State Exam Content
What Is on the State Real Estate Exam?
The state portion tests your state's specific laws, regulations, and practices. Here's how state exams are structured, what they cover, and how they differ from the national portion.
How the State Exam Differs from National
The state portion tests knowledge specific to your state's real estate license law, regulations, and customary practices. It cannot be studied from a generic national study guide — you must use state-approved materials.
State exams vary significantly in length: some states have 30 state questions (Vermont), while others have 50 (Hawaii, Utah). The passing score is typically 75%, though some states set it at 70%.
Common State Exam Topic Areas
State real estate license law — which agency regulates, commission composition, disciplinary procedures, grounds for revocation or suspension
Licensing requirements — pre-licensing hours, exam requirements, experience requirements for broker upgrade
Agency disclosure requirements specific to your state's statute
Property condition disclosure laws — what your state's form requires and when it must be provided
Trust account requirements — how funds must be held, record-keeping requirements, deposit timelines
Commission/compensation rules — when and how agents can be paid, prohibition on paying unlicensed persons
State foreclosure type (judicial vs non-judicial) and specific redemption rights
State-specific property law — deed type used, marital property rules, title holding customs
Environmental disclosure requirements specific to your state (radon, mold, USTs)
Fair housing additions — protected classes added by your state beyond the federal seven
State Exam FAQ
Can I take the national and state portions on the same day?
Yes. Most testing centers offer both portions back-to-back in the same appointment. You take the national portion first, then the state portion. If you fail one, you typically must retake only that portion.
What if I pass the national but fail the state (or vice versa)?
You only need to retake the portion you failed. Your passing score on the other portion remains valid for a state-specified period (often 12 months).
How do I study for the state portion?
Use state-approved study materials that cover your state's specific license law and real estate statutes. Your pre-licensing course should have covered this material, but supplementing with state-specific practice questions is essential.