California real estate license paperwork
Most first-time applicants begin with one of two forms: RE 400A for the examination only, or RE 435 for the examination and license together. This guide shows which official form applies next, when to file it, and which documents you should never file twice.
Direct links to official DRE pages and PDFs
Organized by the applicant decision, not form number
Choose what is happening now. The answer takes you to the relevant form and filing instructions.
Choose RE 400A for examination only or RE 435 for examination and license together.
See this formDownload RE 202 from your eLicensing examination result and complete the license-stage requirements.
See this formTake the current RE 237 to a participating provider and retain the completed copy for DRE.
See this formSubmit RE 413 with the examination application and add professional verification when DRE requires it.
See this formUse RE 234 at the license stage and follow DRE's separate out-of-state fingerprint process.
See this formUse RE 223 to choose an accepted evaluator before submitting the education evidence.
See this formUse eLicensing when available. RE 415A is the paper change and re-examination route.
See this formAttach RE 909 to the paper filing. It is not needed for an online eLicensing payment.
See this formEach card explains the trigger, timing, submission route, and official source. A form number alone is not enough to know whether it belongs in your file.
RE 400A
Use this for the examination-only route. You pay the $100 examination fee now, then complete the separate license application after passing.
RE 435
Use this to apply for the examination and original license together. The DRE examination and license fees total $450, and the fingerprint requirement stays within the combined application process.
RE 202
This is the license application for candidates who passed through the examination-only route. It is not a second application for an RE 435 candidate.
RE 237
California residents take this request to a participating Live Scan provider. After fingerprinting, submit the copy with Part 3 completed to DRE.
RE 413
Use this to request a testing modification. Professional verification is not required for every limited, observable need, while other requests need DRE's specified documentation. A reader or writer request also requires RE 407.
RE 234
This notarized, irrevocable consent is required for a nonresident license applicant or licensee. For renewal, RE 209 permits the consent to be completed with the filing or already on file with DRE. It does not replace fingerprints.
RE 223
This is DRE's instruction sheet and list of accepted credential-evaluation services for college study completed outside the United States.
RE 415A
This paper form can correct examination-record details and can be used to reapply when the result notice is unavailable. Routine transactions are usually faster through eLicensing.
RE 909
Use this payment authorization when a paper DRE filing will be paid by Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Online eLicensing payments do not use RE 909.
DRE uses RE numbers for notices and reference sheets too. Treating every numbered document as an application is a common source of confusion.
DRE issues this scheduling notice when applicable. Applicants who choose self-scheduling receive instructions to select an appointment through eLicensing.
DRE issues the result notice. If you are unsuccessful, it includes the actual score and the percentage correct in each subject area. It can support a retake filing.
This reference sheet summarizes salesperson and broker education and experience rules. It is not an address-change form and is not submitted as an application.
Open official referenceThis is DRE's official seven-area content outline and sample-question sheet. It is a study source, not a filing requirement.
Open official referencePassing completes the examination requirement. It does not issue the license by itself. Your next step depends on whether you started with RE 400A or RE 435.
You started with RE 400A
You started with RE 435
DRE cannot issue the license until the application is complete and the fingerprint response has arrived. Missing records, background review, or an unanswered deficiency can extend the time between a passing result and license issuance.
A failed result creates a retake route, but only after DRE releases that result. Acting early can cost time and money.
Wait for the result before requesting another exam date
DRE states that an early retake or scheduling request can flag the examination record, withhold the result, cause additional fees, and change, delay, or cancel a new date. Wait until the unsuccessful result is available before taking any retake action.
An electronic examination result is normally provided when the session ends. Do not create a new application while that result is pending.
After an unsuccessful result, eLicensing is DRE's expedited retake route. The current salesperson re-examination fee is $100.
RE 418A can accompany a paper retake request. If that notice is unavailable, use RE 415A after the result has been released.
DRE does not limit the number of attempts during the two-year period that follows the filing date of the original examination application. Each retake requires the applicable fee.
DRE retake rulesThese forms matter only after DRE issues the license. They cover employment and record changes, mandatory reporting, renewal, and continuing education.
RE 214
Your responsible broker, affiliation, working status, legal name, mailing address, telephone number, or email address changes.
RE 238
After licensing, you have a felony or misdemeanor conviction, a criminal complaint, information, or indictment charging a felony, or disciplinary action by another licensing authority.
RE 209
Your four-year salesperson license is approaching its expiration date and you are renewing by mail rather than eLicensing.
RE 251
You are documenting the DRE-approved continuing education used for renewal, including the required 45 clock hours for a salesperson renewal.
RE 213
You seek an extension after a good-faith attempt to complete 45 hours that DRE partly rejects, or because of qualifying circumstances beyond your control. A separate exemption may apply at age 70 after at least 30 continuous years of California licensure in good standing.
A California salesperson license runs for four years. Renewal can begin 90 days before expiration, and most eligible licensees can complete it through eLicensing without mailing these forms.
Read the renewal guideAfter the forms, prepare to pass
Pass California turns DRE's seven official content weights into a focused plan, then uses your answers and missed questions to guide what you study next.
Check the filing route, required records, and deadlines before sending an application.
Choose one application route. RE 400A is examination only and starts with the $100 examination fee. RE 435 combines the examination and original license applications and collects $450 in DRE fees up front. Do not submit both as separate first-time applications.
RE 400A separates the examination from the original license application. After passing, you download RE 202 and complete the license stage. RE 435 begins the examination and license review in one filing, including the fingerprint process. Both routes total $450 in DRE examination and license fees.
If you used RE 400A, download the personalized RE 202 Salesperson License Application from the examination-results area of eLicensing. Submit it with the $350 license fee, completed RE 237 fingerprint documentation, and any other required records. If you used RE 435, do not file a duplicate RE 202.
DRE's RE 202A instructions state that the license application, fingerprints, and license fee must be received within one year from the date you successfully completed the examination.
Many examination, scheduling, payment, renewal, and license-change transactions can be completed through eLicensing. Some documents still must be uploaded with an application or printed and mailed. Follow the transaction-specific DRE page because a fillable PDF is not necessarily an electronically submittable form.
An out-of-state original-license applicant must submit the completed, signed, and notarized RE 234 Consent to Service of Process with the license application. The applicant must also follow DRE's out-of-state fingerprint-card process unless using a California Live Scan provider.
RE 418A is the Salesperson Examination Result Notice. An unsuccessful candidate receives the actual score and the percentage correct in each subject area. It can be used to apply for a retake. It is a notice DRE issues, not a blank application to download in advance.
Only after DRE releases the result from the prior examination. DRE warns candidates not to seek another examination date before receiving the result because doing so can flag the record, withhold the result, and trigger additional fees. eLicensing is the faster retake route when available.
No. RE 423 is Examination Qualification Requirements, a reference sheet covering education and experience standards. An examinee generally changes examination-record information through eLicensing or RE 415A. A licensed salesperson uses eLicensing or RE 214 for applicable license changes.
Open the form from DRE's official forms directory each time you are ready to file. Do not rely on a copy saved months earlier or downloaded from a school, broker, or third-party website. DRE revises forms and instructions without changing the familiar RE number.
No. RE 202 belongs to candidates who passed after using the examination-only route. If you used RE 435, the examination and original license applications are already in one file. Continue through that existing record and answer any DRE request for fingerprints, documents, or updated information.
No. Passing satisfies the examination requirement, but you cannot perform licensed activity until DRE issues the license. License issuance still depends on the correct license application, fee, fingerprints, required records, and any background or deficiency review.
No. RE 909 is a credit-card authorization for a paper filing mailed to DRE. An eLicensing transaction collects payment online and does not require a separate RE 909.
An online renewal is usually completed through eLicensing by entering the required information and continuing education records. A mailed renewal generally uses RE 209, RE 251, and the applicable fee. RE 213 is used only for a qualifying continuing education extension or exemption request.
A licensee must report in writing within 30 days a felony or misdemeanor conviction, a criminal complaint, information, or indictment charging a felony, or disciplinary action by another licensing authority. RE 238 is DRE's notification form for that report.