Peace Garden State Licensing
How to Get Your North Dakota Real Estate License
90 hours of pre-licensing education, a two-portion PSI exam, and North Dakota's agricultural property and oil-patch disclosure rules.
North Dakota Real Estate Commission
The North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) administers licensing for real estate salespersons and brokers. Candidates must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education before applying for the exam.
The North Dakota real estate exam is administered by PSI: 80 national questions and 40 state questions. Both portions must be passed with a 75% score.
After passing, you must affiliate with a licensed North Dakota broker. The license is renewed every two years with 21 hours of continuing education.
North Dakota Fast Facts
Pre-Licensing
90 hours of NDREC-approved coursework before exam eligibility.
Exam Format
80 national + 40 state questions. 75% passing score on each portion.
Oil & Gas Rights
North Dakota's Bakken formation makes mineral rights a frequent transaction issue.
Agricultural Land
Farm and ranch land rules, including leases and 1031 exchanges, are tested on the state exam.
North Dakota State-Specific Topics
Oil and gas mineral rights are a major topic due to the Bakken oil formation. Agents must understand severed mineral estates and be able to explain to buyers whether mineral rights are included or excluded from a transaction.
North Dakota uses a mortgage (not a deed of trust) for residential financing. Foreclosure is judicial, meaning the lender must file a lawsuit and obtain a court order to foreclose — typically taking 6–9 months.
The North Dakota Seller's Disclosure Statement is required for residential transactions, covering structural issues, water/sewer systems, and environmental conditions.
North Dakota Real Estate Exam FAQ
What is the biggest difference between North Dakota and western state exams?
North Dakota uses judicial (court-supervised) foreclosure, unlike western states that typically use non-judicial trustee's sales. This distinction appears frequently on state exam questions.
Are mineral rights automatically included in a North Dakota real estate sale?
Not necessarily. If mineral rights were previously severed from the surface estate, they are not included unless specifically stated. Buyers should always request a mineral rights search.
Does North Dakota require post-licensing education?
Yes. New salespersons must complete 9 hours of post-licensing education within their first renewal period, in addition to the standard 21 hours of CE.