State real estate commissions (national portion via Pearson VUE or PSI)

Real Estate Broker Exam

Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam

The licensing exam an experienced real estate salesperson must pass to become a broker, who can own a brokerage and supervise agents. Includes a national/general portion plus a state-law portion, and is administered through vendors such as Pearson VUE or PSI.

Varies by state (commonly 3.5–4 hours for both portions)Required to practice

What's on the exam

Pearson VUE National/General Exam Content Outline for Brokers (verify against your state's bulletin)

Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Use

~13%

Real vs. personal property · Legal descriptions · Property use and zoning · Encumbrances and easements · Land characteristics

Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title

~10%

Forms of ownership · Deeds and transfer · Title and recording · Liens and judgments · Estates and tenancies

Property Value and Appraisal

~13%

Approaches to value · Comparative market analysis · Appraisal process · Factors affecting value · Depreciation

Contracts and Agency

~19%

Listing and buyer agreements · Purchase contracts · Agency relationships and duties · Disclosure of agency · Contract law fundamentals

Brokerage Practice and Management

~15%

Broker supervision and trust accounts · Office and recordkeeping requirements · Fair housing and advertising · Antitrust and ethics · Risk management

Disclosures and Environmental Issues

~11%

Property condition disclosures · Lead-based paint and hazards · Environmental regulations · Stigmatized property · Material facts

Financing and Settlement

~10%

Mortgage types and terms · Financing regulations (TILA, RESPA) · Closing and settlement procedures · Loan qualification · Foreclosure

Real Estate Math Calculations

~10%

Commission and proration calculations · Loan and interest math · Area and measurement · Tax and assessment math · Profit and percentage problems

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Real Estate Broker Exam cost?

Fees vary. Exam fees commonly run $50–$150 per state, plus separate license and application fees.

How long is the Real Estate Broker Exam and how many questions does it have?

National/general portion is 80 scored items (plus 5 unscored pretest items); state portion varies (commonly 30–55 items) — Varies by state (commonly 3.5–4 hours for both portions).

What do you need to pass the Real Estate Broker Exam?

Varies by state; commonly around 70–75% on each portion.

Can you retake the Real Estate Broker Exam?

Permitted after a state-set waiting period; rules vary by state.

What is the best way to study for the Real Estate Broker Exam?

Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Use ~13%, Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title ~10%, Property Value and Appraisal ~13%, Contracts and Agency ~19%, Brokerage Practice and Management ~15%, Disclosures and Environmental Issues ~11%, Financing and Settlement ~10%, Real Estate Math Calculations ~10%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.

Program in development

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