California does not have a separate “national” section on its real estate exam, so the answer is essentially zero national questions as a distinct category. Instead, the California salesperson exam is a 150-question multiple-choice test that blends general real estate concepts with California law and practice. Of those, 135 questions are scored and 15 are unscored pretest items used for future exams. Start your journey with LEAP's California real estate pre-licensing course.

This is a little different from states that split the test into national and state portions. In California, you should expect questions on topics like property ownership, contracts, financing, agency, disclosures, and California-specific rules. That means the exam is less about memorizing a “national” section and more about understanding how real estate principles apply under California law.

For timing, cost, and requirements, California also has its own process. Before you can sit for the exam, you must complete the required pre-licensing education, submit your application, and pay the exam and license-related fees. The total time to get licensed depends mostly on how quickly you finish the coursework, schedule the exam, and pass background and application steps.

If you’re just starting out, a practical next step is to review California exam topics and then enroll in a prep program that matches the state’s requirements. The California real estate pre-licensing course can be a helpful place to begin, especially if you want a structured path toward the exam and your first license.