How long does the real estate licensing exam take?

The full licensing exam allows several hours for completion across a national portion and a 40-question state-specific portion, with specific time allowances published in the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook. The reciprocal exam, which covers only Alabama License Law, has a 1-hour time limit.

Sources: Oak Park Area Realtors — License Reciprocity | License by Endorsement; AREC — AL License Law Rule 790-X-1-.18 (Reciprocal License Requirements).

The Alaska real estate licensing exam allows 4 hours for completion. This time limit applies to all exam levels, including salesperson, associate broker, and broker, as stated in the Pearson VUE Alaska Real Estate Candidate Handbook.

Sources: Pearson VUE — Alaska Real Estate Candidate Handbook (rev. 06/2026).

The Arizona salesperson licensing exam is divided into two portions, General and State-Specific, which are scheduled and timed independently. A combined exam fee of $75 covers both portions when scheduled together using the two-for-one combo discount available through Pearson VUE. The exam is administered only at Pearson test centers, not through online testing.

Sources: ADRE — Fee Schedule.

The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook states that candidates have two to four hours to complete the Arkansas real estate exam. The handbook does not publish separate time limits for individual exam types, such as salesperson or broker; the two-to-four-hour range applies across all exam formats. Candidates receive a score report marked pass or fail before leaving the test center.

Sources: AREC — Reciprocal States; AREC — New Applicant Licensing.

The California salesperson exam allows 3 hours to complete 150 multiple-choice questions. The broker exam allows 4 hours to complete 200 multiple-choice questions. Both exams are administered in electronic format at testing centers in Fresno, La Palma, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego.

Sources: CA DRE — Taking the Exam.

The Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam allows 120 minutes for the national portion and 110 minutes for the state portion, for a total of 230 minutes of testing time. An on-screen tutorial of up to 15 minutes is provided before the exam and does not count against exam time. Up to 10 experimental (unscored) questions may be administered, and these count against the exam time. Candidates may take each portion independently and need not pass both on the same administration date.

Sources: PSI — Program Instructions PDF (Colorado Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin).

The Connecticut salesperson licensing exam consists of a national portion and a state portion, administered by PSI at secure test centers or through remote online proctoring. The full testing session runs approximately two and three-quarter hours. The broker exam follows a similar two-part structure with a somewhat longer overall time allowance.

Sources: CT DCP — RE Salesperson Initial Exam; CT DCP — RE Salesperson Licensing.

The Delaware real estate licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE and includes two independently scored portions, national and Delaware law. Each portion requires a minimum passing score of 70%. The total time allowed for the exam is specified in the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook, which candidates can download as a free PDF from the Pearson VUE website. Results are available immediately upon completing the exam.

Sources: Delaware DPR — Salesperson Licensure; Delaware DPR — Broker and Associate Broker Licensure.

The DC salesperson licensing exam has two portions: a national section and a state (DC) section, each with its own time allowance. Test-takers generally need about three and a half hours to complete both portions. PSI administers the exam, and scheduling is available at psiexams.com or by phone at 1-855-557-0616.

Sources: DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission; DCREC — Approved Pre-License Courses (2023–2025).

The Florida real estate licensing exam allows 3.5 hours (210 minutes) for both the sales associate and broker exams. This time limit is set by the DBPR and administered through Pearson VUE.

Sources: Pearson VUE — Exam Publication PDF (Candidate Fact Sheet).

The Georgia salesperson licensing exam covers both national and Georgia state-specific content in a single timed session at PSI test centers. The broker exam uses a different format, with two scored sections covering Information Gathering and Decision Making, per Rule 520-1-.04, each with its own time allocation. Candidates receive their scores immediately after completing the exam.

Sources: GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage); GREC — License Renewal Guide.

The Hawaii real estate licensing exam consists of two sections, a uniform (national) section and a Hawaii state section, and candidates should expect the exam to take up to four hours to complete both. Candidates who pass one section but fail the other need retake only the failed section, as long as they retake within two years of the first passed section and hold an unexpired Hawaii School Completion Certificate.

Sources: Hawaii REB — Examination & Licensing; Hawaii REB — Application & Registration Fees.

Candidates are allowed a total of 4 hours to complete the Idaho real estate licensing exam, for both the salesperson and broker exams. The salesperson exam contains 80 national questions and 40 Idaho-specific questions, while the broker exam contains 80 national questions and 50 Idaho-specific questions.

Sources: Idaho DOPL — REC FAQs & Consumer Info.

The Illinois broker licensing exam allows 240 minutes total: 150 minutes for the National portion and 90 minutes for the State portion. The exam is administered by PSI at test centers across Illinois and via remote proctoring through Atlas Remote Proctored. Five to 10 unscored experimental questions may be included and count against exam time.

Sources: PSI — IL Exam Candidate Bulletin.

The full Indiana Real Estate Broker exam allows 240 minutes (4 hours) of seat time to complete 145 total questions covering both the national and state portions. The Broker by Endorsement exam, which covers only the state portion, allows 90 minutes for 60 questions.

Sources: Pearson VUE — Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook (March 2025).

The salesperson licensing exam allows 180 minutes total: 120 minutes for the national portion (80 questions) and 60 minutes for the state portion (40 questions). The broker exam also allows 180 minutes total, with the same 120-minute and 60-minute split between national and state portions. Both exams may include 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions that count against the time limit.

Sources: Iowa DIAL — Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam; Iowa DIAL — PSI Licensing Information Bulletin (Iowa Real Estate Commission).

The Kansas real estate licensing exam allows approximately 4 hours total, with more time allotted to the national portion than the Kansas state portion. The salesperson exam includes 80 scored national questions and 30 scored state questions for 110 scored total, while the broker exam includes 80 scored national questions and 40 scored state questions for 120 scored total. Exam scores are valid for 6 months from the pass date, and the Kansas Real Estate Commission must receive the license application within that window.

Sources: KREC — Broker Requirements; KREC — Kansas Real Estate Commission FAQ.

The Kentucky real estate licensing exam, administered by PSI, consists of two portions: a national section and a state-specific section, each scored independently with a minimum passing score of 75%. The exam fee is $100 per attempt, whether taking one or both portions. Candidates who pass one portion but fail the other may retake only the failed portion within 4 months of the initial test date, and must apply for their license within 60 days of passing both portions.

Sources: KREC — New Application Overview.

The Louisiana real estate licensing exam is completed in a single session lasting approximately three hours, divided between a national portion and a state portion. This time allocation applies to both the salesperson and broker exams. Candidates receive their score immediately upon completion.

Sources: LREC — CE Requirements; LREC — License Renewal Season.

The Maryland real estate licensing exam is two hours in length and administered by computer. The exam consists of two parts: a national portion and a state portion, and candidates must pass each portion with a grade of at least 70%. The standard exam fee is $44 per attempt, paid directly to PSI.

Sources: MD MREC — Taking the Exam (Real Estate Exam Info).

The Massachusetts real estate licensing exam allows 4 hours (240 minutes) total for both the salesperson and broker exams. The exam may also include 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions that count against exam time but not toward the score.

Sources: PSI — MA Real Estate Exam.

The Minnesota real estate salesperson licensing exam is administered by PSI Services in a single session divided into two portions: a national portion and a state portion. Each portion has its own time limit, and candidates must pass both to apply for a license. Candidates can schedule the exam at test-takers.psiexams.com/mnre or by calling PSI Services at (866) 395-1006.

Sources: MN Commerce — Licensing Education; MN Commerce — RE License Guide PDF.

The salesperson licensing exam allows 4 hours total: 2.5 hours for the 80-question General (national) portion and 1.5 hours for the 40-question State portion. The broker exam also allows 4 hours total: 2.5 hours for the 75-question General portion and 1.5 hours for the 40-question State portion. A 15-minute tutorial before the exam does not count against the examination time, and 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions may be administered without counting against the time limit.

Sources: MREC PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

The Missouri salesperson licensing exam typically takes about four hours, and the broker exam about four and a half hours. The salesperson exam consists of 140 scored questions (100 national and 40 state), plus 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions that may be added. The broker exam includes 165 total items (90 national across 10 simulation problems and 75 state multiple-choice questions). Both exams are administered by computer at PSI test centers, and candidates receive their score results immediately after completing the exam.

Sources: MO Prof. Registration — RE How-To; MO RE Commission — Application PDF.

The Montana real estate licensing exam allows 150 minutes for the national portion and 90 minutes for the state portion, for a total of 240 minutes, or 4 hours, when both portions are taken in one sitting. These time limits apply to both the salesperson and broker exams.

Sources: Pearson VUE — Montana Board of Realty Regulation Candidate Handbook (January 2026).

The Nevada salesperson licensing exam consists of a national portion and a state portion, taken together in a single combination sitting administered by Pearson VUE. The combined exam runs approximately four hours, with the national portion allowing more time than the state portion. Effective July 29, 2025, candidates must first register with the Nevada Real Estate Division before scheduling through Pearson VUE.

Sources: Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; Nevada RED — Form 501 (Licensing Requirements).

The New Jersey real estate salesperson licensing exam contains 110 questions and is timed for completion in a single sitting. Exams are administered by PSI either in person at New Jersey testing centers or through remote online proctoring. Test takers receive their scores immediately upon completing the exam.

Sources: Bucks County Association of Realtors — License Reciprocity PA & NJ.

The New Mexico real estate licensing exam takes 3 hours total. Candidates have 120 minutes for the national portion, which is worth 80 total points. Both the national and state portions require a minimum score of 75%.

Sources: GAAR — CE Requirements; PSI — Program Instructions PDF (Colorado Candidate Information Bulletin).

The NY salesperson exam allows 1.5 hours (90 minutes) to complete. The broker exam allows 2.5 hours. Both exams are multiple choice and based on their respective pre-licensing curricula: the 77-hour salesperson curriculum or the 152-hour broker curriculum. Results are reported as pass or fail with no numerical score, and passing results remain valid for two years.

Sources: NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson; NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022); NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson FAQ.

The NC real estate license exam takes 4.5 hours total, divided into two separately timed sections. The National section allows 2.5 hours, and the State section allows 2.0 hours. The exam includes 140 scored items (80 National + 60 State) plus 10 unscored pretest items, all multiple-choice with four answer options.

Sources: North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) — Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina (RELINC booklet, April 2026 edition).

The North Dakota real estate licensing exam consists of two timed portions: a national portion covering general real estate topics and a state portion covering North Dakota-specific law. PSI Services LLC administers both portions at computer-based testing centers in North Dakota. The national portion is longer than the state portion, and the combined exam requires several hours to complete in a single sitting.

Sources: NDREC — How to Apply; ND Real Estate Commission — Exam Info.

The Ohio real estate salesperson exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions divided into two portions: 80 national questions with 120 minutes allotted and 40 state questions with 60 minutes allotted, totaling 180 minutes. The broker exam also allows 180 minutes.

Sources: Columbus Realtors — Become an Agent; Ohio Admin. Code — RE Rule 1301:5-7-02 (Continuing Education Requirements); Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.

The Oklahoma salesperson licensing exam allows 240 minutes total: 150 minutes for the national portion and 90 minutes for the state portion. The broker exam follows the same time allocation, with 150 minutes for national and 90 minutes for state.

Sources: Oklahoma Real Estate Candidate Handbook (Pearson VUE, July 2024).

The Oregon broker exam allows 120 minutes for the National section and 75 minutes for the State section, for a total of 195 minutes of testing time. A pre-exam tutorial of up to 15 minutes is available and does not count against the testing time. Up to 10 experimental, unscored questions may be administered during the exam, and the time spent on them does not count against the testing time either.

Sources: PSI — Oregon Real Estate Exam Candidate Information Bulletin.

The Pennsylvania real estate licensing exam allows 150 minutes for the national portion and 60 minutes for the state portion, each scored separately with a 75% minimum passing score. Candidates receive their scores immediately on screen after completing each section. The exam is computer-based and administered by Pearson VUE, with examinations offered daily.

Sources: Realtors Pittsburgh — Required CE Classes; Pearson VUE — Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission Licensure Exams Content Outline.

The South Carolina real estate associate exam allows 200 minutes total: 120 minutes for the 80-question national portion and 80 minutes for the 40-question state portion. The exam is administered by PSI and is computer-based with multiple-choice questions.

Sources: PSI Services LLC — South Carolina Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin; PSI — Program Instructions PDF (Colorado).

The South Dakota broker associate exam consists of two multiple-choice portions: a national section and a state section, administered by PSI at testing centers in Madison, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. Candidates receive separate time limits for each portion, with the full exam session lasting roughly four to five hours. The exam previously included a broker simulation section but no longer does. A minimum score of 75% is required on each portion to pass.

Sources: SD DLR — RE License Types & Requirements; SD DLR — Approved Pre-Licensing Education.

The Tennessee affiliate broker exam takes approximately 4 hours total, consisting of a 160-minute national section and an 80-minute state section. The broker exam's national section allows 150 minutes. Both exams are administered by PSI at test centers or online through remote proctoring.

Sources: PSI — Tennessee Real Estate License (TNRE) Exam; TN TREC — PSI & Exam Information.

The Texas sales agent licensing exam takes 240 minutes (4 hours) total, divided into 150 minutes for the national portion and 90 minutes for the state portion. The broker exam also takes 240 minutes total, with 150 minutes for the national portion and 90 minutes for the state portion. The exam clock does not stop during unscheduled breaks.

Sources: TREC Fee Schedule Effective December 15, 2025; Pearson VUE — Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook (January 2026).

Candidates have 4 hours to complete the combined examination, which covers both the general and state portions. The exam begins when the candidate views the first question and ends automatically when the time expires. Candidates leave the test center with their official score report in hand.

Sources: Utah Division of Real Estate — Broker Licensing.

The Virginia salesperson exam takes 150 minutes total: 105 minutes for the 80-question national portion and 45 minutes for the 40-question state portion. The broker exam includes separate national and state portions, with 105 minutes allotted for the national section. Both exams are administered by PSI, and exam scores are valid for one year.

Sources: PSI Candidate Information Bulletin — Virginia Real Estate (Last Revised 2/18/2026).

The Washington real estate broker exam allows 3 hours and 30 minutes (210 minutes) to complete both portions, according to the PSI Candidate Handbook. The exam contains 130 scored questions total: 100 national and 30 state, with the questions from both portions intermixed rather than presented in separate sections. Candidates must achieve a minimum scaled score of 70 on each portion to pass.

Sources: PSI Washington Real Estate Candidate Handbook (via PSI/WA DOL).

The salesperson exam takes 3.5 hours total: 150 minutes for the national portion, which contains 80 scored questions, and 60 minutes for the state portion, which contains 50 scored questions. Candidates may take the national and state portions separately or in a single sitting.

Sources: Pearson VUE — WV Real Estate Candidate Handbook (effective January 1, 2024).