Nebraska 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.
Take the free Nebraska practice quiz Open the app
Nebraska exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook April 2025 (#092800); scheduling via Pearson after NREC approval; exam fee is paid to NREC, not Pearson. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 scored + 5 pretest. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 50 50 scored + 5-10 pretest. | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 240 National 2.5 h + State 1.5 h = 4 h. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | 75% on each portion Salesperson applicants keep a passed portion for 3 subsequent attempts or 6 months or until application expires, whichever first. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $150 NREC Fee Schedule: License Examination Fee - per exam $150; retake within one year $150; license application fee $175. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 96 Effective Jan 1, 2026: 90 clock hours (3 x 30-hr courses: Principles & Practices, Nebraska License Law, one more approved pre-license course) + 6 hours Professional Practice and Standards (Course 0003) = 96. Previousl… | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English Handbook/bulletin describes no non-English exam version; English presumed. | 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 Nebraska 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: Nebraska raised salesperson pre-license education to 96 hours effective 1/1/2026 (up from 66). Note the $150 exam fee goes to NREC with the application, not to Pearson. NE "72-hour rule" for funds of others is a state-specific tested item. Retake info at nrec.nebraska.gov/licensing-forms/retakeexaminfo.html.
State-portion topics published for Nebraska
- Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission (5 items)
- Licensing (7-8 items): requirements, activities requiring license, exemptions, unlicensed assistants, nonresident reciprocity, license transfer/renewal/branch, E&O insurance
- Statutory Requirements Governing Activities of Licensees (15 items): advertising, designated broker/associate broker/salesperson relationships, supervision/teams, commissions, funds of others/72-hour rule, inducements, unauthorized practice of law, trust accounts, record keeping
- Agency (17-18 items): licensee duties, required property disclosures, cooperative transactions, conflict of interest, offers/documents, listings, closings
- Additional Topics (5 items): subdivided & out-of-state land sales, Nebraska Fair Housing Law, equitable interest
Sample Nebraska practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Nebraska-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
The share of a commission that a salesperson receives from the sponsoring broker is
- set by state statute at 50 percent of every commission the broker receives
- determined by the client at the time of the listing
- determined by the agreement between the broker and the salesperson
- fixed by the local board of brokers for all member firms
Answer: C. Commission splits between a broker and a salesperson are contractual and negotiated. The client's agreement is with the broker, and neither statutes nor local boards typically set the split. The agreement should be clear to avoid disputes.
Topic: Agency & Brokerage Relationships · Source: Restatement (Third) of Agency § 8.07
A river slowly deposits soil along an owner's bank over many years. The added land is acquired by the riparian owner through:
- avulsion
- accretion
- escheat
- dedication
Answer: B. Accretion is the gradual addition of land by the natural deposit of soil or sediment by water. The additional land belongs to the owner of the adjoining riparian or littoral property under the rule of accession.
Topic: Transfer of Title & Closing · Source: Nebraska v. Iowa, 143 U.S. 359 (1892) (accretion and avulsion)
Before closing on a newly built house, the title company asks the builder and major suppliers to sign documents giving up their lien rights for work that has been paid for. These documents are commonly called:
- Estoppel certificates
- Lien waivers
- Lis pendens notices
- Subordination agreements
Answer: B. Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who improve real property may have mechanic's lien rights, and some liens can be filed after closing. Title companies and lenders therefore commonly require signed lien waivers (lien releases) confirming that those who were paid give up their lien rights.
Topic: Property Ownership & Interests · Source: Black's Law Dictionary (12th ed. 2024), "mechanic's lien"
Try the full 20-question Nebraska quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Nebraska real estate exam?
The Nebraska exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 50 Nebraska questions (130 in total) in 240 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Nebraska real estate exam?
75% on each portion (Official source).
How much does the Nebraska real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $150, paid to Pearson VUE. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Nebraska 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 Nebraska
- Regulator: Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC)
- 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.