The number to remember is $499, but it is not your final total
$100
Examination fee
$350
Original license fee
$49
Fingerprint processing
For a standard applicant without a fee exemption, these government charges total $499. That is a budget anchor, not the full cost of licensing. The standard education path requires three qualifying courses; an applicable education exemption can change that part of the budget. Live Scan providers may add a rolling fee. A candidate may need transportation, parking, lodging, printed records, or unpaid time away from work.
A standard nonexempt applicant can start with: education + $499 + Live Scan provider charges + materials + travel + any retake or reschedule costs. Keep optional exam prep separate so you can decide what improves your preparation without confusing it with a state requirement.
Every cost category from enrollment through exam day
| Cost | Amount | Status | When it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesperson examination | $100 | Fixed | With RE 400A or RE 435 |
| Original salesperson license | $350 | Fixed | After passing, or up front with RE 435 |
| Fingerprint processing | $49 | Fixed | Paid to the California Live Scan provider, or to DRE with the out-of-state fingerprint-card packet |
| Qualifying education | Varies | Required | Before examination qualification |
| Live Scan rolling or service fee | Varies | Usually required | At the provider |
| Travel and exam-day costs | Varies | Candidate-specific | For courses, fingerprints, and examination |
| Re-examination | $100 each | Only if needed | Before each retake |
| Reschedule | $40 each | Only if used | Each changed examination appointment |
Education is required, but DRE does not set your tuition
California requires Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one approved elective. DRE approves qualifying private-school courses and recognizes qualifying work from appropriately accredited colleges, but that approval is not a price cap or a recommendation. Providers decide their own tuition, packages, refund terms, and included materials.
Compare the exact three-course price rather than a teaser price for one course. Ask whether books, digital materials, final examinations, course retakes, completion certificates, transcript services, and shipping are included. A low headline price can stop being low after required add-ons appear.
Do not pay for continuing education by mistake. DRE says CE does not satisfy the salesperson examination's college-level course requirement. Confirm the precise statutory course and provider in DRE's search before enrolling.
RE 400A and RE 435 cost the same in DRE fees
RE 400A route
$100 now, $350 after passing
This separates the examination application from the original license application. The total DRE fees are $450 if you pass and continue to licensure.
RE 435 route
$450 in one filing
This combines the $100 examination fee and $350 license fee. It changes cash timing and process, not the total DRE charge.
All DRE fees are nonrefundable
DRE cites Business and Professions Code section 10207. Do not treat the combined payment as money that returns if you stop, fail to qualify, or let the application expire.
The $49 fingerprint charge may not be the full counter price
DRE lists a $49 fingerprint processing fee. California residents pay it directly to the Live Scan provider. The California Department of Justice separately warns that a fingerprint operator may collect a rolling fee, that the fee varies by location, and that other service fees may apply.
Call or check the provider listing before the appointment. Ask for the total amount, accepted payment method, and whether the displayed rolling fee excludes government charges. Applicants using the out-of-state fingerprint-card route should also budget any local law-enforcement or vendor charge for taking the prints.
Live Scan applicants pay the provider directly, including nonresidents who use Live Scan while in California. Applicants using DRE's out-of-state fingerprint-card route submit the processing charge to DRE. The charge is nonrefundable, including failure to qualify.
Budget the costs that appear only when the plan changes
A retake
$100 for each new salesperson examination attempt, plus any new travel and preparation costs.
A reschedule
$40 for the first and every later reschedule under the current DRE schedule.
A distant seat
Mileage, parking, transit, lodging, meals, and time away from work can exceed the examination fee.
An application restart
If the two-year window expires, expect a new application, fee, and required documents.
Three budgets worth keeping separate
Budget 1
License budget
Courses, $499 in fixed charges, provider rolling fee, records, and required travel.
Budget 2
Pass-risk reserve
One possible $100 retake, another trip, and any additional study material you choose.
Budget 3
Career-launch budget
Broker, association, MLS, insurance, marketing, equipment, and business expenses after licensing. These are not DRE salesperson application fees and depend heavily on the brokerage and market.
Your personal cost checklist
- Exact three-course tuition after required add-ons
- $100 examination fee
- $350 original license fee
- $49 fingerprint processing fee
- Live Scan rolling or fingerprint-card vendor fee
- Books, transcript, certificate, or shipping charges
- Course, fingerprint, and exam travel
- Parking, meals, lodging, and lost work time
- Optional exam-prep materials
- $100 retake reserve and another trip
Calculate the number that belongs to you
Enter your actual tuition, materials, travel, and expected number of attempts. The calculator keeps the verified state charges fixed and shows exactly where the rest of the budget comes from.
Open the license cost calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much does a California real estate salesperson license cost in 2026?
The fixed examination, original license, and fingerprint processing charges total $499 as reviewed on August 27, 2026. That figure does not include required pre-license education, a Live Scan provider's rolling fee, travel, materials, optional exam preparation, or any retake. Your actual total is $499 plus those candidate-specific costs.
How much does the California real estate exam cost?
The salesperson examination fee is $100. A re-examination is another $100. The first and every subsequent reschedule costs $40 under DRE's current fee schedule.
How much is the California salesperson license fee?
The original California real estate salesperson license fee is $350. It can be paid after passing through the separate route or paid with the $100 examination fee through the $450 combined RE 435 filing.
Is RE 435 more expensive than RE 400A?
No. RE 435 combines the $100 examination fee and $350 original license fee into one $450 payment. The examination-only route begins with the $100 RE 400A filing and requires the $350 license fee after passing, for the same $450 DRE total. The routes differ in timing and process, not total DRE fees.
Is the $49 fingerprint fee the complete Live Scan price?
Not necessarily. DRE identifies a $49 fingerprint processing fee. The California Department of Justice says Live Scan operators may also charge a rolling fee, and those fees vary by location. Contact the provider and ask for the complete price before the appointment.
Are California DRE application fees refundable?
No. DRE states that fees are nonrefundable under Business and Professions Code section 10207. Budget each filing as money spent once submitted, including when an application expires or a candidate does not qualify.
Keep going
Calculate your personal license budget
Continue with the related guide and practical next steps for this topic.
Check every license requirement
Confirm which education, application, and fingerprint steps apply to you.
Build your licensing timeline
Put the costs on a realistic calendar using current DRE queues.
Choose RE 400A or RE 435
Compare the examination-only and combined application routes.