How to Know If a Real Estate School Is Legit

The greatest fear for any aspiring agent isn't the difficulty of the exam—it’s the fear of wasting money and months of hard work on coursework the Department of Real Estate (DRE) won't accept.

In California, if your school isn't properly approved, your application will be rejected, and you’ll be forced to start over from day one. I’m Kartik Subramaniam, and over the last 20+ years, I’ve helped thousands of students navigate these requirements.

This guide provides a simple, 10-minute verification system to ensure you are enrolling in a legit real estate school in California. Before you commit your time and money, you should also consult our guide on the Best Real Estate Schools in California to understand vetted and high-quality options.

The 5 Proofs a Real Estate School Is Legit in California

For California licensing eligibility, the DRE’s course approval is the only thing that matters. Use this framework to verify any provider.

1. A Valid DRE Sponsor ID

Every DRE course provider is assigned a Sponsor ID. While the DRE technically approves individual courses, these IDs are the primary way the Department tracks the entities offering them.

• What to look for: A Sponsor ID (often formatted like S#### for statutory/pre-license providers).
• The Check: If a school cannot or will not provide this number prominently on their website, pause immediately.

2. Presence in the Right DRE Lookup

Legitimacy isn't a vibe—it's a database entry. However, many students make the mistake of using the “Public License Lookup,” which is for agents and brokers.

• Action: You must use the Statutory Course Provider Lookup to verify a legit real estate school in California.
• Deep Dive: For more on how to spot deceptive marketing, read our guide on Avoiding Fake or Unaccredited CA Real Estate Schools.

3. Exact Course Approval

A school might be a valid provider, but that doesn't mean every course they sell is approved for your specific license.

• Pre‑licensing: Must be “Statutory” (45‑hour courses).
• Renewal: Must be “Continuing Education” (CE).
• The Verification: Ensure the specific course title (e.g., Real Estate Principles) is listed under that provider’s Sponsor ID in the DRE database.

4. Adherence to the “18‑Day Rule”

Per DRE regulations, students cannot receive credit for completing a 45‑hour statutory correspondence course in fewer than 18 days per course.

• Common Trap: “Get licensed in a weekend” or bundles that allow you to take all three finals in under 54 days (18 days × 3 courses).
• The Consequence: Attempting to bypass this timeline is a common reason education gets questioned or rejected by the state.

5. Transparent Policies and Physical Support

A legit real estate school in California should provide a physical office address, a working phone number, and clear refund policies.

• Scenario: You sign up through an “education partner” page, but the entity charging your card isn’t the sponsor shown in the DRE database. This is a common sign of a middleman with no actual support.

Step-by-Step: How to Verify (Action Section)

Follow this exact walkthrough to confirm your California real estate pre‑licensing course is approved.

1. Open the Correct Lookup: Do not use the broker/salesperson lookup. Go to the DRE Statutory Course Provider Search.
2. Search by Name or ID: Enter the school’s name or their California real estate school Sponsor ID.
3. Confirm Course Listings: Click on the provider's name. You should see “Real Estate Principles,” “Real Estate Practice,” and your chosen elective listed as active.
4. Check for Formal Actions: Visit the DRE Formal Actions page to see if the Department has recently filed disciplinary actions against the provider.

Quick Take: The 10‑Minute Legitimacy Check

• Find the Sponsor ID (e.g., S####) — ADHI Schools is S0348, as an example.
• Search that ID in the DRE Statutory Lookup.
• Verify the specific courses are listed under that ID.
• Ensure the school’s address and phone number are reachable.

Red Flags: Fast Scan

If you see these, it’s time to pause and investigate further:

• Vague "Accredited" labels: While colleges and universities are legitimate, they must still offer courses the DRE accepts for licensing. Be wary of schools claiming generic “accreditation” without a DRE Sponsor ID.
• Bundle Confusion: A student buys a “bundle” but receives a generic “certificate of completion” that doesn’t include a DRE course approval number.

For a full list of warning signs, see Red Flags When Choosing a Real Estate School.

If You Already Enrolled in Something Questionable

If you suspect your school isn't legitimate, take these steps:

1. Verify the Course Number: Ask the school for the specific DRE Sponsor ID.
2. Cross‑Reference: Check those numbers on the DRE website. If they don't match, your coursework may not count.

Don't Compound the Loss: It is better to cut your losses and switch to a verified provider than to waste another 54 days of study time on certificates the state will reject.

Reviews: Where They Help (and Where They Mislead)

Reviews are excellent for judging the quality of instructors or the ease of a school's online platform. However, a 5‑star rating on Google does not equal DRE approval.

Prioritize DRE verification first, then use reviews to find the best fit for your learning style. To understand the balance, read How Important Are Online Reviews for Real Estate Schools and Why DRE Accreditation Matters More Than Online Reviews.

A legit real estate school in California is one that is transparent with its DRE credentials and respects the state‑mandated learning timelines.

If you want a provider that clearly publishes Sponsor IDs and course listings, verify those details before you enroll. To see how top schools compare across the state, we recommend using the Best Real Estate Schools in California guide as your primary resource.

FAQ

Q: How do I verify a real estate school is DRE approved?

A: Use the DRE Statutory Course Provider Lookup tool. Search by the school’s name or Sponsor ID and confirm that the specific courses you need are listed as active.

Q: What is a DRE Sponsor ID?

A: It is an identification number (often formatted like S####) assigned to schools that offer DRE‑approved courses. It is the most reliable way to verify a provider’s standing with the state.

Q: Will the DRE accept online real estate courses?

A: Yes, as long as the provider is a DRE course provider and the course includes the mandatory 18‑day study period per 45‑hour course.

Q: What happens if my school isn’t approved?

A: The DRE will reject your exam application. You will not receive credit for the time spent, and you will have to retake the courses through an approved provider.

Q: Do real estate course certificates expire in California?

A: Pre‑license course credit generally doesn't have an expiration window like Continuing Education, so older courses can still count toward credit.

Q: What if the provider is legit, but the course isn’t listed?

A: The DRE approves individual courses, not schools. If the specific course name isn’t in the DRE database, that course cannot be used for license eligibility—even if the school itself has other courses approved.

Q: How do I check if a school has had formal action taken against it?

A: You can check the “Formal Actions and Pending Actions” page on the DRE website. This lists providers that have faced disciplinary measures or had their approvals questioned.