California does not require a high school diploma to get a real estate salesperson license. What you do need is to be at least 18 years old, complete the required pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, and meet the background check and application requirements. Start your journey with LEAP's California real estate pre-licensing course.

In California, the education requirement is a specific set of college-level real estate courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one approved elective. These can often be completed through an approved online or in-person provider, and the time it takes depends on your schedule and how quickly you move through the coursework. You’ll also need to submit fingerprints and wait for the Department of Real Estate to process your application, so timing can vary even after you finish class and pass the exam.

Cost is another practical factor to consider. Expenses usually include pre-licensing courses, the exam application fee, fingerprinting, and license issuance fees. If you are planning carefully, it helps to compare course providers, study support, and how well they prepare you for California’s exam format. A structured course can save time and reduce retakes, which may lower your overall cost.

If you’re ready to start, a good next step is to review the California pre-licensing course options and see what fits your schedule. You can take a look at the California pre-licensing course here: California real estate pre-licensing course That way, you can move forward confidently even if you never finished high school.