How many questions are on the California Real Estate Salesperson exam?

The CA-RES exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering eleven primary subject areas.

How much time is allowed for the exam?

Candidates are given a maximum time limit of 3 hours to complete the examination.

What is the passing score for the California real estate exam?

You must score at least 70% to pass the salesperson exam. The passing score is set by the provider (California Department of Real Estate) and is the same for every candidate.

Can I bring my own calculator to the testing center?

No, personal calculators are not allowed. However, basic calculators are provided for your use at the testing center.

What is the most heavily weighted topic on the California exam?

General Principles of Agency is the largest single domain, making up approximately 17% of the total exam questions.

How much time should I spend studying for the exam?

We recommend dedicating around 110-120 hours of focused study time to thoroughly cover all the material, given the broad scope of California statutory law and federal regulations tested.

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CA-RES · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026

California Real Estate Salesperson

Exam-aligned study paths covering the national real estate core plus California law — DRE rules, trust-fund handling, California disclosures, fair housing, and community property — in retention-first 15-minute topics.

Start studying free see the outline ↓

Questions: 150
Time limit: 3 hours
Passing score: 70%
Format: multiple-choice
Delivery: In-person
Calculator: Basic calculators are provided for your use; personal calculators are not allowed.
Prep time: ~113 hours

Exam overview

The California Real Estate Salesperson exam, administered by the Department of Real Estate (DRE), is a critical step for aspiring real estate professionals in the Golden State. Assessing a wide array of competencies from property ownership and financing to state-specific disclosure requirements, this exam demands a thorough understanding of both federal principles and California statutory law. This syllabus breaks down the test into eleven specialized domains. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in broad real estate practices alongside specific California requirements, such as trust-fund handling, agency disclosures, and the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS). Because real estate law regularly changes, the DRE frequently updates its question pool to reflect the modern practice of real estate. To help candidates master this expansive material, Only Ever maps every domain to 15-minute study topics. By breaking down complex subjects into bite-sized sessions, you can effectively tackle the 150 multiple-choice questions within the 3-hour limit and achieve the passing score necessary to launch your career.

Exam domains & weighting

Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.

How to study this domain

Focus on distinguishing between real and personal property, including the concept of fixtures. Make sure you understand the nuances of California community property laws, vesting methods, and water rights.

Key objectives

Real and Personal Property Conveyances
Legal Property Descriptions
Measuring Structures and Land
Liens, Easements, and Encumbrances
Surface, Subsurface, Air, and Water Rights
Basic Types of Ownership and Tenancy
Common-Interest, Trusts, and Business Ownership
California Community Property, Vesting & Water Rights

Study this domain

Readiness self-check

Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.

Readiness

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Property Ownership

Review

Can you distinguish between real property and personal property, and how each is conveyed?
Do you know the various ways title can be vested in California, such as community property?
Can you explain the difference between a lien and an easement?

Land Use Controls

Review

Are you familiar with the government's powers of taxation, eminent domain, and escheat?
Can you identify typical private land use controls like CC&Rs?

Valuation and Market Analysis

Review

Can you explain when to use the sales comparison approach versus the income approach?
Do you understand the fundamental steps in the appraisal process?

Financing

Review

Can you explain the roles of a trustor, trustee, and beneficiary in a deed of trust?
Are you comfortable with the disclosures required by TILA and RESPA?
Do you know the limits set by California usury laws?

Contracts

Review

Can you list the essential elements required to form a valid contract?
Do you understand what makes a contract voidable versus void?
Are you familiar with the term limits and requirements for California listing agreements?

General Principles of Agency

Review

Can you name the fiduciary duties an agent owes to their principal?
Do you know the exact steps for confirming a dual agency relationship in California?

Property Disclosures

Review

Do you know what triggers the requirement to provide a Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS)?
Can you define what constitutes a 'material fact' affecting property value?

Leasing and Property Management

Review

Are you familiar with the legal obligations shared between landlords and tenants?
Can you explain how fair housing laws apply to the tenant qualification process?

Transfer of Title

Review

Can you distinguish between a grant deed and a quitclaim deed?
Do you understand the purpose of obtaining a standard policy of title insurance?

Practice of Real Estate

Review

Are you familiar with the California DRE's rules against commingling trust funds?
Do you know the scope of the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act?

Real Estate Calculations

Review

Can you accurately calculate a capitalization rate?
Are you able to compute tax prorations and transfer fees at closing?

Quick reference

Essential California Acronyms

Common acronyms frequently tested on the DRE exam.

DRE: Department of Real EstateThe California regulatory body.
TDS: Transfer Disclosure StatementMandatory property condition disclosure in CA.
NHD: Natural Hazard DisclosureRequired disclosure for properties in special hazard zones.
RESPA: Real Estate Settlement Procedures ActFederal law governing settlement costs.
TILA: Truth in Lending ActFederal law promoting the informed use of consumer credit.

Key Legal & Property Terms

Important vocabulary to recognize in multiple-choice scenarios.

Fixture

Personal property that has been incorporated into the land or building, making it real property.

Fee Simple Estate

The most complete form of ownership in real property, holding maximum rights.

Promissory Note

A written promise to pay a specified amount of money, serving as evidence of the debt.

Trust Deed

An instrument that pledges security for a debt, coupling a lien against the land with a power of sale.

Encumbrance

A burden or claim on the property, such as a lien, easement, or encroachment.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The exam is constructed by sampling from a large subject matter pool; not every specific topic listed may appear on a given form.
The test consists entirely of multiple-choice questions.
Exams are regularly revised to reflect changes in California law and standard real estate practices.
Salesperson examinations differ from Broker examinations in both emphasis and difficulty for each subject matter.

Reading isn’t remembering.

California weaves its own real estate law — DRE rules, trust-fund handling, TDS and natural-hazard disclosures, and fair housing — throughout the exam, and most prep blurs it with the national material.

Only Ever teaches the shared national core once, then layers California law as focused 15-minute topics — DRE licensing and discipline, trust funds, California disclosures, fair housing, community property, and financing law.

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