RE 227 at a glance
What it is: RE 227 is the State of California Department of Real Estate Non-Licensed Experience Verification (Real Estate Related).
Who signs: The RE 227 form must be completed in full and must have two verifying signatures on each form. It must be properly signed by the applicant and two certifiers, who cannot be related to the applicant by blood or marriage.
This form is only for unlicensed real estate equivalent experience that does not require a DRE license. Please read instructions on page 3 before completing this form. Incomplete forms can significantly delay processing.
An applicant who has not been active as a licensed real estate salesperson may be eligible for the broker examination, provided the Non-Licensed Equivalent Experience Verification (RE 227) form showing real estate-related experience is submitted.
A claim of non-licensed equivalent experience, in lieu of the two years of licensed sales experience required for the broker examination, may be based on any combination of licensed salesperson experience and non-licensed equivalent experience, which considered as a whole, would satisfy the intent of the law.
What to bring and attach to RE 227
Additional documentation that should be submitted includes but is not limited to proof of employment (W2's or 1099's), proof of ownership of property, proof of being an officer of a corporation or partner in a partnership or LLC, copy of professional license issued to applicant, etc. The Department may conduct further inquiry and request additional documents when evaluating non-licensed experience.
A filled-in RE 227 example: an escrow officer claims two years of experience
How to fill out RE 227, box by box
Applicant's name, residence address and phone number
Enter the applicant's name (last, first and middle), the applicant's residence address (street address, city, state and ZIP code) and the applicant's phone number.
Employer, position and type of experience claim
Enter the name of the employer, the address of the employer (street address, city, state and ZIP code), the title of the applicant's position with the employer and the type of experience claim.
An applicant may qualify with two years full-time experience as an escrow or title officer or as a loan officer in a capacity directly related to the financing or conveying of real property.
Two years full-time experience as a subdivider, contractor, or speculative builder, during which time applicant performed comprehensive duties relating to the purchase, finance, development, and sale or lease of real property, may qualify.
Two years full-time experience as a real property appraiser, or as a property manager, exempt under Business and Professions Code 10131.01 or 10133, may qualify.
Being licensed as a contractor does not qualify an applicant on the basis of holding that license.
Military duties, volume of activity and earnings
Is your equivalent experience associated with official duties performed while serving in the military? Mark Yes or No.
Experience in one of the categories listed under the kinds of non-licensed experience (escrow or title officer or loan officer; subdivider, contractor, or speculative builder; real property appraiser; property manager exempt under Business and Professions Code 10131.01 or 10133), obtained as a non-licensed individual while performing official duties during military service, is one of the acceptable kinds of non-licensed experience.
Enter the approximate volume of activity completed while performing in the above capacity and the approximate earnings on page 1.
Work time devoted, hours per week and continuous employment certification
Mark Full time or Part time for the work time devoted. Enter the approximate hours per week (required) and the continuous employment certification (MM/DD/YY) from and to.
The experience must be gained during the five year period immediately preceding the date of application.
Full time experience means at least 40 hours per week. If applicant worked less than 40 hours per week, credit is granted on a prorated basis. Time is not awarded if applicant devoted less than 10 hours per week.
If applicant had any other employment, it must be set forth where indicated even though 40 hours or less are devoted to an employer.
Detailed description of responsibilities
Enter the detailed description of responsibilities; attach extra sheets if necessary, and attachments must be signed by the applicant and certifiers.
When submitting the RE 227 form, it is important that you provide sufficient detail to enable the Department to perform an evaluation, including for example, providing the property addresses, property types, description of duties with each property, and the dates of involvement with each property.
Items 15, 16A and 16B, license
Did the activity described require a license, such as from the Department of Business Oversight (formerly Department of Corporations), Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), or out of state licensing entity? Mark No or Yes. If Yes, complete Items 16A and 16B.
Provide the name of the licensing entity in 16A and provide the license number in 16B.
If your non-licensed equivalent experience required a professional license, you will need to list the licensing entity and your license number(s) with that entity.
Signature of applicant and date
The applicant certifies under penalty of perjury that the employment information is true and correct, with the signature of applicant and the date.
Page 2, certifications by Certifier #1 and Certifier #2
Enter the applicant's name (last, first and middle) and the name of employer.
Two signatures are required on each form, from employers, associates, or other persons verifying the applicant's experience who are not related to the applicant by blood or marriage. These individuals must also explain how they are aware of the applicant's experience.
Certifier #1 is required and Certifier #2 is required.
Under Certification, each certifier certifies to the nature and scope of the applicant's activities described on page 1 or attached (attachments must be signed by certifiers).
Do you hold a California real estate license? Mark Yes or No. If Yes, list the identification number. Was the applicant employed by this company or you during the period indicated on page 1? Mark Yes or No. Explain how you are aware of the applicant's experience.
Common mistake: Do not have verifiers send individual letters separate from your application submissions.
More rules for RE 227
Read carefully before completing and signing this form. Type or print clearly in ink.
Regardless of the experience claimed, the eight college-level courses required for a broker's license must be completed and cannot be waived.
All qualification requirements must be met before you can be scheduled for the broker examination.
Be accurate as to dates, etc., as incompleteness or inaccuracies will result in delays and additional correspondence.
Each job performed and State Bar members
A job performed and/or company employed by
Submit one form for each job performed and/or company employed by.
Three forms would be required for 3 years as an escrow officer for Company A, 2 years as an escrow officer for Company B and 5 years as a loan officer for Company B.
You are a member of the California State Bar
Members of the California State Bar need to demonstrate that they have satisfied the two years full-time licensed salesperson experience requirement or have at least two years real estate related experience while practicing law in California.
Common questions about RE 227
Where do I file it?
Submit this form with a completed Broker Examination Application (RE 400B) or Broker Exam/License Application (RE 436) and the proper fee for the broker examination.
Is there a penalty?
Realizing that a false certification is basis for suspension or revocation of the certifier's real estate license, if any, under Sections 10177(a), 10177(f), and 10177(h) of the Real Estate Law, each certifier certifies under penalty of perjury that the certification is true and correct.
When is this form not the right one?
Other types of direct real estate-related experience will be considered, provided that it satisfies the intent of the law. However, claims for equivalency by unlicensed persons for activities which require a real estate license will not be considered.
Sources
[1] RE 227 (Rev. 1/26), Non-Licensed Experience Verification (Real Estate Related), State of California Department of Real Estate (the Official source link on this page).