How to Fill Out California Form RE 870 (w/Examples) + FAQs

California Form RE 870 is the Salesperson Experience Verification form that every real estate salesperson uses to prove two years of qualifying experience when applying for a California broker license through the California Department of Real Estate. The form is signed by both the salesperson and the employing broker, and it lists every transaction the salesperson worked on during the qualifying period.

A missing, vague, or unsigned RE 870 is one of the top reasons broker license applications get flagged for audit or denial under Business and Professions Code §10153.2. The DRE reports that thousands of broker applications are submitted each year, and a meaningful share are delayed because the experience verification is incomplete or the broker refuses to sign. Form RE 870 has appeared in the DRE’s catalog for decades, and the most recent revision should be confirmed on the official DRE forms page before you file.

Here is what this guide covers:

  • 📝 How to fill in every box on RE 870 line by line, with sample entries
  • 🏠 Three full walkthroughs for residential, part-time multi-broker, and property management filers
  • 📬 How to mail RE 870 with the broker application package to Sacramento
  • ⚠️ The ten most common RE 870 mistakes and the exact consequence of each
  • 🙋 Twelve answers to the field-level questions applicants ask the DRE most often

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

Form RE 870 is the official document the California Department of Real Estate uses to confirm that a salesperson has at least two years of full-time real estate experience within the last five years, as required by Business and Professions Code §10150.6. The form lists each qualifying transaction and is signed under penalty of perjury by both the salesperson and the broker who supervised the work. The DRE uses RE 870 to decide whether the applicant meets the experience standard set in 10 CCR §2188 before scheduling the broker exam.

Any salesperson applying for a California broker license through the experience pathway must file RE 870. Salespersons who plan to qualify by college degree alone (the four-year degree exemption) still file RE 870 if they want any portion of their qualification to rest on practical work. Brokers who supervised the salesperson must also sign the form; without that signature, the DRE treats the experience as unverified.

The form ties together the broker exam application (RE 400B), the experience requirement, and the supervising broker’s license record. The DRE cross-checks the broker’s license number on RE 870 against its internal database to confirm the broker was active during the dates listed. A mismatch can pause the application for months while the DRE requests clarification.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather every document below before you open RE 870, because missing data is the leading cause of rework. The DRE will not chase you for missing items; it will simply set the file aside or return it. Having everything ready also keeps your transaction list accurate, which matters because RE 870 is signed under penalty of perjury.

  • Your salesperson license number. The DRE matches this against your license history, and a wrong number triggers an audit hold.
  • Your supervising broker’s full legal name and license number. Pull this directly from the DRE license lookup so the spelling matches DRE records.
  • The broker’s office address. Use the address on file with the DRE, not a personal mailing address.
  • A complete transaction log for the past five years. Include closing dates, property addresses, transaction types, and your role on each deal.
  • Average hours worked per week during each employment period. The DRE converts this into full-time equivalency under 10 CCR §2188.
  • Dates of employment with each broker. If you worked under more than one broker, you need a separate RE 870 for each.
  • Your broker exam application RE 400B. RE 870 attaches to this packet.
  • Live scan receipt RE 237. The DRE will not process the broker file without it.
  • Course completion certificates and transcripts (RE 223 where applicable). These prove the eight statutory courses required by B&P §10153.2.
  • Any RE 227 for out-of-state experience or RE 872 for equivalent experience. Use these only when traditional salesperson experience is short.

If you are missing any of these items, your file can be flagged as abandoned after one year under DRE filing rules, forcing you to start the application over and pay the exam fee again.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The only safe place to download Form RE 870 is the official DRE forms library, where the current PDF is posted with the latest revision date in the lower left corner. Do not use third-party copies, because the DRE rejects outdated revisions, and bar review or test-prep sites sometimes mirror old versions. Check the revision date printed on the form against the date on the DRE site before you fill it in.

The PDF is fillable in any modern PDF reader, and the DRE accepts both typed and clean handwritten entries in black or blue ink. If you print and write by hand, use block capital letters so the DRE scanner can read every entry. The form is two pages: page one is the certification and employment block, page two is the transaction grid.

You can also pick up a paper copy in person at the DRE district offices in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Phone requests are honored, but mailing time can add a week. Most applicants simply download, fill, print, sign in wet ink, and attach the form to the broker application packet.

RE 870 is not filed as a standalone document. It is always submitted as part of the broker exam or combined exam-and-license application package described in the DRE Broker Licensing instructions.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form RE 870 Line by Line

The form has a header block, a salesperson information section, an employment block, a transaction grid, and a dual-signature certification. Each H3 below covers one field exactly as it appears on the form, with a sample entry, a nuance, a common mistake, and a misconception. Use the exact field names printed on the official RE 870 PDF.

Salesperson Name (Last, First, Middle)

This field asks for the salesperson applicant’s full legal name as it appears on the existing salesperson license. You enter your last name first, then first name, then middle name, in block capital letters. The DRE matches this entry against its license database, so the spelling must be identical to your license record.

A specific example: LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA writes her name exactly that way in the box, with commas between the parts. If your name on file uses a hyphen or apostrophe, include it.

A common nuance is what to do after a name change. If you married, divorced, or legally changed your name, file an RE 214 name change form first, and then put the updated name on RE 870.

The most common mistake is using a nickname or shortened first name. The DRE will reject the form because it cannot match Liz Lopez to its record for Elizabeth A. Lopez. A misconception is that the DRE will figure out small spelling differences on its own; it will not, and even one missing letter can delay processing for weeks.

Salesperson License Number

This field asks for your eight-digit California real estate salesperson license number. You write it without dashes or spaces, exactly as printed on your pocket card or in your eLicensing profile. The DRE uses this number to pull your full work history.

A specific example: 01987654 is what Maria writes in the license number box. Leading zeros are part of the number and must be included.

A nuance: if your license expired during the experience period, you still list the same number, because the experience window in B&P §10150.6 only counts time when you were actively licensed.

The most common mistake is dropping the leading zero, which causes the DRE database lookup to fail. A common misconception is that the broker’s license number goes here; it does not. The broker’s number has its own field later on the form.

Salesperson Mailing Address

This field asks where the DRE should send any follow-up correspondence about your experience. You enter the street address, city, state, and ZIP code on the lines provided, in that order. The DRE prefers a physical address but accepts a P.O. Box if that is your address of record.

A specific example: Maria writes 4421 SUNSET BLVD, APT 3B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90029. Notice the apartment number is on the same line as the street.

A nuance: if your address has changed since you got your salesperson license, file an address change form first, then use the new address on RE 870. The DRE compares the address on RE 870 with its records and may flag mismatches.

The most common mistake is using the broker’s office address instead of your own. That delays personal correspondence and license card mailing. A misconception is that you must use the same address that appears on your driver’s license; you do not, but it must match DRE records.

Employing Broker’s Name

This field asks for the full legal name of the broker who supervised your work. You enter the name exactly as it appears on the broker’s DRE license, not a brokerage’s DBA or marketing name. If a corporation holds the broker license, write the corporate name on this line.

A specific example: JOHNSON, ROBERT A if Robert is an individual broker, or SUNSET REALTY GROUP, INC. if a corporate broker employed Maria.

A nuance: a brokerage may operate under a fictitious business name (DBA) like Sunset Premier Homes, but the DRE only accepts the licensed broker’s legal name in this box. Look up the broker on the DRE public license lookup to confirm.

The most common mistake is writing the DBA, which causes a database mismatch and a hold on processing. A misconception is that the team leader’s name belongs here. It does not. Only the responsible broker of record signs RE 870.

Employing Broker’s License Number

This field asks for the eight-digit broker license number of the person or entity that supervised you. You enter it without dashes, including leading zeros. The DRE matches this number to confirm the broker was active during your employment dates.

A specific example: 00876543 is the broker license number Robert Johnson uses on Maria’s RE 870.

A nuance: if you worked under a corporate broker, this is the corporation’s broker license, and a separate designated officer signs the form on the corporation’s behalf, listing their own salesperson or broker license under their signature.

The most common mistake is using the broker’s salesperson-era license number from before they upgraded. The DRE rejects the form because the database now shows that number as inactive at the dates listed. A misconception is that the broker’s NMLS number, DRE corporation ID, or business license can substitute. Only the DRE broker license number is acceptable.

Broker’s Office Address

This field asks for the licensed main or branch office where you actually worked. You enter the street, city, state, and ZIP. The DRE compares the address to its branch office records to verify the location was a licensed real estate office.

A specific example: Maria writes 1200 OCEAN AVENUE, SUITE 200, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 because that is where her employing broker maintained its DRE-registered branch.

A nuance: if you worked remotely, list the licensed office you reported to, not your home. The DRE expects all supervised activity to tie back to a registered office under 10 CCR §2725.

The most common mistake is listing the agent’s home office. That triggers a question about whether the broker actually supervised the work. A misconception is that the office address is optional. It is not. A blank office address line voids the verification.

Dates of Employment (From / To)

This field asks for the exact start and end dates of your employment under that broker. You write the dates as MM/DD/YYYY in the From and To boxes. The DRE counts the number of days between these dates as your supervised period.

A specific example: Maria worked at Sunset Realty from 03/15/2023 to 03/14/2025, so she enters those exact dates.

A nuance: if you are still employed by the broker on the day you sign the form, write PRESENT in the To box and use the signature date as the cutoff. The DRE will count up to the signature date.

The most common mistake is rounding to month and year only, which makes the DRE unable to count days and causes a request for clarification. A misconception is that gaps in employment do not matter. They do, because the DRE deducts unsupervised gaps from your total qualifying time.

Average Hours Worked Per Week

This field asks how many hours per week you worked in real estate activity during the period listed above. You enter a single number, like 40, 32, or 20. The DRE uses this to convert part-time hours into full-time equivalency under 10 CCR §2188.

A specific example: Maria worked full time and writes 40 in the box. A part-time agent like Aisha Patel would write 20.

A nuance: forty hours per week is treated as full time. Anything less is converted to part-time equivalency, so two years at twenty hours per week counts as one year of qualifying experience.

The most common mistake is overstating hours to reach two years faster. The DRE compares stated hours against transaction volume and 1099 income, and inflated hours can trigger a perjury referral under B&P §10153.2. A misconception is that prep, training, or driving time count toward hours. Only licensed real estate activity counts.

Type of Real Estate Activity

This field asks what kind of work you did under the broker. You check the boxes or write a short description, such as residential sales, commercial sales, leasing, property management, or loan brokerage. The DRE accepts any licensed activity defined in B&P §10131.

A specific example: Maria writes RESIDENTIAL SALES AND LEASING. Carlos Mendez, a commercial agent, would write COMMERCIAL SALES AND LEASING.

A nuance: property management hours count, but only the leasing portion qualifies as licensed activity. Pure maintenance or rent collection does not count.

The most common mistake is listing unrelated work like staging, photography, or assistant duties. The DRE will subtract those hours. A misconception is that mortgage origination always counts; it counts only when performed under a DRE license, not under a separate NMLS-only license.

Transaction List (Property Address, Type, Date, Role, Hours)

The transaction grid is the heart of RE 870, and each row asks for a single transaction. You enter the property address, the type of transaction (sale, lease, loan), the closing or activity date, your role (listing agent, buyer’s agent, leasing agent), and the hours you spent on it. The DRE expects roughly one row per qualifying transaction.

A specific example: Maria writes a row that reads 742 EVERGREEN TER, LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 / SALE / 06/12/2024 / BUYER’S AGENT / 35 HOURS. She continues until she has captured every closed deal in the period.

A nuance: failed escrows can count if you did substantial licensed work, but you must mark the entry as FAILED ESCROW and still list hours. Open listings that never closed generally do not count.

The most common mistake is leaving the grid blank or listing only a handful of deals. The DRE expects to see steady activity, and a sparse grid suggests the experience requirement is not met. A misconception is that you can attach a brokerage transaction printout instead of filling the grid. The DRE wants the grid completed; attachments are supplemental only.

Salesperson Certification and Signature

This field asks the salesperson to certify under penalty of perjury that the information is true. You sign in wet ink and date the signature on the line provided. The certification language ties the form to B&P §10153.2 and California perjury statutes.

A specific example: Maria signs Maria E. Lopez and dates it 05/01/2026 on the day she mails the broker package.

A nuance: an electronic signature image is not accepted. The DRE wants an original wet signature on the printed form.

The most common mistake is signing but forgetting the date. An undated signature is treated as unsigned and the form is returned. A misconception is that a notary stamp is required. It is not. The certification language alone makes the document binding.

Broker Certification and Signature

This field asks the supervising broker to certify, under penalty of perjury, that the salesperson actually performed the work listed. The broker signs in wet ink, prints their name, lists their license number, and dates the signature. Without this signature, the form is worthless.

A specific example: Robert Johnson signs Robert A. Johnson, prints his name, writes license 00876543, and dates it 05/01/2026.

A nuance: if the broker has died, retired, or refuses to sign, the applicant can submit a sworn statement explaining the situation, supported by tax records, MLS reports, and brokerage transaction logs, and request that the DRE accept alternate proof under its discretion.

The most common mistake is letting an office manager sign on the broker’s behalf. Only the licensed broker of record may sign, and any other signature voids the form. A misconception is that a digital signature platform like DocuSign satisfies the wet-ink rule. It does not, unless the DRE explicitly authorizes electronic submission for that filing channel.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Each scenario below shows how a different applicant fills out RE 870 from start to finish. The names are illustrative, but the field entries follow the actual format the DRE expects on the official PDF.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Full-Time Residential Salesperson

Maria worked full time at one brokerage for two years and is filing one RE 870.

Form Section What Maria Enters
Salesperson Name LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA
Salesperson License Number 01987654
Salesperson Mailing Address 4421 SUNSET BLVD, APT 3B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90029
Employing Broker Name JOHNSON, ROBERT A
Broker License Number 00876543
Broker Office Address 1200 OCEAN AVE, STE 200, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401
Dates of Employment 03/15/2023 to 03/14/2025
Average Hours Per Week 40
Type of Activity RESIDENTIAL SALES AND LEASING
Transaction Grid 24 closed sales and 6 leases listed by address, type, date, role, hours
Salesperson Signature Maria E. Lopez, 05/01/2026
Broker Signature Robert A. Johnson, License 00876543, 05/01/2026

Scenario 2: Aisha Patel, Part-Time Salesperson Under Two Brokers

Aisha worked twenty hours per week under two different brokers across four years. She files two separate RE 870 forms, one per broker.

Form Section What Aisha Enters on Form 1
Salesperson Name PATEL, AISHA R
Salesperson License Number 02112233
Salesperson Mailing Address 812 MAPLE ST, FRESNO, CA 93704
Employing Broker Name VALLEY HOMES REALTY, INC.
Broker License Number 01445566
Broker Office Address 55 N FULTON ST, FRESNO, CA 93701
Dates of Employment 01/02/2022 to 12/31/2023
Average Hours Per Week 20
Type of Activity RESIDENTIAL SALES
Transaction Grid 9 closed sales listed with addresses, dates, roles, hours
Salesperson Signature Aisha R. Patel, 04/20/2026
Broker Signature Designated Officer Lin Tran, License 01001122, 04/20/2026

Scenario 3: Carlos Mendez, Property Manager and Commercial Leasing Agent

Carlos worked full time as a commercial leasing agent and on-site property manager for three years.

Form Section What Carlos Enters
Salesperson Name MENDEZ, CARLOS J
Salesperson License Number 01778899
Salesperson Mailing Address 3300 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CA 94611
Employing Broker Name BAY COMMERCIAL PARTNERS, INC.
Broker License Number 01223344
Broker Office Address 1 KAISER PLAZA, STE 800, OAKLAND, CA 94612
Dates of Employment 06/01/2022 to 05/31/2025
Average Hours Per Week 45
Type of Activity COMMERCIAL LEASING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Transaction Grid 32 commercial leases and 14 lease renewals with property addresses, dates, square footage, hours
Salesperson Signature Carlos J. Mendez, 05/15/2026
Broker Signature Broker Janet Wu, License 01223344, 05/15/2026

How to File the Completed Form

RE 870 is filed by mail as part of the broker exam or combined application packet, sent to the DRE Sacramento headquarters. There is no fax, email, or eLicensing channel for RE 870 itself, because the form requires wet-ink signatures. You assemble it with the rest of the broker package and ship it as one bundle.

  • Mail. Send the package to the California Department of Real Estate, P.O. Box 137001, Sacramento, CA 95813-7001. Include the broker exam fee ($95) plus the broker license fee ($300) when filing the combined application; current amounts are listed on the DRE fee schedule. Pay by check or money order made payable to the Department of Real Estate. Processing usually takes six to eight weeks. Keep your USPS Certified Mail receipt as proof of filing.
  • In person. You can drop off the package at the Sacramento DRE office at 1651 Exposition Blvd during business hours. Pay by check, money order, or cashier’s check. Processing time is the same as mail. Get a date-stamped intake receipt before leaving.
  • Fax. The DRE does not accept RE 870 by fax because of the wet-signature requirement. A faxed form is treated as unsigned and rejected.
  • Online portal. The eLicensing portal handles renewals and address changes, not initial broker applications with experience verification. Do not try to upload RE 870 there.

Whichever channel you use, photocopy the entire signed packet before sending and keep it for at least four years, which matches the DRE’s audit window under 10 CCR §2729.

What Happens After You File

After the DRE receives your packet, an analyst opens the file, logs the date, and reviews RE 870 against your salesperson license history and your supervising broker’s license record. If everything matches, you receive an exam scheduling notice within six to eight weeks, and you can pick a broker exam date in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, or San Diego. If something is unclear, the DRE sends a deficiency letter listing the missing items.

A deficiency letter usually gives you a fixed window, often thirty to ninety days, to respond. Ignoring the letter triggers abandonment of the application after one year, and you lose the exam fee. Common deficiency requests include clarifying gap periods, providing additional broker signatures, or supplementing the transaction grid with MLS printouts.

If the DRE has reason to suspect the experience claim, it can open an audit under B&P §10153.4 and request bank records, 1099s, MLS history, and a sworn statement from the broker. Cooperating fully shortens the audit. Refusing or providing inconsistent records can lead to denial and a perjury referral.

After you pass the exam and the DRE confirms experience, the broker license is issued and mailed within roughly two weeks. Your salesperson license is automatically canceled when the broker license activates, and you become responsible for your own broker continuing education cycle.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each item below is a real reason the DRE returns or audits an RE 870.

  • Using a nickname instead of your legal name. The DRE cannot match the file and returns the form for correction.
  • Dropping the leading zero in a license number. The database lookup fails, and processing stalls until you reissue the form.
  • Listing a DBA in the broker name field. The form is treated as unsigned because the named entity does not hold a broker license.
  • Letting an office manager sign for the broker. Only the broker of record may sign, so the form is void.
  • Submitting an electronic signature image. The DRE requires wet ink, and an image is rejected.
  • Inflating average hours per week. Audit triggered when stated hours conflict with 1099 income or transaction volume.
  • Leaving the transaction grid blank or sparse. The DRE concludes the experience requirement is unmet and denies the application.
  • Listing failed escrows without marking them. The DRE may treat the entry as a misrepresentation if it cannot verify a closed transaction.
  • Forgetting the date next to a signature. An undated signature is treated as unsigned and the form is returned.
  • Mailing RE 870 alone instead of with the broker packet. Stand-alone forms are not logged correctly and can be lost.
  • Counting unlicensed assistant work. Hours doing showings or open houses without a license do not qualify and are subtracted.
  • Ignoring an out-of-state period without an RE 227. The DRE will not credit out-of-state experience without the supplemental form.

Do’s and Don’ts

  • Do download the form fresh from the DRE forms page, because outdated revisions are rejected on sight.
  • Do check the broker’s license through the DRE public lookup, because a name or number mismatch causes the longest delays.
  • Do print and sign in wet ink, because the DRE’s scanner expects an original signature on the page.
  • Do photocopy the entire packet before mailing, because the DRE does not return originals.
  • Do use Certified Mail with return receipt, because proof of filing matters during audits.
  • Do file a separate RE 870 for each broker you worked under, because one form covers one supervisor only.
  • Don’t combine multiple brokers on one form, because the DRE will reject the entire submission.
  • Don’t round dates to month and year, because day-level dates are needed to count qualifying time.
  • Don’t describe activity in vague terms like real estate work, because the DRE wants the licensed activity named.
  • Don’t sign the form before the broker does if your office processes signatures sequentially, because changes after your signature require a new form.
  • Don’t send RE 870 by fax or email, because wet-signature originals are required.
  • Don’t rely on the broker to mail the packet, because the responsibility for filing is the applicant’s alone.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

  • Pro of filing yourself: You save the cost of a paralegal or licensing service, often two hundred to five hundred dollars.
  • Pro of filing yourself: You control the timing and can mail the package the day signatures are complete.
  • Pro of filing yourself: You learn the experience rules, which helps you supervise your own salespersons later.
  • Pro of filing yourself: You know exactly what is in the packet if the DRE asks questions.
  • Pro of filing yourself: You avoid passing sensitive financial records through a third party.
  • Con of filing yourself: Small format errors, like missing leading zeros, are common and cause delays.
  • Con of filing yourself: You may misclassify property management or assistant work and lose qualifying hours.
  • Con of filing yourself: You can miss a supplemental form, like RE 872 for equivalent experience.
  • Con of filing yourself: Tracking down a former broker for a signature can take weeks without help.
  • Con of filing yourself: Audits feel intimidating without a licensing attorney, especially under B&P §10153.4.

Paper Submission vs. eLicensing Channel

Filing Aspect Paper Submission with RE 870
Signature type Wet ink required on the printed form
Transit time Five to ten days by USPS to Sacramento, faster with priority mail
DRE processing time Roughly six to eight weeks per the DRE processing times
Payment method Check, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the Department of Real Estate
Proof of filing Certified Mail receipt or in-person date stamp
Eligible forms alongside RE 870 RE 400B, RE 237, RE 223, RE 227, RE 872

FAQs

Do I need to file RE 870 if I have a four-year college degree?

No. The degree pathway in B&P §10150.6 waives the experience requirement, but most applicants still file RE 870 to cover any partial experience claim.

Can my broker refuse to sign Form RE 870?

Yes. A broker can refuse, and your remedy is to submit a sworn statement, supporting tax records, MLS reports, and a request that the DRE accept alternate proof of supervised experience.

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the salesperson name field?

No. Use the exact name on your current salesperson license; if it has changed, file RE 214 first to update DRE records, then complete RE 870.

Does property management experience count on RE 870?

Yes. Leasing activity counts as licensed work under B&P §10131, but pure maintenance, rent collection, and bookkeeping hours do not qualify.

Do I need a separate RE 870 for each broker I worked under?

Yes. Each supervising broker signs their own RE 870, and you submit all of them together with your broker application packet.

Can I list failed escrows in the transaction grid?

Yes. You can include failed escrows where you did substantial licensed work, but mark each row as FAILED ESCROW so the DRE understands the entry.

Do I write the broker’s salesperson license number if they upgraded?

No. Only the active broker license number belongs in the broker license field, since the DRE matches it against broker records during your employment dates.

Is a digital signature acceptable on RE 870?

No. The DRE requires wet-ink signatures on the printed form, and electronic signatures cause the form to be returned as unsigned.

Do hours spent on training and continuing education count?

No. Only licensed real estate activity counts toward the average hours per week, so continuing education and team training are excluded.

Can out-of-state experience be listed on RE 870?

No. Out-of-state work is verified on RE 227, and you submit RE 227 alongside RE 870 only when both apply.

Does a P.O. Box work in the salesperson mailing address field?

Yes. A P.O. Box is acceptable if it is your address of record with the DRE, but a physical address is preferred for clarity.

Will the DRE audit my RE 870?

Yes. The DRE can open an audit under B&P §10153.4, and you may be asked for 1099s, MLS history, and a sworn statement from your supervising broker.