If you want to start a real estate career in Burlingame, California, the process begins with completing the state’s required education, applying through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), passing the salesperson examination, completing fingerprinting, and working under a licensed broker. A flexible California real estate pre-licensing course can help you complete the required coursework online while preparing for the state exam.

California uses statewide licensing requirements, so applicants in Burlingame follow the same rules as applicants in San Mateo, San Francisco, Oakland, and other California cities. Burlingame does not have a separate city real estate license for practicing as a salesperson.
California Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a California real estate salesperson license, you generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be honest and truthful.
• Complete the required pre-licensing education.
• Pass the California real estate salesperson examination.
• Submit fingerprints and complete a background check.
• Apply for and receive a license from the California DRE.
• Work under the supervision of a licensed California real estate broker.

California does not require a college degree or prior real estate sales experience for a salesperson license. However, the DRE evaluates an applicant’s honesty, integrity, and criminal history. A conviction does not automatically disqualify every applicant, but applicants must disclose required information accurately.

The DRE provides the official application instructions and qualification information through its salesperson examination and licensing page.
Required Real Estate Education in California

California salesperson applicants must complete three college-level courses:

1. Real Estate Principles
2. Real Estate Practice
3. One approved elective course

The required education totals 135 hours. The elective may cover subjects such as finance, property management, appraisal, real estate economics, legal aspects of real estate, or another DRE-approved topic.

Courses must be completed through an approved real estate education provider. Students should retain course completion certificates and transcripts because the DRE may require documentation with the application.
Online Course Options

Online education is a practical option for Burlingame residents who want to study around work, school, family responsibilities, or commuting. Depending on the provider, an online program may include:

• Self-paced lessons
• Digital textbooks and study materials
• Practice questions
• Course exams
• Exam-preparation resources
• Customer or instructor support

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider’s courses are approved for California’s statutory education requirements. The course should clearly include Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and an approved elective.

A California pre-licensing program can provide a structured way to complete the 135-hour requirement and prepare for the licensing examination.
How to Apply for a California Salesperson License

Applicants can apply for the exam first and apply for the license after passing, or use California’s combined salesperson examination and license application.
Option 1: Apply for the Exam First

The general process is:

1. Complete the three required college-level courses.
2. Gather course certificates, official transcripts, and other required documentation.
3. Create an account through the DRE’s eLicensing system.
4. Submit the salesperson examination application.
5. Pay the required examination fee.
6. Complete fingerprinting.
7. Schedule and take the examination.
8. After passing, submit the salesperson license application and license fee if those were not filed together.
Option 2: Submit a Combined Exam and License Application

California also allows applicants to apply for the salesperson exam and license at the same time through the Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application.

This option can reduce a later administrative step, but passing the examination does not guarantee immediate license issuance. The DRE must still receive the required documents, fingerprint results, fees, and any information needed to evaluate the application.

The DRE states that applicants generally have two years from the date the application is filed to complete the examination and qualification process. If the application period expires, the applicant may need to submit a new application and fee.
Background Check and Fingerprinting

First-time California real estate license applicants must submit one set of classifiable electronic fingerprints through Live Scan. Fingerprinting allows the DRE to obtain information used in its background review.

Applicants typically need:

• A completed DRE Live Scan Service Request form, RE 237
• A government-approved Live Scan provider
• A fingerprint-processing fee paid to the provider
• Accurate disclosure of required criminal history information

California applicants generally pay a $49 fingerprint-processing fee directly to the Live Scan provider, although the total amount paid at the location may vary if the provider adds its own service charge. Fingerprint results must be received before the DRE can issue the license.

Applicants should complete fingerprinting promptly rather than waiting until the final stage. Delays in fingerprint processing or incomplete disclosures can extend the overall timeline.
California Real Estate Salesperson Examination

The California salesperson examination is administered for the DRE at designated testing locations, including an Oakland testing center that may be convenient for applicants in Burlingame. Testing availability, appointment dates, and locations are subject to change.

The examination covers topics including:

• Property ownership and land use controls
• Agency relationships and fiduciary duties
• Property valuation and market analysis
• Financing
• Transfer of property
• Practice and disclosures
• Contracts
• California real estate regulations
• General principles of real estate

The salesperson examination is a multiple-choice test. Applicants should review the current DRE examination information and candidate instructions before scheduling because exam procedures, identification rules, and testing availability can change.

A preparation strategy should include:

• Completing all required coursework before testing
• Reviewing California-specific laws and disclosures
• Taking timed practice examinations
• Studying agency, contracts, financing, and licensing rules
• Reading questions carefully instead of relying only on memorization

If an applicant does not pass, California allows re-examination, subject to the applicable DRE fee and the two-year application period.
California Real Estate License Costs

The required state costs for a California salesperson applicant currently include:

| Item | Current DRE amount |
|---|---:|
| Salesperson examination | $100 |
| Salesperson re-examination | $100 |
| Original salesperson license | $350 |
| Combined salesperson exam and license application | $450 |
| Fingerprint processing fee | $49 |

The $49 fingerprint fee is generally paid directly to the Live Scan provider for California residents. A provider may charge an additional service fee.

Applicants should also budget for expenses that are not included in the DRE fees, such as:

• Pre-licensing education
• Textbooks or supplemental study materials
• Travel to the testing center
• Optional exam preparation
• Professional association membership
• Marketing and technology after joining a brokerage
• Errors-and-omissions insurance if required by the brokerage

The DRE’s official fee schedule should be checked before submitting an application because fees may be revised.
How Long Does It Take to Get a California Real Estate License?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. The total time depends on:

• How quickly you complete the 135 hours of education
• Whether you study part time or full time
• DRE application-processing times
• Exam appointment availability
• Fingerprint-processing time
• Whether the application contains errors or missing documents
• How quickly you find a sponsoring broker

A student using a self-paced online course may complete the education faster than someone studying only on weekends, but California does not promise a fixed licensing timeline. Planning for several weeks or months is more realistic than expecting a specific number of days.

To reduce delays:

- Use a DRE-approved education provider.
- Check that your name is consistent across your application and course records.
- Submit complete transcripts and certificates.
- Complete Live Scan as early as practical.
- Monitor your DRE eLicensing account.
- Prepare for the exam before applying.
Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Burlingame

A California salesperson cannot conduct licensed real estate activities independently. After receiving the license, the salesperson must be affiliated with and supervised by a licensed real estate broker.

When evaluating brokerages in Burlingame and the surrounding Peninsula, compare:

• Training for new agents
• Mentorship and transaction support
• Commission splits and fees
• Desk, technology, and marketing charges
• Lead-generation programs
• Listing and buyer-agent opportunities
• Brokerage culture
• Local coverage in Burlingame, San Mateo, Millbrae, Hillsborough, and nearby communities
• Requirements for office attendance and team participation

The sponsoring broker must notify the DRE of the salesperson’s affiliation. A salesperson may hold a license but cannot perform licensed activities for the public unless properly affiliated with a responsible broker.

Burlingame’s location on the San Francisco Peninsula may offer exposure to residential buyers, sellers, renters, relocation clients, and property owners. However, the amount of business available to a new agent depends on market conditions, personal prospecting, brokerage support, experience, and specialization.
Post-License Education and Continuing Education

California’s licensing system distinguishes between initial pre-licensing education and continuing education after licensing.
Continuing Education for Renewal

A California real estate salesperson generally must complete approved continuing education during each four-year license period before renewing. The required coursework includes the DRE’s mandated topics and other approved subjects.

Continuing education may address:

• Ethics
• Agency
• Fair housing
• Trust-fund handling
• Risk management
• Implicit bias
• Consumer protection
• State and federal legal updates

Licensees should verify the current course requirements before renewal because the DRE may update required topics. The DRE requires continuing education information to be submitted with the renewal process.

The current on-time salesperson renewal fee listed by the DRE is $350. A late renewal within the permitted period costs more, and renewal does not allow a licensee to practice while the license is expired.
Additional Training After Licensing

Although California does not impose a separate general post-license course comparable to some states’ mandatory first-year programs, new agents benefit from additional training in:

• California purchase agreements
• Listing agreements
• Disclosures
• Negotiation
• Escrow and title procedures
• Fair housing compliance
• Local market analysis
• Digital marketing
• Transaction coordination

A brokerage may impose its own onboarding or training requirements.
Potential Earnings for Burlingame Real Estate Agents

Real estate income varies substantially. Salespeople are commonly compensated through commissions or commission splits rather than a guaranteed salary. Earnings depend on:

• Number of completed transactions
• Property prices
• Commission arrangements
• Brokerage split and fees
• Lead sources
• Experience and reputation
• Market conditions
• Whether the agent works with buyers, sellers, investors, renters, or commercial clients

Burlingame and the broader San Mateo County and San Francisco Peninsula area may present opportunities in higher-value residential real estate, relocation, luxury housing, condominium sales, rentals, and property management. Higher property values do not guarantee higher personal income because transactions can take longer, competition can be intense, and commissions are negotiable.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes national and regional information for real estate sales agents, but it does not provide a guaranteed earnings figure for an individual Burlingame agent. Its data is useful for broad occupational context, not for predicting the income of a new licensee.

New agents should prepare for uneven income, especially during the first year. Building a referral network, learning the local market, maintaining a consistent prospecting schedule, and choosing a brokerage with meaningful support can be more important than selecting a brokerage solely by commission split.
Career Opportunities After Licensing

A California salesperson license can support several career paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing services
• Relocation assistance
• New-construction sales
• Rental and leasing services
• Property management, subject to applicable rules and brokerage supervision
• Investor and small multifamily transactions
• Commercial real estate
• Real estate team operations
• Transaction coordination and client services

For someone based in Burlingame, useful local knowledge may include neighborhood distinctions, transportation access, school-boundary considerations, condominium and single-family inventory, rental demand, and the needs of Peninsula professionals and relocating households. Agents should provide only services they are trained and authorized to provide and should refer legal, tax, lending, inspection, and other specialized questions to qualified professionals.
A Practical Burlingame Licensing Checklist

- Confirm that you meet California’s age and qualification requirements.
- Enroll in an approved 135-hour pre-licensing program.
- Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective.
- Save all course certificates and transcripts.
- Create a DRE eLicensing account.
- Submit the salesperson exam application or combined exam/license application.
- Pay the applicable DRE fees.
- Complete Live Scan fingerprinting.
- Study for and pass the California salesperson examination.
- Submit any remaining license documents.
- Interview sponsoring brokers in Burlingame and nearby Peninsula communities.
- Confirm that your broker affiliation is properly recorded.
- Complete continuing education before each renewal.
Authoritative Sources

• California Department of Real Estate — Salesperson Examination and License Application
• California Department of Real Estate — Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application
• California Department of Real Estate — License and Examination Fees
• California Department of Real Estate — Renewing Your License
• California Department of Real Estate — Examination Information
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents