Yes. For a California real estate salesperson license, you must pass both the national and California-specific sections of the exam. The good news is that you do not have to pass them in the same sitting; if you pass one section and miss the other, you usually only need to retake the section you failed. Start your journey with LEAP's California real estate pre-licensing course.

In California, the exam is administered by the Department of Real Estate and is designed to test both general real estate knowledge and state laws and practices. That means it’s important to study California-specific topics like licensing rules, agency, disclosures, and fair housing in addition to the broader national material. Many applicants find the state portion easier to overlook, but it can make the difference between passing and waiting for a retake.

Your timing and costs can also depend on how prepared you are before scheduling the exam. California requires 135 hours of approved pre-licensing education before you can sit for the salesperson exam, and you’ll also need to budget for the exam fee, fingerprinting, and the license application itself. Taking a structured course can help you stay on track and reduce the chance of paying for extra test attempts.

If you’re just getting started, a California pre-licensing course can be a smart next step. It can help you cover the required topics, understand the exam format, and build confidence before test day. You can explore one option here: California real estate pre-licensing course