Guides › Updated 2026-10-31
National vs State Portion of the Real Estate Exam, Explained
TL;DR. Most states test you in two parts: a national portion on general principles and a state portion on your state’s laws and rules. But states differ on how many questions each part has and how it is scored. A few, including California, Florida and New York, do not split the exam at all. Read your own state’s handbook.
GablePrep is an independent study tool. We are not affiliated with any real estate commission or testing provider, and we are not a pre-licensing course. The examples below come from candidate handbooks and bulletins we read (accessed 2026-10-31); yours may have changed.
What each portion covers
The national portion tests general real estate principles that are not specific to one state. Typical outline headings include property ownership, land use, valuation, financing, contracts, agency, disclosures, property management and transfer of title. Our math formulas page covers the common calculations you may need.
The state portion tests your state’s licensing law, the commission’s rules, and state-specific practices. In some states it leans heavily on particular forms. The Texas handbook, for instance, tests TREC-promulgated contract forms, and our notes show nearly a third of Colorado’s state exam concerns commission-approved forms and contracts.
The takeaway: the national portion is largely transferable knowledge, while the state portion rewards memorizing and applying local rules.
How the split varies by state
Here are examples from handbooks we read. Counts are scored questions.
| State | Structure (per handbook or bulletin) |
|---|---|
| Texas | 80 national, 40 state; passing is 56 of 80 and 28 of 40, so each portion is passed separately |
| Pennsylvania | 80 national, 40 state; 75% minimum on each portion |
| Colorado | 80 national, 74 state; 60 of 80 national and 53 of 74 state, each portion must be passed |
| Alabama | 80 national, 40 state; scaled 70 on the overall score, and a failing candidate retakes the entire test |
| Michigan | One combined exam; our reading of the bulletin gives 115 points, passing 80 of 115 (the national/state breakdown is derived) |
| New Jersey | One combined exam of 110 points, passing 77 of 110 (breakdown derived) |
| Wisconsin | A single exam of 140 scored items covering state and general topics |
| California, Florida, New York | Single exam, no separate national portion |
Alabama is a good example of why you cannot assume. Its handbook ties pass or fail to the overall score, while Texas and Pennsylvania score each part on its own. Michigan, New Jersey and Wisconsin figures are lower-confidence (some are derived or inferred from bulletin tables), so confirm before you rely on them.
Why the scoring method changes your study plan
- Separate pass marks: you cannot trade a weak portion for a strong one. Study to pass each part.
- Overall score: a strong area can offset a weak one, but you may have to retake everything after one failure.
- Retakes: in separately scored states you often retake only the portion you missed, though waiting periods and attempt limits apply. Texas, for example, has a limit on attempts before an application expires.
- Validity windows: some states let you pass the portions on different days, but each pass can expire. Colorado, per our notes, treats a pass as valid for one year.
Same topic, different weight
Even where two states both split the exam, the length of the state portion varies widely. From the handbooks we read, state portions range from 30 scored questions in some states up to 74 in Colorado. A short state portion does not mean an easy one, because each question carries more weight toward the pass mark.
How to prepare for the split
- Find your state’s content outline and mark which headings belong to which portion.
- Practice them separately and timed, matching the handbook’s time limits.
- Track scores by portion, not only overall.
- Give the state portion extra time near the end, because it is the part that changes most from state to state.
Our state pages, such as Texas and Pennsylvania, collect the verified numbers for each exam, and every state has a free quiz. The GablePrep app lets you drill each portion separately.
Next step
Start with a free state quiz (we use Texas as the example link) and see how you score on state-specific questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the national portion of the real estate exam?
It covers general real estate principles that apply across the country, such as property ownership, valuation, financing, contracts, agency and disclosures. The topics come from each state's published content outline, so check yours.
What is the state portion?
It tests your state's licensing law, commission rules and state-specific practices, and in some states specific contract forms. Its length varies a lot by state.
Do I have to pass both portions?
It depends on the state. Many require a passing mark on each portion, but some score a single overall result. Alabama's handbook, for example, scores the overall result and requires retaking the entire test after a failure. Read your state's handbook.
Does every state split the exam?
No. California, Florida and New York use a single exam with no national and state split, and some states, such as Michigan and New Jersey, appear to deliver one combined exam.
Sources
- Pearson VUE Texas candidate handbook
- Pearson VUE Alabama candidate handbook
- Pearson VUE Pennsylvania candidate handbook
- PSI Colorado candidate bulletin
- PSI Michigan candidate bulletin
- PSI New Jersey candidate bulletin
- Pearson VUE Wisconsin candidate handbook
- Florida DBPR Candidate Information Booklet
- California DRE - taking the exam
- NYS Department of State - real estate licensing
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice. Facts verified on 2026-10-31; always confirm with your state’s official handbook.