u/ColibriRE_Alex

Alex here, I'm with Colibri Real Estate. We get a lot of "where do I even start in California?" questions, so here's the full process in order.

Short version: complete 135 hours of DRE-approved courses, apply and get fingerprinted ($450 combined application), pass the state exam, then start working under a licensed broker.

1. Make sure you're eligible. You need to be at least 18. If you live outside California, you'll also need to file a notarized Consent to Service of Process form (RE 234) with your application.

2. Finish your pre-licensing education. California requires three college-level courses, 45 hours each, for 135 hours total:

• Real Estate Principles
• Real Estate Practice
• One elective from the DRE's approved list, like finance, legal aspects, appraisal or property management

The courses have to come from a DRE-approved school.

3. Apply and get fingerprinted. There are two ways to apply:

• Combined exam and license application (RE 435): one form and $450 total. Most people go this route because there's no second application to file after you pass.
• Separate applications: $100 for the exam, then $350 for the license once you've passed.

Fingerprinting is required for everyone. California residents usually do Live Scan. Out-of-state applicants can use Live Scan or mail in fingerprint cards. Getting your fingerprints done early helps, because waiting on the background check is one of the most common reasons licenses get delayed.

4. Pass the state exam. Once your application is processed, you'll get to schedule the exam. Timed practice tests will help more than rereading your course notes.

5. Find a broker before you start working. The DRE can issue your license even if you don't have a broker yet, but you can't do any licensed activity until you're working under one. When you compare brokerages, look at the training and mentorship they offer, how commission splits work, and whether new agents there actually get support.

Fees are current as of October 2026. Check the DRE fee page before you pay in case anything changes.

More detail here if it's useful: https://www.colibrirealestate.com/real-estate/california/how-to-become-real-estate-agent/

For anyone recently licensed in CA, how long did it take you from submitting your application to passing the exam?

Mara (u/Mara_RE_Instructor) has been teaching real estate exam prep with Colibri Real Estate and is carving out time today to answer your questions — whether it's what to expect on test day, how to study smarter, tricky concepts, or retake advice.

Ask whenever it's convenient — Mara starts replying at 1pm PST and will keep an eye on the thread for a few days afterward.

1. Exam prep is the main focus, but career questions are welcome too.
2. Follow the sub rules.

What's got you stuck right now — a specific topic, the format, just nerves? Drop it below.

Hi all — Mark (u/Mark_RE_Instructor) is one of our real estate instructors, stopping by today to help with exam prep. Ask about what's actually on the test, how to study, tricky topics, retakes, or anything else on your mind.

Feel free to ask any time. Mark starts replying at noon PST and will keep checking back over the next few days.

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask.
2. Exam prep is the focus, but career stuff is fair game too.
3. Follow the sub rules.

What's been the toughest part of studying so far?

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. Mara (u/Mara_RE_Instructor) teaches real estate exam prep and is stopping by this thread today to help out — ask about what's actually on the exam, how to study for it, tricky topics, retakes, or anything else on your mind.

Feel free to ask any time — Mara will start replying at 1pm PST and will keep an eye on the thread over the next few days for anyone who asks later.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask.
2. Exam prep is the focus, but happy to talk career stuff too.
3. Follow the sub rules.

What's been the toughest part of studying so far? Drop it below and Mara will help you out.

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. Mark (u/RealEstateInstructor)

Mark has been teaching real estate exam prep for a while and is hopping into this thread today to answer whatever you've got — what's actually on the exam, how to study, common trouble spots, retakes, whatever's on your mind.

Questions welcome any time today — Mark will start replying at 1pm PST and will keep checking back throughout the day.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask.
2. Exam questions are the focus, but career stuff is fair game too.
3. Follow the sub rules.

What's actually tripping you up about the exam? Drop it below and Mark will help you out.

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. Mara (u/Mara_RE_Instructor) has been teaching real estate exam prep for a while and is hopping into this thread today to answer whatever you've got — what's actually on the CA exam, how to study, common trouble spots, retakes, whatever's on your mind.

Drop your questions any time — Mara will start replying at 1pm PST and stick around to work through them.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask.
2. Exam questions are the focus, but career stuff is fair game too.
3. Follow the sub rules.

What's actually tripping you up about the CA exam? Drop it below and Mara will help you out.

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. Mara (u/Mara_RE_Instructor) has been teaching real estate for a while and is hopping into this thread today — happy to answer questions about getting licensed, what the exam's like, choosing a brokerage, or what the job actually looks like day to day if you're considering it.

Drop your questions any time — Mara will start replying at 1pm PST and stick around to work through them.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask.
2. Considering the career, exam prep, brokerage questions — all fair game.
3. Follow the sub rules.

Ever thought about getting your real estate license? What's holding you back or what are you curious about? Drop it below.

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. Mara (u/Mara_RE_Instructor) has been teaching real estate exam prep for a while and is hopping into this thread today to answer whatever you've got — what's actually on the exam, how to study, common trouble spots, retake questions, whatever's on your mind. She's also happy to get into licensing, brokerages, or what the job looks like day to day if that comes up.

Drop your questions any time — Mara will start replying at 1pm PST (3pm EST) and stick around to work through them.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask.
2. Exam questions are the focus, but career stuff is fair game too.
3. Follow the sub rules (be courteous, etc.)

What's actually tripping you up about the exam? Drop it below and Mara will help you out.

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. One of our instructors, Mark (u/RealEstateInstructor), has been teaching real estate for a while and is going to hang out in this thread today answering whatever questions you've got — what to expect on exam day, how to study, common trouble spots, retake questions, anything exam-related. He's also happy to get into getting licensed more broadly, choosing a brokerage, or what the job actually looks like once you're through — so ask away on any of that too.

Drop your questions in the comments any time between now and 3 PM EST, and Mark will jump in starting then to work through them.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask a question.
2. Exam prep is the focus, but career questions, general advice, whatever's on your mind is fair game too.
3. Follow r/RealEstateExam rules (be courteous, etc.)

Looking forward to it!

Hey everyone! Alex from Colibri Real Estate here. One of our instructors, Mara (u/Mara_RE_Instructor), has been teaching real estate for a while and is going to hang out in this thread today answering whatever questions people have, exam stuff, getting licensed, choosing a brokerage, what the job actually looks like day to day, anything real estate related.

Drop your questions in the comments any time between now and 3 PM EST, and Mara will jump in starting then to work through them.

A few things to know:

1. You don't have to be a Colibri student to ask a question.
2. Any real estate question is fair game, exam prep, career questions, general advice, whatever's on your mind.
3. Follow r/RealEstateAdvice rules (be courteous, etc.)

Looking forward to it!