Acceptable ID for the Real Estate Exam
Being turned away at the testing center over ID is one of the most preventable ways to lose an exam fee. The rules are strict, they're enforced literally, and they're almost identical across Pearson VUE and PSI. Here's what counts, and the two details that catch people.
What Testing Centers Generally Accept
Primary ID (required)
Government-issued, current (not expired), with photo AND signature: driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID. A photocopy or photo of your ID on your phone does not count.
Secondary ID (often required)
Some states/vendors require a second item with at least your name and signature — a signed credit or debit card is the common choice. Check your candidate handbook for whether you need one.
The Rule That Catches People: Exact Name Match
Your ID must match the name on your exam registration — as registered, not as you usually write it. 'Bob' registered vs 'Robert' on the license, a missing middle name where the registration has one, or a recent name change (marriage, divorce) that your ID doesn't reflect yet are the classic failure cases.
If your name has changed between application and exam day, fix it before you show up: contact the testing vendor and, where required, your state commission to update the registration — or bring the legal documentation your candidate handbook says is acceptable. Don't assume the proctor can sort it out; they usually can't.
Turned-Away Checklist — Avoid All of These
Expired ID (even by a day)
Name on ID doesn't exactly match registration
Primary ID without a signature
Temporary paper license without photo (varies — verify first)
Damaged/illegible ID
Arriving without the secondary ID your state requires