. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a Broker license in California?
After completing 360 hours of education, most candidates need 4-12 weeks of study before the exam. Total timeline depends on scheduling.
How hard is the Broker exam in California?
Official first-attempt pass rates are not published by California; check the state board.
What does the Broker license cost in California?
The exam fee is $60
Can I transfer my Broker license to California?
No real estate compact — licensure is state by state: Broker licences do not transfer between states. Each commission sets its own education, experience and examination requirements, and out-of-state experience is assessed case by case. A per-state note for California is not published in our dataset — verify with both boards.
Plan your Broker licensing in California
Work the road in order — check what California requires, price the prep, lock a study schedule, then keep the license current.
- 1. Confirm requirements — education hours, fees and the board that issues it.
- 2. Budget the prep — exam + application + license + course costs before you pay.
- 3. Study to the exam — the Broker exam blueprint and a dated study plan.
- 4. Sit the exam — what to bring, where to test, and the retake rule if you miss.
- 5. Stay licensed — renewal cycle, CE hours, and California reciprocity.
Broker tools for California
Every step of the California Broker road has a free tool — from the first requirements check to renewal and reciprocity.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Requirements change frequently — verify all figures with California Department of Real Estate (retrieved 2026-08-20).