Becoming a real estate salesperson in Long Beach requires completing California’s education requirements, passing the state licensing exam, submitting fingerprints, and working under a licensed real estate broker. 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 (DRE) exam.

California’s licensing rules apply statewide, including in Long Beach. However, Long Beach’s coastal housing, condominium, rental, investment, and relocation markets can provide several possible niches for new professionals.
California Real Estate License Requirements

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

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
• Complete three required college-level real estate courses.
• Pass the California salesperson licensing examination.
• Submit the required license application and fees.
• Complete fingerprinting and a background check.
• Work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker to conduct licensed activities.

California does not require a four-year college degree or prior real estate sales experience for a salesperson license. The DRE evaluates criminal history and other information individually; a prior conviction does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied, but all required disclosures must be accurate.

The DRE’s official salesperson examination and licensing instructions provide the current application steps and documentation requirements.
Required Real Estate Education: 135 Hours

California requires three college-level courses before you can qualify for the salesperson examination:

1. Real Estate Principles
2. Real Estate Practice
3. One additional approved course, such as finance, economics, legal aspects of real estate, property management, appraisal, accounting, business law, or another subject accepted by the DRE

Each course must generally consist of 45 hours, for a total of 135 hours of approved pre-licensing education. Courses must be offered by a DRE-approved real estate school or institution.

A state-approved California real estate pre-licensing course may be useful for Long Beach residents who need a self-paced option around work, school, family, or commuting schedules. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider’s courses satisfy California’s statutory course requirements and that completion documentation will be available for the DRE application.
Online California Pre-Licensing Courses

Online education can be a practical choice for aspiring agents in Long Beach. Depending on the provider, online programs may include:

• Self-paced lessons
• Practice quizzes and simulated exams
• Digital textbooks
• Instructor support
• Progress tracking
• Mobile-friendly access
• Exam-preparation materials

Online study does not eliminate the state’s education requirement. You still need to complete the required approved courses and retain certificates or transcripts showing completion.

A good study plan is to complete one course at a time, take detailed notes on California-specific terminology, and use practice questions to identify weak areas. Pay particular attention to contracts, agency relationships, disclosures, financing, property ownership, and California real estate law.
How to Apply for the California Exam and License

Applicants may apply for the examination separately or use California’s combined salesperson examination and license application.
Option 1: Apply for the exam first

You can apply to take the salesperson examination and then apply for the license after passing. The process generally includes:

1. Complete the required three courses.
2. Gather course completion certificates or official transcripts.
3. Create an account through the DRE’s eLicensing system.
4. Submit the salesperson examination application.
5. Pay the examination fee.
6. Complete fingerprinting and submit the required Live Scan documentation.
7. Schedule and take the examination after receiving authorization from the DRE.
8. Apply for the salesperson license after passing, unless you already submitted a combined application.
Option 2: Submit a combined exam and license application

California also allows applicants to submit a combined Salesperson Examination and License Application. The DRE explains that applicants can submit the application, education documentation, Live Scan form, and applicable examination and license fees together.

This option can reduce a separate post-exam filing step, but the license still cannot be issued until you pass the examination, satisfy fingerprint requirements, and meet all other licensing conditions.

The DRE generally allows two years from the application filing date to pass the examination. If you do not qualify and pass within that period, you may need to submit a new application and fees.
Background Check and Fingerprinting

Every original California real estate license applicant must complete fingerprinting for a criminal history background check.

California residents generally complete electronic fingerprints through a Live Scan provider using the DRE’s RE 237 Live Scan Service Request form. The fingerprint processing fee is paid to the Live Scan provider, and the DRE must receive the results before issuing the license.

Fingerprint results can take varying amounts of time depending on the application and whether additional review is required. Disclose convictions and other required information completely and accurately. Omissions or false statements can create problems even when the underlying offense might not have prevented licensure.
California Real Estate Salesperson Exam

The California salesperson examination is administered for the DRE at designated testing centers, including the La Palma and San Diego locations that may be practical for applicants in the Long Beach area. Testing availability and appointment options can change.

The exam covers subjects such as:

• Property ownership and land use controls
• Laws of agency and fiduciary duties
• Property valuation and market analysis
• Financing
• Transfer of property
• Practice and disclosures
• Contracts
• General principles of California real estate
• Property management and leasing
• Common-interest developments
• California real estate regulations

The salesperson examination contains 150 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have three hours to complete it. A passing score requires at least 70 percent correct answers.

Use the DRE’s current salesperson examination information and the applicable Pearson VUE California real estate candidate information for current testing procedures, scheduling instructions, identification rules, and test-center requirements.
Exam preparation tips

• Complete all three required courses before applying.
• Review practice questions regularly rather than waiting until the end.
• Study California agency, disclosure, and licensing rules carefully.
• Practice calculations involving commissions, prorations, interest, and loan-to-value ratios.
• Schedule the exam when you can study consistently in the preceding weeks.
• Bring the identification and other materials required by the testing provider.

If you fail, California permits reexamination, subject to the applicable fee and the two-year application period.
California Real Estate License Costs

The main state-related costs for a salesperson applicant currently include:

| Item | Current amount |
|---|---:|
| Salesperson examination | $100 |
| Original salesperson license | $350 |
| Fingerprint processing | $49 |
| Examination plus original license, when paid together | $450, plus fingerprint processing |

California residents generally pay the $49 fingerprint processing fee directly to the Live Scan provider. Course tuition, textbooks, exam preparation, transportation, and optional membership or marketing expenses are additional and vary by provider or brokerage.

Review the DRE’s current examination and licensing fee schedule before submitting payment. Fees and procedures can change, and application fees are generally nonrefundable.
How Long Does It Take to Get a California Real Estate License?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. The process may take several months, depending on:

• How quickly you complete the 135 hours of education
• How soon the DRE processes your application
• Fingerprint and background-check processing
• Examination appointment availability
• Whether you pass on the first attempt
• How quickly you select a sponsoring broker

A self-paced online student may finish coursework faster than someone studying part time, but completing the classes is only one part of the process. A realistic schedule should include time for application processing, exam preparation, fingerprinting, testing, and brokerage selection.
Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Long Beach

A California salesperson cannot conduct licensed real estate activities independently. After obtaining the license, the salesperson must be affiliated with a licensed real estate broker who supervises the salesperson’s work.

When comparing brokerages in Long Beach, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees
• Desk, technology, or administrative fees
• Training and mentorship
• Lead generation
• Listing and transaction support
• Local office access
• Compliance supervision
• Marketing resources
• Referral and relocation business
• Property-management or commercial opportunities

A broker may be located outside Long Beach, but the brokerage should provide appropriate supervision and support for the markets you plan to serve. Many new agents benefit from a brokerage with structured training and transaction assistance, even if its commission split is not the highest available.

Do not begin performing activities that require a real estate license until your license is issued and properly affiliated with a broker.
Post-License Education and Continuing Education

California does not use a separate salesperson “post-license” course in the same way some states do. Instead, newly licensed salespersons must satisfy California’s continuing education requirements when renewing the license.

For a first renewal, a salesperson generally must complete 45 hours of approved continuing education during the applicable renewal period. The required curriculum includes specified subjects, which may include ethics, agency, trust-fund handling, fair housing, and other California-mandated topics.

Later renewals also require approved continuing education, with specific subject and course requirements depending on the renewal period and the licensee’s circumstances. Confirm the requirements with the DRE before renewal through its continuing education information.

Continuing education is more than a renewal obligation. Courses in contracts, negotiation, fair housing, risk management, digital marketing, investment property, and property management can help a Long Beach agent develop a specialized practice.
Potential Earnings for Long Beach Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is highly variable. Salespersons commonly receive commission-based compensation, and earnings can depend on closed transactions, commission arrangements, brokerage splits, market conditions, referrals, expenses, and the amount of time spent building a client base.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $71,110 for real estate sales agents in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area in May 2023. This is an occupational wage estimate for the metropolitan area—not a guaranteed starting salary, commission promise, or forecast for an individual Long Beach agent. The BLS occupational wage data should be used as general earnings context.

New agents may have irregular income during their first year because they are developing a referral network and waiting for transactions to close. Budgeting for licensing, education, marketing, transportation, insurance, technology, association, and brokerage expenses is essential.
Career Opportunities in Long Beach

Long Beach offers a range of potential real estate niches, although the availability of business depends on market conditions and personal networking. Possible areas include:

• Residential home sales
• Condominiums and townhomes
• Coastal and waterfront property
• First-time-buyer representation
• Relocation services
• Rental and leasing services
• Investment properties
• Multifamily housing
• Property management
• Commercial real estate
• Industrial and logistics-related property
• Probate, trust, or estate-related transactions

The city’s housing variety and connection to the broader Los Angeles metropolitan area can support different business models. An agent may choose to specialize by neighborhood, property type, client group, or transaction type rather than trying to serve every segment.

Long Beach professionals should also understand local zoning, disclosure practices, rental regulations, coastal considerations, condominium documents, and neighborhood-level market differences. These are practical business topics, not substitutes for California’s statewide licensing requirements.
A Practical Long Beach Licensing Checklist

- Confirm that you meet California’s age and character requirements.
- Enroll in a DRE-approved 135-hour education program.
- Complete Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one approved additional course.
- Save your certificates or official transcripts.
- Create a DRE eLicensing account.
- Submit the exam or combined exam/license application.
- Complete the Live Scan fingerprint process.
- Pay the required DRE and fingerprint fees.
- Schedule and pass the salesperson examination.
- Select a sponsoring broker before practicing.
- Complete required continuing education before your first renewal.
- Build a Long Beach business plan based on a realistic niche and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in Long Beach to get a California real estate license?

No. California’s salesperson license is issued under statewide requirements. You may live in Long Beach or elsewhere, but you must meet the DRE’s education, examination, application, fingerprinting, and licensing requirements.
Can I take the required classes online?

Yes, online education is available through approved providers. Verify that the program includes all three required 45-hour courses and satisfies California’s DRE rules.
Can I take the California exam in Long Beach?

Testing locations and appointment availability can change. The DRE lists designated examination centers, and applicants in Long Beach may need to use a nearby center such as La Palma or San Diego.
Can I work without a broker after passing the exam?

No. A salesperson must be affiliated with and supervised by a licensed real estate broker to perform licensed real estate activities.
Is a California real estate license a salaried job?

Usually not. Many real estate salespersons work primarily on commission or other transaction-based compensation. Earnings vary widely and are not guaranteed.
How often must I renew the license?

California salesperson licenses are generally renewed every four years, subject to completing the required continuing education and submitting the renewal application and fee on time.
Authoritative Sources

• California Department of Real Estate — Salesperson Examination and License Application
• California Department of Real Estate — Examination, Licensing, and Fingerprint Fees
• California Department of Real Estate — Education Requirements
• California Department of Real Estate — Continuing Education
• California Department of Real Estate — Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application
• Pearson VUE — California Real Estate Examination Information
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Sales Agents, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
• California real estate pre-licensing course