State real estate commissions (national portion via Pearson VUE, PSI, or other vendors)
Real Estate Salesperson Exam (National Portion)
Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam — National/General Portion
The licensing exam new real estate agents must pass to sell property. Most states split it into a national (general) portion on real estate principles and practices plus a state-law portion; this entry covers the national portion.
Full program: 8 decks, 1,324 cards.
What's on the exam
Pearson VUE National/General Exam Content Outline for Salespersons (effective January 2025 or later; confirm your state's implementation date)
Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use
9 of 80 items (~11%)Real vs. personal property and fixtures · Economic and physical characteristics of land · Legal descriptions and surveys · Public land use controls and zoning · Private controls, easements, and encroachments
Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title
8 of 80 items (10%)Forms of ownership · Freehold estates · Leasehold estates and lease types · Liens and lien priority · Deeds and title transfer · Recording, notice, and title insurance
Property Value and Appraisal
11 of 80 items (~14%)Market value and principles of value · Appraisal process and federal oversight · Sales comparison approach · Cost approach and depreciation · Income approach and GRM/GIM · CMA and broker price opinions · Assessed value and taxes
Real Estate Contracts and Agency
16 of 80 items (20%)Types of contracts · Elements of a valid contract · Contract performance and remedies · Sales contracts and contingencies · Types of agency relationships · Creation and termination of agency · Licensee obligations to parties
Real Estate Practice
14 of 80 items (~18%)Broker responsibilities and scope · Listing and buyer representation agreements · Property management agreements · Fair housing laws · Risk management and antitrust
Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues
8 of 80 items (10%)Hazardous substances · Environmental laws (CERCLA, Clean Air and Water Acts) · Environmental site assessments and wetlands · Flood zones and flood insurance · Disclosure obligations and liability
Financing and Settlement
7 of 80 items (~9%)Financing methods and mortgage markets · Lien vs. title theory · FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans · TILA, TRID, RESPA, and ECOA · Mortgage fraud and predatory lending · Settlement and closing
Real Estate Math Calculations
7 of 80 items (~9%)Area and acreage · Valuation, NOI, and cap rate · Commission · Loan costs, LTV, and points · Prorations and closing costs · Investment and property management math
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Real Estate Salesperson Exam (National Portion) cost?
Fees vary. Exam fees are set by each state and vendor (commonly about $50–$100 per attempt), plus separate license and application fees.
How long is the Real Estate Salesperson Exam (National Portion) and how many questions does it have?
National/general portion (Pearson VUE outline): 80 scored items plus 5 unscored pretest items; state portion varies — Varies by state (commonly 2.5–4 hours for both portions).
What do you need to pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exam (National Portion)?
Set by each state; commonly around 70–75% on each portion.
Can you retake the Real Estate Salesperson Exam (National Portion)?
Permitted after a state-set waiting period; portions passed may be banked for a limited time in many states.
What is the best way to study for the Real Estate Salesperson Exam (National Portion)?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use 9 of 80 items (~11%), Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title 8 of 80 items (10%), Property Value and Appraisal 11 of 80 items (~14%), Real Estate Contracts and Agency 16 of 80 items (20%), Real Estate Practice 14 of 80 items (~18%), Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues 8 of 80 items (10%), Financing and Settlement 7 of 80 items (~9%), Real Estate Math Calculations 7 of 80 items (~9%)). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our Real Estate Salesperson — National Portion program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.