CA Real Estate Practice Test

Prospective real estate salespersons and brokers in California take these examinations to qualify for licensure through the California Department of Real Estate. This page provides free practice sets covering core subjects, worked question walk-throughs, and verified testing details. You can review qualification requirements, scheduling rules, examination time limits, passing scores, and site locations to prepare for the electronic test administered at official state testing centers.

CA Real Estate Exam at a Glance

What changed for CA Real Estate in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to Electronic exam at DRE sites (Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego) (previously Electronic exam at DRE test centers).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy changed to No limit on exams within 2 years of the original application (previously Unlimited retakes within 2 years of the original application).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Score release changed to Upon completion of the exam (electronic) (previously Immediately on completion (electronic exams)).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Testing window changed to Self-schedule via eLicensing until 6:00 a.m. on exam day (previously Year-round; book via eLicensing until 6:00 a.m. on exam day).^[6]

What the CA Real Estate is and how it works

According to California Department of Real Estate, “or a four-year degree with a major/minor in real estate”^[4]

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires candidates to pass a qualifying exam to obtain a real estate license. Requirements vary across states, so applicants outside California must verify rules with their local licensing jurisdiction.

For California, salesperson candidates must complete 3 college-level courses (Principles, Practice, and 1 elective). The salesperson exam costs $100, presents 150 multiple-choice questions, has a 3 hours time limit, and requires a passing score of 70% correct. Broker candidates must complete 8 college-level courses and 2 years of experience, or hold a 4-year real estate degree. The broker exam costs $150, presents 200 multiple-choice questions, has a 4 hours time limit, and requires 75% correct to pass.

DRE delivers both tests electronically at testing centers located in Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego. Candidates can self-schedule via eLicensing until 6:00 a.m. on exam day. Test results are provided upon completion of the electronic exam. Applicants who fail may retake the test with no limit on exams within 2 years of the original application, paying a re-exam fee of $100 for salespersons or $150 for brokers. Issued licenses remain valid for 4 years.

Worked examples: how to reason through CA Real Estate questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Under California law, which agency is responsible for overseeing real estate subdivisions and protecting buyers?

1. California Department of Housing
2. California Department of Real Estate (DRE)
3. California Environmental Protection Agency
4. California State Board of Equalization

Answer: B. California Department of Real Estate (DRE)

Explanation:

Option B is correct because the California Department of Real Estate administers subdivision laws and regulates the public offering of subdivided land to protect purchasers. Option A is incorrect because the California Department of Housing addresses housing development programs and building standards rather than consumer real estate transaction oversight. Option C is incorrect because the California Environmental Protection Agency oversees environmental standards and pollution control instead of real estate subdividing. Option D is incorrect because the California State Board of Equalization administers property tax assessments and fee programs rather than real estate developments. The general rule to remember is that consumer protection and developer compliance for new subdivisions in California fall under the regulatory authority of the Department of Real Estate.

Example 2

Question: A subdivision consisting of individually owned lots as well as areas owned in common is a

1. planned development
2. community apartment project
3. condominium project
4. stock cooperative

Answer: A. planned development

Explanation:

Option A is correct because a planned development grants fee title to an individually owned lot while providing shared, undivided ownership or an easement interest in common areas. Option B is incorrect because a community apartment project involves an undivided interest in an entire property with an exclusive right to lease a designated apartment. Option C is incorrect because a condominium project provides individual ownership of an airspace unit, while the land underneath remains common property. Option D is incorrect because a stock cooperative operates through a corporation owning the land and buildings, where buyers receive shares of stock and a proprietary lease. The general rule to remember is that planned developments feature individual lot ownership coupled with shared interest in common facilities.

Example 3

Question: Agent advice to owners on showing their home would NOT include

1. instructions to be present so they can volunteer information
2. cleaning instructions
3. landscaping instructions
4. repair instructions

Answer: A. instructions to be present so they can volunteer information

Explanation:

Option A is correct because agents routinely instruct sellers to leave the property during showings rather than stay to offer remarks. When sellers are present, casual remarks can disclose seller motivation or compromise negotiation leverage. Option B is incorrect because property preparation guidance frequently includes cleaning instructions to present the interior attractively. Option C is incorrect because improving curb appeal through landscaping recommendations is a standard listing procedure. Option D is incorrect because advising sellers on necessary repairs corrects deficiencies that might reduce buyer interest or hinder financing. The general rule to remember is that listing agents direct presentation details like cleaning, repairs, and landscaping, but advise sellers to remain absent during showings so prospective purchasers feel comfortable inspecting the home.

How to use these practice tests

Begin your preparation by reviewing mandatory coursework materials before taking practice tests. Because salesperson applicants complete 3 college-level courses and broker applicants complete 8 college-level courses, align your review with the foundational textbooks from those classes.

Organize your practice across key topic areas using our free question sets:

• Review fiduciary duties with CA Real Estate Laws of Agency and CA Real Estate Practice and Ethics.
• Work through transaction rules using CA Real Estate Contracts and CA Real Estate Land Use Controls and Regulations.
• Practise financial calculations and loan terms with CA Real Estate Mathematics and CA Real Estate Financing.
• Examine title transfer and property rights in CA Real Estate Transfer of Property.

Track missed questions to pinpoint topics requiring further study in your course materials. Pace yourself to build endurance for sitting through 150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours for the salesperson exam, or 200 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours for the broker exam.

Sources & last verified

1. California Department of Real Estate — number of questions, time limit, passing score, retake policy (official source). “200 multiple choice questions.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 24, 2026.
2. California Department of Real Estate — exam fee, retake fee (official source). “Original Examination: Broker $150” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 21, 2026.
3. California Department of Real Estate — validity (official source). “Licenses are issued for a four-year period and should be renewed prior to the expiration date listed on the license.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
4. California Department of Real Estate — eligibility (official source). “or a four-year degree with a major/minor in real estate” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 21, 2026.
5. California Department of Real Estate — eligibility (official source). “Successful completion of three college-level courses is required to qualify for a real estate salesperson examination:” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
6. California Department of Real Estate — testing window (official source). “as late as 6:00 a.m. on the day of the exam.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.