What the California broker exam tests, how it is scored, and 106 broker-track practice questions with cited sources.
California broker exam format
Administered directly by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) as a single combined exam — no vendor. Salesperson: 3 hours, 150 questions, 70% to pass. Broker: 4 hours, 200 questions, 75% to pass. Verified 2026-07-27 against dre.ca.gov/Examinees/TakingExam.html — timeMinutes for both tracks were stale (195/300 instead of the correct 180/240).
Broker exam
200questions
240 mintime limit
75%to pass
Combined national + state exam
The California broker exam is a single combined paper of 200 questions.
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California broker-track questions
Every Freehold question shows why the right answer is right — and cites its source.
Under California law, who is legally responsible for the supervision of salespersons affiliated with a real estate firm?
The responsible broker of record
The DRE commissioner
The California Association of REALTORS®
The office administrative assistant
Show answer & explanation
The responsible broker of record — California law places supervisory responsibility for all salespersons on the firm's designated responsible broker, who must reasonably supervise licensed activities and can be disciplined for failing to do so.
Source: California Department of Real Estate
To qualify for a California real estate broker license by experience, an applicant must generally show at least how much full-time licensed salesperson experience within the preceding five years?
One year
Two years
Three years
Four years
Show answer & explanation
Two years — DRE broker license applicants must show at least two years of full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last five years, or equivalent experience.
Source: California DRE — Experience Requirements for the Broker Examination
Which applicant is exempt from the two-year salesperson experience requirement for a California broker license?
An applicant who has held a salesperson license for six months
An applicant who has completed only the 135-hour salesperson curriculum
An applicant who holds a four-year degree with a major or minor in real estate
An applicant who is a member of a local REALTOR association
Show answer & explanation
An applicant who holds a four-year degree with a major or minor in real estate — DRE exempts applicants holding a four-year college degree with a major or minor in real estate from the standard two-year experience requirement.
Source: California DRE — Experience Requirements for the Broker Examination
How many college-level courses must a California broker license applicant complete (absent a State Bar exemption)?
Five courses
Six courses
Ten courses
Eight courses
Show answer & explanation
Eight courses — Broker applicants must complete eight DRE-approved college-level courses, totaling 360 hours, including five mandatory core courses.
Source: California DRE — Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Broker License
California broker exam FAQ
What is on the California real estate broker exam?
The California broker exam is a single combined paper of 200 questions. You need 75% to pass, within 240 minutes.
Is the California broker exam harder than the salesperson exam?
It carries a higher passing score (75% versus 70%) and adds brokerage-operations material - supervision, trust accounting, and firm responsibility - on top of the salesperson outline.
How many California broker practice questions does Freehold have?
106 California law questions apply to the broker track, including 23 written specifically for brokers, alongside the national broker bank.
Freehold is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PSI, Pearson VUE, or any state real estate licensing board or commission. Freehold does not guarantee passage of any licensing exam.
