If you want to begin a real estate career in Monterey, the first step is completing California’s required salesperson education and applying through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). A flexible California real estate pre-licensing course can help you complete the required coursework online while preparing for the state licensing examination.

California licensing rules are statewide, so aspiring agents in Monterey follow the same process as applicants in Los Angeles, Sacramento, or San Diego. Local market knowledge, brokerage selection, and professional networking will be specific to Monterey, but the education, examination, fingerprinting, and application requirements come from the DRE.
California Real Estate License Requirements

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

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

California does not require applicants to be California residents or U.S. citizens, although out-of-state applicants have additional procedural requirements. The DRE evaluates each application individually, and a criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied. Full and accurate disclosure is essential.
Required Education: 135 Hours

California requires three approved college-level courses totaling 135 hours:

1. Real Estate Principles — 45 hours.
2. Real Estate Practice — 45 hours.
3. One approved elective — 45 hours.

The elective may include subjects such as real estate finance, legal aspects of real estate, property management, appraisal, economics, accounting, business law, or another DRE-approved topic.

Course providers must be approved by the California DRE. Completing a course from an unapproved provider may not satisfy the licensing requirement, so verify the provider’s approval status before enrolling.

A California real estate pre-licensing course may be a practical option for Monterey residents who need to study around an existing job, family responsibilities, or seasonal work. Online programs can offer self-paced lessons, practice questions, and digital access without requiring regular travel to an in-person classroom.
Online Versus In-Person Courses

Both online and classroom-based education can satisfy California’s pre-licensing requirement when the course provider and program are approved by the DRE.

Online education may be useful if you:

• Live in Monterey and have a changing work schedule.
• Prefer studying from home.
• Want to review lessons multiple times.
• Need to complete coursework without commuting.
• Plan to work in real estate part time initially.

Before enrolling, confirm that the program includes all three required courses, provides completion documentation, and explains how its final exams or identity-verification procedures work.
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 can streamline the process by allowing the applicant to submit examination and licensing materials together.

The typical process is:

1. Complete the three required 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. Provide the required documents and answer application questions.
6. Pay the applicable DRE fees.
7. Complete fingerprinting through Live Scan.
8. Receive authorization and schedule the examination.
9. Pass the examination.
10. Complete any remaining licensing steps.
11. Affiliate with a sponsoring California broker before conducting licensed activity.

The DRE may request additional documentation, explanations, or information about an applicant’s history. Processing times vary depending on application volume, document completeness, fingerprint results, and whether the DRE needs additional review.
Background Check and Fingerprinting

Original California real estate license applicants must submit fingerprints for a criminal history check. California residents generally use a Live Scan service provider with the DRE’s fingerprint form, RE 237.

Fingerprinting can usually be completed after submitting the application and may also be completed before the examination, depending on the application route. The DRE cannot issue the license until it receives the required fingerprint response information.

The fingerprint processing fee is separate from the education cost and may be paid directly to the Live Scan provider. Fingerprint charges can vary by provider, but the DRE identifies a $49 processing fee for California residents in its current fee information; the provider may also charge an additional service fee.

Monterey applicants should retain the completed Live Scan paperwork and confirm that the provider uses the correct DRE form. Fingerprint fees are generally nonrefundable, including when an applicant does not pass the examination.
California Salesperson Licensing Examination

The California salesperson exam tests knowledge of subjects including:

• 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.
• California real estate regulations.
• Common-interest developments.
• Basic real estate calculations.

The salesperson examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates receive three hours to complete the examination. A passing score is 70 percent or higher.

The test is administered through California’s contracted examination service. After the DRE processes the application, candidates receive instructions for scheduling at an available testing location. Monterey-area applicants may need to plan for travel if the most convenient testing appointment is outside the city.
Preparing for the Exam

A strong preparation plan should include:

• Completing every required course.
• Reviewing California-specific terminology and regulations.
• Taking timed practice exams.
• Studying agency, contracts, disclosures, and finance.
• Practicing real estate mathematics.
• Scheduling the examination soon after completing the coursework.
• Bringing the identification and materials required by the testing administrator.

If you do not pass, California permits reexamination, but each attempt requires the applicable examination fee. The DRE application generally remains valid for two years; applicants must pass within that period or submit a new application and fee.
California Real Estate License Costs

The official DRE fees currently include:

| Item | Current DRE fee |
|---|---:|
| Salesperson examination | $100 |
| Salesperson reexamination | $100 |
| Original salesperson license | $350 |
| Combined salesperson exam and license application | $450 |
| Salesperson renewal, on time | $350 |
| Salesperson renewal, late | $525 |
| Fingerprint processing fee for California residents | $49, paid through the Live Scan process |

The total cost is higher than the DRE fees alone. Budget for:

• Pre-licensing education.
• Textbooks or study materials, if not included.
• Live Scan provider service charges.
• Transportation to the examination site.
• Professional memberships, if desired.
• Local marketing and business expenses.
• Brokerage fees, desk fees, transaction fees, or technology charges.
• Errors-and-omissions insurance, if required by the brokerage.
• Continuing education courses.

Course prices are set by education providers and vary by package, format, promotions, and included materials. Brokerage costs also differ substantially, so ask for a written explanation of commission splits and recurring charges before affiliating.
How Long Does It Take to Get a License?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. A prepared applicant may complete the education relatively quickly, while others take longer because they study part time or need to retake the exam.

The timeline depends on:

• How quickly the 135 hours are completed.
• How long the DRE takes to process the application.
• Fingerprint processing.
• Examination appointment availability.
• Whether the application is complete.
• Whether the applicant must provide additional background information.
• Whether the applicant passes on the first attempt.

To reduce delays, submit accurate documents, use the correct forms, complete fingerprinting promptly, and monitor the DRE application status. Do not make plans based on a specific number of days unless the DRE or testing administrator provides that estimate for your application.
Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Monterey

A California salesperson cannot independently perform licensed real estate activities. The salesperson must be affiliated with and supervised by a licensed real estate broker.

When evaluating brokerages in Monterey, compare:

• Commission split and transaction fees.
• Monthly desk or technology fees.
• Training and mentorship.
• Availability of experienced managers.
• Lead-generation support.
• Marketing rules and approval procedures.
• Office culture and communication.
• Coverage of errors-and-omissions insurance.
• Support for contracts, disclosures, and compliance.
• Geographic reach across Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Seaside, Salinas, and surrounding communities.

A broker with strong local knowledge can help a new salesperson understand the area’s different property types, buyer profiles, disclosure practices, and transaction expectations. Interview more than one brokerage and request written details about all fees before signing an affiliation agreement.
What New Agents Can Expect in Monterey

Monterey offers several potential real estate niches, including:

• Residential sales.
• Coastal and second-home markets.
• Relocation services.
• Luxury properties.
• Condominiums and planned communities.
• Investment and rental property.
• Military and government-related relocation in the broader region.
• Land and rural properties in nearby communities.
• Property management, subject to the applicable business structure and licensing rules.

The local market includes Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Marina, Salinas, and other communities with different housing stock and client needs. New agents should learn local neighborhood characteristics, commute patterns, property disclosures, zoning considerations, seasonal demand, and the differences between primary residences and second homes.

Local experience does not replace compliance with California law. New licensees should rely on their broker, approved forms, transaction-management systems, and qualified professionals for legal, tax, lending, inspection, and environmental questions.
Post-License Education and Continuing Education

California does not use a separate universal “post-license” course in the same way some states do. However, new salespersons must satisfy California’s continuing education requirements when renewing their licenses.

A salesperson’s first renewal generally requires 45 clock hours of approved continuing education. The required curriculum includes specified subjects, such as:

• Agency.
• Ethics and professional conduct.
• Trust fund handling.
• Fair housing.
• Implicit bias.
• Risk management.
• Consumer protection.
• Other DRE-required topics.

The exact curriculum can change, so licensees should check the DRE’s current renewal instructions and course requirements before enrolling.

After the first renewal, licensees must continue completing the applicable approved continuing education during each four-year renewal period. Continuing education must be completed before renewal, and licensees should retain certificates and course records.

A California real estate pre-licensing course helps meet the entry education requirement, but pre-licensing coursework should not be confused with the continuing education required for license renewal.
Potential Earnings for Monterey Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is highly variable. Salespersons are commonly paid through commissions or commission splits rather than a guaranteed salary, and earnings can fluctuate with transaction volume, sales prices, brokerage arrangements, market conditions, and personal experience.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a national occupational employment estimate for real estate sales agents and a California mean annual wage of $77,430 in its May 2022 data. This is statewide wage context, not a Monterey-specific income guarantee, and it may not reflect the earnings of every independent contractor or newly licensed salesperson.

New agents may earn little or no commission during an initial ramp-up period while they build a pipeline, learn transaction procedures, and develop a referral network. Before choosing real estate as a full-time career, prepare for irregular income and understand personal expenses, taxes, insurance, marketing, vehicle costs, and brokerage charges.
Career Growth After Becoming Licensed

A salesperson license can lead to several career paths:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Luxury and second-home sales.
• Relocation assistance.
• New-home sales.
• Leasing and rental-related services.
• Commercial real estate, depending on training and brokerage support.
• Property management opportunities where legally permitted.
• Real estate team leadership.
• Eventually qualifying for a California broker license.

California broker licensure has additional experience, education, and examination requirements. It is not an automatic next step after receiving a salesperson license. Many agents first build transaction experience, deepen their market knowledge, and develop a client base before considering broker education.
Monterey Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

- Confirm that you meet the age requirement.
- Enroll in three DRE-approved courses totaling 135 hours.
- Complete Real Estate Principles.
- Complete Real Estate Practice.
- Complete one approved elective.
- Save certificates and transcripts.
- Submit the DRE examination or combined application.
- Pay the required examination and licensing fees.
- Complete Live Scan fingerprinting.
- Study for and pass the salesperson exam.
- Respond promptly to any DRE requests.
- Select a sponsoring broker in the Monterey area.
- Affiliate with the broker before performing licensed activities.
- Track renewal deadlines and complete continuing education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Monterey residents take the California licensing course online?

Yes. Online education may satisfy California’s pre-licensing requirement when the provider and courses are approved by the DRE. Confirm approval and course-completion procedures before enrolling.
Do I need a college degree?

No. California requires three approved college-level real estate courses, but a four-year college degree is not required for a salesperson license.
Can I get licensed if I have a criminal record?

Possibly. The DRE reviews criminal history and other disclosures individually. Applicants should disclose required information accurately and provide explanations or documentation when requested.
Do I need a broker before taking the exam?

No. You can complete the education and apply for the exam before selecting a sponsoring broker. You must affiliate with a licensed broker before conducting activities that require a real estate license.
How much does the entire process cost?

There is no single total because education, Live Scan service charges, study materials, transportation, and brokerage expenses vary. The DRE’s current salesperson examination and license fees are separate from those other costs.
Is income guaranteed after licensing?

No. Real estate earnings depend on completed transactions, commission arrangements, market conditions, expenses, and business development. Official wage data should be treated as broad context rather than a forecast for a particular Monterey agent.
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 — Fees
• California Department of Real Estate — Continuing Education and License Renewal
• California Department of Real Estate — Licensing Forms
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Sales Agents