1.0 Current Exam Facts & Application Logistics
Key Takeaways
- The California broker exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions administered by the DRE in one four-hour session at DRE exam centers (Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, La Palma, San Diego); candidates need 150 correct answers (75%) to pass.
- Per DRE Form RE 206 (Rev. 7/26), the broker examination fee is $150 and the original broker license fee is $450, plus a $49 fingerprint processing fee for California residents.
- Broker eligibility requires eight DRE-approved college-level courses (five mandatory and three electives, 360 hours) plus two years of licensed salesperson experience within five years, unless a real estate major/minor degree substitutes for experience.
- Form RE 234 (Consent to Service of Process) is required — not Form RE 102, a common exam distractor.
- RE 425 is the Examination Description (content outline) with seven weighted areas (15, 17, 14, 9, 8, 25, 12); broker exam applications use RE 400B or the combined RE 436 packet.
1.0 Current Exam Facts & Application Logistics
Passing the California Real Estate Broker Examination is the gateway to obtaining a broker license from the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Broker candidates must master substantive real estate law and the exact administrative requirements, fees, forms, and exam mechanics published by the DRE. Exam questions frequently test whether you know current numbers, correct form numbers, and California-specific eligibility pathways.
Examination Format, Duration & Passing Score
The California broker examination is administered as a single, combined written test — not two separate sessions. Exams are given by the California DRE at DRE examination centers, not by a third-party testing vendor. Current DRE exam centers include Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, La Palma, and San Diego.
| Exam Specification | California Broker Requirement |
|---|---|
| Question Format | 200 multiple-choice questions |
| Total Testing Time | Four (4) hours — one continuous session |
| Passing Standard | 75% — at least 150 correct answers out of 200 |
| Question Type | Four-option multiple choice (A, B, C, D) |
| Exam Administration | California DRE at DRE exam centers |
Exam Trap: Do not confuse the broker exam with five-hour testing or two-part exams. California's current broker exam is 200 questions in four hours at a DRE exam center. You have roughly 1.2 minutes per question.
RE 425 Examination Description (Content Outline)
Form RE 425 is the DRE Examination Description — the published content outline identifying the seven major subject areas and their approximate weights. RE 425 is not the license or exam application form.
| # | Examination Subject Area (RE 425) | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Property Ownership and Land Use Controls and Regulations | 15% |
| 2 | Laws of Agency and Fiduciary Duties | 17% |
| 3 | Property Valuation and Financial Analysis | 14% |
| 4 | Financing | 9% |
| 5 | Transfer of Property | 8% |
| 6 | Practice of Real Estate and Mandated Disclosures | 25% |
| 7 | Contracts | 12% |
Practice of Real Estate and Mandated Disclosures (25%) is the largest category — trust accounts, fair housing, advertising, record keeping, TDS/NHD disclosures, and DRE discipline. Agency (17%) and property ownership (15%) follow. Financing (9%) and transfer (8%) are smaller but often involve California-specific statutes.
Broker Eligibility: Education & Experience
California broker applicants must satisfy both qualifying education and experience (unless a statutory education substitute applies).
Eight Required College-Level Courses (Five Mandatory + Three Electives)
Applicants must complete eight DRE-approved real estate courses (typically 45 hours each, 360 total hours):
- Five mandatory courses: Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Appraisal, and Real Estate Economics or Accounting
- Three electives from the DRE-approved elective list (Real Estate Principles is commonly counted among approved electives/prerequisites depending on transcript review)
Experience & Degree Substitute
Applicants must document two years of full-time licensed salesperson experience within the past five years. A four-year degree with a major or minor in real estate from an accredited college may substitute for the experience requirement. The eight courses are still required unless equivalent coursework is accepted on transcript review.
Fees, Fingerprints & Key DRE Forms (RE 206 Rev. 7/26)
Current DRE fees appear on Form RE 206 (Rev. 7/26) — Exam, Licensing and Petition Fees:
| Fee / Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broker Examination Fee | $150 | Paid with exam application |
| Original Broker License Fee | $450 | Due with license application after passing |
| Fingerprint Processing Fee | $49 | California residents via Live Scan |
| Consent Form | RE 234 | Consent to Service of Process |
Critical Forms — Know What Each Does
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| RE 425 | Examination Description (content outline / topic weights) — not an application |
| RE 400B | Broker examination application |
| RE 436 | Combined broker exam/license application packet |
| RE 206 (Rev. 7/26) | Official fee schedule |
| RE 234 | Consent to Service of Process — not RE 102 |
Exam Trap: The consent form is RE 234 (Consent to Service of Process), not RE 102. RE 425 outlines exam content; applications are RE 400B (exam) or RE 436 (combined exam/license).
Fingerprinting uses approved Live Scan vendors; the DRE receives DOJ and FBI results electronically.
Application Workflow
- Complete qualifying education (five mandatory + three elective courses) and obtain certificates or transcripts.
- Submit RE 400B (broker exam) or RE 436 (combined exam/license packet) with exam fee ($150), fingerprints ($49), RE 234, and supporting documents.
- Receive eligibility and schedule at a DRE exam center (Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, La Palma, or San Diego).
- Pass with at least 150/200 within the four-hour session.
- Submit license application with $450 fee (if not filed via RE 436) and remaining requirements.
Missing documents may be supplemented within DRE processing rules, but incomplete fingerprints or education evidence commonly delay issuance.
Study Strategy
Weight study time toward practice/disclosures (25%) and agency (17%) while drilling transfer, financing, and contract rules. Bring valid photo ID to the DRE exam center. Understanding 200 questions, four hours, 75% pass, $150/$450/$49 fees, RE 234 Consent to Service of Process, RE 206 fees, RE 425 content outline, RE 400B/RE 436 applications, eight courses (five mandatory + three electives) plus experience or RE degree answers a significant block of broker exam questions.
Post-Exam Licensing & Processing Notes
After passing, candidates submit the broker license application with the $450 license fee per RE 206 (unless already filed with RE 436). Exam eligibility letters and score reports are accessed through DRE eLicensing. Candidates should monitor DRE current processing times online because fingerprint clearance and transcript verification frequently extend timelines beyond the exam date itself.
Brokers renewing later pay separate renewal fees on RE 206 — do not confuse original license fees with renewal or corporation endorsement fees. Corporate brokerages file additional officer-designation paperwork beyond individual broker applications.
When answering application-logistics questions, always tie dollar figures to RE 206 (Rev. 7/26), consent language to RE 234 (Consent to Service of Process), content weights to RE 425, and applications to RE 400B or RE 436. The examination outline weights (15/17/14/9/8/25/12) should guide your study plan proportionally.
A candidate sits for the California Real Estate Broker examination. How many questions, how much total time, and who administers the exam?
According to DRE Form RE 206 (Rev. 7/26), what are the broker examination fee and original broker license fee?
Which statement correctly matches DRE forms used by broker applicants?