Q: Who administers the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination?

California Department of Real Estate (DRE). DRE runs the exam itself, in an electronic format at its own sites (Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego); no outside testing vendor is named. To qualify, a candidate must first complete three college-level courses — Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one elective — each a minimum of 45 hours.

Question 1

Who administers the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination?

Accepted Answer

California Department of Real Estate (DRE)

DRE runs the exam itself, in an electronic format at its own sites (Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego); no outside testing vendor is named. To qualify, a candidate must first complete three college-level courses — Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one elective — each a minimum of 45 hours.

Source: California DRE — Taking the Exam (2026-09-22)

Question 2

How many questions are on the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination?

Accepted Answer

150 questions. All multiple choice, each with four answer choices. There is no separate national and state portion: DRE writes one California examination.

Question 3

How long is the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination?

Accepted Answer

180 minutes. DRE states the salesperson session as 3 hours. Candidates are asked to arrive 30 minutes early.

Question 4

What is the passing score for the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination?

Accepted Answer

70%. Candidates who pass are not told their score; failing candidates see their score and a per-subject breakdown. After a fail you may re-apply once results are released, and there is no limit on attempts within two years of the original application.

Question 5

How much does the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination cost?

Accepted Answer

$100 — Salesperson examination fee (original or re-examination) (California Department of Real Estate, per attempt)
$40 — Rescheduling an exam date (California Department of Real Estate, per attempt)
$350 — Salesperson license fee (California Department of Real Estate, one-time)
$49 — Fingerprint processing (paid to the Live Scan provider by California residents) (Live Scan provider, one-time)

DRE fees are non-refundable (Business and Professions Code § 10207). The on-time renewal fee equals the license fee.

Source: California DRE — Fees (2026-09-22)

Question 6

What languages is the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination offered in?

Accepted Answer

Not published by California DRE. DRE publishes no list of examination languages. Its content page says only that the exam tests “appropriate knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and spelling”. The pages listed were searched for “language” and “Spanish”; PrepPass therefore names no language.

Administering body	California Department of Real Estate (DRE) DRE runs the exam itself, in an electronic format at its own sites (Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego); no outside testing vendor is named. To qualify, a candidate must first complete three college-level courses — Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one elective — each a minimum of 45 hours. Source: California DRE — Taking the Exam (2026-09-22)
Questions	150 questions All multiple choice, each with four answer choices. There is no separate national and state portion: DRE writes one California examination. Source: California DRE — Taking the Exam (2026-09-22)
Time limit	180 minutes DRE states the salesperson session as 3 hours. Candidates are asked to arrive 30 minutes early. Source: California DRE — Taking the Exam (2026-09-22)
Passing score	70% Candidates who pass are not told their score; failing candidates see their score and a per-subject breakdown. After a fail you may re-apply once results are released, and there is no limit on attempts within two years of the original application. Source: California DRE — Taking the Exam (2026-09-22)
Fees	$100 — Salesperson examination fee (original or re-examination) (California Department of Real Estate, per attempt) $40 — Rescheduling an exam date (California Department of Real Estate, per attempt) $350 — Salesperson license fee (California Department of Real Estate, one-time) $49 — Fingerprint processing (paid to the Live Scan provider by California residents) (Live Scan provider, one-time) DRE fees are non-refundable (Business and Professions Code § 10207). The on-time renewal fee equals the license fee. Source: California DRE — Fees (2026-09-22)
Languages offered	Not published by California DRE DRE publishes no list of examination languages. Its content page says only that the exam tests “appropriate knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and spelling”. The pages listed were searched for “language” and “Spanish”; PrepPass therefore names no language. What we read and found nothing in: California DRE — Salesperson Examination Content (2026-09-22) · California DRE — Taking the Exam (2026-09-22) · California DRE — How & Where Exams are Scheduled (2026-09-22) · California DRE — Salesperson Examination Requirements (2026-09-22)

California Real Estate Salesperson Examination — exam facts

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