Frequently Asked Questions about Conditional Licenses

Q. What is a conditional license?
This is one of the most misunderstood terms in licensing. To obtain a real estate license in California, you need to complete a college-level course in Principles and two other real estate college-level courses. However, you can take the salesperson state exam after completing the Principles Course and you will receive a "Conditional License."

Q. Can I work in real estate with a conditional license?
Yes. It is the same as a regular license for working under a broker.

Q. How long is the conditional license effective?
Eighteen months; during that time you must complete the other two college-level courses.

Q. What if I don’t complete the other two courses?
Failure to submit transcripts of the two additional required courses within the initial 18-month license period will result in the automatic suspension of your conditional license; you will not be able to work.

Q. How fast can I complete the two courses?
The DRE requires that you have College-Level Course Materials 2 ½ weeks before we can give you the exams. Therefore, both courses take a minimum of 5 weeks and there are no waivers. Start now, for problems always arise for procrastinators. At a Community College, these courses will take two semesters of study or about 30 weeks.

Q. Do I need the 45 Hours of Continuing Education at this time?
No, No and No, despite what many associates tell you. Your timetable for courses is Principles before you take the exam, 2 more College-level Courses within 18 months after your license is granted, four 3-hour Courses of Agency, Ethics, Trust Fund Handling and Fair Housing within 4 years after your license is granted. This is called your First Renewal. You will need to complete the 45 Hours of DRE after your first 4-year renewal and before your 8-year renewal.

Q. Is my license revoked after 18 months?
No. You have four years from the original license issue date to complete the requirements. If you don't complete the courses by then, you will have to take the DRE exam again. There is no grace period for this requirement. But you can't work after 18 months without finishing these courses.

Q. Which courses can I take to satisfy these requirements?
If you obtained your license before July 1, 2003, you may select any two of the following courses from our company: Finance, Appraisal, Practice, Economics, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Escrow, Property Management and Mortgage Loan Brokering and Business Law.

If you obtained your license on or after July 1, 2003, you must successfully complete Real Estate Practice and one of the following courses from our company: Finance, Appraisal, Economics, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Escrow, Property Management and Mortgage Loan Brokering and Business Law.

Q. Which courses do you recommend?
The best response from our students has come from the Business Law and Loan Brokering courses. The books are more practical and are very recent editions.

Q. Should I wait till just before the 18-month period to send in my certificates?
No. Send them in as soon as possible. Start now.

Q. What are the advantages of selecting Duane Gomer Seminars?
  1. You have the advantage of home study. If you wanted to complete this requirement in "live classes," you would have to attend classes for thirty nights.

  2. We are an established company with an excellent reputation. We have professional tests, and our students have the highest passing rate.

  3. Duane Gomer Seminars has a full time, experienced staff. We have a toll-free number, fax service and quick turnaround on orders and exams.

  4. We have special pricing on our college-level courses.

Q. What is the cost?
Our low cost of $118.50 for the two course includes books, exams, certificates, shipping, handling and taxes (no hidden costs).

Q. Are the courses difficult?
New DRE rules make your courses easier: practice exams are optional - they are furnished to assist in preparing for the final exam; time-consuming essays are no longer required; there is no homework; a score of only 60% is needed to pass; exams are open book and there are only 100 questions to answer in 150 minutes (2.5 hours).

Q. Is there any advantage to taking the two conditional courses before applying for the exam?
The license fee is lower and you'll receive a regular 4-year license.

Q. How do I notify the state DRE that I have completed these requirements?
Mail your two certificates with Form RE221 Statutory Course Transcript Submittal. There is no fee. This form can be downloaded from the DRE Web site (www.dre.ca.gov) or you may contact our office for a copy.

Q. What is the difference between statutory courses vs. continuing education?
Statutory courses consist of three semester or four-quarter college-level units and are not interchangeable with continuing education course "clock hours." A continuing education course verification must be submitted with your application to renew your license within sixty days of the four-year license expiration date.

Q. How do I register?
Call us at (800) 439-4909 or (949) 457-8930 or send a check or credit card number to: Duane Gomer, Inc., 23312 Madero, Ste. J, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 or fax at (949) 455-9931 or e-mail our office.

Please note: Our office hours are 9:00am - 3:00pm, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.