There is no limit to the number of times you can take the California real estate salesperson exam. However, you must wait at least 14 days between each attempt, as mandated by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
Each retake requires:
- A new exam fee of $60 paid to PSI (the exam administrator)
- Rescheduling through your PSI account
- Valid exam eligibility, which remains active for two years from the date of your initial DRE approval
If you do not pass within the two year eligibility window, you must reapply with the DRE, resubmit fingerprints, and possibly complete additional coursework though this is rare if you remain actively testing.
While unlimited attempts provide flexibility, it is strongly advised to thoroughly analyze your score report after each failure. The DRE provides a diagnostic breakdown by content area, which helps identify weak topics such as real estate law, contracts, or math. Most candidates who fail multiple times do so because they repeat the same study methods without addressing knowledge gaps.
Certilyst offers California-specific real estate exam prep with targeted practice in low-scoring areas, full-length timed exams, and DRE-aligned rationales to help you pass efficiently. Reduce retakes with strategic preparation at Certilyst CA Real Estate Prep.
For official policies, visit the California Department of Real Estate: www.dre.ca.gov.