California Real Estate Course Guide
Welcome to Kaplan's Real Estate Licensing Program. This how-to guide was created to assist you in navigating your licensing study program and preparing you for the state licensing exam.
Embedded Files
Reminder: Your LMS is now in another tab.
To return to the LMS, switch back to the Learning Management System tab.
Welcome to Kaplan Real Estate Education
Welcome to Kaplan Real Estate Education
Please watch this video to help you get started.
The Kaplan Commitment
The Kaplan Commitment
The Kaplan Commitment* - Achieve Success with Kaplan's Real Estate Licensing Program
At Kaplan, we're committed to your success. With our proven program and your dedication, you'll have everything you need to complete your education, pass your state exam, and start your real estate career. We’re confident that you’ll pass your state exam the first time. If not, we’ll help you pass at no additional cost. *Kaplan Commitment applies to course purchases on or after 8/26/24.
Kaplan’s Commitment to You:
Ongoing Support: If you don’t pass your state exam, Kaplan will continue to provide personalized assistance at no cost.
Personalized Study Plan: Our instructors will create a study plan based on your strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring you’re fully prepared.
Access to Resources: You’ll keep access to Kaplan’s exam prep tools and expert instructors for up to 18 months (varies by state).
Steps to Qualify for Kaplan’s Commitment Offer:
Watch the Commitment Video (See The Kaplan Commitment course in the LMS)
Within 14 days of enrolling, watch the video and complete the final exam.
Look for the green checkmark next to the second image in your course as confirmation.
Complete the Program
Finish all required courses and exam prep materials.
Take Your State Exam
Sit for the State exam within 30 days of completing the program (some states may allow more time).
If you pass, you do not need to complete any more steps.
If you don't pass, move on to steps 4-6.
Submit the Kaplan Commitment Form (if you do not pass)
Fill out the Kaplan Commitment Request Form (See The Kaplan Commitment course in the LMS) within 7 days of taking and not passing the State licensing exam to schedule a personalized meeting with an instructor.
Follow the Study Plan
Engage with the study plan created by your instructor and attend all scheduled meetings.
Retake Your State Exam
Attempt the state exam again within 30 days of your one-on-one meeting.
Important Information Before You Begin
Important Information Before You Begin
Legal Name
Please verify that you have registered using your full legal name (First, Middle, Last), as it appears on your driver's license or passport, to ensure the accuracy of your certificates of completion upon passing your final exam(s).
If you did not register using your full legal name, please contact Customer Support to update your information PRIOR to taking your final exams and applying for your state exam.
If the name on your Kaplan certificate of completion does not match your legal identification, the Department of Real Estate may return your state exam application to you.
California Final Exam Wait Periods
Licensing courses approved by the Department of Real Estate (DRE) require a student to study each course purchased a minimum of 18 days from the date of enrollment/access to course material. Please see an example below:
A student who is enrolled in a salesperson licensing package can take their final exams as follows:
Real Estate Principles - 18 days from the date of enrollment.
Real Estate Practice - 36 days from the date of enrollment.
Legal Aspects of Real Estate - 54 days from the date of enrollment.
The above example illustrates the minimum amount of time necessary to complete all three-course final exams. However, your enrollment access period is valid for six months from the date of purchase. Please keep the mandatory wait periods in mind when planning your study schedule.
Accessing the Learning Management System (LMS)
You will access your study program through your Learning Management System account, which houses all of your online course assets. Depending on the package purchased, this is where you will access live online classes and OnDemand videos, locate course material, take final exams, and complete exam preparation activities. When accessing the LMS for the first time, you will be required to set up your account password. Please refer to the Online Access email you were sent upon enrollment for the link to set up your account.
Steps to Obtain Your License
Steps to Obtain Your License
Successfully complete the courses and final exams in your package
Real Estate Principles: 45 credit hours
Real Estate Practice: 45 credit hours
One additional DRE-approved course - Legal Aspects of Real Estate: 45 credit hours
Submit your Salesperson Exam/License Application, including Fingerprinting and Background Check
Schedule your licensing exam with the Department of Real Estate (DRE).
You must have all three course completion certificates showing you have passed the Kaplan final exams to apply for the state exam.
You must successfully pass the exam within 2 years of the date the application is submitted or the application and fee will expire.
Take the California Salesperson Licensing Exam
The State exam is administered by the Department of Real Estate in person at one of 5 locations (Sacramento, Fresno, Oakland, La Palma, or San Diego).
The California State Exam is a 150-question, multiple-choice exam, timed exam (3 hours). To pass, you will need a score of 70%.
Prepare for exam day by enrolling in our Exam Prep Course.
Pass your State Exam and receive your Real Estate License
A Salesperson is licensed to act on behalf of a broker and may not act as an independent real estate agent. A salesperson may only work for one broker in California at a time.
Consider finding a Broker early in your licensing process.
Contact Us
Contact Us
We are here to help you on your education journey. Here are some important teams that will help you along the way:
Customer Support Team
Chat is available via the Kaplan website.
Email: restudentsupport@kaplan.com
Phone: 800.636.9517
Hours: Monday–Friday, 6:00 am–3:00 pm PT
Contact for help regarding: printing a certificate, upgrading your package, locating/tracking materials, extensions, or requesting a transfer.
Technical Support Team
Phone: 800.636.9517
Phone Hours: Monday-Friday 5:00 am - 7:00 pm PT - If you require immediate assistance, please call.
Email: REtechsupport@kaplan.com
Email Hours: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week - Emails are responded to within 24 hrs.
Contact for help regarding: technical assistance with online education
Instructor Support Team
Email: releadinstructorca@kaplan.com
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm PT or by appointment
Contact for help regarding: questions involving content, materials, missing a class, or setting a schedule.
Community Forum
Website: https://community.kaplan.com/realestate/
Kaplan Real Estate Community (KREC) creates one place for students to ask questions, find answers, engage with our expert instructors, and network with other Kaplan students. Access the Community Forum from your LMS through Your Live Online Learning HUB.
We are here for you and are committed to doing our part so you can achieve your goals!
We are here for you and are committed to doing our part so you can achieve your goals!
Course FAQs
Course FAQs
What is the Live Online Learning HUB?
Your Live Online Learning HUB is your portal to all of your live LEARN classes. It contains your Live Online calendar, the necessary Zoom links to attend the sessions, your class resources, and access to the Community Forum.
What can I expect from a live LEARN session?
Live LEARN sessions complement your online licensing program. A live instructor offers a concentrated review or preview of the most challenging topics essential for success on test day.
Why would I go to the same LEARN session more than once?
Studies have shown that repetitive learning significantly increases the memory performance for detailed and associative information. With this in mind, our LEARN sessions are designed so you can decide when you want/need the information. You may choose to preview the information you are about to study or review the information you just learned in your online course.
What is the difference between an Evergreen course and a Reiteration course?
An Evergreen course has multiple sessions that repeat. (Ex; session 1, 2, 3, 4, then starts over)
A Reiteration course is the same course that repeats. (Ex; session 1 on Monday, session 1 on Wednesday)
How long do I have to finish my courses?
You have 6 months to complete your courses
The Access End date is listed under each course name on your LMS
Can I re-take courses?
As long as you are in your enrollment period, you can retake a course. Please contact Customer Support to enroll in a re-take course.
Are extensions available?
We understand life happens and sometimes, 6 months is not long enough. Therefore, we offer extension packages. Please be aware that enrollments may not exceed 12 months from the original date of purchase.
How do I access my Live Online Courses?
Access your course through your Learning Management System (LMS) by selecting the name of the course. Once in the course, select the course folder, click Start Course, then click Join to enter the Zoom online classroom.
Pro-Tip: Arrive 5-10 min prior to class to ensure your camera and microphone are working properly.
Test your live online connection here.
For tech issues, please contact Tech Support.
Can I earn my completion certificates by only attending LEARN sessions?
No. You must complete your required online course to earn your course completion certificates. LEARN sessions are supplemental to your online course.
Where do I find my Course Completion Certificates?
Log in to your LMS account. At the top right, click "My Account." Your course completion certificates will be located in the completion tab.
How do I apply for my State Exam?
Please visit our new Electronic State Exam Application page, here or refer to Applying for the California Salesperson Exam dropdown in your course syllabus for detailed instructions outlining the application process.
How do I complete my Fingerprints and Background check?
Schedule fingerprinting through any Livescan Service provider, here.
Make sure that you have the Live Scan Service Request Form (DRE Form RE 237) when you go to get fingerprinted.
Tell me about the State Exam.
The California Salesperson licensing exam is a 150-question, multiple-choice exam. You need a 70% or higher to pass.
The exam is timed and you will have 3 hours to complete it.
The exam is administered on a computer so you will learn your results immediately.
The exam is qualifying in nature so examinees who pass will not be informed of their final score.
If an examinee does not pass the state exam, they will be notified of the actual score including the percentage of questions answered correctly in each subject area. An examinee is able to re-apply to take the examination again if they were unsuccessful.
What holidays does Kaplan observe?
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Page updated
Report abuse