If you are changing careers or working around an already busy schedule, choosing a California real estate school can feel like a major decision.
You may be comparing a self-paced course, a live classroom, or a program that combines independent study with personal support. None of these formats is right for everyone. The important question is which one fits the way you actually learn and the time you realistically have.
Before you pay, ask these five questions.
1. Are the Courses Approved for the California Salesperson Exam Requirement?
Start with the state requirement, not the format.
According to the California Department of Real Estate, most salesperson exam applicants must complete three college-level courses:
- Real Estate Principles
- Real Estate Practice
- One approved elective, such as Legal Aspects of Real Estate
Each approved course must be at least 45 hours, for a total of 135 hours. Continuing education courses do not meet this prelicense education requirement.
Your courses must come from a regionally accredited college or from a private real estate school whose courses are approved by the California Real Estate Commissioner. You can use DRE’s list of approved course providers to check a school before enrolling.
Since January 1, 2024, qualifying Real Estate Practice coursework must also include fair housing and implicit bias components. The fair housing portion must include an interactive participatory component.
A school’s approval should be easy to verify. CES Real Estate School’s sponsor ID is S0663, which you can reference when checking the DRE’s information.
2. Can You Study at Your Own Pace?
Your schedule matters. A course that looks convenient on paper may not work if its required meeting times conflict with your job, family responsibilities, or commute.
Online correspondence study
An online correspondence course may suit you if you:
- Work changing shifts
- Travel or commute often
- Prefer reading and reviewing independently
- Need to study early in the morning or late at night
- Want to avoid fixed classroom meetings
CES’s online courses combine printed textbooks with online chapter quizzes and final examinations. The courses do not track your study time, so you can organize your study periods around your life.
Self-paced does not mean unlimited speed. The DRE sets minimum completion periods for correspondence courses: a single course may not be completed in less than 2 1/2 weeks, and no more than two courses may be completed in any five-week period. You choose when to study within those limits. See DRE’s page on education course availability for the current explanation.
There are still important enrollment terms. CES course enrollment lasts one year. Extensions are not available, and an expired course must be repurchased if you need to continue. In other words, the DRE minimum completion periods are the floor, and CES’s one-year enrollment period is the outer limit. Applicable final-exam requirements also apply, so review the enrollment disclosure before paying.
Live classes
A classroom may be a better fit if you learn best through discussion, scheduled lessons, and direct instructor interaction.
If you are searching for real estate classes in San Francisco or another Bay Area location, ask:
- Are classes currently running?
- What days and times do they meet?
- What is the attendance policy?
- Are make-up sessions available?
- Does the schedule cover all three required courses?
CES live classes are currently paused. If you prefer a classroom format, contact the school about future availability rather than planning around an unannounced schedule.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in California? There is no single timeline for everyone. Your pace, course completion, exam scheduling, application processing, and other DRE requirements all affect the process. Course completion is only the education step. It does not itself issue a real estate license.
3. What Is Included?
A low starting price may not tell you the full cost of a program. Compare the books, shipping, quizzes, final exams, access period, and exam-preparation materials.
CES currently offers these options:
- Three-Course Online Package, $299: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and Legal Aspects of Real Estate; 45 hours each; printed textbooks; textbook shipping; online chapter quizzes and final exams; one-year enrollment.
- Individual Courses, $125 each: Useful if you only need one course, with a printed textbook and shipping included.
- Premium Prelicense Bundle, $369: The three-course package plus a five-day exam-review video rental, practice-question access arranged by CES, and a private crash-course booklet viewer.
Do you need to buy textbooks separately? For CES’s listed prelicense courses and packages, printed textbooks and shipping are included. It is still wise to review the current product page and enrollment disclosure before completing your purchase.
4. Can You Reach a Real Person When You Get Stuck?
Flexible study does not have to mean studying alone.
Before enrolling, find out how you can ask about course access, textbooks, certificates, or the next licensing step. A school should give you a clear way to reach someone when a question comes up.
CES can be reached at 510-223-2636. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM Pacific. In-person visits are available by appointment only.
You can also use the CES contact page to send a question before choosing a course. Talking with someone first may help you decide whether independent study is a comfortable fit.
5. What Happens After Course Completion?
Completing your courses does not automatically make you a licensed California salesperson.
After you complete and pass the required course final examinations, you receive course completion documentation. You then continue with the DRE examination and licensing process. Review the CES California licensing guide and the DRE’s current requirements before submitting an application.
Do you need exam preparation after the courses? That depends on your background and study preferences.
CES offers an Exam Prep Package for $199 for students who have already completed their prelicense courses. It includes a 4-hour, 3-minute review video with five days of access, online practice questions arranged by CES, and a digital study booklet. It does not include the required prelicense courses.
The Online Practice Exam costs $99 and provides 180 days of dashboard access from verified payment. It includes unlimited attempts, topic quizzes, timed mock exams, explained answers, grading, and progress tracking. These are study tools, not actual DRE examination questions, and practice results do not guarantee a state-exam result.
Choose the Format That Fits Your Real Life
The best course is one you can complete carefully and consistently.
Choose self-paced correspondence study if flexibility and printed materials are important to you. Choose live instruction if a set schedule and classroom discussion help you stay engaged. If you are unsure, ask questions before paying and compare the total package, access period, support, and next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online real estate courses accepted by the DRE?
Yes, an online correspondence course can satisfy the education requirement when it is offered by an approved provider and meets DRE requirements. Verify the specific provider and courses through DRE’s approved course list.
How long do I have to finish CES courses?
CES course enrollment lasts one year. Extensions are not available. Expired courses must be repurchased to continue. For correspondence study, the DRE also sets minimum completion periods: a single course may not be completed in less than 2 1/2 weeks, and no more than two courses may be completed in any five-week period. That means the DRE minimums are the floor, while CES’s one-year enrollment period is the outer limit. See DRE’s page on education course availability.
What if I only need one course?
CES offers individual Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and Legal Aspects of Real Estate courses for $125 each. Textbook shipping is included.
Do I need to buy textbooks separately?
No. CES includes printed textbooks and shipping with its listed prelicense courses and packages.
Can I talk to someone before enrolling?
Yes. Call 510-223-2636 Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM Pacific, or use the contact page. In-person visits are by appointment only.
When you are ready, compare the three-course package, individual courses, and exam-preparation options. If you would like to talk through your starting point, call CES at 510-223-2636. A short conversation may help you choose a practical next step.