California Real Estate Classes: What You Need to Know
Compare California pre-license course options, understand the 135-hour requirement — and discover the alternative path most schools don't want you to know about.
California Real Estate
Classes & Requirements
Jeb Fuller explains what California real estate classes cover — and why many choose to invest instead.
- How to find and analyze investment deals
- How to build a real estate portfolio
- How to generate passive income from California properties
- How to invest without needing a license
What If You Skipped the Classes
and Started Investing Instead?
The 135 hours you'd spend in California real estate classes could instead be spent learning how to find deals, analyze properties, and build a portfolio — without ever needing a license.
Real estate investors in California don't need a license. They don't take California DRE (state-administered) exams. They don't split commissions with brokers. They simply buy, hold, and profit from California real estate directly.
- 135 hours of required classes
- $200–$600 in course fees
- $60 exam fee
- ~48% pass rate
- 4–6 months before you can practice
- Commission splits with broker
- Renewal every 4 years
- No required hours or classes
- No exam fees or application fees
- Start immediately
- Keep 100% of your profits
- Build equity and cash flow
- No broker required
- No renewal requirements
Commercial real estate investors in California buy NNN properties, strip malls, fast food pads, and dollar store buildings — generating passive income with zero license required. The same $200–$600 you'd spend on classes could be your first deal deposit.
- Build passive income — not a commission-dependent job
- Own the asset, not just represent it
- No clients, no cold calls, no broker oversight
- Commercial real estate: the wealth-builder's asset class
- Be a Real Estate Owner — Not a Salesperson
University of Success® · Jeb Fuller, Commercial Real Estate Investor & Author
Stop Buying Houses · Fast Food Real Estate · Dollar Store Investing · Passive Income Active Intelligence
California Real Estate
CE Renewal Requirements
Once licensed, California agents must complete continuing education every 4 years to keep their license active. Here's exactly what's required.
- •Ethics
- •Agency
- •Trust Fund Handling
- •Risk Management
- •Management and Supervision
- •Fair Housing
- •Implicit Bias
Before you pay California CE fees again — ask yourself if the license is still serving your wealth goals. Investors never renew. They just keep building.
FAQ: California Real Estate Classes
How many hours of real estate classes are required in California?
California requires 135 hours of state-approved pre-license real estate education. This coursework must be completed through a school approved by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) before you can sit for the California real estate exam.
How much do California real estate classes cost?
California real estate pre-license courses typically cost between $200–$600. Online self-paced courses tend to be the most affordable option, while in-person classroom courses at local schools are generally more expensive.
Can I take California real estate classes online?
Yes. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) approves online real estate courses for the 135-hour pre-license requirement. Major online providers include Colibri Real Estate, The CE Shop, Kaplan Real Estate Education, and others approved by the state.
How long does it take to complete California real estate classes?
Most students complete the 135-hour California pre-license requirement in 4–16 weeks, depending on whether they choose a self-paced online course or a structured classroom program.
Do I need to take California real estate classes to invest in real estate?
No. California real estate classes and the licensing process are only required if you want to represent buyers or sellers as a licensed agent. Real estate investors who buy and sell properties for their own account do not need a license and are not required to take any pre-license classes.
What is the best California real estate school?
The best California real estate school depends on your learning style and schedule. For online learners, Colibri Real Estate and The CE Shop are consistently highly rated. For in-person instruction, local California real estate schools and community colleges offer structured classroom programs. Always verify that any school you choose is approved by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).
Comparing California Real Estate Schools? Watch This First.
If you searched for Mykissock California classes, CE Shop California, Colibri California real estate, or best real estate school in California — you found this page for a reason. These providers charge $200–$600 for 135 hours of coursework. What they won't tell you: the majority of new California agents earn under $35,000 in year one and most quit within 24 months. You want Real Estate Education that will make you Money — Don't KISS your money away with California license classes that lead to a treadmill, not a wealth-builder.
California Real Estate Classes, Online Schools & License Exam Prep
Searching for California real estate classes, online real estate courses in California, or the best real estate school in California? The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires 135 hours of approved pre-license education before you can sit for the California real estate exam. Leading providers of California real estate pre-license courses include Mykissock Learning, CE Shop, Colibri Real Estate, Allied Schools, Kaplan Real Estate Education, Anthony Schools, with course costs typically ranging from $200–$600. Before you enroll, consider what these providers won't tell you — Don't KISS your money away on a license path that leads most agents to under $35,000 in year one.
Whether you are looking for California real estate classes online, California real estate exam prep, California continuing education real estate, or how much are real estate classes in California — the answer is that the full cost of a California real estate license ranges from $700–$1,200 before you earn your first commission.
Before investing time and money in California real estate classes, consider the alternative: investing in California real estate without a license. Jeb Fuller's Commercial Real Estate Investing Masterclass teaches you to buy, own, and profit from commercial properties in California and every other state — no pre-license course, no California DRE (state-administered) exam, and no broker split required.
Real Estate Classes by State
Ready to build wealth in California real estate?
No license. No classes. No exam. Start investing today.