Maintaining a real estate agent license in CA

[Rachel Yoo]

Hello! I am a newbie who is thinking about getting a real estate agent license in CA. I have a full-time job, so for now, it is for me to get MLS access and to save commissions on my future deals (hopefully!)

Before I sign up for the test, I would like to know how much it would cost me to maintain the license. Based on my google and BP search, I need to pay the following:

- $60 exam

- $245 licensing 

- $120 joining NAS

But it appears that I need to join a local association to have MLS access, correct? If so, I don't know which one to join. I found a couple near LA, but I don't even know whether they are the right one or which one to join. So can anyone please help me to understand how much the maintaining costs of a CA license per year? If it differs by city, please let me know one for Los Angeles. Thank you.