California Form RE 482, the Licensee Change Request form, is the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) document that every licensed salesperson, broker, or corporate licensee uses to update name, address, main office location, employing broker, or branch information on a real estate license. The DRE uses this single form to keep your license record current, and the agency cross-checks every entry against its automated licensing database before approving the change.
Filing the wrong information on this form, or filing it late, can quietly suspend a salesperson’s ability to collect commissions, freeze a broker’s transactions, or trigger a citation under California Business & Professions Code §10161.8. The DRE processes more than 100,000 license maintenance changes each year, and the agency reports that incomplete RE 482 forms are among the top three reasons license updates get rejected and mailed back, according to the DRE’s licensee statistics page.
In this article, you will learn:
- 📝 How to complete every box on the official RE 482 form without triggering a rejection
- 🏢 How to handle employing broker changes, address changes, and legal name changes correctly
- ⏱️ The 5-day statutory deadline that catches most salespersons off guard
- 📬 How to file by mail or through the DRE eLicensing portal
- ⚠️ The most common field-level mistakes and the exact consequences they cause
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
California Form RE 482 is the Licensee Change Request used by every person or entity licensed by the California Department of Real Estate to report changes to license information. The form covers four major change categories on a single page: a change of main address or mailing address, a change of name, a change of employing broker for a salesperson or broker-associate, and a change of branch or main office location for a broker. The current revision is dated RE 482 (Rev. 7/22), printed in the lower-left corner of the official PDF, and you should always confirm you are using the latest revision before filing.
Every active California real estate licensee must file RE 482 when any licensing detail on record changes. That includes salespersons, brokers, broker-officers of corporate licensees, and mortgage loan originators (MLOs) endorsed under the federal SAFE Act. The legal duty to notify the DRE within five days of certain changes comes from Business & Professions Code §10161.8 and §10162, and the procedural rules sit inside Commissioner’s Regulation 2715 and Regulation 2752.
The form does not, by itself, transfer money, renew a license, or change a license type. Filers who need to renew their license use RE 209, and applicants changing license category (for example, salesperson to broker) must file the broker license application instead. RE 482 is strictly a maintenance form, but missing it is what most often turns a clean license into a suspended one.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before you open the RE 482 PDF, gather every piece of information the DRE will check against its records. Filling the form from memory is the most common reason it bounces back, because even a single transposed digit in your license ID stops the automated match.
Use this pre-filing checklist:
- Your 8-digit DRE license identification number. The DRE uses this number, not your name, to pull your record; entering an old applicant ID instead of your license ID will route the form to the wrong queue.
- Your full legal name as it currently appears on your license. A mismatch between the name on file and the name you write triggers a manual review that can add 4–6 weeks.
- Your date of birth. The DRE cross-checks date of birth as a secondary identifier; getting it wrong is treated as a possible identity issue, not a typo.
- The new information you are reporting. That means the new address, the new legal name, or the new employing broker’s exact licensed name and broker license ID.
- The effective date of the change. This is the date the change actually happened, not the date you are filling out the form.
- The employing broker’s signature and license ID if you are changing employment, because the broker must consent in writing under Regulation 2752.
- Supporting documents for a name change. A certified copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order is required; the DRE will not accept a driver’s license alone as proof.
- A fictitious business name (DBA) statement if a broker is adding or removing a DBA, filed and stamped by the county clerk.
- Branch office details for any broker opening or closing a branch, including the branch manager’s name and license ID.
- A working email address registered in eLicensing if you plan to file electronically.
Missing any of these items does not just slow filing; it can cause the DRE to reject the form outright and force you to start over, during which time you may be operating with stale license information in violation of §10161.8.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative source for RE 482 is the DRE Forms library, where the form sits under the “Licensee Maintenance” category. The direct link to the fillable PDF is the RE 482 (Rev. 7/22) document, and the DRE updates this URL whenever the revision date changes. Never download RE 482 from a third-party blog, broker training site, or PDF aggregator, because outdated revisions are routinely rejected by the DRE’s intake team.
You have two ways to access the form. The first is the printable PDF, which you download, complete, sign in ink, and mail. The second is the eLicensing online portal, where most address and employing broker changes can be submitted electronically without the paper form at all. The eLicensing system is the DRE’s preferred channel because it updates the license record in near real time, often within 1–2 business days, while paper RE 482 forms take 3–6 weeks to post.
The form is free to download and free to file in either channel. The DRE charges no fee for changes of address, employing broker, or branch location. A name change also carries no separate fee, but if the licensee wants a replacement license certificate showing the new name, that requires the related RE 219 form and a small duplicate-license fee.
If you cannot print the form, you can request a paper copy by calling the DRE’s licensing customer service line at (877) 373-4542 or by visiting any of the four DRE district offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, or San Diego, listed on the DRE contact page.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out RE 482 Line by Line
The official RE 482 is a single page with a header block, a check-box section indicating which type of change you are reporting, several data blocks for old and new information, and a signature panel. Complete every section that applies to your change and leave non-applicable blocks blank, but never write “N/A” inside a name or license ID field, because the optical character system can read it as data.
License Identification Number
This top-of-form field asks for your 8-digit DRE license ID, the number printed on the front of your wallet license. Write the number left-justified in the box, with no dashes, spaces, or leading zeros beyond the 8 digits the DRE issued. For example, Maria Lopez writes 01987654 in the License Identification Number box, matching the number on her current pocket license. If you hold both a salesperson and a broker license history, use the currently active license ID, not an inactive prior one. The most common mistake here is writing your real estate exam applicant number, which starts with a different prefix; the consequence is that the form gets filed under a non-existent license and the DRE returns it as “no record found.” A misconception filers carry is that the license number changes when you upgrade from salesperson to broker, but it stays the same for life.
Type of License
This field asks you to indicate which license type you hold: Salesperson, Broker, Broker-Officer, Corporation, or MLO Endorsement. Check the single box that matches your active license; if you are a broker-associate working under another broker, check Broker, not Salesperson. For example, Carlos Nguyen, a broker-associate at Pacific Realty, checks the Broker box, even though he is supervised by another broker. The nuance: corporate licensees with a designated officer must check Corporation and have the broker-officer sign in Section 5. The most common mistake is salespersons checking Broker because they passed the broker exam, but the box must reflect the license currently issued, not the license you hope to hold; the consequence is the change request gets routed to the broker queue and rejected. A misconception is that an MLO endorsement is a separate license; it is an endorsement on top of a salesperson or broker license, so check the underlying license type and also the MLO box.
Full Legal Name (Current)
This field asks for your name exactly as it appears on your current DRE license record. Print the name in all capital letters, last name first, then first name, then middle name, with no nicknames or initials unless your license already shows initials. Janet Marie O’Brien writes O’BRIEN, JANET MARIE in the current name field. If your license shows a hyphenated last name, include the hyphen; if it shows two surnames separated by a space, keep the space. The most common mistake is writing your married name in this field when the DRE still has your maiden name on file; the consequence is the system cannot find a matching record and the form is rejected within days. A misconception is that you can update your name on this line alone, but a name change requires the new name in Section 3 and a certified supporting document.
New Name (If Applicable)
This field is only completed if you are changing your legal name. Print the new full legal name in the same all-caps, last-first format. After her marriage, Janet O’Brien now enters CHEN, JANET MARIE in the new name block. The nuance is that hyphenated married names must be written exactly as they appear on the marriage certificate, including any spaces or punctuation, because the DRE matches the name to the supporting document character by character. The most common mistake is changing the name on the form without attaching a certified marriage certificate or court order, and the consequence is automatic rejection under Regulation 2715. A misconception filers hold is that a Social Security card or driver’s license alone proves the legal name change; the DRE only accepts the source document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) as proof.
Date of Birth
This field asks for your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. Write each digit clearly inside the boxes provided, using slashes if the form has them or just digits if it does not. Marcus Johnson, born March 4, 1985, writes 03/04/1985 in the date of birth field. The DRE uses date of birth as a tiebreaker identifier, especially for common names. The most common mistake is using a 2-digit year, which is read as the wrong century by the optical scanner; the consequence is a flag for possible identity mismatch. A misconception is that this field is optional because the DRE already has your DOB; it is mandatory and a blank DOB is one of the fastest ways to get an RE 482 returned.
Mailing Address (Current and New)
This block has two sub-fields: your current mailing address on file and the new mailing address you want the DRE to use. Print the street number, street name, unit or suite number, city, state, and 5-digit ZIP code. Aisha Patel writes 1247 SUNSET BLVD APT 3B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 as her new mailing address. P.O. Boxes are allowed for mailing addresses but are not allowed for a broker’s main office address, which must be a physical location under Regulation 2715(c). The most common mistake is forgetting to write the current mailing address as well, which the DRE uses to confirm it is updating the right record; the consequence is a returned form. A misconception is that updating your address with the U.S. Postal Service automatically updates your DRE record; it does not, and operating from an unreported address violates §10162.
Main Office or Branch Office Address (Brokers Only)
This block applies only to brokers and corporate licensees and asks for the physical address of the main office or any branch office being added, moved, or closed. Print the full street address, city, state, ZIP, and the office phone number. Pacific Realty, Inc. writes 500 MARKET ST STE 200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105, (415) 555-0190 as its main office. Brokers opening a branch must list the branch manager and that manager’s 8-digit license ID. The most common mistake is using a P.O. Box or a virtual office address as the main office, which violates the rule that brokers must maintain a physical place of business; the consequence is denial of the change and possible discipline. A misconception is that a home office is not allowed; it is allowed, as long as it is a physical location where records can be inspected.
Employing Broker Information (Salespersons and Broker-Associates)
This block asks for the licensed name and 8-digit license ID of the broker who will employ you, plus the date the employment starts. Print the broker’s exact licensed name, including “Inc.” or “LLC” if applicable, and the corporate license number, not the broker-officer’s individual number. Carlos Nguyen writes PACIFIC REALTY, INC., 01567890, EFFECTIVE 06/01/2026 in the new employing broker block. The nuance: if you are leaving a broker, the DRE expects the new broker information here, and the prior broker is automatically dropped on the effective date. The most common mistake is writing the individual broker-officer’s license ID instead of the corporate license ID; the consequence is your license shows employment by an individual, not the firm, which can create commission disputes. A misconception is that you can backdate the employment start; the effective date must be today or later, never in the past, per Regulation 2752.
Effective Date of Change
This field asks for the date the change takes effect. Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. If Aisha moves on May 15, 2026, she writes 05/15/2026 as the effective date. For employing broker changes, this date must match the date the broker signed the form, because the broker is attesting that employment begins on that date. The most common mistake is leaving this field blank, which causes the DRE to apply the change as of the postmark date, possibly creating a gap during which the licensee was operating under outdated information; the consequence can be a citation under §10161.8. A misconception is that the effective date is whenever the DRE processes the form; it is the date you specify, and the DRE backdates the record to match if the form is filed within five days.
Licensee Signature and Date
This field requires the licensee’s original ink signature and the date signed. Sign exactly as your name appears on your license, even if you typically use a shorter signature. Janet Chen signs as Janet Marie Chen and dates the form 05/20/2026. Electronic signatures are accepted only when filing through eLicensing; paper RE 482 forms must carry a wet signature. The most common mistake is using initials only, which the DRE rejects as an incomplete signature; the consequence is the form is mailed back with a checklist of defects. A misconception is that a typed name in cursive font counts as a signature on a paper form; it does not.
Employing Broker Signature (If Applicable)
This field is required whenever a salesperson or broker-associate changes employing brokers. The new employing broker (or an authorized broker-officer of a corporate licensee) signs and prints their name, license ID, and the date. Pacific Realty’s broker-officer, David Kim, signs and prints DAVID KIM, 01445566, 05/20/2026 in the broker signature block. The nuance: a corporate licensee’s broker-officer must use their individual broker license ID here, not the corporate ID, because the signature is a personal attestation. The most common mistake is the broker forgetting to sign, which is the single most frequent cause of RE 482 rejection for employment changes; the consequence is no employment change occurs and the salesperson remains on the prior broker’s record. A misconception is that an office manager or transaction coordinator can sign for the broker; only a licensed broker or broker-officer may sign.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how three different licensees fill out RE 482 from start to finish. Each table walks through the form section by section.
Scenario 1: Carlos Changes Employing Brokers
Carlos Nguyen is a broker-associate moving from a small firm to Pacific Realty, Inc.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| License Identification Number | 01789456 |
| Type of License | Checks Broker |
| Reason for Change | Checks Change of Employing Broker |
| Full Legal Name (Current) | NGUYEN, CARLOS ANH |
| Date of Birth | 07/22/1988 |
| Current Mailing Address | 2210 ELM ST, SAN JOSE, CA 95128 |
| New Employing Broker | PACIFIC REALTY, INC., 01567890 |
| Effective Date | 06/01/2026 |
| Licensee Signature | Carlos A. Nguyen, 05/25/2026 |
| Employing Broker Signature | David Kim, 01445566, 05/25/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet Updates Her Legal Name After Marriage
Janet O’Brien legally became Janet Chen after marrying on May 1, 2026.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| License Identification Number | 01654321 |
| Type of License | Checks Salesperson |
| Reason for Change | Checks Change of Name |
| Full Legal Name (Current) | O’BRIEN, JANET MARIE |
| New Legal Name | CHEN, JANET MARIE |
| Date of Birth | 11/14/1990 |
| Mailing Address | 845 OAK AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95816 |
| Effective Date | 05/01/2026 |
| Supporting Document | Certified marriage certificate attached |
| Licensee Signature | Janet Marie Chen, 05/20/2026 |
Scenario 3: Pacific Realty Moves Its Main Office
Pacific Realty, Inc., a corporate licensee, relocates its main office.
| Form Section | What Pacific Realty Enters |
|---|---|
| License Identification Number | 01567890 |
| Type of License | Checks Corporation |
| Reason for Change | Checks Change of Main Office Address |
| Corporate Licensed Name | PACIFIC REALTY, INC. |
| Current Main Office | 100 1ST ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 |
| New Main Office | 500 MARKET ST STE 200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 |
| Office Phone | (415) 555-0190 |
| Effective Date | 06/15/2026 |
| Broker-Officer Signature | David Kim, 01445566, 05/25/2026 |
| Designated Officer License ID | 01445566 |
How to File the Completed Form
The DRE accepts RE 482 through two channels: by mail and through the eLicensing online portal. Choose the channel that matches the type of change and your need for speed.
By mail. Send the signed paper form, plus any supporting documents, to the DRE’s Sacramento headquarters at California Department of Real Estate, P.O. Box 137001, Sacramento, CA 95813-7001. There is no filing fee for any change category covered by RE 482. Processing time is 3–6 weeks, and proof of filing is the U.S. Postal Service certified mail receipt; pay the small certified-mail fee so you can prove the postmark date for the 5-day rule. Do not send cash, and do not staple the supporting documents to the form, because the DRE imaging unit removes staples and may misorder pages.
Through eLicensing. Log in at the eLicensing portal using your license ID and password. Select Licensee Maintenance, then choose the change type. Most address and employing broker changes can be made online without uploading the paper form, and there is no fee. Processing is near real-time, often within 1–2 business days, and proof of filing is the on-screen confirmation number plus the email confirmation the system sends. Name changes that require a supporting document still must be filed by mail with the certified document, because eLicensing cannot accept original certified records.
In person. You may drop off RE 482 at any of the four DRE district offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, or San Diego. Bring a copy for date-stamping, which serves as proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
After the DRE receives RE 482, the licensing maintenance unit logs the form, scans it into the licensee’s record, and updates the database. For online filings, the change posts within 1–2 business days, and you can confirm by searching your name in the DRE Public License Lookup. For paper filings, expect 3–6 weeks; if you do not see the update by week six, call the DRE at (877) 373-4542 with your confirmation receipt.
If the form has any defect, the DRE mails it back with a defect notice listing each problem. You then have a reasonable time to fix and resubmit, but the original effective date does not save you — the 5-day clock under §10161.8 runs from the actual change, not from your first attempt. A late or unfiled change can lead to a citation, a fine, or in serious cases license suspension under the DRE enforcement process.
Once the change posts, your new license information is the only version of record. If you want a replacement pocket card showing the updated information, file RE 219 with the small duplicate-license fee.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
The DRE returns thousands of RE 482 forms each year because of small, avoidable errors. Watching for these mistakes saves weeks of delay.
- Writing your applicant ID instead of your license ID. The DRE cannot find a license under an applicant number, and the form is returned as “no record.”
- Leaving the date of birth blank. A blank DOB triggers an identity-mismatch flag.
- Using a 2-digit year. Optical scanning misreads the century and rejects the form.
- Forgetting the broker’s signature on an employment change. This is the #1 reason employment changes bounce.
- Listing a P.O. Box as a broker’s main office. Only physical addresses are accepted under Regulation 2715.
- Not attaching the certified document for a name change. The DRE rejects the change automatically.
- Backdating the effective date. Effective dates must be today or later for employment changes.
- Writing “N/A” inside name or license ID boxes. The scanner reads it as data and corrupts the record.
- Using the corporate license ID where the broker-officer’s personal ID is required. This invalidates the personal attestation.
- Filing more than five days after an employment change. Late filing exposes the licensee to a citation under §10161.8.
- Mailing the form without certified mail receipt. You lose proof of postmark for the 5-day rule.
- Stapling supporting documents to the form. The imaging unit removes staples and may lose pages.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list of habits that keep your RE 482 moving through the DRE smoothly.
Do’s
- Do download the form fresh from the DRE Forms page every time, because revisions change without notice.
- Do print in black ink and all capital letters, because the imaging unit reads block capitals more reliably.
- Do file through eLicensing whenever possible, because the change posts in days rather than weeks.
- Do keep a copy of the signed form and the certified-mail receipt for at least three years.
- Do confirm the update on the DRE Public License Lookup within two weeks of filing.
- Do notify your employing broker before submitting an employment change, so the broker is ready to sign.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign with initials; use your full signature as it appears on your license.
- Don’t mail original marriage certificates or court orders; send certified copies only.
- Don’t use white-out on the form; cross out and initial any correction instead.
- Don’t submit a paper form for a change you can make in eLicensing.
- Don’t assume USPS address forwarding updates the DRE; it does not.
- Don’t let the 5-day clock under §10161.8 run before you file an employment change.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most licensees file RE 482 themselves, because the form is short and free. A few situations make professional help worth the cost.
Pros of Filing Yourself
- Cost. The form is free in either channel.
- Speed. eLicensing posts within 1–2 business days when you file directly.
- Control. You see every entry before submission and can correct on the spot.
- Privacy. No third party sees your personal information.
- Simplicity. Most changes are routine and need no legal review.
Cons of Filing Yourself
- Risk of rejection. A single wrong field can cost weeks.
- Statutory exposure. Missing the 5-day deadline under §10161.8 carries personal liability.
- Document errors. Name changes require certified documents most filers have never used.
- Broker coordination. Employment changes require a broker signature, which can be hard to chase.
- No guidance. The DRE cannot give legal advice when you call the help line.
Filing Channels at a Glance
The two main channels differ in speed, evidence, and what types of changes they accept.
| Filing Channel | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Mail to DRE Sacramento | P.O. Box 137001, Sacramento, CA 95813-7001; 3–6 weeks; certified-mail receipt as proof |
| eLicensing portal | secure.dre.ca.gov/elicensing; 1–2 business days; confirmation number as proof |
| In-person district office | Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, San Diego; same-day date stamp; physical drop-off |
| MLO endorsement changes | Must also be reported through NMLS within 30 days |
Key Agencies and Statutes That Interact With RE 482
The California Department of Real Estate is the primary agency that receives the form, but several others interact with the change. The California Secretary of State maintains the corporate registration that must match a corporate licensee’s name. The Franchise Tax Board cross-references licensee tax compliance, especially for license renewal. For MLO endorsements, the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) must receive parallel updates within 30 days under the federal SAFE Act, and a failure to update NMLS can suspend the MLO endorsement even when the underlying real estate license is current.
The governing statutes are Business & Professions Code §10161.8, which sets the 5-day employment notification rule, §10162, which requires brokers to maintain a definite physical place of business, and §10163, which requires the broker’s name and address to appear in advertising. The procedural rules sit in Commissioner’s Regulation 2715 and Regulation 2752.
FAQs
Do I have to file RE 482 within five days of changing brokers?
Yes. Business & Professions Code §10161.8 requires salespersons and broker-associates to notify the DRE within five days of any change in employing broker, in writing.
Is there a fee to file RE 482?
No. The DRE does not charge a fee for changes of address, employing broker, name, or branch office submitted on RE 482, in either the mail channel or eLicensing.
Can I file RE 482 entirely online?
Yes. Most address and employing broker changes can be filed through eLicensing, but legal name changes that require a certified marriage certificate or court order must be mailed.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Current Name field?
No married name. The current name field shows the name on file at the DRE, which is your maiden name until the agency processes the change; the new name goes in the New Name block.
Should I write my license ID with dashes?
No. Write the 8 digits with no dashes, spaces, or letters; the optical reader expects digits only and rejects formatted entries.
Can a P.O. Box be my main office address as a broker?
No. Under B&P Code §10162, a broker’s main office must be a physical place where records can be inspected, not a P.O. Box.
Do I need my new broker’s signature on the form?
Yes. A salesperson or broker-associate changing employing brokers must obtain the new broker’s signature and license ID on RE 482 before filing.
What date do I write in the Effective Date field for an employment change?
Yes, write the actual start date with the new broker, in MM/DD/YYYY format. The date must be today or in the future, never backdated.
Can I file RE 482 to renew my license?
No. RE 482 is only for license maintenance changes. License renewals use RE 209 and require a renewal fee.
Do I attach a marriage certificate for a name change?
Yes. Send a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order with the form; uncertified photocopies are rejected.
Will my MLO endorsement update automatically when I file RE 482?
No. MLO endorsement changes must also be filed in NMLS within 30 days under the SAFE Act.
Can I sign RE 482 electronically?
Yes, but only when filing through eLicensing. Paper RE 482 forms require an original ink signature, not a typed or scanned signature.
How long does the DRE take to process RE 482?
Yes, expect 1–2 business days through eLicensing or 3–6 weeks by mail, per the DRE processing timelines.
Do I need to tell my old broker I’m leaving before filing?
No legal duty to notify the old broker exists in the DRE rules, but most brokerage agreements require notice. The DRE only needs the new broker’s signature.
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