California Real Estate Exam Rules & Testing Policies

Last Reviewed: February 2026 (Always verify the latest rules on the official California Department of Real Estate (DRE) website before your exam day.)

Quick Summary (TL;DR): To sit for the California real estate exam, you must present a valid government-issued photo ID that matches your registration name. Electronic devices—including phones and smartwatches—are prohibited in the testing room. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early; severely late arrivals are often denied entry and may need to reschedule.

The biggest obstacle to passing your California real estate exam shouldn’t be the check-in desk. Every year, qualified candidates are turned away or disqualified—not for lack of study, but for violating a small set of non-negotiable exam-day rules.

With over 20 years of preparing candidates, I have seen the preventable errors that delay months of hard work. This guide cuts through the anxiety and gives you the rules you need so your only job on exam day is answering questions.

The 80/20 Rule: The Policies That Most Often Get Candidates in Trouble

Most exam-day issues stem from a handful of avoidable mistakes. Focus your attention here:

• Identification issues: An invalid, expired, or unacceptable ID is the fastest way to be denied entry.
• Prohibited personal items: Phones, watches, bags, and even your own pens can trigger disqualification if brought into the testing room.
• Late arrival: Sessions begin promptly—arrive early or risk being denied entry and potentially forfeiting your exam fee.
• Food, drink, and study materials: These are not permitted in the testing environment.
• Not following instructions: Proctors enforce exam-security rules strictly.

Identification & Name-Match Policies: Your Non-Negotiable Entry Ticket

Your photo ID is your passport into the exam. The DRE is explicit about what is accepted and what is not.

What you must present

You must show one valid, original, government-issued photo ID from the authorized list:

• A current state-issued driver’s license or DMV identification card.
• A valid U.S. Passport (or a passport issued by a foreign government).
• A valid U.S. Military identification card.

The critical name-match reality

Your registration and application must be under your legal name. Common friction points that lead to entry denial include:

• Middle Names: Middle initial on one document vs. full middle name on another.
• Life Changes: Marriage/divorce name changes not reflected consistently across your documents.
• Shortened Names: Using nicknames like “Mike” vs. the legal name “Michael.”

Pro-Tip: If your identity cannot be verified cleanly against the roster, proctors may deny entry. Reconcile any discrepancies at least two weeks before your exam date.

For a full breakdown of documentation and common mismatch fixes, see Identification Requirements for the CA Exam.

Security Screening & Personal Belongings

Knowing the “logistics of the lobby” reduces day-of stress. Here is the standard flow at many exam sites:

1. Check-in: A proctor verifies your ID and matches you to the roster.
2. Storage: You will be directed to store personal belongings (typically in lockers, or a designated storage process if lockers are limited).
3. The Phone Rule: Phones must be powered off and stored as directed. Possession or use of a phone during the exam session—including during breaks—can lead to immediate disqualification.
4. Final Entry: Once cleared of personal items, you will be assigned a seat.

Best practice: Leave valuables at home or secured in your vehicle. Bring as little as possible to the site.

Prohibited Items: What Not to Bring

The DRE maintains an “Examination Control Information” list. Bringing prohibited items into the testing room can lead to immediate disqualification.

"Bring Less, Bring Right" Checklist

To ensure a frictionless check-in, only have these items on your person when you approach the proctor:

• Your valid, original government-issued photo ID.
• Your car key (if not attached to a bulky keychain).
• A light sweater or jacket (testing rooms can be chilly).

If you want the “positive list” of what to bring (so you don’t over-pack), read What to Bring to the California Real Estate Exam.

Timing Rules: Arrival, Late Policy, and Breaks

• Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for check-in, storage, and security.
• Late policy: If you arrive after the session has started, you may be denied entry and required to reschedule (which can mean losing your slot and paying again).
• Breaks: The exam is a continuous sitting. If you step out for any reason, assume your exam clock continues and follow the proctor’s procedure.

Test-Day Conduct: Disqualification & “Don’t Do This”

• No communication: Don’t speak to or signal other candidates.
• No copying: Don’t look at other screens or attempt to reconstruct questions to share later.
• Absolute compliance: Follow proctor instructions immediately and without argument.

Violations can result in the exam being terminated and may affect future licensing applications.

Special Situations: Accommodations and “What If…”

• Testing accommodations: If you need accommodations (e.g., extra time), you must request and receive approval through the official DRE process well before your exam date.
• Medical/comfort aids: Items like insulin pumps or braces may require advance notice for screening—handle this early.
• If you are turned away: Don’t panic. Fix the underlying issue (renew ID, correct name mismatch, etc.) and follow our recovery plan in What Happens If You Fail the CA Real Estate Exam.

Final Exam Day Checklist & Next Steps

If you follow these rules, you’ll clear check-in smoothly and can spend your mental energy on the exam itself.

• If you pass, read: What Happens After You Pass the CA Real Estate Exam
• For the complete roadmap and context, visit the: California Real Estate Exam Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I wear a watch during the exam?

No. Watches (including smartwatches) are commonly prohibited. Plan to rely on the on-screen timer.

2. Can I bring my phone if it stays in the locker?

Yes, but it must be powered off and stored exactly as instructed. Do not access it during breaks.

3. What if my ID expired yesterday?

You will likely not be admitted. Your ID must be valid on the exam date.

4. Can I bring my own calculator?

Typically no. There is no longer any math on the California real estate exam and the testing sites no longer provide calculators or dry erase boards.

5. How early should I arrive?

At least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.