How to Become a Realtor in California (2026)

‹ Part of our national guide: How to Become a Realtor

Last updated: July 2026

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent in California

All California Realtors are licensed real estate agents, but not all agents are Realtors. A California real estate agent (salesperson) is licensed by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) to help people buy, sell, and lease property. A Realtor® is a DRE-licensed agent who has also joined the National Association of Realtors through a local board and the California Association of Realtors, and pledged to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics. “Realtor” is a registered trademark reserved for NAR members — not a generic word for any California agent.

How to Become a Realtor in California: 5 Steps

1. Complete 135 hours of DRE pre-license education. Three college-level courses — Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one approved elective (such as Legal Aspects of Real Estate) — 100% online and self-paced with MLS Campus.
2. Apply to the DRE and complete Live Scan fingerprinting. Submit your exam/license application and background check to the Department of Real Estate.
3. Pass the California salesperson exam. Sit and pass the California real estate salesperson exam.
4. Find an employing broker. A new California license must be held by a licensed employing broker before you can work.
5. Join a local Realtor association. Joining a local board enrolls you in the California Association of Realtors and NAR, and lets you use the Realtor® title after agreeing to the Code of Ethics.

California Real Estate License Requirements

To earn your California salesperson license you must be at least 18 years old, complete the 135 hours of DRE-approved pre-license education (three statutory courses), pass the state exam, and clear a background check. Unlike most states, a California license is valid for four years — and renewal requires 45 hours of continuing education each cycle (the first renewal includes required courses in ethics, agency, trust-fund handling, risk management, and fair housing). For the full step-by-step, see how to get your California real estate license.

Joining the California Association of Realtors & Your Local Board

Realtor membership in California is three-tiered. When you join a local Realtor association — such as boards serving Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Orange County — you automatically become a member of the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) (the statewide association) and the National Association of Realtors. One application, three levels of membership, and access to the tools and MLS in your market.

Benefits of Becoming a California Realtor

Beyond the title, Realtor membership comes with practical advantages California agents rely on every day:

• MLS access in your local market — the database that powers California real estate sales
• The Realtor® brand and the consumer trust it carries
• The NAR Code of Ethics — a standard that goes beyond DRE law
• Advocacy for California property rights (C.A.R. is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the country)
• Education, designations, and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS and more)
• Market data, research, member discounts, and a statewide referral network

Do California Realtors Earn More?

According to NAR’s 2025 Member Profile, the median gross income of a Realtor was $58,100 — and Realtors with 16 or more years of experience earned a median of $78,900, while brand-new agents earned far less as they build their business. Industry data also suggests Realtors typically out-earn non-member agents, often by 15–25%, largely because membership brings MLS access, referral networks, and repeat business that drive more closed deals.

Your income depends most on your experience, effort, and market — and California’s high home values can translate into substantial commissions. See real estate agent salaries by state for the latest figures.

The Training & Education Behind a California Realtor

Becoming a Realtor in California is a path of ongoing training — and it starts with your license:

• Pre-license education (135 hours): three statutory courses, completed 100% online with our California pre-license course.
• Continuing education (45 hours every 4 years): including ethics, agency, trust-fund handling, risk management, and fair housing at first renewal.
• Realtor-only education: once you are a member, the California Association of Realtors and NAR offer designations and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS, SRS) plus Code of Ethics training every three years.

Higher Ethical Standards: DRE Law vs. the Realtor Code of Ethics

Getting a California license and becoming a Realtor are two different bars. A license is the state minimum: every California agent must follow DRE law and the fiduciary duties they owe clients — often remembered as OLD CAR (Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, and Reasonable care), enforced by the DRE. Realtor® status adds a higher, voluntary standard: the NAR Code of Ethics, first adopted in 1913, with 17 Articles covering duties to clients, the public, and other Realtors — enforced by local associations, with real consequences for violations, plus ethics training every three years.

Want the detail on the agency duties every licensee owes? See our guide to real estate fiduciary duties (the OLD CAR acronym).

California Realtor Dues & Costs

Realtors in California pay national NAR dues ($156 per year plus a $45 Consumer Advertising assessment for 2026), California Association of Realtors state dues, and local association dues, which vary by board. These are on top of your DRE license fees and continuing-education costs — and in return you get the MLS, the brand, advocacy, education, and referral network described above.

How Many Realtors Are in California? (2026)

Figures from the California Association of Realtors and NAR (2024–2026 Member Profile).

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start? Enroll in the California pre-license course, or see how to get your California real estate license and how to become a Realtor nationwide.