Ohio
Ohio Real Estate Exam: Complete 2026 Prep Guide
Ohio's real estate salesperson exam covers national content plus Ohio Revised Code (ORC) provisions on agency, disclosure, and licensing. The first-time pass rate is around 60%. Ohio's required pre-licensing is 120 hours — one of the longer requirements in the country.
Ohio Exam Requirements at a Glance
Pre-licensing education: 120 hours (4 courses, 30 hours each)
Exam provider: PSI Services
Exam format: 120 questions — 80 national + 40 Ohio state-specific
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Passing score: 70% on each portion (must pass both)
Exam fee: approximately $61
License title: salesperson (under sponsoring broker)
Age requirement: 18 years old
Confirm current rules with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.
What Makes Ohio Different
Ohio's 120-hour pre-licensing requirement is structured as four 30-hour courses (principles, practice, finance, and law). Ohio is also a judicial foreclosure state, and the state requires both fingerprinting and a sponsorship by a licensed broker before exam application can be approved.
Ohio-Specific Topics You Must Know
These appear on the state portion and are not covered by generic national prep materials.
Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing — regulatory body within Ohio Department of Commerce.
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 4735 — the primary real estate licensing statute.
Agency disclosure — Ohio requires written agency disclosure on the Agency Disclosure Statement form.
Residential Property Disclosure Form — required for most residential transactions.
Lead-based paint, radon, and mold disclosures — federal and Ohio-specific requirements.
Trust account rules — earnest money handling under ORC requirements.
Judicial foreclosure — Ohio is a judicial foreclosure state.
Continuing education — 30 hours per 3-year cycle.
Study Plan for the Ohio Exam
Week 1: Diagnostic + national content. Get strong on contracts, agency, and property ownership.
Week 2: National finance, fair housing, valuation, settlement, math. Full-length national practice. Target 70%+.
Week 3: Ohio law — ORC 4735, Agency Disclosure Statement, Residential Property Disclosure, judicial foreclosure. 40+ OH-specific practice questions.
Week 4: Full-length 120-question timed practice exams. Review missed questions. Target 75%+.
Start Your Ohio Exam Prep
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Ohio Resources
Ohio Exam FAQ
Why is Ohio's pre-licensing 120 hours?
Ohio requires four 30-hour courses covering principles, practice, finance, and law before sitting for the exam. It's one of the longer pre-licensing requirements in the country.
Is Ohio a judicial foreclosure state?
Yes. Foreclosures in Ohio must go through the court system.
What is ORC Chapter 4735?
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4735 — the state's real estate licensing statute. Covers licensure requirements, broker supervision, agency, and disciplinary actions.
Do I need a sponsoring broker before the exam?
Yes. Ohio requires you to be sponsored by a licensed broker before exam application can be approved.
Does Ohio require fingerprinting?
Yes. Ohio requires BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) and FBI fingerprinting as part of the licensure process.