Q: How much does it cost to take the CA real estate exam
A: The fee to take the California real estate salesperson exam is 60 dollars per attempt. This fee is paid directly to PSI, the official exam administrator contracted by the California Department of Real Estate.
Q: Are there additional costs to become licensed
A: Yes. The total cost to obtain a California real estate license includes several required expenses:
- Prelicensing education: 135 hours through a DRE approved school, typically costing 200 to 500 dollars
- License application fee: 245 dollars paid to the California Department of Real Estate
- Fingerprint processing: Approximately 50 to 80 dollars through a Live Scan service
- Exam retake fees: 60 dollars for each additional attempt if you do not pass the first time
Q: Is the exam fee refundable
A: No. The 60 dollar exam fee is nonrefundable once your appointment is scheduled. If you miss your exam or cancel without sufficient notice, you will need to pay the fee again to reschedule.
Q: How many times can I take the exam
A: There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you must wait at least 14 days between each try. Each retake requires a new 60 dollar payment.
Q: Does the exam fee include study materials
A: No. The exam fee covers only the administration of the test. Study materials, review courses, and practice exams are separate purchases. Many candidates invest in quality prep resources to avoid retake costs and accelerate licensure.
Q: How can Certilyst help manage overall costs
A: Certilyst offers affordable, high quality California real estate exam preparation designed to help you pass on your first attempt. By reducing the likelihood of retakes, our DRE aligned practice questions, timed exams, and detailed rationales help you save money and time in the long run.
Prepare efficiently at Certilyst CA Real Estate Prep.
For official fees and procedures, visit the California Department of Real Estate at www.dre.ca.gov