North Dakota 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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North Dakota exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | North Dakota Real Estate Commission Bismarck, ND; website realestatend.org. Bulletin (PSI, (c) 10/1/2025) directs licensing questions to the Commission. | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | PSI Services LLC Candidate Information Bulletin; schedule at test-takers.psiexams.com/ndre. No Commission-issued test code needed per secondary sources. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 100 Salesperson national = 100 scored questions (100 points). Bulletin says 5-10 unscored 'experimental' questions may be added; they are not scored but DO count against exam time. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 40 scored questions (40 points); plus 5-10 unscored experimental questions possible (not identified). | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 240 150 min national + 90 min state (separate portions). | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | National: 70 of 100 points; State: 30 of 40 points (75%) Raw points, per Examination Summary Table. Pass one portion and fail the other -> retake only the failed portion. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $134 $134 whether taking one or both portions; non-refundable, non-transferable, forfeited if not used within 1 year. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 90 N.D.C.C. ch. 43-23: salesperson applicant must complete at least 90 hours in Commission-approved courses (broker: additional 60 hours). Exam may be taken before course completion; license not issued until proof filed. | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English Bulletin mentions no other exam language; inferred English-only. | 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 1.7 minutes each (240 minutes ÷ 140 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 North Dakota 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: Unlimited retakes during a 12-month period. After passing, candidate uploads PSI score report(s) via NDREC Online Services; both portions must be passed to get license.
State-portion topics published for North Dakota
- Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission (general powers; investigations, hearings, appeals; sanctions/revocation; examination of records)
- Licensing Requirements (license types, activities requiring license, reciprocity, renewal, change in license, education incl. salesperson prelicensing)
- Statutory Requirements Governing Licensee Activities (advertising; broker/salesperson relationship & supervision; commissions; disclosure/conflict of interest; offers & documents; listings; licensee/public responsibility; cooperative transactions; Code of Ethics)
- Additional Topics (subdivided/out-of-state land sales registration & disclosure; Real Estate Education, Research and Recovery Fund)
- Item counts per topic NOT published in bulletin; broker-only topics (trust accounts, record keeping, closing statements) excluded from salesperson exam
Sample North Dakota practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. North Dakota-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
How many acres are contained in the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of a full section?
- 40 acres
- 10 acres
- 20 acres
- 160 acres
Answer: B. Read the description from the end to the beginning. The NE 1/4 of the section is 160 acres. The SE 1/4 of that is 40 acres. The NW 1/4 of that is 10 acres. Each fraction cuts the parcel by a quarter.
Topic: Property Ownership & Interests · Source: Bureau of Land Management, Manual of Surveying Instructions (2009)
Broker Lamar represents seller Joy under an exclusive listing. Unknown to Joy, Lamar has also promised buyer Carl to get him the best price, and Lamar delivers Carl's offer. After closing, Joy learns of this. She may
- seek rescission of the sale or forfeiture of Lamar's commission
- do nothing, since a commission is earned whenever a sale closes
- sue only Carl, since he alone benefited from the arrangement
- recover only if Lamar actually collected a commission from both parties
Answer: A. Acting for adverse parties without each party's informed consent breaches the duty of loyalty. The remedies can include rescission of the transaction, damages, and loss of the agent's right to compensation. The breach exists whether or not the agent was paid by both sides.
Topic: Agency & Brokerage Relationships · Source: Restatement (Second) of Agency § 469 (agent's breach of loyalty; effect on compensation)
A family learns that a landlord will adopt a written 'no children' policy next month, before the family has even applied. Under the Fair Housing Act's definition of 'aggrieved person,' may the family file a complaint now?
- No; only a person who has already suffered an actual, completed injury qualifies
- Yes; the definition includes a person who believes an injury is about to occur
- No; only HUD may act before a discriminatory housing practice has occurred
- Only if the family first obtains a written copy of the new policy
Answer: B. The Act defines an aggrieved person as anyone who claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or who believes he or she will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur. A family facing an announced 'no children' rule can therefore file before the rule takes effect. Nothing in the definition requires a completed injury or written proof of the policy.
Topic: Fair Housing, Ethics & Federal Disclosures · Source: 42 U.S.C. § 3602(i)
Try the full 20-question North Dakota quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the North Dakota real estate exam?
The North Dakota exam format we found is 100 national questions plus 40 North Dakota questions (140 in total) in 240 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the North Dakota real estate exam?
National: 70 of 100 points; State: 30 of 40 points (75%) (Official source).
How much does the North Dakota real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $134, paid to PSI Services LLC. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does North Dakota require?
90 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 North Dakota
- Regulator: North Dakota Real Estate Commission
- 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.