You cannot take the CA real estate exam without completing the required pre-licensing classes, because California law mandates specific education before you can qualify for the salesperson or broker exam. For anyone pursuing a California real estate license, the state requires 135 hours of approved coursework for the salesperson exam and 360 hours for the broker exam. These real estate classes are designed to teach core topics like real estate principles, practices, laws, contracts, and agency relationships, making them essential for exam eligibility and success.
To take the California real estate exam, you must complete three approved courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective such as Finance, Economics, Legal Aspects, or Property Management. These courses must be taken through a state-approved provider, which can include colleges or accredited online real estate schools. After finishing the required education, you submit your certificates with your exam application to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). If the DRE cannot verify your coursework, your application will be denied, meaning there is no way to bypass the classes.
Although you can choose self-paced online classes, evening courses, or in-person programs, you cannot simply study on your own or rely on work experience to skip the education requirement. The real estate exam is structured to ensure every applicant has the same foundational knowledge, and the state enforces these rules strictly.
Taking the mandatory classes not only makes you eligible for the CA real estate exam but also gives you the background needed to understand exam questions and build confidence. Many students find that good pre-licensing courses provide practice tests, support, and structured study plans that make passing the exam easier.
In short, you must take the required California real estate classes before you can schedule and sit for the state exam.