How to Take the California Real Estate Exam

To become a real estate agent in the state of California, you must first pass the California Department of Real Estate exam. This exam, plus educational courses, are required to obtain an real estate agent license in California. The California Department of Real Estate exam is offered at various times throughout the year in five cities across California. You should consider location, preparation and your preferred testing method in planning to take the exam.

• 1

  Schedule your California Real Estate Exam online at the Department of Real Estate website (see Resources). As of November 2010, the exam is currently offered in five cities in California: Fresno, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego.

• 2

  Study and prepare for the exam. The salesperson exam takes three hours and 15 minutes to complete. In Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego, the exam is taken with pencil and paper, while Fresno and Oakland offer electronic exams. The test is a four-option multiple choice format exam.

• 3

  Check your exam results immediately if you took an electronic exam. To pass the salesperson exam, you must score at least 70 percent. If you take a pencil and paper exam, you will receive the results in the mail within five business days.