The Ultimate Guide to Regional Real Estate Exams in 2022

Overview

• Learn what prerequisites you need to qualify for a real estate exam
• Review a list of potential topics that will be covered on the exam
• A complete look at what it takes to pass the exam in all 50 states and the District of Columbia

A career in real estate can be fun and exciting. It can also be quite lucrative, depending on the market. Being a real estate salesperson is a great career choice if you’re a people person who loves putting clients in great living arrangements. Before getting started, there are a few things you’ll have to do to get licensed.

In addition to taking and passing a pre-licensing education course, you’ll also have to take a state-specific real estate license exam. The exam will test your knowledge of real estate laws and practices in your state, as well as your understanding of real estate concepts nationally.

This guide will help you get acquainted with the real estate exam. If you know what to expect, you’ll be much more adept at passing it the first time. Together, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the real estate exam so you can start your new career.

Each state has its own real estate regulatory office that decides the rules for becoming a licensee. For example, most states let you take the exam for licensure at the age of 18, but some require you to be 19. Also, many states will require agents to have background checks before taking the exam. You can find the policies for your state on the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) website.

Wherever you’re looking to sell real estate, you’ll likely need to complete some sort of pre-licensing coursework. You can take these classes at an in-person real estate school, online, or at a community college with the approval of your state regulatory board.

The nature of these courses can vary a lot depending on the state. For instance, California requires 135 course hours, while Texas requires 180. Below is an example of the criteria that you’ll cover in a California pre-licensing course load:

• 45 course hours of real estate principles. This will provide a general introduction to topics like valuing and selling properties. It will also go over sales practices like escrow and financing. Below are some concepts you’ll likely go over in the course:
  • Describing land
  • Subdivisions
  • Acquisition and transfer of land or real property
  • Liens and encumbrances on properties
  • Leases
  • Real estate contracts
  • Illegal discrimination
  • Agency and industry principles
  • Industry ethics

• 45 course hours of real estate practice. This course goes over some of the skills you’ll need to conduct business. You’ll learn how to price and list a property, search for the perfect buyer, and support your buyer through a sale. You’ll also get an overview of the real estate industry as a whole.

• 45 course hours of legal aspects of real estate. This course goes over how to stay in compliance with state and federal real estate regulations and laws. You’ll learn how to conduct your business so you can avoid legal missteps. Below are a few concepts you’ll go over in this type of course:
  • General real estate laws
  • Contract clauses
  • Influential agency rules
  • Procedures for making disclosures

The course load for your state might look different. Also, real estate agents also have to take continuing education courses every year to maintain their licenses. Be sure to research the requirements for your particular state before enrolling in any real estate courses.

Some states also have license reciprocity. This means that if you’re an experienced real estate agent in one state and you move to another, you can apply to get a license in your current state without taking courses or an exam.

Depending on where you’re taking it, your test could have anywhere from 100 to 150 multiple-choice real estate exam questions. Typically, 80 to 100 of those questions will pertain to comprehensive real estate concepts (the national portion), while the rest will be about your particular state (the state portion).

You’ll be given two to four hours to complete your exam (it varies by state), and each state decides what constitutes a passing score. In Texas, for example, a passing score is 62% or above, while in Virginia, you’ll have to answer 72% of your questions correctly to get your license.

There’s a big variety of possible questions you could encounter on your test. Be ready to provide answers about any or all of the topics below:

• Indefinite duration or freehold estates
• Ownership of real estate
• Real property characteristics
• Incumbrances (monetary and non-monetary)
• Liens on property
• Land descriptions
• Restrictions at the federal, state, and local levels
• Agency relationships
• Contract law
• Title of property transfers
• Brokerage
• Financing
• Buyer and listing agency agreements
• Procedures for leasing
• Environmental considerations
• Appraising
• Property management
• Analyzing investments
• Settlements

Unlike other professional tests, such as the bar exam, the real estate licensing exam is administered year-round. Below are the top testing companies that provide real estate exams:

• PSI
• Pearson Vue
• AMP (or Applied Measurement Professionals, which is owned by PSI)

You can visit the ARELLO website to find information on which testing companies are accredited in your area. You’ll also find a list of links to every state’s real estate commission website to help you locate your state’s testing centers.

Typically, the exam will be conducted by a testing company, but it could also be administered by the state. Both New York and California rely on their own state commission to conduct real estate testing rather than an independent testing company.

There are several costs associated with getting your real estate license. You’ll have to pay a fee to take the exam, a fee to apply for the exam, a fee to take your pre-licensing courses, and fees for things like background checks and fingerprinting.

Because states set their own fees, there’s no universal amount you can expect to spend and the difference can be pretty big. For example, California has an application fee of $245, while New York’s is only $55.

In some states, taking your real estate exam can get pretty expensive. You want to make sure you pass it on the first try. Even though most states only require you to retake the portion you failed, you’ll still have to pay another exam fee. In addition to study guides, try to add things like flashcards and practice tests to your exam prep.

In some states, if you take too long to pass — or fail too many times — you’ll have to retake (and repay for) your pre-licensing courses. In Texas, for example, if you fail one portion of your test three times, you have to take 30 hours of additional coursework. If you fail both portions three times, you have to take 60 hours.

Now, we’ll dive into some of the nuances of various state exams. Every state has its own process for conducting exams and its own rules for who can become a licensed real estate agent. We’re going to focus on a few key aspects of each state’s exam, but you can find more information on the ARELLO website for your state regulatory office.

Aside from the key details listed below, there are several differences that you might need to look into. For example, many states will do a felony review if you have a criminal record. They’ll evaluate your personal and work history, as well as the nature of the crime, to assess your character. However, states like North Carolina and California make it notoriously difficult for people with felony records to become real estate agents. Below are a few other things you might want to take a look at:

• Fees for the license application
• Specific topics on your state exam
• The allotted time for taking the exam
• Where the exam will be held
• Other state rules

It’s important to note that while many states have a straightforward grading system, some have a scaled one. This means that the actual percentage of questions you get right will be compared to everyone else taking the same test to find your true score.

Some states weigh the difficulty of their questions to find a “minimally competent practitioner” (MCP) score or a minimum pass level (MPL) score to use as their passing grade. Others require different passing percentages for the national and state portions of their exam.

• Alabama. You must be 19 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 140 questions (100 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Alaska. You must be 19 and complete 40 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Arizona. You must be 18 and complete 96 hours of coursework. The exam has 180 questions. A passing grade is 75%.

• Arkansas. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 125 questions (85 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• California. You must be 18 and complete 135 hours of coursework. The exam has 150 questions. A passing grade is 70%.

• Colorado. You must be 18 and complete 168 hours of coursework. The exam has 154 questions (80 national and 74 state). A passing grade is 60 out of 80 on the national portion and 53 out of 74 on the state portion.

• Connecticut. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions (80 national and 30 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Delaware. You must be 18 and complete 99 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Florida. You must be 18 and complete 63 hours of coursework. The exam has 100 questions (45 national, 45 state, and 10 math questions). A passing grade is 75%.

• Georgia. You must be 18 and complete 75 hours of coursework. The exam has 152 questions (100 national and 52 state). A passing grade is MCP.

• Hawaii. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 130 questions (80 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Idaho. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Illinois. You must be 18 and complete 15 hours of coursework. The exam has 150 questions (105 national and 45 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Indiana. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 125 questions (75 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 60 out of 75 on the national portion and 38 out of 50 on the state portion.

• Iowa. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 28 out of 40 on the state portion.

• Kansas. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions (80 national and 30 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Kentucky. You must be 18 and complete six hours from an accredited college or 96 hours from an approved proprietary school of coursework. The exam has 130 questions (80 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Louisiana. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 135 questions (80 national and 55 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 40 out of 55 on the state portion.

• Maine. You must be 18 and complete 55 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Maryland. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions (80 national and 30 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 21 out of 30 on the state portion.

• Massachusetts. You must be 18 and complete 40 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Michigan. You must be 18 and complete 40 hours of coursework. The exam has 115 questions. A passing grade is 70%.

• Minnesota. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Mississippi. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 30 out of 40 on the state portion.

• Missouri. You must be 18 and complete 72 hours of coursework. The exam has 140 questions (100 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70 out of 100 on the national portion and 30 out of 40 on the state portion.

• Montana. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 133 questions (100 national and 33 state). A passing grade is MCP.

• Nebraska. You must be 19 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 150 questions (100 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 30 out of 40 on the state portion.

• Nevada. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• New Hampshire. You must be 18 and complete 40 hours of coursework. The exam has 140 questions (100 national and 40 state). A passing grade is MCP.

• New Jersey. You must be 18 and complete 75 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions. A passing grade is 70%.

• New Mexico. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 130 questions (80 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• New York. You must be 18 and complete 75 hours of coursework. The exam has 75 questions. A passing grade is 70%.

• North Carolina. You must be 18 and complete 75 hours of coursework. The exam has 140 questions (100 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 71 out of 100 on the national portion and 29 out of 40 on the state portion.

• North Dakota. You must be 18 and complete 45 hours of coursework. The exam has 140 questions (100 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Ohio. You must be 18 and complete 120 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Oklahoma. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 130 questions. A passing grade is 75%.

• Oregon. You must be 18 and complete 150 hours of coursework. The exam has 130 questions (80 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Pennsylvania. You must be 18 and complete 75 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions (80 national and 30 state). A passing grade is 60 out of 80 on the national portion and 23 out of 30 on the state portion.

• Rhode Island. You must be 18 and complete 45 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• South Carolina. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions (80 national and 30 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 21 out of 30 on the state portion.

• South Dakota. You must be 18 and complete 116 hours of coursework. The exam has 157 questions (100 national and 57 state). A passing grade is MCP.

• Tennessee. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Texas. You must be 18 and complete 180 hours of coursework. The exam has 125 questions (85 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 85 on the national portion and 21 out of 40 on the state portion.

• Utah. You must be 18 and complete 120 hours of coursework. The exam has 130 questions (80 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 70%.

• Vermont. You must be 18 and complete 40 hours of coursework. The exam has 136 questions (100 national and 36 state). A passing grade is MCP.

• Virginia. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 120 questions (80 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 56 out of 80 on the national portion and 30 out of 40 on the state portion.

• Washington. You must be 18 and complete 180 hours of coursework. The exam has 130 questions (100 national and 30 state). A passing grade is MCP.

• Washington, D.C. You must be 18 and complete 60 hours of coursework. The exam has 110 questions (80 national and 30 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• West Virginia. You must be 18 and complete 90 hours of coursework. The exam has 150 questions (100 national and 50 state). A passing grade is 75 out of 100 on the national portion and 38 out of 50 on the state portion.

• Wisconsin. You must be 18 and complete 72 hours of coursework. The exam has 140 questions (100 national and 40 state). A passing grade is 75%.

• Wyoming. You must be 18 and complete 54 hours of coursework. The exam has 132 questions (100 national and 32 state). A passing grade is MCP.

Keep in mind this list reflects tests to become a real estate sales agent. Sales agents work for brokerages. If you want to become a real estate broker, your test will be slightly different. Real estate brokers can work independently or manage agents.

There are so many things to consider when you’re getting ready to take your real estate exam. Every state’s requirements are unique, and it’s up to you to make sure you check all the boxes for your state.

Even so, a career in real estate can be extremely fulfilling and financially rewarding for the right person. Take the time to research all the requirements for your state and you could be well on your way to an exciting new profession.

If you’re a new real estate agent, check out Joblist’s highly targeted list of opportunities. Our quiz page for job seekers will use your answers to find the best fit for your skillset.