Applicants for a real estate broker license examination must have successfully completed the following eight statutorily required college-level courses. Certain business types are exempt from needing a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC).You may or may not be able to hold your own license without affiliating with a brokerage firm. Laws and regulations vary from State to State. Apply to Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Analyst, Realtor and more! This page explains the requirements to apply for a Real Estate Salesperson license with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) You can represent yourself in a real estate transaction. You don't need to have a license. California requires 135 hours of pre-licensing courses. California requires all real estate applicants to attend an accredited real estate school and complete 135 hours of prelicensing coursework.