Article 2 - Licenses

California Business and Professions Code — §§ 10150-10165.1

Showing inline text for up to 20 sections. Open a section link to read its full text.

Sections (36)

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 431, Sec. 5. (SB 800) Effective January 1, 2022.

(a)Application for the real estate broker license examination shall be made in writing to the commissioner. The commissioner may prescribe the format and content of the broker examination application. The application for the broker examination shall include valid contact information at which the department may contact the applicant and shall be accompanied by the real estate broker license examination fee.
(b)Persons who have been notified by the commissioner that they passed the real estate broker license examination may apply for a real estate broker license. A person applying for the broker examination may also apply for a real estate broker license. However, a license shall not

be issued until the applicant passes the real estate broker license examination. If there is any change to the information contained in a real estate broker license application after the application has been submitted and before the license has been issued, the commissioner may require the applicant to submit a supplement to the application listing the changed information.

(c)Application for the real estate broker license shall be made in writing to the commissioner. The commissioner may prescribe the format and content of the broker license application. The application for the real estate broker license shall include valid contact information at which the department may contact the applicant and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee.
(d)Application for an endorsement to

act as a mortgage loan originator, as defined in Section 10166.01, shall be made either electronically or in writing as directed by the commissioner. The commissioner may prescribe the format and content of the mortgage loan originator endorsement application, which shall meet the minimum requirements for licensing of a mortgage loan originator, pursuant to the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289).

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 162, Sec. 1. (AB 2745) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)In addition to satisfying the other requirements of this article, and except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), an applicant for an original real estate broker’s license shall demonstrate to the Real Estate Commissioner that they have held a real estate salesperson’s license for at least two years and qualified for the renewal of their real estate salesperson status, within the five-year period immediately prior to the date of their application for the broker’s license, and during that time were actively engaged in the business of real estate salesperson.
(b)An applicant for a real estate broker’s license having at least the equivalent of two years’ general real estate

experience within the five-year period immediately prior to the date of their application for the broker’s license may file a written petition with the Department of Real Estate setting forth their qualifications and experience, and, if the commissioner approves, they may be issued a real estate broker’s license immediately upon passing the examination and satisfying the other requirements of this article.

(c)In considering a petition described in subdivision (b), the commissioner may treat a degree from a four-year college or university, which course of study included a major or minor in real

estate, as the equivalent of two years’ general real estate experience. In considering a petition described in subdivision (b), the commissioner may consider degrees that were completed before the five-year period immediately prior to the date of the application for a broker’s license.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 8. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)Application for the real estate salesperson license examination shall be made in writing to the commissioner. The commissioner may prescribe the format and content of the salesperson examination application. The application for the salesperson examination shall include valid contact information at which the department may contact the applicant and shall be accompanied by the real estate salesperson license examination fee.
(b)Persons who have been notified by the commissioner that they passed the real estate salesperson license examination may apply for a real estate salesperson license. A person applying for the salesperson examination may also apply for a real estate salesperson

license. However, a license shall not be issued until the applicant passes the real estate salesperson license examination. If there is any change to the information contained in a real estate salesperson license application after the application has been submitted and before the license has been issued, the commissioner may require the applicant to submit a supplement to the application listing the changed information.

(c)(1) The commissioner may prescribe the format and content of the real estate salesperson license application. The application for the real estate salesperson license shall include valid contact information at which the department may contact the applicant.
(2)An application for the real estate salesperson license examination or for both the

examination and license shall include evidence or certification, satisfactory to the commissioner, of successful completion at an accredited institution of a three-semester unit course, or the quarter equivalent thereof, or successful completion of an equivalent course of study as defined in Section 10153.5 in real estate principles as well as the successful completion at an accredited institution of a course in real estate practice as set forth in Section 10153.2, and one additional course as set forth in Section 10153.2, other than real estate principles, real estate practice, advanced legal aspects of real estate, advanced real estate finance, or advanced real estate appraisal. The applicant shall provide this evidence or certification to the commissioner prior to taking the real estate salesperson license examination.

(d)The commissioner

shall waive the requirements of this section for the following applicants:

(1)An applicant who is a member of the State Bar of California.
(2)An applicant who has qualified to take the examination for an original real estate broker license by satisfying the requirements of Section 10153.2.
(e)Application for endorsement to act as a mortgage loan originator, as defined in Section 10166.01, shall be made either electronically or in writing as directed by the commissioner. The commissioner may prescribe the format and the content of the mortgage loan originator endorsement application, which shall meet the minimum requirements for licensing of a mortgage loan originator, pursuant to the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage

Licensing Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289).

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 9. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)For purposes of this section, “member of the Armed Forces of the United States” includes the following persons and no others: all members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the Marine Corps, the Merchant Marine in time of war, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and all officers of the Public Health Service detailed by proper authority for duty either with the Army or the Navy.
(b)The commissioner shall inquire in every application for licensure under this part if the individual applying for

licensure:

(1)Is, or previously was, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
(2)Intends to apply military experience towards broker licensure requirements.
(c)The commissioner shall expedite, and may assist, the initial licensure process for an applicant who supplies satisfactory evidence to the department that the applicant has served as an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was honorably

discharged.

(d)The commissioner shall expedite the licensure process for an applicant who meets both of the following requirements:
(1)Supplies evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant is married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in this state under official active duty military orders.
(2)Holds a current license in another state, district, or territory of the United States in the profession or vocation for which the applicant seeks a license from the commissioner.
(e)As required by Section 115.10, the commissioner shall register

applicants who are military service members or spouses of service members. Pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 115.10, a person registered shall be deemed to be a licensee of the department for purposes of the laws administered by the department relating to standards of practice, discipline, and continuing education for the duration of the military orders described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 115.10, and the registration shall expire when those military orders expire. Pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 115.10, the commissioner may take appropriate enforcement action against a person registered, including, but not limited to, revoking or suspending the registration of a person who does not meet the requirements of subdivision (b) of

Section 115.10 or the laws applicable to licensees. This subdivision is declaratory of existing law.

(f)The commissioner shall post information on the department’s internet website about the ability of applicants who have served as members of the Armed Forces of the United States to apply military experience towards broker licensure requirements.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 10. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

The Department of Real Estate shall compile information on military, veteran, and spouse licensure into an annual report for the Legislature, which shall be submitted in conformance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. The report shall include all of the following:

(a)The number of applications for expedited licenses submitted by veterans and active duty spouses pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 10151.2.
(b)The number of licenses issued and denied per calendar year pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 10151.2.
(c)The average length of time between

application and issuance of licenses pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 10151.2 per license type.

(d)The number of applicants for a broker license who request to apply military experience towards meeting licensure requirements.
(e)The number of applicants for a broker license

whose military experience was accepted by the department to meet licensure requirements.

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 431, Sec. 8. (SB 800) Effective January 1, 2022.

(a)An applicant who is not a resident of this state shall be eligible for a real estate license provided (1) the applicant qualifies for licensure under this chapter, including Section 10162, and (2) the state or other jurisdiction that is the place of residence of the applicant permits a resident of California to qualify for and obtain a real estate license in that jurisdiction.
(b)A foreign corporation shall be exempt from the eligibility requirement set forth in clause (2) of subdivision (a) if, and for so long as, at least one of the officers of the corporation who is designated and licensed as a real estate broker pursuant to Section 10158 or 10211 is a resident of this state.
(c)Every nonresident applicant for a real estate license shall, along with their application, file with the Real Estate Commissioner an irrevocable consent that if in any action commenced against the person in this state, personal service of process upon the person cannot be made in this state after the exercise of due diligence, a valid service may thereupon be made upon the applicant by delivering the process to the Department of Real Estate.

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 380, Sec. 3. (SB 875) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)The commissioner may require any other proof he or she may deem advisable concerning the honesty and truthfulness of an applicant for a real estate license or license examination, or of the officers, directors, or persons owning 10 percent or more of the stock, of a corporation making application therefor, before authorizing the issuance of a real estate license. For this purpose the commissioner may

call a hearing in accordance with this part relating to hearings. To assist in his or her determination the commissioner shall require every original applicant to be fingerprinted prior to issuing a license. The commissioner may require the fingerprints to be submitted either with the application to take the license examination or with the application for a real estate license.

(b)The commissioner shall require a person who submits a petition for reinstatement of his or her license or reduction of a penalty pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code, in addition to meeting any other requirements imposed for purposes of the reinstatement or penalty reduction, to submit his or her fingerprints with the petition.

Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 11. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)Pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code, the department shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice for all of the following:
(1)Original applicants for a salesperson license, pursuant to Section 10151.
(2)Original applicants for a broker license, pursuant to Section 10150.
(3)Persons seeking to be designated as the officer of a broker who is a corporation, pursuant to Section 10211.
(4)Real estate salesperson licensees, as defined in Section 10016.
(5)Real estate broker licensees, as defined in Section 10015.
(6)Designated officers of a corporation licensed as a broker, as described in Section 10211.
(7)Persons who submit a petition for reinstatement of the person’s license or the reduction of a penalty, pursuant to Section 11522 of the Government Code.
(b)The Department of Justice shall provide a state- or federal-level response, pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 12. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

In addition to the proof of honesty and truthfulness required of any applicant for a real estate license, the commissioner shall ascertain by written examination that the applicant, and in case of a corporation applicant for a real estate broker’s license that each officer, or agent thereof through whom it proposes to act as a real estate licensee, has all of the following:

(a)An appropriate knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and spelling and of arithmetical computations common to real estate and business opportunity practices.
(b)An understanding of the principles of real estate and business opportunity conveyancing,

the general purposes and general legal effect of agency contracts, deposit receipts, deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, chattel mortgages, bills of sale, land contracts of sale and leases, and of the principles of business and land economics and appraisals.

(c)A general and fair understanding of the obligations between principal and agent, of the principles of real estate and business opportunity practice and the canons of business ethics pertaining thereto, of the provisions of this part, of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11000) of Part 2, and of the regulations of the Real Estate Commissioner as contained in Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations.

Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 380, Sec. 4. (SB 875) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)No person shall cheat on, subvert, or attempt to subvert a licensing examination given by the department. Cheating on, subverting, or attempting to subvert a licensing examination includes, but is not limited to, engaging in, soliciting, or procuring any of the following:
(1)Any communication between one or more examinees and any person, other than a proctor or examination official, while the

examination is in progress.

(2)Copying answers from another examinee or permitting one’s answers to be copied by another examinee.
(3)The taking of all or a part of the examination by a person other than the applicant.
(4)Removing from the examination room any examination materials without authorization.
(5)The unauthorized reproduction by any means of any portion of the actual licensing examination.
(6)Aiding by any means the unauthorized reproduction of any portion of the actual licensing examination.
(7)Possession or use at any time during the examination or while the examinee is on the examination premises of any

device, material, or document that is not expressly authorized for use by examinees during the examination, including, but not limited to, notes, crib sheets, textbooks, and electronic devices.

(8)Failure to follow any examination instruction or rule related to examination security.
(9)Providing false, fraudulent, or materially misleading information concerning education, experience, or other qualifications as part of, or in support of, any application for admission to an examination.
(b)The commissioner may bar any candidate who willfully cheats on, subverts, or attempts to subvert an examination from taking any license examination and from holding an active real estate license under any provision of this code for a period of up to three years.

Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1285.

It is unlawful for any person with respect to any examination under this part to practice any deception or fraud with regard to his or her identity in connection with any examination, application, or request to be examined.

Any person who willfully violates or knowingly participates in the violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 13. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)An applicant to take the examination for an original real estate broker license shall also submit evidence, satisfactory to the commissioner, of successful completion, at an accredited institution, of:
(1)A three-unit semester course, or the quarter equivalent thereof, in each of the following:
(A)Real estate practice, which shall include both of the following:
(i)A component on implicit bias, including education regarding the impact of implicit bias, explicit bias, and systemic bias on consumers, the historical and social impacts of those biases, and actionable

steps students can take to recognize and address their own implicit biases.

(ii) A component on federal and state fair housing laws as those laws apply to the practice of real estate. The fair housing component shall include an interactive participatory component, during which the applicant shall roleplay as both a consumer and real estate professional.

(B) Legal aspects of real estate.

(C) Real estate appraisal.

(D) Real estate financing.

(E) Real estate economics or accounting.

(2)A three-unit semester course, or the quarter equivalent thereof,

in three of the following:

(A)Advanced legal aspects of real estate.
(B)Advanced real estate finance.
(C)Advanced real estate appraisal.
(D)Business law.
(E)Escrows.
(F)Real estate principles.
(G)Property management.
(H)Real estate office administration.
(I)Mortgage loan brokering and lending.
(J)Computer applications in real estate.
(K)On and after July 1, 2004, California law that relates to common interest developments, including, but not limited to, topics addressed in the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Part 5 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 4 of the Civil Code) and in the Commercial and Industrial Common Interest Development Act (Part 5.3 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 4 of the Civil Code).
(b)The commissioner shall waive the requirements of this section for an applicant who is a member of the State Bar of California and shall waive the requirements for which an applicant has successfully completed an equivalent course of study as determined under Section 10153.5.

Repealed and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 15. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.

(a)Licenses that were suspended pursuant to former Section 10153.4, as it read on December 31, 2025, and for which the current license status remains suspended due to former Section 10153.4, as that section read on December 31, 2025, shall be deemed expired. The expiration date shall be four years following the date of issuance of the license.
(b)The department shall update its records to reflect this change.
(c)This

section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 17. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

As used in Sections 10151 and 10153.2, “an equivalent course of study” consists of courses at a private vocational school that have been found by the commissioner, upon consideration of an application for approval, to be equivalent in quality to the real estate courses offered by the colleges and universities accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

As used in Sections 10151 and 10153.2, “accredited institution” shall mean a college or university that either:

(a)Is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or by any other regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
(b)In the judgment of the commissioner, has a real estate curriculum equivalent in quality to that of the institutions accredited pursuant to subdivision (a).

Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 664, Sec. 24. Effective January 1, 2003.

All real estate broker licenses issued by the commissioner shall be for a period of four years.

Applicants shall qualify in the appropriate examination and satisfy all other requirements prior to issuance of the license.

The four-year license may be renewed upon filing the required application and fee, and complying with the provisions of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 10170).

Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 263, Sec. 1.

All real estate salesperson licenses issued by the commissioner shall be for a period of four years.

Applicants must qualify in the appropriate examination and satisfy all other requirements prior to issuance of the license.

The four-year license may be renewed upon filing the required application and fee, and complying with the provisions of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 10170).

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 431, Sec. 9. (SB 800) Effective January 1, 2022.

When an applicant for a real estate license fails the qualifying examination, the applicant may apply for reexamination by filing the appropriate application and fee.

The application and fee for reexamination shall be filed and the reexamination taken within the two-year period following the date the application for examination was filed.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 18. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

An application on the form prescribed by the commissioner for the renewal of a license, filed before midnight of the last day of the period for which a previous license was issued, accompanied by the applicable renewal fee and good faith evidence of compliance with the provisions of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 10170), entitles the applicant to continue operating under their existing license after its specified expiration date, if not previously suspended or revoked.

If the commissioner determines that the applicant has not complied with the continuing education requirements, they shall either (1) advise the applicant of the applicability of Section 10171.2 on an extended period for compliance; or (2) advise the applicant

that their rights to operate under the prior license will expire five days from the date the notice is mailed, or on the date the license would normally expire, whichever is later; and the commissioner’s reason for that determination, and the right of the applicant to request a hearing on the decision. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from delaying the renewal of the license of a licensee pursuant to Section 10177.

Amended by Stats. 1953, Ch. 944.

The commissioner may issue a restricted license to a person:

(a)Who is or has been licensed under this chapter and who has been found by the commissioner after a hearing to have violated provisions of Division 4 of this code where such violation would justify the suspension or revocation of the license.
(b)Who is applying for a license under this chapter, who has met the examination and experience requirements, but who has been found by the commissioner after a hearing to have failed to have made a satisfactory showing that he meets all of the

other requirements for the license applied for, where such failure would justify the denial of the license applied for.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 786, Sec. 19. (SB 774) Effective January 1, 2026.

A restricted license issued pursuant to Section 10156.5 as the commissioner in their discretion finds advisable in the public interest may be restricted:

(a)By term.
(b)To employment by a particular real estate broker, if a salesperson.
(c)By conditions to be observed in the exercise of the privileges granted.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.

Open the section link to read its full text.