What is the real estate licensing exam?
To become a licensed real estate salesperson or broker, candidates must pass a state licensing exam after completing required pre-licensing education. The exam is typically divided into two portions: a national portion covering principles and practices common across the country, and a state portion covering the specific laws and rules of the state where you will be licensed.
What's on the national portion
The national portion covers concepts that apply broadly: agency relationships and fiduciary duties, contracts, property ownership and interests, financing and appraisal, fair housing, real estate calculations (math), and professional practices. Salesperson and broker exams cover similar topics, with the broker exam adding management, supervision, and trust-account responsibilities.
What's on the state portion
The state portion covers your state's license law, the responsibilities of the licensing commission, state-specific disclosure requirements, trust-fund handling rules, and other regulations unique to that state. Because these rules vary, you must study materials specific to your state.
Passing requirements
Most states require passing both portions, often with a minimum around 70% to 75% on each, though the exact passing scores, number of questions, and time limits are set by each state and its testing vendor. Some states require you to pass both portions in the same sitting. Confirm the current details with your state's real estate commission or testing provider.
How to study
Complete your required pre-licensing course, then focus your review on the heavily tested national topics — especially agency, contracts, and real estate math — and on your state's specific license law. Practice questions are essential: real estate exams are known for tricky wording, so working practice questions with explanations trains you to read carefully and apply concepts rather than memorize.