Becoming a real estate salesperson in Lomita starts with completing California’s required education, passing the state examination, and applying through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). A flexible California real estate pre-licensing course can help Lomita residents complete the required coursework online while preparing for the licensing exam.

California does not issue a separate real estate license for Lomita. The same statewide DRE requirements apply whether you plan to work in Lomita, nearby Torrance and Harbor City, or elsewhere in California.
California Real Estate License Requirements

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

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Complete three required college-level real estate courses.
• Pass the California real estate salesperson examination.
• Submit a license application and required fees.
• Complete fingerprinting and a background check.
• Disclose criminal convictions and other relevant information when required.
• Work under the supervision of a licensed California real estate broker.

California does not require a four-year college degree or prior real estate experience for a salesperson license. The DRE evaluates an applicant’s qualifications and disclosures individually, so a criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied. However, incomplete or inaccurate disclosures can create additional problems.

The California Department of Real Estate’s salesperson requirements should be reviewed before enrollment and again before submitting an application.
Required Real Estate Education Hours

California requires completion of three approved college-level courses:

• Real Estate Principles.
• Real Estate Practice.
• One course from an approved list of subjects, such as legal aspects of real estate, finance, appraisal, economics, property management, accounting, or real estate office administration.

Each course must generally provide at least 45 hours of instruction, for a total of 135 hours of required pre-licensing education. Courses must be completed through an institution or provider accepted by the DRE.

Applicants must retain course completion evidence and provide official transcripts or other acceptable documentation with the examination or license application when required. The DRE explains the education requirement and approved subject options on its official salesperson examination requirements page.
Online California Pre-Licensing Courses

Online education can be a practical option for people in Lomita who work full time, have family obligations, or prefer studying at home. A quality online program should:

• Include all 135 required education hours.
• Clearly identify the DRE-approved courses included in the package.
• Provide access to course materials and completion records.
• Explain how transcripts or certificates are issued.
• Offer practice questions or exam preparation.
• Allow students to study according to a realistic schedule.

An online course does not eliminate the state examination or application requirements. It is the education portion of the licensing process. Before purchasing, confirm that the provider’s current course offerings satisfy California’s statutory requirements.

For Lomita students, online study may also reduce commuting to schools outside the South Bay. The California real estate pre-licensing course can be used as a convenient starting point for completing the required education.
How to Apply for the California Real Estate Exam

Applicants can apply for the examination alone or use the combined salesperson examination and license application. The combined application allows a qualified applicant to submit the examination and original license requests together.

The application process typically involves these steps:

1. Complete the three required real estate courses.
2. Collect official transcripts or acceptable proof of education.
3. Complete the DRE salesperson examination application.
4. Complete the Live Scan Service Request form.
5. Submit fingerprints through an authorized Live Scan provider.
6. Pay the applicable DRE fees.
7. Wait for the DRE to process the application and authorize examination scheduling.
8. Schedule and take the examination through the state’s examination vendor.
9. If the examination is passed and all other requirements are satisfied, complete any remaining license steps.

Applicants can submit an online application through the DRE’s eLicensing system or use the applicable paper forms. The DRE’s salesperson exam and license application instructions list the required documentation.
Background Check and Fingerprinting

Original California real estate license applicants must submit fingerprints for a criminal-history background check. California residents generally use Live Scan, an electronic fingerprinting process.

Applicants should:

• Obtain the DRE’s Live Scan Service Request form.
• Take the form to an authorized Live Scan provider.
• Bring acceptable identification.
• Pay the fingerprint processing fee directly to the provider.
• Confirm that the fingerprint submission is transmitted to the DRE.

The fingerprint processing fee listed by the DRE is $49 for California residents, paid directly to the Live Scan provider. The total amount charged by a provider may also reflect the provider’s service fee.

Fingerprint results must be received before the DRE can issue a license. Fingerprint processing fees are generally nonrefundable, including when an applicant does not pass the examination. Applicants must answer disclosure questions completely and accurately; the DRE may request additional information about convictions, disciplinary actions, or other matters.
California Real Estate Licensing Examination

The California salesperson examination is administered at state examination centers, including the La Palma center in Orange County and the San Diego center. Lomita applicants should check current availability and scheduling instructions before choosing a location.

The salesperson examination:

• Is a computerized multiple-choice examination.
• Covers California real estate principles and practices.
• Requires a passing score determined by the DRE.
• Must be passed within the application’s validity period.

The DRE’s current examination information identifies the salesperson examination as a 150-question test with a three-hour time limit. Applicants should verify the latest format, identification rules, prohibited items, scheduling policies, and testing locations in the current California salesperson examination handbook or DRE examination materials.

Preparation should combine course review with practice questions covering:

• Property ownership and land use.
• Agency and fiduciary duties.
• Contracts and disclosures.
• Real estate finance.
• Transfer of property.
• Valuation and market analysis.
• California real estate law.
• Fair housing and consumer protection.
• Property management and leasing.
• Real estate calculations.

If an applicant does not pass, the applicant can apply for reexamination and pay the applicable reexamination fee.
California Real Estate License Costs

The major state fees currently listed by the DRE include:

| Item | Current fee |
|---|---:|
| Salesperson examination | $100 |
| Salesperson reexamination | $100 |
| Salesperson original license | $350 |
| Combined salesperson exam and license application | $450 |
| Fingerprint processing fee for California residents | $49 |

The combined application fee does not include the separate Live Scan provider charge. Applicants should also budget for education, textbooks or study materials, transportation if testing in person, professional membership, marketing, and brokerage-related expenses.

Fees can change. Always confirm the current amounts on the DRE’s official fee schedule before submitting payment.
How Long Does It Take to Get a License?

The timeline varies according to study pace, application processing, fingerprint processing, examination availability, and whether the applicant passes on the first attempt.

A realistic process includes:

• Completing 135 hours of education.
• Gathering transcripts and application documents.
• Completing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• Waiting for DRE application processing.
• Scheduling and taking the exam.
• Completing any remaining license issuance steps.

Some applicants finish in a few months, while others take longer because they study part time, retake the examination, or experience delays with documentation or background review. The DRE generally gives applicants two years from the application date to satisfy examination requirements; an application and fee can lapse if the requirements are not completed within that period.

There is no guaranteed statewide turnaround time for every applicant. Check the DRE’s current processing information rather than relying on a promised timeline from a school or brokerage.
Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Lomita

A California salesperson cannot independently perform licensed real estate activities without working under a licensed broker. After obtaining the license, the salesperson must affiliate with a broker who can supervise the salesperson’s activities.

When comparing brokerages in Lomita and the surrounding South Bay, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Training for new agents.
• Mentorship and lead programs.
• Office and technology fees.
• Marketing support.
• Transaction coordination.
• Compliance supervision.
• Geographic coverage.
• Expectations for prospecting and floor duty.
• Whether the brokerage handles residential, commercial, leasing, or investment transactions.

A new license may be issued in a non-working status if the salesperson has not yet selected a broker. The license becomes useful for practicing real estate after the salesperson is properly affiliated with a supervising broker.

Interviewing several brokerages can help a new agent understand the difference between commission structure and actual business support. A higher advertised split may not be the best choice if it comes with limited training, significant fees, or little help with contracts and compliance.
First-Renewal and Post-License Education

California does not use a separate short “post-license” course in the same way some states do. Instead, newly licensed salespersons must complete continuing education before renewing the license.

For the first renewal, California requires 45 hours of approved continuing education. The curriculum includes mandatory subjects such as:

• Ethics.
• Agency.
• Trust fund handling.
• Fair housing.
• Risk management.
• Consumer protection.
• Implicit bias training, where required by the current DRE curriculum.
• Other subjects specified by the DRE.

The exact first-renewal curriculum can change, so licensees should use the DRE’s current continuing education guidance and course verification requirements. Completing additional education soon after licensing can also help a new Lomita agent develop practical skills in contracts, disclosures, prospecting, pricing, and transaction management.
Continuing Education for License Renewal

California real estate licenses generally renew every four years. Licensees must complete the required approved continuing education during the four-year period immediately before renewal.

Continuing education is not optional. A licensee who fails to complete the required courses may not be able to renew on time. Licensees should keep certificates and course records and report the required information accurately when renewing.

The DRE’s continuing education information provides current course and renewal guidance.
Career Opportunities in Lomita

A real estate license can support several career paths in and around Lomita, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Leasing and rental transactions.
• Property management, subject to the applicable brokerage structure.
• Relocation assistance.
• New-home and builder sales.
• Commercial property sales and leasing.
• Investor and small multifamily transactions.
• Real estate transaction coordination or brokerage support roles.

Lomita’s location in the South Bay gives local professionals the opportunity to build relationships across nearby communities, although the best geographic focus depends on the brokerage, market conditions, and the agent’s network. A new agent should learn the neighborhoods they intend to serve, including housing types, transportation patterns, local amenities, school-boundary considerations, zoning issues, and common transaction concerns.

Agents should avoid making unsupported claims about local prices, demand, or expected transaction volume. Lomita’s market conditions can change, and individual results depend on experience, prospecting, inventory, interest rates, economic conditions, and brokerage support.
Potential Earnings for Real Estate Agents

Real estate sales is commonly commission-based, so income can vary substantially. Some agents earn little or no commission during their first months, while established agents may have more predictable business. Gross commissions are not the same as take-home income because agents may pay brokerage splits, transaction fees, marketing expenses, association dues, insurance, taxes, vehicle costs, and other business expenses.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2025 median annual wage of $57,400 for real estate brokers and sales agents nationally. This figure is not a guaranteed salary, is not specific to Lomita, and may combine sales agents and brokers. It also does not represent the earnings of every licensed salesperson. Review the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook information for broader employment and compensation context.

When evaluating income potential, ask a prospective brokerage how it calculates splits, caps, fees, lead costs, and commission payments. A business plan should account for an extended period of building a client base rather than assuming immediate full-time income.
Practical Steps for Lomita Applicants

A focused plan can make the licensing process easier:

1. Confirm that you meet the basic age and eligibility requirements.
2. Enroll in a California-approved 135-hour education program.
3. Complete the coursework and save all completion documents.
4. Create an account with the DRE’s eLicensing system.
5. Submit the salesperson examination or combined exam/license application.
6. Complete Live Scan fingerprinting promptly.
7. Study California law and take realistic practice examinations.
8. Schedule the exam at a convenient available testing center.
9. Compare brokerages serving Lomita and the South Bay before or after passing.
10. Complete first-renewal continuing education well before the license expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lomita residents need a special city real estate license?

No. Real estate salesperson licensing is regulated statewide by the California Department of Real Estate. Lomita residents apply for a California license.
Can the required courses be completed online?

Yes, provided the courses and provider satisfy current California requirements. Confirm that the program includes all three required courses and 135 total hours.
Is a college degree required?

No. California requires the specified college-level real estate courses, but not a bachelor’s degree.
Do applicants need a sponsoring broker before taking the exam?

A sponsoring broker is not generally required to take the examination. However, a salesperson must be affiliated with a licensed broker to perform licensed real estate activities.
How much does the license cost?

The DRE currently lists a $100 salesperson examination fee, a $350 original salesperson license fee, and a $49 California-resident fingerprint processing fee. Education and Live Scan provider charges are additional.
Can someone with a criminal record get licensed?

Possibly. The DRE reviews disclosures and background information individually. Applicants should disclose required information accurately and provide explanations or documents requested by the DRE.
Is continuing education required after getting licensed?

Yes. California requires approved continuing education for renewal, including 45 hours for the first renewal and required education for subsequent renewals.
Authoritative Sources

• California Department of Real Estate — Salesperson License Requirements
• California Department of Real Estate — Salesperson Exam and License Application
• California Department of Real Estate — Examination and Licensing Fees
• California Department of Real Estate — Continuing Education
• California Department of Real Estate — California Real Estate License Examination Handbook
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents