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Real Estate Program
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Real Estate Student Questions About:
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Frequently Asked Questions about earning your Real Estate license:


(Click on the question to reveal the answer.  Click again to close the answer window.)
arrow How do I obtain a California Real Estate Sales license?
To obtain a real estate sales license, you must:
  1. Complete 3 college level classes:
    • Real Estate Principles ( BUSR 50 )
    • Real Estate Practice ( BUSR 52 )
    • A third advanced real estate class (any other " BUSR " class) or either of the following:
      • Accounting ( BUSA 7 - Principles of Financial Accounting or BUSA 11 ) - Fundamentals of Accounting,
      • Business Law ( BUSL 18 ) - Business Law, or
      • Macro Economics ( BUSC 1A ) - Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics
      • Real Estate Law ( PLGL 40 ) - Landlord Tenant Law
  2. Pass the State Sales Examination consisting of 150 multiple choice questions (passing score is 105 questions or 70%).
  3. Submit to a criminal background check.
  4. Complete an application to the Department of Real Estate (DRE) and pay the appropriate fees.
arrow What are the fees to take the exam and obtain a license?
Due to the state's budget situation, exam and license fees are subject to change.  For the most current information, please go to the Department of Real Estate (DRE) website: (http://www.dre.ca.gov)
arrow Once I get my real estate license, can I open a real estate office?
To operate a real estate office, you must have a real estate broker's license.  Sales licensees may do anything a real estate broker can do, provided they are employed by a real estate broker.
arrow How do I obtain my real estate broker's license?
  1. Complete 8 college level classes:
    • BUSR 52 - Real Estate Practice
    • BUSR 53 - Real Estate Finance
    • BUSR 81 - Real Estate Appraisal
    • BUSR 51 - Legal Aspects of Real Estate
    • BUSC 1A - Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics or
      BUSA 7 - Principles of Financial Accounting or
      BUSA 11 - Fundamentals of Accounting
    • Plus 3 additional advanced real estate classes (any BUSR classes will qualify)
  2. Have 2 years experience as a real estate salesperson or possess a real estate related 4-year college degree.
  3. Pass the real estate broker's exam (200 multiple choice questions with a 75% score).
  4. Submit to a criminal background check.
  5. Complete an application to the Department of Real Estate (DRE) and pay the appropriate fees.

Note: There is no class or experience requirement for members of the State Bar, they only need to take the exam, submit to a background check complete an application and pay the appropriate fees.
arrow How long is the real estate license good for?
Both the real estate sales and broker's licenses are good for 4 years.
arrow Do I need to take the state exam to renew my license?
To renew a license, the student must take 45 hours of continuing education classes that are typically offered at a local association of REALTORS office (we do not offer such classes at Mt. SAC) and pay a license renewal fee.  The student does not have to retake the license exam unless their license expires (failure to renew).
arrow A few years ago, I was arrested for a minor crime; will that affect my ability to obtain a real estate license?
Under our legal system, persons are considered innocent until proven guilty; therefore an arrest will not affect your ability to obtain a license.  However, a criminal conviction (which includes a plea of guilty in lieu of a trial) may affect a person's ability to obtain a license.  Real estate license applicants are required to disclose any conviction (except for minor traffic infractions) to the Real Estate Commissioner (this includes out of state convictions).  Failure to do so is considered fraud in obtaining a license and will typically result in a lifetime ban on obtaining a license.  Of particular concern to the Commissioner are crimes involving honesty and moral turpitude.  So a minor shoplifting conviction may be viewed more seriously than vehicular manslaughter.  Students concerned about past intercessions should contact the Real Estate Program Coordinator for a confidential counseling session.
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