The real estate world is dynamic, exciting, and full of opportunities, so it’s only natural that so many people find being a real estate agent appealing. Of course, there are also the financial rewards, and at around $95,000 per year on average, it’s easy to understand the temptation. 

However, top performers go way beyond the $100,000 per year threshold and work with some of the most amazing customers and properties. So, if you want an area where the sky’s the limit and you make your own future, real estate is a fantastic option. 

Even better, if you want to practice in California, chances are you will be able to snatch a great customer from your early days as an agent. The state is well-known for its strong economy and its attraction towards the rich and famous. 

Still, you can’t just decide to become a real estate agent and start applying for jobs with brokerages. There are a few steps to take before you can call yourself an agent and we are going to discuss all of them in this article.

You Don’t Need to be a Resident

First and foremost, in order to apply for a real estate license, you have to be 18 years of age and a US citizen. Otherwise, if you’re in the US on a work or study visa, it’s best to check with the local authorities and see if there’s a chance you’ll be eligible.

California doesn’t require you to be a resident of the state in order to get your license here, but there are special requirements for out-of-state applicants. This may make things a bit more complicated, but it’s not a total hindrance.

Yes, You Have to Take the Exam

The state of California requires you to complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education in order to be eligible for taking the exam. Also, make sure to check all the real estate license California requirements before applying for the exam to avoid any delays or extra stress (no one wants that before an exam!).

Keep in mind that you will go through a background check, so lying about your criminal record won’t do you any good. Also, to pass the exam, you have to score a 70% or more!

Side note: if you are an attorney and a California State Bar member (and have the papers to prove it), you are exempt from the 135h course requirements. This means you can go straight to the exam-taking phase of the process. However, you still have to get a passing grade!

You Don’t Start Right Away

Once you pass the exam and receive your license, you can’t go into the market and start selling properties by yourself. You first need to complete a two years apprenticeship with a brokerage (they will become your sponsor) where you’ll gain experience in your field of choice.

During this time, you will continue to learn the ropes of the trade, get some sales training, understand real estate law, and even learn to identify real estate investments to avoid.

Our advice is to pay close attention to California’s real estate law since it has a number of statutes and regulations that can put even professionals in difficulty. 

Wrap Up

California may be a great land for real estate, but it does have high requirements out of professionals who hope to make it big within its borders.

So it won’t be easy to get things started. However, once you start to understand how things go, California will most likely unveil its real estate secrets in a most interesting and exciting fashion!