Am I Eligible to Get a Real Estate License in California?

If you're thinking about starting a real estate career in California, one of the first questions you’ll have is: “Do I even qualify?” Maybe you’re unsure whether your background will affect your chances, whether you need to live in California, or if an out-of-state ID will cause problems.

I say all this having been in the real estate education business for over 20 years and answering this question almost daily.

At the end of the day, California’s real estate license requirements are far more accessible than most people expect. To get started, you only need to meet four core eligibility standards set by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).

Before we break them down, one important distinction:

• Eligibility rules determine whether you can apply for and take the exam. As long as you meet these, the state will let you take the test.
• License requirements (Live Scan + SSN/ITIN submission) happen after you pass and you’re applying for your actual real estate license

Understanding these DRE eligibility requirements upfront can save you time, money, and stress. Let’s explore exactly what the state requires — and what it doesn’t.

The Four Pillars of California Real Estate License Eligibility

1. Age and Citizenship Requirements

You Must Be 18 or Older

California requires all real estate salesperson applicants to be at least 18 years old. No exceptions.

This means, if you're 17, you can finish your courses early, but you cannot apply or take the exam until your 18th birthday.

No Citizenship or Residency Requirement

This is where most misconceptions come from. The DRE does not require:

• U.S. citizenship
• California residency
• Proof of legal presence or immigration status

California does not check immigration status at any point in the licensing process.

You can become a real estate agent in California even if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Many years ago, there was a proof of legal presence document, but this has been eliminated.

What Identification Is Required

To take the exam, you must present a valid, government-issued ID such as:

• U.S. driver’s license (any state)
• U.S. state ID card
• U.S. passport or passport card
• U.S. military ID

Foreign driver’s licenses are not accepted for the real estate exam.

Your ID must be current, contain your photo and signature, and match the name on your exam registration and license application exactly.

SSN/ITIN Rules

After you pass the exam, the DRE will require either:

• a Social Security Number (SSN), or
• an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

This requirement is only for the license stage and is tied to tax reporting and identity verification — not immigration enforcement.

2. Education Requirements

You Must Complete Three College-Level Courses

Before the DRE will schedule your exam, you must complete:

1. Real Estate Principles
2. Real Estate Practice
3. One approved elective, such as

• Real Estate Finance
• Real Estate Economics
• Real Estate Appraisal
• Legal Aspects of Real Estate
• Property Management
• Escrow

Courses must be taken through:

• A California community college
• A DRE-approved real estate school, like ADHI Schools.
• An accredited online program

Online courses are fully acceptable if the provider is DRE-approved.

No High School Diploma or GED Required

The DRE does not require a high school diploma or GED.

However, success in the coursework and on the exam requires:

• strong reading comprehension
• good grasp of the English language (the real estate license exam is in English)
• the ability to understand contracts and disclosures

3. Background Check and Moral Character

Live Scan Fingerprinting

Every applicant must complete a Live Scan background check. Live Scan is California’s electronic fingerprinting system used to check criminal history.

When does Live Scan happen?

• After you pass the exam, when applying for the license, or
• With the combined exam + license application (recommended)

Fingerprinting fees include the FBI/DOJ fee (currently $49) plus vendor fees, which vary by location.

What “Moral Character” Really Means

The DRE evaluates whether an applicant demonstrates:

• honesty
• integrity
• trustworthiness

This is the legal standard for protecting consumers in real estate transactions.

A Criminal Record Does Not Automatically Disqualify You

This is another major misconception. A conviction is not an automatic denial.

The DRE evaluates:

• the nature and seriousness of the offense
• how long ago it occurred
• evidence of rehabilitation
• whether the offense relates to real estate activities
• overall behavior and conduct

Full Disclosure Is Mandatory

Failure to disclose a conviction is often treated more seriously than the offense itself.

Be completely honest in your application — transparency increases your likelihood of approval.

4. Identification Requirements for the Exam and License

To take the exam, you must present:

• valid U.S. government-issued ID or
• a valid foreign passport

The ID must be:

• current
• government-issued
• include photo + signature
• match your exam registration and license application exactly

Name mismatches (initials, hyphens, missing middle names, recent name changes) are the #1 cause of exam-day problems.

Update your ID before scheduling your exam if anything has changed.

Who Qualifies for a California Real Estate License?

Here is a quick summary of the four eligibility pillars:

Once you meet these four requirements, the DRE will authorize you for the exam. After you pass and complete Live Scan, you’ll be eligible for your California real estate license.

You can find a more thorough breakdown of this information in our Real Estate License Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in California to get licensed?

No. California residency is not required.

Can undocumented individuals get licensed?

Applicants with an ITIN can obtain a real estate license. No proof of legal presence is required.

Are online real estate courses accepted?

Yes. Online courses are accepted if they come from a DRE-approved provider, like ADHI Schools, or accredited college.

Can you get licensed with a background event?

Yes. Background does not automatically disqualify you. The DRE evaluates each case individually based on honesty, rehabilitation, and relevance to real estate.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you meet the four eligibility requirements, you’ve already cleared the biggest early hurdle. With the right preparation and courses, thousands of new agents earn their California real estate licenses every year.

You could be next!