Kentucky 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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Kentucky exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC), Public Protection Cabinet | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | PSI Services LLC Per PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (copyright/updated 10/1/2023). | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 scored (80 points); bulletin says 5-10 unscored experimental questions may be added (they count against time). | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 50 50 scored (50 points); 5-10 experimental items may be added. | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 240 General 150 min + State 90 min = 240 min combined. Each portion timed/passed separately. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | 75% correct on each portion Pass one portion, fail the other: retake only the failed portion, but both must be passed within 4 months of passing the first portion or both portions must be retaken. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $100 $100 regardless of whether one or both portions are taken; retakes also pay each time. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 96 Either 96 classroom hours from a KREC-approved school OR 6 academic credit hours in real estate from an accredited college/university. | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English Handbook/bulletin describes no non-English exam version; English presumed. | Secondary source | Link |
| Active licensees | 13199 Active sales associates as of Dec 19, 2023 per KREC meeting minutes (relayed via search summary; minutes PDF not opened directly). Total active licensees 16,981 incl. 3,782 brokers. Dated; no newer figure found. | 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 (240 minutes ÷ 130 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Both portions count: you must reach the pass mark on each portion — a strong national score does not make up for a weak Kentucky score.
- 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: Candidates need KREC-approved pre-license course, fingerprints/background check, then register with PSI. Experimental questions count toward time. Bulletin version is dated 10/1/2023 (PSI hosts the live version at this ID; confirm for later changes). 4-month window to pass both portions after passing the first.
State-portion topics published for Kentucky
- Real Estate Commission (5 items): general powers, enforcement powers/sanctions
- Requirements for a License (10 items): activities requiring license, eligibility, renewal, license procedures, CE/post-license, E&O insurance, background check
- Brokerage Activities and Requirements (18 items): broker/sales associate relationship, commissions, advertising, handling of monies, documents, place of business, records, escrow accounts, improper conduct, unlicensed assistants
- Disclosures and Agency Issues (8 items): agency relationships, personal-interest disclosure, condominium seller certificates, seller property condition disclosure, stigmatizing factors
- Property Management (3 items)
- Note: itemized counts above sum to 44 of 50 scored state items; the remainder is not itemized in the extracted outline text.
Sample Kentucky practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Kentucky-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
A purchase contract lets the seller keep a $90,000 deposit on a $300,000 sale if the buyer defaults. The buyer defaults, and a court finds the clause is an unenforceable penalty because the amount is grossly out of proportion to any likely loss. The seller proves actual damages of $12,000. The seller may most likely recover
- the full $90,000, because the buyer signed the clause
- nothing, because striking the clause ends all of the seller's remedies
- its actual provable damages of $12,000, not the $90,000 penalty
- $102,000, combining the clause with the actual damages
Answer: C. A term fixing an unreasonably large amount as damages is unenforceable as a penalty. Striking the penalty does not excuse the buyer's breach; the seller falls back on ordinary remedies and may recover its actual, provable damages. The buyer can generally seek restitution of the part of the deposit that exceeds the seller's loss.
Topic: Contracts & Leasing · Source: Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 356 (liquidated damages and penalties); § 374 (restitution in favor of party in breach)
Which loan is exempt from RESPA and Regulation X?
- A first-lien purchase loan on a single-family home
- A refinance of the borrower's primary residence
- A loan made primarily for a business or commercial purpose
- A home equity loan on the borrower's condominium
Answer: C. Regulation X exempts several transactions, including extensions of credit primarily for a business, commercial or agricultural purpose, temporary financing such as construction loans, most loans on vacant land, and bona fide transfers of loans in the secondary market. Consumer purchase, refinance and home equity loans on residential property remain covered.
Topic: Real Estate Finance · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1024.5(b)
Under the federal asbestos NESHAP, an owner or operator planning to demolish a covered commercial building must notify the regulating agency in writing at least how long before demolition begins?
- 48 hours
- 10 working days
- 30 calendar days
- 90 days
Answer: B. Before demolishing or renovating a covered facility, the owner or operator must thoroughly inspect it for asbestos. Written notice must be postmarked or delivered at least 10 working days before demolition, or before asbestos stripping or removal begins. For demolitions, a limited notice is required even when little or no asbestos is found.
Topic: Land Use Controls & Regulations · Source: 40 C.F.R. § 61.145(a), (b)(3)
Try the full 20-question Kentucky quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Kentucky real estate exam?
The Kentucky exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 50 Kentucky questions (130 in total) in 240 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Kentucky real estate exam?
75% correct on each portion (Official source).
How much does the Kentucky real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $100, paid to PSI Services LLC. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Kentucky require?
96 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 Kentucky
- Regulator: Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC), Public Protection Cabinet
- Exam provider: PSI Services LLC
- 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.