California State Requirements:

Real Estate:

California Department of Real Estate

Appraisal:

Office of Real Estate Appraisers

Home Inspection:

California does not currently have a licensing/certification/registration process for Home Inspectors.

Real Estate:

The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience, and examination requirements established by the California Department of Real Estate.

 The information provided below can be found on the DRE’s website. However, we recommend you contact the DRE for more detailed information and for any changes which may have occurred.

Sales Prelicense

• Must be 18 years of age or older to be issued a license
• Submit Proof of Legal Presence in the United States
• Must be honest and truthful
• Successful completion of three college-level courses is required to qualify for a real estate salesperson examination:
• Real Estate Principles, and
• Real Estate Practice, and
• One course from the following list:
  • Real Estate Appraisal
  • Property Management
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Economics
  • Legal Aspects of Real Estate
  • Real Estate Office Administration
  • General Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Escrows
  • Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
  • Computer Applications in Real Estate
  • Common Interest Developments
• Complete a Salesperson Examination Application (RE 400A) or a Combined Salesperson Examination and License Application. (RE 435)
• Obtain transcripts showing successful completion of the statutory college-level real estate courses and degrees
• Once qualified, an Examination Schedule Notice (RE401A) or an authorization to self schedule will be sent to you.
• After you pass the examination, you will be sent a Salesperson License Application (RE 202). This form must be completed and returned along with the appropriate fee within one year after passing the examination.
• A completed Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) must be submitted with the application unless you held a real estate license which expired less than two years ago. A license cannot be issued until DRE receives fingerprint response information. See Fingerprint Requirements for further information.

Broker Prelicense

• Must be 18 years of age or older to be issued a license
• Submit Proof of Legal Presence in the United States
• Must be honest and truthful
• A minimum of two years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last five years or the equivalent is required.
• Must have successfully completed the following eight statutorily required college-level courses:
  • Real Estate Practice; and
  • Legal Aspects of Real Estate; and
  • Real Estate Finance; and
  • Real Estate Appraisal; and
  • Real Estate Economics or Accounting; and
  • Three* courses from the following list
    • Real Estate Principles
    • Business Law
    • Property Management
    • Escrow
    • Real Estate Office Administration
    • Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
    • Advanced Legal Aspects of Real Estate
    • Advanced Real Estate Finance
    • Advanced Real Estate Appraisal
    • Computer Applications in Real Estate
    • Common Interest Developments
      
      *If both Real Estate Economics and Accounting are taken, only two courses from the above group are required.
• Complete a Broker Examination Application (RE 400B) or a Combined Broker Examination and License Application. (RE 436).
• Obtain transcripts showing successful completion of the statutory college-level real estate courses and degrees.
• Document experience requirements for the broker examination by:
  • Completing Employment Verification (RE 226) forms to verify licensed salesperson experience;
  • Obtaining a copy of diploma or transcript to verify a 4-year college degree earned through a regionally accredited college; or
  • Completing Equivalent Experience Verification (RE 227) forms to verify non-licensed real estate-related experience.
• Once qualified, an Examination Schedule Notice (RE401A) or an authorization to self schedule will be sent to you.
• After passing the exam, you will be sent a Broker License Application (RE 200). This form must be completed and returned along with the appropriate fee within one year after passing the examination.
• A completed Live Scan Service Request (RE 237) must be submitted with the application unless you held a real estate license which expired less than two years ago. A license cannot be issued until DRE receives fingerprint response information. See Fingerprint Requirements for further information.

Continuing Education

• Licenses are issued for a four-year period and should be renewed prior to the expiration date listed on the license.
• Real estate salespersons who were licensed prior to 10/1/2007, and are renewing an original license for the first time, must complete five separate three-hour DRE-approved continuing education courses in Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing and Risk Management.
• Those licensees who were licensed on or after 10/1/2007, and were required to have all three statutory/pre-licenses courses (RE Principles, RE Practice, and one additional course), must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:
  • Five separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, and Risk Management;
  • A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
  • The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
• Real estate brokers renewing an original license for the first time must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:
  • Five separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, Fair Housing, and Risk Management;
  • A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
  • The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.
• For subsequent renewals, all real estate brokers and salespersons must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:
  • Either 12 hours of continuing education courses in the following subjects: (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing) OR one six-hour course that covers the four mandatory subjects (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing);
  • One three-hour course in Risk Management; and
  • At least 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
  • The remaining clock hours required to complete the 45 hours of continuing education may be related to either consumer service or consumer protection courses.

California Appraisal State Requirements

The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers. The information provided below can be found on the Office’s website.  However, we recommend you contact the OREA for more detailed information and for any changes which may have occurred in the California Administrative Code.

Levels of Licensure:

• Trainee License
• Residential License
• Certified Residential License
• Certified General License

Licensure Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Provide proof of legal presence in the United States
• Must be of good moral character
• Submit proof of completion of the educational requirements for each level of licensure
• Submit proof of completion of the experience requirements for each level of licensure
• For Certified Residential level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 2 year associates degree or higher, OR a total of 21 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Principles of Economics, (either Macro or Micro); Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law
• For Certified General level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 4 year bachelors degree or higher, OR a total of 30 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Micro Economics, Macro Economics; Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law.  Also must include any 2 or the following courses: Accounting; Geography; Agricultural Economics; Business Management. Or Real Estate
• Pass the state examination
• Submit application, required documents, and associated fees

Education Requirements:

On February 20, 2004, the Appraiser Qualifications Board of The Appraisal Foundation adopted changes to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria that went into effect on January 1, 2008. These changes represent the minimum national requirements that each state must implement for individuals applying for a real estate appraiser license or certification as of January 1, 2008. The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria provides in depth information on the new criteria and may be accessed by clicking the hyperlink or is available on The Appraisal Foundation website. The educational hour requirements for CA are:

• 150 hours for the Trainee which consist of the following courses:
  • Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
  • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
  • The 15 Hour National USPAP course or its equivalent (15 hours)
  • Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hours)
  • Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use (15 hours)
  • Residential Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach (15 hours)
  • Residential Sales Comparison & Income Approach (30 hours)
• 150 hours for the Residential Licensed Appraiser which include the same hour requirements as the trainee level
• 200 hours for the Certified Residential Appraiser
• 300 hours for Certified General Appraiser

Experience Requirements:

• Trainee - No experience requirement
• Residential Licensed Appraiser - 2000 hours in not less than 12 months
• Certified Residential Appraiser - 2500 hours in not less than 30 months
• Certified General Appraiser - 3000 hours in not less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals

Continuing Education Requirements:

• The current term of a California real estate appraiser license is two years. Although proof of completion of the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course is required every two years and must be submitted with each renewal application, proof of completion of the remaining continuing education courses is required every four years. Applicants for license renewal must complete a total of 56 hour of continuing education during the four year cycle.
• Continuing education requirements for a real estate appraiser include:
  • An average of 14 hours of continuing education per year of the license term; and
  • Coverage of the required topics
• Although all licensees must complete an average of 14 hours for each calendar year, continuing education is not required to be completed in each specific year
• Required topics for all licenses:
  • USPAP — Each licensee must complete the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course or its equivalent as determined by the AQB) every two years.
  • Laws and Regulations —Licensees must complete the four-hour course entitled Federal and State Laws and Regulations, or licensees may certify that they have read and understand all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. However, the certification does not provide 4-hour “credit” towards the required hours of continuing education.

California Home Inspection Requirements:

• Does this state require Home Inspectors to be licensed?

  • No, California does not currently have a licensing/certification/registration process for Home Inspectors. The California BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE SECTION 7195-7199 prohibits unethical home inspection practices, including repairing properties that home inspectors have inspected in the previous 12 months. The law encourages courts to consider the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of ASHI and the California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) when determining whether an inspection meets the required standard of care.
  • At the bottom of this page, information on membership to CREIA and ASHI is provided

  Are there any educational requirements to be licensed?

  No

  Is there a state exam requirement to be licensed?

  No

  Are there any experience requirements to be licensed?

  No

  Are there any other requirements to be licensed?

  No

  When do the license expire?

  Not Applicable

  Are there any Continuing Education requirements to renew a license?

  Not Applicable

  CREIA is a voluntary, nonprofit public-benefit organization of real estate inspectors. CREIA provides education, training and support services to its members and the real estate community. CREIA's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice are recognized by the California Business and Professions Codes and are considered the standard of care by the real estate industry and legal profession in the state. CREIA Inspector Members have successfully passed a comprehensive written examination on the myriad of systems and components in the construction and maintenance of residential dwellings. CREIA's educational mission is to expand the technical knowledge of its members through continuing education. Inspector members must complete a minimum 30 hours of continuing education annually.

CREIA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRMENTS:

• You must submit the CREIA application and associated dues
• You must be a candidate of CREIA.
• You must secure/document 30 continuing education credit (CEC) hours relating to real estate inspection.
• You must attend two meetings of your local CREIA chapter.
• You must submit, in writing on your inspection company letterhead, a listing of 50 fee-paid inspections that you have performed. Listing must include address of property inspected and the date (month/year) of the inspection. Please note: Your submitted listing may be subject to review and audit.
• You must successfully pass the CREIA membership exam. You must successfully pass the CREIA Code of Ethics Exam Questions (included in the CREIA membership exam). ALL CREIA Candidate Members are expected to upgrade their membership to CERTIFIED CREIA INSPECTOR (CCI) member status within 12 months of joining the association. The CCI exam is a two (2) hour, 100 multiple-choice question exam testing basic inspection industry knowledge. The CREIA Membership exam is designed to test basic knowledge of construction, identification of building components, and how building systems work.

ASHI ® Membership Categories and Requirements

Candidates and Members of ASHI® are required to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics, which specifically forbids home inspectors from active brokerage or sale of real estate, or performing repairs on homes, which they inspect. ASHI Candidates and Members also agree to perform and report inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice. Besides the ASHI logo is widely regarded as the mark of a professional home inspector, its use by the ASHI membership is also carefully controlled.

There are three designations of active home inspector membership in ASHI®:

Members (M): Members of ASHI®

must meet the following current requirements:

• Passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics Examination.
• Had inspection reports successfully verified for compliance with ASHI's Standards of Practice.
• Submitted valid proof of performance of at least 250 fee-paid home inspections that meet or exceed the ASHI Standards of Practice.

Candidates w/ Logo (CL):

Candidates with Logo Use Privilege will have met most of the requirements for Member status and must meet the following additional requirements:

• They have passed the National Home Inspector Examination and ASHI's Standards and Ethics Examination
• ASHI has verified performance of 50 fee-paid inspections in substantial compliance with the Standards of Practice.

Candidates (CN):

Candidates have not yet met the ASHI Member requirements, however: Current requirements are:

• Candidates may be highly experienced inspectors who have just joined ASHI, or they may be novice inspectors who have completed training or otherwise entered the profession.

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