You need a California salesperson license from the Department of Real Estate. That means three approved college-level courses, a passing score on the state exam, fingerprints, and $450 in DRE fees, and then a licensed broker to work under.

Living in Crockett doesn’t change the steps. It’s a state license. Here’s the order to do it in.

Step 1: Can I qualify?

Check two things before you spend a dollar. You have to be at least 18, and you have to be honest and truthful on the application. The DRE warns that a criminal conviction may lead to a denial (California DRE, salesperson license requirements page, checked September 25, 2026). If you have anything on your record, read the DRE’s rules first.

Step 2: Which courses do I take?

Three courses, each at least 45 hours at the college level (three semester units or four quarter units):

  • Real Estate Principles
  • Real Estate Practice, which since January 1, 2024 has to include implicit bias and fair housing, with role-play from both the consumer’s and the agent’s side
  • One elective, such as Real Estate Finance, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Appraisal, Property Management, Escrows, Mortgage Lending or Common Interest Developments

Source: California DRE, salesperson license requirements page, checked September 25, 2026. Confirm your school’s courses are DRE-approved before you enroll. Members of the California State Bar can skip the course requirement with proof of admission.

Step 3: What does it cost?

State fees, straight from the DRE’s fee schedule (checked September 25, 2026):

  • Exam and license filed together: $450 ($100 exam plus $350 license)
  • Fingerprints by Live Scan, paid to the provider: $49 for California residents
  • Retake the exam: $100 each time
  • Reschedule an exam date: $40
  • Renew on time: $350

The DRE says its fees are nonrefundable. Tuition for the three courses is extra and set by each school, so get the total in writing. Plan for the monthly costs of being licensed, too: board or association dues if you join one, and whatever your brokerage charges. Ask for those numbers before you pick a broker.

Step 4: What is the exam like?

Three hours, 150 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 70% right to pass. The DRE gives the electronic exam in Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego (California DRE, Taking the Exam page, checked September 25, 2026). From Crockett, Oakland is the shortest drive of the five.

Bring a current government photo ID: a state driver’s license or DMV ID card, a passport, or a U.S. military ID. No valid ID, no entry. Show up 30 minutes early.

Missed it? For two years from your original application date, you can retake it as many times as you need. Wait for your results before you apply for a new date. After two years, you file a new application and pay again (same DRE page).

Step 5: Do I need a broker?

Yes. The DRE says a salesperson works under a licensed broker’s supervision and can’t do licensed activity without one (California DRE, salesperson license requirements page, checked September 25, 2026). Line up the brokerage or team while you study, so your first day licensed is a working day.

What does a new agent need to know about Crockett in particular?

More than people expect. Crockett buyers ask questions a textbook won’t cover:

  • Who runs the town? There’s no mayor. Crockett is unincorporated, so the county handles permits and roads, the Crockett Community Services District runs sewer and parks, and the volunteer Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District covers fire (Crockett Community Services District, checked September 25, 2026).
  • What about the hills? Many lots are steep. You’ll help sellers order the Natural Hazard Disclosure report and help buyers find a geotechnical engineer.
  • How busy is the market? Redfin counted 8 Crockett home sales in August 2026 (Redfin, Crockett housing market page, August 2026, checked September 24, 2026). You’ll work the towns around it too: Rodeo, Hercules, Vallejo, Martinez.

That’s a lot to learn at once, which is where a mentor helps.

How does a team help in the first year?

You get people who’ve closed a lot of files, and a system to keep yours moving. At The Davis Team we help new agents with leads, training, support, mentorship and systems, and our office is at 2525 Bayfront Blvd, Suite G, in Hercules, just past Rodeo. We run the business on tools like Follow Up Boss, Sisu and Monday.com, so follow-up doesn’t live on sticky notes.

Nobody can tell you what you’ll earn, and you shouldn’t trust anyone who does. Compare any team’s written agreement line by line, and have an attorney read anything you don’t understand before you sign.

Questions people also ask

How much does it cost to get a real estate license in California?

The DRE charges $450 when you file for the salesperson exam and license together, $100 for the exam plus $350 for the license, per its fee schedule checked September 25, 2026. California residents pay $49 for Live Scan fingerprints to the provider. Course tuition is extra and varies by school. DRE fees are nonrefundable, and an on-time renewal is $350.

How many questions are on the California real estate exam?

150 multiple-choice questions over three hours, according to the DRE’s Taking the Exam page, checked September 25, 2026. You need to answer at least 70% correctly to pass. The electronic exam is given in Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego. Bring a current government photo ID, such as a driver’s license, DMV ID card or passport.

Can I take real estate classes online in California?

Yes, as long as the courses are approved by the DRE and meet the requirement of at least 45 hours each at the college level. You need Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and one elective. Use the DRE’s course lookup at dre.ca.gov to confirm a school before you pay, and check that its Practice course includes the required fair housing content.

What happens if I fail the real estate exam?

You can take it again. The DRE allows unlimited retakes for two years from your original application date, at $100 per retake. Wait until your results arrive before applying for a new date. After two years, you must file a new application, meet the requirements again and pay the fees again, per the DRE’s Taking the Exam page, checked September 25, 2026.

Your next step

Studying now, or just passed? Let’s talk about your first year before you choose a brokerage. See how The Davis Team works with new agents or call (510) 949-5525.

More for Crockett agents: Choosing a real estate team near Crockett · Is Crockett a good place to live?

By Bill Davis, DRE #01880656, The Davis Team at eXp Realty, Crockett, CA. Updated September 25, 2026.

Sources

  • California Department of Real Estate, Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License: dre.ca.gov/Examinees/RequirementsSales.html (checked September 25, 2026)
  • California Department of Real Estate, Fees: dre.ca.gov/Licensees/Fees.html (checked September 25, 2026)
  • California Department of Real Estate, Taking the Exam: dre.ca.gov/Examinees/TakingExam.html (checked September 25, 2026)
  • Crockett Community Services District, home and emergency services pages: town.crockett.ca.us (checked September 25, 2026)
  • Redfin, Crockett housing market page, August 2026: redfin.com/city/22185/CA/Crockett/housing-market (checked September 24, 2026)