What Courses Are Required for the California Real Estate License?

Real Estate Principles Course

Real Estate Principles is one of two mandatory courses required for all California real estate license applicants. This 45-hour foundational course covers the essential knowledge needed to provide real estate services.

Core Topics Include:

Real estate law and state/federal regulations
Professional ethics and fiduciary responsibilities
Contracts, agreements, and required disclosures
Escrow procedures and closing processes
Property financing and mortgage fundamentals
Fair housing laws and anti-discrimination requirements

This course provides the theoretical foundation that every real estate professional needs to understand legal requirements, ethical obligations, and fundamental real estate concepts.

Real Estate Practice Course

Real Estate Practice is the second mandatory course, focusing on the practical business aspects of working as a real estate agent. This 45-hour course teaches the skills needed to successfully serve clients and operate in the marketplace.

Updated 2025 Requirements

Effective January 1, 2024, any Real Estate Practice course must include components on implicit bias and fair housing. The fair housing component must include an interactive participatory component where applicants role-play as both consumers and real estate professionals to help future agents recognize unconscious bias and provide equal service to all clients.

Course Topics Include:

Property pricing strategies and market analysis
Client counseling for buyers and sellers
Marketing, advertising, and lead generation
Negotiation techniques and transaction management
Professional communication and industry networking
Fair housing compliance and implicit bias training

Elective Course Options

Your third required course is an elective chosen from DRE-approved options. Each elective is 45 hours and allows you to specialize in areas that align with your career goals.

Available Electives:

Business Law - Contract law, business entities, and commercial transactions

Computer Applications in Real Estate - Technology tools, software, and digital marketing

Common Interest Developments - HOAs, condominiums, and community associations

Escrows - Escrow processes, title insurance, and closing procedures

General Accounting - Financial statements and real estate accounting principles

Legal Aspects of Real Estate* - Advanced legal concepts and regulatory compliance

Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending - Financing options and lending regulations

Property Management - Rental properties, tenant relations, and maintenance

Real Estate Appraisal - Valuation methods and market analysis techniques

Real Estate Economics - Market trends and economic factors

Real Estate Finance - Investment financing and financial analysis

Real Estate Office Administration - Business operations and transaction management

*Legal Aspects of Real Estate is the included elective in the AceableAgent course bundle.

Course Completion Requirements

DRE Mandated Timeframes

California DRE requires that courses cannot be completed in less than 18 days each. This means the fastest possible completion timeline is 54 days for all three courses. Most students complete their education requirements in 2-3 months.

Important Deadlines

You must complete all three courses within one year of your enrollment date to remain eligible for the state exam. Plan accordingly to avoid having to retake expired courses.

Where to Take DRE-Approved Courses

Private Real Estate Schools (Recommended)

Private schools offer the most flexibility and fastest completion times. They must receive formal approval from the Real Estate Commissioner for their courses to count toward licensing. You can verify approved course providers on the DRE website.

Advantages:

Online courses allow you to work at your own pace
More affordable than college tuition
Often include exam prep materials
Flexible scheduling around work and family

Colleges and Universities

Accredited colleges approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges can offer real estate courses. College courses must be 3 semester units or 4 quarter units and typically follow academic calendar schedules. Community colleges throughout California offer real estate curricula that meet DRE requirements.

Course Verification

Always verify that your chosen provider is DRE-approved by checking the official DRE course database before enrolling. Courses completed at non-approved institutions will not count toward licensing requirements.

Course Costs

Private Real Estate Schools: $125-$700 for complete 3-course packages Individual Courses: $89-$125 each College Courses: Varies by institution and residency status

Many private schools offer package deals that include all three required courses plus exam preparation materials, providing better value than purchasing courses individually. For a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with getting your California license, including state fees and ongoing expenses, see our complete cost analysis.

Start Your Real Estate Career Today

Ready to begin your California real estate education? Online courses like AceableAgent's California pre-licensing program provide the quickest path to completing your pre-licensing requirements while meeting all DRE mandates.

Get started with AceableAgent's comprehensive course bundle that includes all three required courses, with Legal Aspects of Real Estate as your elective, plus exam preparation materials designed to help you succeed. Want to test your knowledge first? Try our free California real estate practice exam to see how ready you are.

For more information about the complete licensing process, timeline expectations, and career guidance, visit our California real estate career center or read our step-by-step licensing timeline guide.