Employees headquartered in Sacramento and in district offices in Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego carry out the DRE's responsibilities as mandated by the Real Estate Law.

[4] Chika Sunquist was appointed Commissioner of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) by Governor Gavin Newsom on November 28, 2023, and she assumed office on January 3, 2024.

If an inquiry into the matter substantiates a violation, the Department may take formal disciplinary action, which may result in the suspension, restriction, or revocation of a license, and/or filing of an Order to Desist and Refrain.

When a member of the public obtains a qualifying judgment as a result of fraud or conversion of trust funds by a real estate licensee acting as an agent in the transaction, they may seek reimbursement from the Consumer Recovery Account for actual and direct loss to a statutory maximum.

[11] Quarterly bulletins and regular advisories are published to alert consumers and licensees about recent changes in the Real Estate Law, DRE policies, and other topics of industry interest.