Alabama real estate exam
Format, passing score, fees and what to study — compiled from the official candidate handbook and state sources, with a link and a confidence level for every fact. Last verified 2026-10-31.
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Alabama exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) Named in the Pearson VUE Alabama Real Estate Candidate Handbook (Aug 2024). Note: the AREC website (arec.alabama.gov) redirect-looped for automated fetch, so the AREC site itself was not read. | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | Pearson VUE Handbook is Pearson VUE's (Aug 2024). Some third-party prep sites still say PSI; they are out of date. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 scored general/national items. Handbook table lists 10-15 total pretest (unscored) items across the whole exam; the national content outline (PV 093301) says 5 of them are in the national portion. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 40 scored state items; 5-10 unscored pretest items (state outline effective Feb 1, 2026). | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 210 3.5 hours total = 2.5 hrs (150 min) for the general portion + 1 hr (60 min) for the state portion. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | Scaled 70 (candidate receives an overall result: a score of 70+ = pass) Handbook: salesperson and broker passing score is 70; pass/fail is on the OVERALL score and a failing candidate must retake the ENTIRE test (no portion credit). | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $73 Salesperson exam $73 (reciprocal/state-only exam $53). Paid to Pearson VUE at booking. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 60 60-clock-hour AREC-approved pre-license course, minimum course grade 70; must pass the exam within 6 months of course completion (authorization good 6 months, unlimited attempts; passing exam score good 90 days). | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English Handbook includes an ESL extra-time request form (Pearson 999930.pdf). No other exam language is listed in the official handbook/bulletin; English-only is inferred from silence. | Secondary source | Link |
| Active licensees | 16614 16,614 active salespersons (plus 1,097 temporary salespersons and 7,814 active brokers) per June 23, 2022 Commission minutes. Dated (4+ years old); read via a search-engine summary of the PDF, not opened directly. | Secondary source | Link |
“Official source” = read in a state agency page or the exam provider’s candidate handbook on 2026-10-31. Anything marked “Vendor claim” or “Not verified” should be confirmed before you rely on it. Fees and formats change.
What this means for your study plan
- Time per question: about 1.8 minutes each (210 minutes ÷ 120 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Where people lose points: math word problems, wording traps (NOT/EXCEPT), and state rules that differ from the national rule. Our formula sheet covers the math.
- Good to know: Single 'overall' pass/fail: Alabama scores the combined exam (general 80 + state 40 scored), handbook says the candidate receives an overall score and must retake the entire test on failure. Candidates are authorized for 6 months with unlimited attempts; if not passed in that window the pre-license course must be retaken. Pearson VUE runs the exam in Pearson Professional Centers and many college test centers (Birm…
State-portion topics published for Alabama
- Purpose of license law/rules and role of Commission (1 item)
- Licensing requirements (7)
- License status: transfer/inactive/reactivation (2)
- Broker licenses, company licenses and place of business (5)
- Recovery fund (2)
- Disciplinary actions and process (2)
- Estimated closing statement (1)
- Trust funds (2)
- RECAD (Real Estate Consumer Agency Disclosure) (3)
- Violations which may result in disciplinary action - misrepresentation, advertising, listing agreements, disclosure, records, rebates, unlicensed commissions, etc. (15)
Sample Alabama practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Alabama-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
An investor bought a lot for $250,000 and later sold it for $230,000. Based on the purchase price, what was the percentage loss?
- 8.7%
- 92%
- 8%
- 0.8%
Answer: C. Loss = $250,000 - $230,000 = $20,000. Percentage loss is measured against the original cost: $20,000 / $250,000 = 0.08, or 8%.
Topic: Real Estate Math · Source: Standard real estate arithmetic: percentage formula (part = whole × rate)
The Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act generally requires developers of large subdivisions sold across state lines to give buyers a:
- zoning variance
- property report
- closing disclosure
- lead warning statement
Answer: B. ILSA protects buyers of lots in large, interstate-marketed subdivisions by requiring the developer to register with the CFPB and give buyers a property report before the sale contract is signed. Certain sales, such as those of lots with completed buildings, are exempt.
Topic: Fair Housing, Ethics & Federal Disclosures · Source: 15 U.S.C. § 1703
Which time-share structure conveys title to the buyer as a tenant in common with the other purchasers of the unit?
- A right-to-use license
- A vacation lease for a term of years
- A proprietary lease
- An undivided fee interest
Answer: D. A deeded time-share, or interval ownership, gives each buyer an undivided fractional fee interest in the unit with a right to occupy for a set period each year. A right-to-use arrangement, by contrast, gives only a contractual right to occupy and conveys no title.
Topic: Property Ownership & Interests · Source: Uniform Real Estate Time-Share Act (1980)
Try the full 20-question Alabama quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Alabama real estate exam?
The Alabama exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 Alabama questions (120 in total) in 210 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Alabama real estate exam?
Scaled 70 (candidate receives an overall result: a score of 70+ = pass) (Official source).
How much does the Alabama real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $73, paid to Pearson VUE. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Alabama require?
60 hours for the entry-level license, according to the sources below. Pre-licensing education must come from a state-approved school; GablePrep is exam prep and is not an approved course.
Official sources for Alabama
- Regulator: Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC)
- Exam provider: Pearson VUE
- Official candidate handbook / content outline
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice.