Broker Examination and License Application Process

Individuals may apply and pay for their real estate broker examination and license at the same time by submitting one application form, Broker Exam/License Application (RE 436), a completed Live Scan Service Request form (RE 237) , documentation of completed education requirement, and both the exam and licensee fees. For more information on qualification requirements, please see Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Broker License.

APPLY ONLINE USING ELICENSING:

1. Gather the necessary documents required to apply for the real estate broker examination. You'll be prompted to upload these documents on the "Files to Upload" page of the application.

   • Obtain transcripts showing successful completion of the required statutory college-level real estate courses. Copies of official transcripts are required. For more information, see Education Requirements.

   • Complete a Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) form (see below for additional fingerprint information).

   • Document experience requirements for the broker examination by:

     1. Obtaining a transcript to verify a degree earned from an accredited four year college or university, which included a major or minor in real estate; or
     2. Completing Licensed Experience Verification (RE 226) forms to verify licensed salesperson experience; or
     3. Completing Non-Licensed Experience Verification (RE 227) forms to verify non-licensed real estate-related experience; or
     4. A copy of your current California Bar Card
     5. For more information, see Experience Requirements for the Broker Examination.

   • Name change documentation to substantiate any name discrepancies on prior records, course completion certificates, transcripts, etc.

   • If reasonable accommodation is needed to take the exam, complete the Reasonable Accommodations Request for Examination (RE 413) form.

   In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Department of Real Estate provides "reasonable accommodations" for examination applicants with disabilities. The information requested below and any documentation regarding your disability will be considered strictly confidential and will not be shared with any outside source without your express written permission.
   
   If your disability is observable, and your request does not involve modifying examination procedures but is limited to wheelchair space, special seating, or equipment needs, it is not necessary to obtain professional verification.
   
   If your disability is clearly not observable, you are required to submit documentation from the medical authority or learning institution that rendered a diagnosis. Verification must be submitted to the DRE on the letterhead stationery of the medical authority or specialist and include the following:

   • Description of the disability and testing needs
   • Recommended accommodation/modification
   • Name, title, and telephone number of the medical authority or specialist
   • Signature of the medical authority or specialist
   • Professional license or certification number of the medical authority or specialist

   If you have previously been granted special testing accommodations by an organization that required documentation to verify your disability, the DRE may accept a copy of that verification, provided you submit the name, address and telephone number of the medical authority, specialist or learning institution that prepared the documentation. Complete the verification section on the second page of the form and upload when prompted.
   
   Note: DRE normally conducts examinations in public buildings that are wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions or need assistance determining whether you may require special accommodations in accordance with the American Disability Act, you may contact the DRE ADA line at (916) 576-3373.

2. Go to the eLicensing online system and create a user profile if you have not done so already. Log into the profile and select Online Exam License Application from the option menu.

3. Select the broker exam application from the options list.

4. Complete the application by answering the questions and by uploading all of the required documents. You may save your application and return at a later time if you cannot complete it in one session.

5. Certify that all of the information on the application is correct and that all necessary documents have been uploaded.

6. Pay for the examination application fee. The DRE accepts credit cards with the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo, or debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo.

Applying Via Mail:

NOTE: You may not apply to take the examination if you have a license that can still be renewed (see License Renewal).

1. Complete a Broker Exam License Application (RE 436). Be sure to read all instructions and information before completing the application.

2. Complete a Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) form (see below for additional fingerprint information).

3. Obtain transcripts showing successful completion of the statutory college-level real estate courses and degrees. Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts are required. For more information, see Education Requirements.

4. Document experience requirements for the broker examination by:

   • Obtaining a transcript to verify a degree earned from an accredited four year college or university, which included a major or minor in real estate; or
   • Completing Licensed Experience Verification (RE 226) forms to verify licensed salesperson experience; or
   • Completing Non-Licensed Experience Verification (RE 227) forms to verify non-licensed real estate-related experience; or
   • A copy of your current California Bar Card
   • For more information, see Experience Requirements for the Broker Examination.

5. Include the applicable fee for the application.

   • Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Department of Real Estate. Do not send cash.
   • The DRE accepts credit card payment for examination scheduling if the application is submitted by mail (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or debit cards bearing the VISA or MasterCard logo). Please use the Credit Card Payment (RE 909) form.

6. If reasonable accommodation is needed, complete and attach the Reasonable Accommodations Request for Examination (RE 413) form to the examination application.
   
   In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Department of Real Estate (DRE) provides "reasonable accommodations" for examination applicants with disabilities. The information requested below and any documentation regarding your disability will be considered strictly confidential and will not be shared with any outside source without your express written permission.
   
   If your disability is observable, and your request does not involve modifying examination procedures but is limited to wheelchair space, special seating, or equipment needs, it is not necessary to obtain professional verification.
   
   If your disability is clearly not observable, you are required to submit documentation from the medical authority or learning institution that rendered a diagnosis. Verification must be submitted to the DRE on the letterhead stationery of the medical authority or specialist and include the following:

   1. Description of the disability and testing needs
   2. Recommended accommodation/modification
   3. Name, title, and telephone number of the medical authority or specialist
   4. Original signature of the medical authority or specialist
   5. Professional license or certification number of the medical authority or specialist

   If you have previously been granted special testing accommodations by an organization that required documentation to verify your disability, the DRE may accept a copy of that verification, provided you submit the name, address, and telephone number of the medical authority, specialist, or learning institution that prepared the documentation. Complete the verification section on the reverse side of the form.
   
   Note: DRE normally conducts examinations in public buildings that are wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions or need assistance determining whether you may require special accommodations in accordance with the American Disability Act, you may contact the DRE ADA line at (916) 576-3373.

7. Mail the completed application, appropriate fee, and course transcript(s) to:

   Department of Real Estate
   Examination Section
   651 Bannon Street, Suite 503
   Sacramento, CA 95811
   

AFTER YOUR APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED

1. Check the current processing timeframes to see current DRE timeframes to process broker exam applications.

   • Once DRE processes your application and you are eligible for the examination, you will receive an Examination Schedule Notice (RE 401B) informing you that you have been scheduled for the first available examination (if you chose that option on the paper application), or you will receive an email informing you that you may log in to the eLicensing online system to choose an examination date.

   • Use the eLicensing online system to check your exam date or to self-schedule or reschedule. For more information visit How and Where Exams are Scheduled.

2. All qualification requirements must be met before you can be scheduled to take the broker examination.

3. If you are not qualified at the time you submit your application and fee, DRE will send written notification. You will have two years from the date DRE received the application to complete the qualifications and take the examination. If you do not qualify for and pass the examination during that two-year period, the application will expire and you will need to submit a new application, fee, and other required documents.

4. If you have been scheduled to take the broker exam but lost or misplaced your Examination Schedule Notice (RE 401B), you can request a duplicate using the eLicensing online system.

5. If you haven't been scheduled to take the exam or received a deficiency letter, and the processing timeframe has elapsed, contact the DRE Examination Section.

Fingerprint Information

Applicants must also be fingerprinted at a Live Scan service provider using a Live Scan Service Request Form (RE 237).

1. Fingerprint processing fees are not refundable under any circumstances, including failure to qualify by examination for a license.

2. If you do not reside in California, you may be fingerprinted at a live scan service provider in California by following the process explained above or be fingerprinted out-of-state using an FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card (FD-258 Rev. 5-15-17), which will be provided to all out-of-state applicants with the original license application. Take the FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card to a local law enforcement agency for completion and submit it to the DRE with the completed license application, the license application fee, and the $49 fingerprint processing fee (combined payment of both fees is acceptable). Applicants who wish to be fingerprinted out-of-state after applying for examination but before passing the examination may request a blank fingerprint card by contacting the Licensing Section at (877) 373-4542.

3. Out-of-state applications must also submit a completed and notarized irrevocable Consent to Service of Process (RE 234) . See Out-of-State Applicants for further information.

Once submitted, the fees may not be refunded or transferred to another application. Missing requirements may be submitted anytime within a two year period following DRE receipt of a combination application and fee. The applicant must successfully pass the examination within two years of the date the application is filed. If these steps are not completed within the two-year time limit, the application and fee will lapse.