If you want to help clients buy, sell, or lease property in Temple City, the first step is earning a California real estate salesperson license. A flexible way to complete the required education is through a California real estate pre-licensing course, which can help you satisfy the state’s coursework requirement before applying to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
California Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a California real estate salesperson license, you 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 applicable fees.
• Complete the required fingerprinting and background-check process.
• Disclose criminal convictions or disciplinary actions when required.
• Work under the supervision of a licensed California real estate broker.

California does not require salespersons to have prior real estate experience. However, applicants must meet the DRE’s education and examination requirements before receiving a license.

A license may be denied or delayed because of criminal convictions, license discipline, or inaccurate or incomplete disclosures. The DRE evaluates these matters individually, so applicants with a record should review the DRE’s disclosure guidance and provide complete documentation.
Required Education: 135 Hours

California requires three college-level real estate courses totaling 135 hours:

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

The elective may cover subjects such as finance, appraisal, property management, real estate economics, legal aspects of real estate, or another DRE-approved topic. Courses must be completed through an approved provider and must meet California’s statutory education standards.

A qualifying education program should issue completion certificates or other documentation that you can submit with your examination or license application. Keep these records because the DRE may require proof of completion.
Online Pre-Licensing Courses

Online education can be a practical option for someone living in Temple City, especially if you work full time or need to study around family responsibilities. Before enrolling, confirm that:

• The provider is approved by the California DRE.
• The program includes all three required courses.
• The provider explains its final-examination and attendance rules.
• You will receive acceptable proof of course completion.
• The format allows you to complete the coursework within the provider’s enrollment period.

An online program does not eliminate the state examination. You must still pass the official California salesperson exam administered through the state’s examination system.

For a flexible study option, review this California real estate pre-licensing course and verify that the specific package you choose includes the three courses required for a salesperson applicant.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Complete the required courses

Finish Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and an approved elective. Save your course certificates and any transcripts or completion records.
2. Create a DRE eLicensing account

The DRE allows applicants to create an online profile and submit an examination application through its eLicensing system. Applicants may also use the combined salesperson examination and license application.
3. Submit the examination application

You will generally need to provide:

• The salesperson examination or combined examination/license application.
• Proof of completed education.
• Required identifying information.
• Any documents related to name changes or prior disclosures.
• The applicable examination or combined application fee.

The DRE also accepts applications by mail. Always use the current forms and instructions published by the DRE because application procedures and fees can change.
4. Schedule the examination

After the DRE processes your application and determines that you are eligible, you can schedule the exam at an authorized testing location. Temple City applicants may need to travel to an available testing center elsewhere in the Los Angeles region; the exact location depends on appointment availability.
5. Pass the salesperson examination

The California salesperson examination tests knowledge of topics such as:

• Property ownership and land use controls.
• Agency relationships and fiduciary duties.
• Valuation and market analysis.
• Financing.
• Transfer of property.
• Practice and disclosures.
• Contracts.
• California real estate law.
• Federal and state fair housing rules.

The DRE’s current examination materials should be treated as the controlling source for exam structure, permitted items, scheduling, and testing procedures. The examination is not the same as a course final exam, so dedicated preparation is worthwhile.

If you do not pass, you may apply for another attempt and pay the applicable re-examination fee. The DRE states that an examination application is generally valid for two years; applicants who do not qualify and pass within that period may need to submit a new application and meet the current requirements.
Background Check and Fingerprinting

Original license applicants must complete a fingerprint-based background check. California applicants generally use a Live Scan service provider with the DRE’s Live Scan Service Request form.

Fingerprinting may be completed when you submit your application or afterward, but the DRE must receive the results before issuing the license. The fingerprint-processing fee is paid to the Live Scan provider for California residents, and the amount should be confirmed using the current DRE fee schedule.

Fingerprint fees are generally nonrefundable, including when an applicant does not pass the examination. A criminal record does not automatically mean an application will be denied, but failing to disclose required information can create additional licensing problems.
California Real Estate License Costs

The official DRE fees currently listed for a salesperson applicant include:

| Item | Current listed fee |
|---|---:|
| Salesperson examination | $100 |
| Salesperson re-examination | $100 |
| Original salesperson license | $350 |
| Combined salesperson exam and license application | $450 |
| Fingerprint processing for California residents | $49 paid to the Live Scan provider |

These charges do not include the cost of education, transportation, optional exam-preparation materials, association membership, marketing, insurance, or brokerage expenses. The DRE fee schedule should be checked immediately before applying because fees can be revised.

If you apply separately for the examination and license, the total state and fingerprint charges differ from the combined application. The DRE’s current fee page provides the controlling amounts and payment instructions.
How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for obtaining a California salesperson license. The process depends on:

• How quickly you complete the 135 hours of education.
• How long the DRE takes to process your application.
• Exam appointment availability.
• Whether you pass on the first attempt.
• How quickly fingerprint results are received.
• Whether the DRE requests additional documentation.

A motivated applicant may complete the education in a few months, while a part-time student may take longer. Application processing, examination scheduling, and background-check timing can add additional time. Avoid promising yourself or clients a fixed completion date until the DRE has approved your application and you have passed the exam.
Finding a Sponsoring Broker in Temple City

Passing the examination does not mean you should immediately begin practicing independently. A California salesperson must be affiliated with and supervised by a licensed real estate broker to perform licensed activities.

When comparing brokerages in or around Temple City, consider:

• Training for newly licensed salespersons.
• Broker supervision and accessibility.
• Commission split and transaction fees.
• Desk, technology, and marketing charges.
• Lead-generation programs.
• Compliance support.
• Transaction coordination.
• Office culture and geographic coverage.
• Whether the brokerage serves Temple City, the San Gabriel Valley, and nearby Los Angeles communities.

A salesperson may hold a license without an active employing broker, but cannot perform activities requiring a real estate license until properly affiliated with a broker. Ask the brokerage how it will handle the DRE affiliation and what services are included in its agreement.
Post-License Education and Continuing Education

California requires newly licensed salespersons to complete a 45-hour first-renewal education program before renewing for the first time. The required subjects include specified courses such as agency, ethics, fair housing, and consumer protection topics, along with other DRE-approved coursework.

For later renewals, California generally requires 45 hours of approved continuing education during each four-year license-renewal period. The curriculum must satisfy the DRE’s current subject and course requirements. Completing continuing education does not replace the renewal application or renewal fee.

Because course requirements can change, use the DRE’s current renewal and continuing-education instructions rather than relying on an old course package or outdated checklist.
Career Opportunities in Temple City

A Temple City salesperson may build a business around residential purchases and sales, relocations, first-time buyers, move-up buyers, downsizing households, leases, or investor clients. The city’s location in the San Gabriel Valley can also create opportunities to serve clients moving among nearby communities, provided the salesperson understands the local brokerage’s service area and California licensing rules.

Potential career paths include:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Leasing and rental transactions.
• Relocation assistance.
• New-construction sales.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Property management, when performed under the appropriate licensed structure.
• Commercial real estate, subject to the activities permitted by the salesperson’s broker.
• Transaction coordination or real estate operations.

Local success depends on factors such as market conditions, inventory, interest rates, referral networks, prospecting, negotiation ability, compliance, and the support provided by the sponsoring broker. A new license does not guarantee transactions or income.
Potential Earnings for California Real Estate Salespersons

Real estate salespeople are commonly paid through commissions or other transaction-based compensation rather than a guaranteed salary. Income can vary substantially from one year to the next based on closed transactions, property prices, commission arrangements, brokerage splits, expenses, and market conditions.

For broad regional context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an annual mean wage of $71,110 for real estate sales agents in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metropolitan area in its May 2023 data. This is an occupational wage estimate, not a guarantee for a Temple City salesperson, and it may include workers with different levels of experience and business volume.

New salespersons should budget for business expenses, including transportation, marketing, technology, professional services, association or MLS costs, and brokerage fees. Before accepting a commission split, request a written explanation of all recurring and transaction-based charges.
Practical Checklist for Temple City Applicants

Use this checklist to organize the process:

• Confirm that you meet the minimum age requirement.
• Enroll in a DRE-approved 135-hour education program.
• Complete the three required college-level courses.
• Save all completion certificates and transcripts.
• Create a DRE eLicensing account.
• Submit the examination or combined examination/license application.
• Complete the Live Scan fingerprint process.
• Pay the current DRE and fingerprint fees.
• Schedule and pass the salesperson examination.
• Interview brokerages serving Temple City and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.
• Affiliate with a licensed employing broker before practicing.
• Complete the required 45-hour first-renewal education.
• Track the 45-hour continuing-education requirement for later renewals.

Once you are ready to compare education options, the California real estate pre-licensing course can be a starting point for completing the required coursework. Confirm the provider’s current DRE approval and course details before enrolling.
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 — Education Requirements
• California Department of Real Estate — Continuing Education
• Pearson VUE — California Real Estate Candidate Information
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Sales Agents, Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim