California 135-Hour Real Estate Course Requirements Explained

The phrase “135 hours” sounds simple enough—until you realize that doing it wrong can cost you months of delays and hundreds of dollars in wasted fees.

Many aspiring agents assume the California 135-hour real estate course requirement is a single marathon class or a weekend workshop. Others worry that if they choose the wrong elective or an unapproved provider, the Department of Real Estate (DRE) will reject their application entirely.

I have spent over 20 years helping students navigate these exact hurdles. Whether you are a busy parent, working a 9-to-5, or moving from out of state, the mission is the same: get your hours done right the first time so you can get to the exam.

Key Takeaways

• The Magic Number: You must complete three 45-hour college-level courses with an approved course provider like ADHI Schools.
• The Lineup: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective.
• The Requirement: All courses must be completed through a DRE-approved provider.
• The Goal: These hours are the mandatory prerequisite for your salesperson application.

Definition: The California 135-hour real estate course consists of three 45-hour, DRE-approved pre-licensing classes: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective.

The Quick Breakdown: What Makes Up the 135 Hours?

To qualify for a salesperson license in California, the DRE requires 135 hours of pre-licensing education.This is strictly divided into three specific buckets:

1. Real Estate Principles (45 Hours)
2. Real Estate Practice (45 Hours)
3. One Approved Elective (45 Hours)

You don’t just "sit in a room" for 135 hours straight. You complete these three distinct courses, pass a final exam for each, and receive a course completion certificate for your records.

Why California Requires 135 Hours

This isn't just "busywork" or a regulatory hurdle. The 135-hour requirement serves several critical purposes:

• Baseline Competency: It ensures every agent understands the legal and ethical framework of the industry.
• Consumer Protection: It teaches the complex disclosure laws designed to protect California homeowners.
• Exam Readiness: Each course domain maps directly to sections of the State Exam. If you skip the depth here, the exam will likely find your weak spots.

What Exactly Counts Toward the 135 Hours?

In the eyes of the DRE, "hours" are a measure of curriculum coverage. To ensure your education counts, follow this checklist:

• DRE-Approved Provider: Check the school’s DRE statutory sponsor ID number before enrolling. For context the ADHI Schools sponsor ID is S0348.
• Course Completion: You must complete the required material and pass a school-level final exam for each 45-hour course.
• Digital Records: Keep your completion certificates saved as PDFs; you will need to upload (preferred) or mail these with your exam and license application.

Deep Dive: The 3 Course Requirements

1. Real Estate Principles (45 Hours)

This is your foundation. It covers the "language" of the industry—titles, deeds, encumbrances, and financing. This isn't just about passing a test; it’s about understanding the legal framework of every transaction.

2. Real Estate Practice (45 Hours)

If Principles is the "what," Practice is the "how." This course covers agency relationships, disclosures, and the actual mechanics of a real estate transaction. This is where most students realize real estate is about lead generation, contracts and consumer protection.

3. The Elective (45 Hours)

You must choose one additional 45-hour course from a DRE-approved list. Here is how to choose:

• If you want to learn about loans → Choose Real Estate Finance.
• If you want to learn about loans → Choose Legal Aspects of Real Estate.
• If you want to learn about loans → Choose e Real Estate Appraisal.

ADHI Schools offers a wide variety of elective courses.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Delays

Don't let a simple clerical error or a lapse in planning stall your career. While speed is a priority for most, you should focus on the fastest way to complete the 135-hour CA real estate course without taking shortcuts that lead to rejection. Avoid these common "landmines":

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• The "Cram" Trap: Trying to rush the last 45 hours in a weekend. Most DRE-approved programs have pacing controls and required unit progression, so rushing usually backfires. Remember that the state requires 18 days per course before you can take the final exam and obtain the certificates of completion.
• Using Non-Approved Providers: Ensure the school is licensed for pre-licensing specifically.
• Passive Reading: Treating the course like "background noise." If you don't engage, you'll finish the hours but will have a tough time with the state exam.
• Missing Documentation: Not having your three certificates organized when you are ready to apply for the exam.

Setting Realistic Expectations: Timelines and Formats

Understanding the curriculum is only half the battle; you also need to know how long it takes to finish CA real estate classes based on your current lifestyle. Highly disciplined students might finish in under two months, while students with less urgency often take four to six.

Your pace is often dictated by the medium you choose. When deciding between online vs. in-person CA real estate classes: pros & cons, consider whether you need the structure of a classroom or the 24/7 flexibility of a digital portal. Both can satisfy the online 135-hour real estate course California standards, provided the school maintains its DRE approval.

Avoiding the Risk of Failure

Is it actually difficult to pass these initial hurdles? Many students ask, "can you fail California real estate school?" While the school-level exams are manageable, failing to respect the 135-hour requirement can lead to "timing out" of your enrollment (all courses must be finished within one year) or failing to retain enough information to pass the state exam on your first try.

Mini FAQ

Do I need to finish all 135 hours before applying for the exam?

Yes, the California Department of Real Estate requires that all 135 hours are complete before applying for the real estate exam.

Is the 135-hour requirement the same for a Broker's license?

No. Broker applicants generally need eight college-level courses. The 135-hour (3-course) requirement is specifically for the Salesperson license.

Can I take the three courses in any order?

While you technically can, we strongly suggest starting with Practice. Taking them out of order can lead to confusion when you hit advanced topics in Legal Aspects of Real Estate or other Electives.

Do my course hours expire?

Under the current regulations of the Real Estate Commissioner the certificates never expire.

Your Next Steps

Understanding the 135-hour real estate course requirements California mandates is just the first hurdle. Once you’ve started your classes, you need to know how they fit into the larger picture of fingerprints, background checks, and the state exam itself.

To ensure you don't miss a single detail in the process, follow our comprehensive California Real Estate License Guide to take your career from the classroom to the closing table.