Oregon real estate broker exam: format, scoring, and preparation

The Oregon real estate broker exam is a computer-based licensing test administered by PSI Services LLC under contract with the Oregon Real Estate Agency. The exam has two sections, 130 scored questions, and requires a 75% passing score on each section. A real estate exam course helps candidates build the knowledge needed to pass both the national and state portions before test day. This guide covers the exam format, content, scheduling, fees, scoring, and preparation strategies specific to Oregon.

Oregon broker exam overview

Oregon's entry-level real estate license requires passing a state-administered exam before the Oregon Real Estate Agency will issue a broker license. PSI delivers the exam through computer-based testing and remote online proctoring, with national content that is ARELLO-accredited. PSI also administers exams for principal broker, property manager, and reactivation licenses in Oregon, though this guide focuses on the broker exam.

Oregon broker exam format and structure

The broker exam contains 130 scored multiple-choice questions divided into two independently scored sections: a national section with 80 questions and a state section with 50 questions, according to the PSI Oregon Real Estate Exam Bulletin^[1]. PSI may also administer unscored pretest items. The exam is closed book, and only non-programmable, silent, battery-operated calculators without alphabet keyboards or paper tape are permitted.

National section content areas

The national section tests general real estate knowledge across 11 content areas:

State section content areas

The state section tests Oregon-specific law and practice across 7 content areas:

How to schedule and pay for your Oregon real estate exam

Candidates can schedule the PSI real estate exam after completing 150 hours of pre-license education from an Agency-approved school and submitting a broker license application through Oregon's eLicense system, as outlined on the Oregon Real Estate Agency broker licensing page^[2]. The education provider transmits eligibility to PSI electronically, and scheduling typically becomes available within 24 to 48 hours of PSI receiving the authorization. Registration is available online at psiexams.com^[3], by phone at (833) 892-5441, or by standard mail.

PSI posts exam sessions at least 6 weeks in advance, and booking 4 to 6 weeks before the preferred date offers the best selection. To cancel or reschedule without losing the exam fee, candidates must notify PSI at least 2 days before the scheduled appointment. The exam registration fee is valid for one year from the date of payment.

PSI test centers in Oregon are located in Baker City, Bend, Eugene, Independence, Medford, Portland, and Wilsonville, with out-of-state locations also available.

Exam day: what to expect at the test center or online

Candidates testing at a PSI center should arrive at least 30 minutes before the appointment. Fingerprinting for the background check is completed at the test center on exam day.

Scores appear on screen immediately after the exam. Candidates who pass receive a success notification; those who do not pass receive a diagnostic report showing strengths and weaknesses by content area. PSI reports scores to the Oregon Real Estate Agency within 2 business days, so candidates should not send paper score reports to the Agency.

Scoring, passing, and retakes

A score of 75% is required on both the national and state sections to pass the exam. If a candidate passes one section but fails the other, only the failed section must be retaken. The score for the passed section remains valid for 12 months; if the other section is not passed within that window, both sections must be retaken.

Passing scores are valid for one year from the date of passing. Candidates must activate their license within that period or retake the exam.

Candidates who fail any portion must wait until the next day to schedule a retake. There is no limit on the number of retake attempts, but each requires paying the exam registration fee again.

Study strategies for the Oregon broker exam

Effective preparation targets the highest-weighted content areas on both exam sections. On the national portion, contracts, agency, practice of real estate, financing, and real estate calculations account for the majority of questions. On the state portion, Oregon real estate related statutes and regulation of broker activities make up more than half the section, making these the most productive areas to study.

A real estate exam prep course can help structure review time, particularly for candidates who completed their pre-licensing coursework weeks or months before testing. Commercial prep packages typically range from about $60 to $220. Most successful candidates spread focused study over several weeks, combining content review with timed real estate practice questions to build both knowledge and pacing.

Practice tests and exam prep resources

Working through real estate practice questions under timed conditions helps candidates build familiarity with the exam format and identify weak areas before test day.

When using a real estate exam practice test, candidates should focus on understanding why each answer is correct or incorrect rather than memorizing questions. A real estate license exam prep course that includes full-length simulated exams can help candidates gauge readiness and build confidence for test day.

After you pass: next steps

After passing both exam sections, candidates must complete a background check and affiliate with a principal broker to activate the license. The Oregon Real Estate Agency issues the license once the background check clears, the principal broker adds the pending license to the registered business, and the Agency completes a final review. Fingerprint processing may take up to 4 weeks. Both exam scores and background check clearances must remain current for the Agency to issue the license, so candidates should begin researching potential principal brokers before exam day.