What Is the Fastest Way to Get a Real Estate License in California?  

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Feb 13, 2023
4 min

You’re excited and ready to start your new career – you don’t have time to wait to become a real estate agent.

Go-getters like you want to get their real estate license as fast as physically possible.

Oftentimes, it’s better to take your time through your real estate schooling.

But, if you have a familiar grasp on real estate and you’re ready to kickstart your new career, then buckle up. You’re about to learn the fastest way to get your real estate license in California.

Here’s the fastest way to get a real estate license

The fastest way to get your real estate license is through an online program. In California, all students are required to spend at least 54 days in an accredited real estate program, per the DRE.

There’s no way around that. That means, no matter what, you’re required to have at least 2 months of real estate schooling under your belt.

Also, when you apply for the real estate exam, you can wait upwards to 3-months. So, even the fastest way to get your real estate license will take about 5-months, all together.

The Fastest Way to Finish Your Real Estate Schooling

Since there’s a minimum time required to spend in real estate school, you’re probably considering how to optimize your time.

By taking an online program only, you won’t have to wait on a cyclical class schedule. You can work at your own speed – which is really fast.

You must spend 18 days on each required course:

  • Real Estate Practice (18-days)
  • Real Estate Principles (18-days)
  • An elective course (18-days)

Learn the material, pass the final exam, rinse, repeat. Completing each course in 18-days requires you to optimize your schedule to make studying a priority.

The Fastest Way to Apply for the Real Estate Exam

When you complete the program, apply for the Real Estate Exam as soon as possible using the RE Form 435. This is your joint real estate exam and real estate license application form. In other words, it’s a combo form.

You will have to wait for your form to be approved by the Department of Real Estate. This should take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

An even faster way is to apply online. The Department of Real Estate has an eLicensing portal which allows you to send your application online. This is easier because you don't have to wait on the postal service to deliver your application.

You can also list which brokerage you want to sign with.

After getting the brokerage's permission, uncheck this box and input your brokerage's ID

This way, the moment you pass the real estate exam, you get signed on at a brokerage of your choice. This means, you will instantaneously become a real estate agent in California. Nothing's faster than instantaneous!

What's the best way to wait for the real estate exam?

To make the most of this waiting period, we recommend students study for the Real Estate Exam. You do not want to fail the exam. If you do, you will have to reschedule another exam date.

When you pass the state exam, the DRE mails you your real estate license to your designated mailing address.

When you get your license all that’s left is one thing: sign with your favorite real estate brokerage. Then, you’re off to the races!

Is the fastest option the better option?

Here’s an interesting question, that you should consider:

Is the fastest option the better option?

What makes real estate schooling so important isn’t the fact that it’s a stepping stone to get your license. This is where you learn how to become a real estate agent.

You learn the material that will help you build your career and master the craft of real estate. By expediting the process, you run the risk of skimming material, forgetting terminology, and making the entire experience take longer than it needs to by retaking tests and quizzes.

In some cases, you might have to retake an entire course.

When you cross the finish line and get your license, you might end up forgetting everything you learned. That will make building a career infinitely harder.

Not to mention, it could be a legal hazard for you. If you unintentionally enter a legal quagmire (that could have been avoided had you taken your time through the program), your license could be revoked.

The Perks of Real Estate School

Taking your time through real estate school will help you understand and master the learning material. This translates to knowing more, practicing real estate with integrity, and building a powerful career.

When you take a 3-month program like our live training, you get the extra details that help you when you start your career. You also get the added benefit of having the most important information broken down for you. It makes learning simple and easy.

Best of all, you build a relationship with the trainer, an active agent, and the entirety of the class. In the end, taking time to understand the material will help you get your real estate license as fast as possible. That’s because you won’t need to retake quizzes, tests, or even courses.

A final thought on your real estate license timeline

California allows you to get your license in less than one year from your enrollment process. For most careers, that’s lightning fast.

Some people try to complete their real estate schooling as fast as possible. In some cases, this is welcomed! But, going this route could cause you to lose sight of the importance of real estate school: your education.

TL;DR: Getting a real estate license in California typically takes 3-6 months. The process includes completing a pre-licensing course, passing the state exam, and completing background checks. The timeline may vary depending on individual circumstances.

By
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Feb 13, 2023
How To
Planning
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4 min