- To apply to take a broker's license exam in California, there are some requirements that must be met. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to show proof of legal residence in the United States, using an acceptable document such as a birth certificate or passport. Out-of-state applicants can apply once they've met a separate set of guidelines.
Potential brokers must also have a minimum of two years of experience as a full-time licensed real estate agent, within the last five years. Any disciplinary or criminal actions in the applicant's history must be fully disclosed; if they aren't, the request for a license may be denied. - People who reside outside California are still able to apply for a broker's license. Any real estate courses completed in the United States that the applicant would like to have transferred must be accredited, either by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or by a comparable accrediting institution. Courses that were completed abroad must be reviewed by a foreign-credentials evaluation service that has been approved by the Department of Real Estate, or DRE.
Additional requirements for out-of-state applicants include submission of the "consent to service of process" form, submission of one set of fingerprints directly to the Department of Real Estate, and the maintenance of a business address in California. An out-of-state broker acknowledgment form needs to be submitted if there isn't a business address in California. - Before being allowed to take the broker license examination, eight courses approved by the DRE must be completed successfully. Courses include Real Estate Practice, Real Estate Finance, Escrow and Legal Aspects of Real Estate. Continuing-education classes cannot be used toward these requirements, and courses must be either three semester units or four quarter units at a college level.
- To have your broker's license application processed in a timely manner, submit the application only once. Do not call the licensing office asking for the status of your application; the workers who answer the phone are also the ones processing the applications, and they can't stop what they are doing to look for one pending form.
- Answer each question on the application truthfully. If in doubt, enter the information just in case. Convictions are considered to include a verdict of guilty by a judge, forfeiture of bail in court, or a plea of nolo contendere. All convictions must be conveyed to DRE, even if it was dismissed. Being upfront can help keep your license request from being denied.