To qualify for a California real estate license, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires three mandatory college-level courses. These real estate classes ensure every applicant has a solid understanding of key industry principles before moving on to the state exam. The required classes for a CA real estate license include: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective course chosen from the DRE-approved list.
Real Estate Principles is the foundation course. It covers essential topics such as property ownership, land use controls, contracts, agency relationships, taxes, transfer of property, and basic legal concepts. This class helps future agents understand how the real estate industry operates and prepares them for the terminology used on the licensing exam.
Real Estate Practice focuses on the day-to-day duties of a real estate agent. Students learn about working with clients, listing and selling homes, marketing strategies, disclosures, ethics, and professional conduct. This course bridges the gap between theory and practical application, giving new agents a clear picture of what it takes to succeed in the field.
For the elective course, applicants can choose from a variety of options such as Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Appraisal, Property Management, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Economics, and more. Any elective approved by the DRE meets the licensing requirement, allowing applicants to focus on the area that interests them most.
All three classes must be completed through a DRE-approved provider, either online or in-person. Once all courses are finished, students receive official certificates of completion, which are required when applying for the state exam and salesperson license.
In summary, completing the three required CA real estate classes is the first major step toward earning your California real estate license and beginning your career in the industry.