If you want to start a real estate career in Lakewood, California, the first step is completing the state’s required pre-licensing education and qualifying for a California real estate salesperson license. A flexible California real estate pre-licensing course can help you complete the required coursework online while preparing for the California Department of Real Estate salesperson examination.

California licensing rules are established at the state level, so Lakewood residents follow the same education, examination, fingerprinting, and application requirements as applicants throughout California.
California Real Estate License Requirements

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

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
• Complete the required college-level real estate education.
• Apply for and pass the California real estate salesperson examination.
• Complete the required fingerprinting and background-check process.
• Submit the required application and fees to the California Department of Real Estate, commonly called the DRE.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/StepstoGetlicensed.pdf)

California does not require a four-year college degree or previous real estate experience for a salesperson license. However, applicants must satisfy the state’s education requirements before they can qualify for the licensing examination.
Required Real Estate Education in California

California requires completion of three college-level courses:

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

The third course may cover subjects such as real estate economics, accounting, business law, real estate finance, property management, escrows, appraisal, mortgage lending, or legal aspects of real estate.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/forms/re435.pdf)

These courses generally represent 135 hours of pre-licensing education, commonly structured as three 45-hour courses. The DRE recognizes qualifying courses offered through approved private education providers or regionally accredited colleges and universities.

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and courses satisfy current DRE requirements. Completing a general real estate class that is not DRE-approved may not qualify you to take the state examination.
Online Real Estate Courses for Lakewood Students

Online education can be a practical option for people in Lakewood who work full time, have family obligations, or prefer studying from home. A DRE-approved online program may allow you to:

• Study from home in Lakewood or elsewhere in California.
• Review lessons on a flexible schedule.
• Complete coursework without commuting to a classroom.
• Use practice questions and exam-preparation materials.
• Progress through the required courses at a pace that fits your schedule.

An online program does not eliminate the state’s education requirements. You still need to complete the required courses, retain proof of completion, and submit acceptable documentation when applying.

For a structured online path, consider this California real estate pre-licensing course. Before purchasing any course, verify that it includes the required Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and approved elective coursework.
How to Apply for the California Real Estate Exam

You can apply for the salesperson examination through the DRE’s eLicensing system or by submitting the appropriate paper application. Applicants may also submit a combined salesperson examination and license application, which can streamline the process after passing the examination.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/salesperson_exam_license.html)

The typical application process is:

1. Complete the three required pre-licensing courses.
2. Obtain course completion certificates or official transcripts.
3. Create an account through the DRE’s eLicensing system, if applying online.
4. Submit the salesperson examination application or combined exam/license application.
5. Upload or mail the required education documents.
6. Complete fingerprinting through California’s Live Scan process.
7. Pay the applicable DRE examination and license fees.
8. Schedule and take the salesperson examination.
9. Submit any remaining license documents after passing, if you did not file a combined application.
10. Affiliate with a qualified employing broker before performing licensed real estate activities.

The DRE states that an applicant generally has two years from the date the application is filed to pass the examination. Missing documents may also delay processing, so applicants should submit complete and legible materials.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/ComboSales.html)
Background Check and Fingerprinting

California requires original real estate license applicants to submit one set of classifiable electronic fingerprints through the Department of Justice Live Scan program.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/forms/re435.pdf)

The process generally involves:

• Obtaining the DRE Live Scan Service Request form, known as Form RE 237.
• Visiting an authorized Live Scan provider.
• Presenting identification and the completed form.
• Paying the Live Scan provider’s fingerprint-processing charge.
• Waiting for the Department of Justice and, when applicable, FBI background-check results to reach the DRE.

The DRE cannot issue a license until it receives the required fingerprint-response information.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/passexam.html) A criminal history does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied, but applicants must answer disclosure questions honestly. The DRE evaluates criminal convictions and other licensing issues under California law.

Fingerprint fees are generally nonrefundable, including when an applicant does not pass the examination.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/ComboSales.html)
The California Real Estate Salesperson Examination

The California salesperson examination tests knowledge of the state’s real estate laws, principles, practices, and related subjects. You must pass the examination before the DRE can issue a salesperson license.

Applicants should prepare for topics such as:

• Property ownership and land use.
• Agency relationships and fiduciary duties.
• Property valuation and market analysis.
• Financing and mortgage lending.
• Transfer of property.
• Practice and disclosures.
• Contracts.
• California real estate regulations.
• Common interest developments.
• Leases and property management.

A preparation program can help you learn the material, but completing the required education does not guarantee a passing score. Use practice examinations, review incorrect answers, and schedule the exam when you can consistently demonstrate readiness.

If you do not pass, California permits re-examination, subject to the applicable DRE fee and application rules. The DRE currently lists a $100 salesperson examination fee and a $100 re-examination fee.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/fees.html)
California Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, whether you pass on the first attempt, fingerprinting charges, and other personal expenses.

Common costs include:

| Expense | Current amount or range |
|---|---:|
| Salesperson examination fee | $100(https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/fees.html) |
| Salesperson re-examination fee | $100(https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/fees.html) |
| Original salesperson license fee | $350(https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/fees.html) |
| Combined salesperson exam and license application | $450 in listed DRE fees(https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/fees.html) |
| California fingerprint-processing fee | $49, paid directly to the Live Scan provider for California residents(https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/StepstoGetlicensed.pdf) |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by school and package |

The DRE’s fee schedule should be checked before applying because fees can be revised. You should also budget for study materials, transportation or technology expenses, exam retakes if needed, professional association dues, marketing, and brokerage-related costs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for becoming licensed in California. The timeframe depends on:

• How quickly you complete the three required courses.
• Whether your education provider issues documents promptly.
• DRE application-processing times.
• Fingerprint and background-check processing.
• Exam availability.
• Whether you pass the examination on your first attempt.
• Whether the application is complete.

A motivated student may complete the education relatively quickly, while someone studying part time may take longer. Application or fingerprint delays can extend the process. Avoid making nonrefundable career or financial commitments based on a specific start date until your license has been issued.
Do You Need a Sponsoring Broker in Lakewood?

California does not require you to choose a sponsoring broker before taking the salesperson examination. However, a salesperson must be affiliated with a licensed California real estate broker to perform activities that require a real estate license.

A broker can provide supervision, transaction systems, forms, training, compliance support, and access to listings or clients. When evaluating brokerages in or near Lakewood, compare:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Monthly desk or technology fees.
• Training and mentorship.
• Lead-generation support.
• Office and remote-work options.
• Marketing resources.
• Administrative and transaction-coordination services.
• The broker’s experience with residential, commercial, leasing, or investment transactions.

Your employing broker should be licensed and actively supervising the business. The DRE’s public license tools can help verify license status before you affiliate with a brokerage.
Choosing a Brokerage Near Lakewood

Lakewood is part of the greater Long Beach and southeastern Los Angeles County real estate market. Local opportunities may include residential sales, rentals, relocation services, property management, investment property, and work with buyers and sellers moving within the surrounding communities.

New agents should evaluate brokerages based on the neighborhoods and property types they intend to serve. A Lakewood-focused agent might develop expertise in single-family homes, condominiums, first-time buyers, military or public-sector households, relocations, or nearby Long Beach-area properties. These are career directions rather than licensing requirements, and actual opportunities depend on market conditions, brokerage strategy, and personal business development.

Building a local career can involve:

- Learning Lakewood neighborhoods, schools, transportation patterns, and property features.
- Developing relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors, and escrow professionals.
- Participating in community and professional organizations.
- Creating accurate local market content.
- Following California advertising, disclosure, fair-housing, and agency rules.
- Building a referral network throughout southeastern Los Angeles County.
What Happens After You Pass the Exam?

If you filed only an examination application, you must submit the salesperson license application, Live Scan documentation, required fee, and any remaining documents after passing. If you filed a combined examination and license application, the DRE can process the license after you satisfy the remaining requirements.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/passexam.html)

You should not perform activities requiring a real estate license until your license is issued and you are properly affiliated with a broker. Confirm your license status through the DRE before beginning licensed work.
Post-License Education and Continuing Education

California does not use a separate, universal post-license course requirement in the same way some states require a newly licensed salesperson to complete a specific post-licensing curriculum. Instead, California licensees must complete continuing education to renew their licenses.

For a salesperson’s first renewal, California requires 45 hours of approved continuing education. The coursework includes required topics established by the DRE, along with elective education. Subsequent renewal periods also require approved continuing education during the applicable renewal cycle.(https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/forms/re206.pdf)

Continuing education may address subjects such as:

• Agency relationships.
• Ethics and consumer protection.
• Fair housing.
• Risk management.
• Trust-fund handling.
• Implicit bias.
• State and federal real estate law.
• Contracts and disclosures.

Always review the DRE’s current renewal instructions because course-topic requirements and compliance procedures can change.
Potential Earnings for Lakewood Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is highly variable. Salespeople commonly earn through commissions or other compensation arrangements tied to completed transactions, and new agents may have little or no income while building a client base.

Earnings can vary based on:

• Number of completed transactions.
• Property prices and transaction volume.
• Brokerage split and fees.
• Lead-generation costs.
• Part-time versus full-time work.
• Local market conditions.
• Experience and specialization.
• Ability to build repeat and referral business.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports occupational employment and wage information for real estate sales agents, but those figures are not a guarantee of what an individual Lakewood agent will earn. Commission income may also be irregular, and gross commissions are not the same as take-home income.(https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm)

Before entering the field, prepare a financial plan that accounts for education, licensing, transportation, technology, marketing, insurance, taxes, brokerage fees, and several months of variable income.
Career Opportunities With a California Real Estate License

A salesperson license can support several career paths, including:

• Residential real estate sales.
• Buyer representation.
• Listing representation.
• Leasing and rental transactions.
• New-home sales.
• Relocation services.
• Property management, where permitted and properly supervised.
• Commercial real estate, subject to training and brokerage opportunities.
• Investment property sales.
• Real estate referrals.
• Transaction coordination or real estate operations roles that comply with licensing rules.

Some positions require additional education, experience, licensing, or supervision. For example, becoming a California real estate broker requires additional statutory education, real estate experience, and a separate broker examination and application.
Practical Steps for a Lakewood Applicant

A practical plan looks like this:

1. Confirm that you meet the age and identification requirements.
2. Choose a DRE-approved education provider.
3. Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one approved elective.
4. Save your certificates and official education records.
5. Create a DRE eLicensing account.
6. Submit the salesperson exam application or combined exam/license application.
7. Complete Live Scan fingerprinting.
8. Study California-specific laws and test topics.
9. Pass the salesperson examination.
10. Verify that the DRE has issued your license.
11. Interview brokerages serving Lakewood and nearby communities.
12. Affiliate with a broker before performing licensed activities.
13. Build a compliant marketing and client-development plan.
14. Track continuing-education deadlines from the beginning.
Final Takeaway

Getting a real estate license in Lakewood follows California’s statewide process: complete the required education, apply to the DRE, submit fingerprints, pass the salesperson examination, pay the applicable fees, and affiliate with a licensed broker before practicing. An online California real estate pre-licensing course can make the education stage more convenient, while local market knowledge and disciplined business planning can help you build a career in Lakewood and the surrounding Long Beach-area communities.
Authoritative Sources

• California Department of Real Estate — Steps to Becoming a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson or Broker
• California Department of Real Estate — Salesperson Exam and License Application
• California Department of Real Estate — Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application
• California Department of Real Estate — Fees
• California Department of Real Estate — Salesperson Exam/License Application Form RE 435
• California Department of Real Estate — Continuing Education and Renewal Information
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents