Question about California Motorcycle License

I am 19 and I am signed up for the MSF course on July 27. My question is can I license after that or do I need a permit for 6 months? Online it says, once I pass the course, I can get a license by just taking a written test. However when I went to the DMV to register my bike last week, two different DMV employees said I need a permit for 6 months even though I am over 18... So I am just very confused about it.