Frequently Asked Questions about Renewing a California Real Estate License Using the Duane Gomer
Seminar "45-Hours of DRE Tests
in a Half-Day" Program

Q. What is the latest (and earliest) that I can renew a license?
Applications to DRE to renew should not be submitted more than 60 days prior to expiration. You can take your Continuing Education classes anytime during the 4 year period of your license renewal. Renewals are effective if postmarked with the official U.S. Postal Service postmark on the day of expiration. Business office meter-stamps are not accepted as evidence of a timely submittal. You can continue working while awaiting your license if you've made a genuine attempt to renew.

Back in November 2002, the DRE implemented a new feature on their web site for Online License Renewals. All you need are your Continuing Education course certificate numbers, a valid credit card, and your DRE license number. Simply access www.dre.ca.gov, click on e-Licensing, create you own user name and password, then log in with your new user name and password, and follow the easy-to-use prompts to renew. You may renew online no sooner than 60 days prior to your license expiration date. This feature is not available for any late renewal.

Q. What forms are needed to renew?
Three forms are needed to renew:
  1. An application to renew, either Sales (209A) or Broker (208A)
  2. Continuing Education Verification Form (RE251)
  3. Public Benefits Statement (RE205).
Q. How do I obtain the forms?
The DRE sends these forms to your address on file, approximately 60-90 days prior to your expiration date. If you don't receive these forms, it is your responsibility to get them. You may do so by either:

  1. Calling your local DRE office or Sacramento (916- 227-0931), or
  2. Visiting the DRE web site at www.dre.ca.gov, or
  3. Calling your one-stop DRE Education Company, Duane Gomer Seminars, Inc. at (800) 439-4909, via FAQ@DuaneGomer.com, or via fax at (949) 455-9931.

Q. What is the Public Benefits Statement?
This statement is to verify that you are either a U.S. Citizen or a lawfully present Alien. The Form RE205 is self-explanatory as to which documents you must send. Most licensees use a photocopy of a birth certificate or passport. If you are a U.S. Citizen, you will only need to do this once - not at each renewal.

Q. What is the grace period for renewal?
There is a two-year grace period for unconditional licenses (not suspended). While the license is expired no activities requiring a license may be performed. If you miss the two-year period you need to take the tests again. If you received your license after January 1, 1986, you had to take a Principles Course. If you obtained your license before that date, you need to show proof of completion of a Principles Course before taking the exam again.

Q. Is anyone exempt from Continuing Education?
Licensees who have been licensed in good standing for 30 continuous years in California and who are 70 years of age are exempt from the 45-hour Continuing Education Requirements. However, the renewal application and fees still need to be submitted.

Q. How can the fees be paid?
DRE now allows payment of most fees by credit card. To do this, you need to obtain Form RE909 from the DRE or call, fax or e-mail our office. You can also pay by check or money order, but cash is not accepted.

Q. Are all renewals the same?
No. For the salesperson's first license renewal, only three-hour classes in Agency, Ethics, Trust Fund Handling and Fair Housing need to be taken. For the broker's first license renewal the four required classes listed above must be taken, plus an additional 33 hours, 18 of which must be Consumer Protection. The remaining 15 hours can be either Consumer Protection or Consumer Services.

If a person has renewed a license once since January 1, 1996, they can take the courses listed above for the first broker's renewal or they can take a new program. For this program, you complete a six-hour Survey or Review course, covering Agency, Ethics, Trust Funds and Fair Housing, plus an additional 39 hours, 18 of which must be Consumer Protection.

Q. What is the difference between Consumer Protection and Consumer Service courses?
Consumer Protection "protects" the public and Consumer Service improves our service so we can increase our income (you don't need any Consumer Service classes - you can take all Consumer Protection).

Q. Do I send the certificate I receive to the DRE?
No. You write the certificate numbers on Form RE251. You may throw them away after four years. A different process applies when you take a sales or brokers exam, or when you change a conditional license to a regular license. Then, the original certificates and transcripts are sent to the DRE. Copies of your broker course transcripts should be kept indefinitely.

Q. What do I do about a lost certificate?
You must contact the company from whom you took the courses. A certificate can be reissued; the process will be accelerated if you know the date attended and courses completed. The cost is $10.00. If you can't find the company, you will have to take the courses over. Be sure you are using a reputable company.

Q. Which address would you recommend as our mailing address with the DRE?
Your business address or a post office box. If you were to use your home address, be aware that this information is available to the public. Also available to the public are your license number, type and how long you've had the license, previous names or DBAs, any suspensions or probation, your responsible broker (if any), and salespersons for whom you are the responsible broker. You should check the DRE web site (www.dre.ca.gov) to confirm your public information. You can correct an address online; other information corrections should be submitted to the DRE.

Q. What are the current renewal fees?
As of August 31, 2003, a salesperson’s renewal is $120.00 and a broker’s renewal is $165.00. Late renewal is $180.00 for a salesperson and $248.00 for a broker.

Q. How many hours are needed for all brokers or salespeople renewing a license after the first time?
You are required to complete 45 hours of DRE-approved continuing education including, including the four mandated courses of Agency, Ethics, Fair Housing and Trust Fund Handling. The remaining 33 hours must include at least 18 hours of Consumer Protection courses.

Q. What do you recommend for the 45 Hour Renewal?
We recommend you enroll in Survey and Real Estate Update course to become current in the latest changes, avoiding possible lawsuits or license suspension in the future. You will be shipped simple, home-study materials for Survey (an overview of Agency Fair Housing, Trust Funds and Ethics) and Real Estate Update.

Q. What is the cost of the 45 Hour Renewal?
The $59.59 fee includes all testing, shipping, handling, taxes, etc.

Q. Are the home study courses difficult?
No. There are no practice questions to submit. You study the materials and take the tests at the meeting. The tests are true/false and remember you need only a 70% grade to pass.

Q. What types of exams are given?
The final exams are true/false. Three-hour courses (Agency, Ethics, Trust Funds and Fair Housing) have 25 questions. The six-hour survey course has 30 questions and the Real Estate Update course has 80 questions. The passing grade for all courses is 70%.

All licensees renewing for the 2nd or subsequent times can take a new course called Survey and Real Estate Update. Survey is a 6-hour overview of Agency, Ethics, Trust Funds, and Fair Housing, and the exam is only 30 true/false questions. The R. E. Update course is a 39 hour course consisting of Consumer Protection and the test is only 80 true/false questions

Q. Can I take all the courses through home study with your company?
Yes. You could register for all home study courses and then test on the Internet and when you pass an exam, just print your certificate from the same computer to a local printer.

Q. How do I test for a home-study course?
Testing can be done at a testing location with a monitor or on the Internet. If you test on the Internet, you can also print the course certificate from the computer.

Q. Why should I choose Duane Gomer, Inc.?
Some of the benefits of using Duane Gomer Seminars are:
  • You can take all 45 hours of DRE courses, or only the courses needed to renew your license, in an easy, painless manner.
  • Low costs include all courses, testing, shipping, materials, exams, etc. No hidden charges.
  • You can call our toll-free number anytime (800) 439-4909.
  • Fax service is available.
  • One-day turnaround on all orders
  • Outlines and forms on each course to allow easy instruction.
  • Next day shipping at a minimal charge.
  • Certificates given the same day exams are taken.
  • We have 23 years of experience, ensuring that we can help you solve most problems.
  • Locations near you or in vacation spots.
  • Both Saturday and weekday dates available.
  • Courses with excellent study materials, refined questions and clear exam questions.
  • References available upon request.

Q. What are the procedures for testing on the Internet?
Complete instructions and tips are included with your materials. When you are ready to take the test, call, fax or e-mail our office for a password, which will allow you to access the test. It is an open-book exam. Upon submission of your test answers on the Internet, you will receive your grade immediately and can then print out your certificate. You can contact our office for our Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Testing.

Q. Can I take the all the courses through home study with your company?
Yes. You could register for all home study courses and then test on the Internet.

Q. What are the procedures for testing on the Internet?
Complete instructions and tips are included with your materials. When you are ready to take the test, call, fax or e-mail our office for a password, which will allow you to access the test. It is an open-book exam. Upon submission of your test answers on the Internet, you will receive your grade immediately and can then print out your certificate.

Q. Do you recommend that Salespersons become Brokers as soon as possible?
Yes, yes, yes, yes. If you want more information, read our "9 Reasons To Become A Broker" and our "FAQs" About Getting A Brokers' License. If you still have questions, call our office at once or visit our web site.

Q. What are your office hours?
Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm Pacific Time. We also have a 24-hour message line, and a Fax number..