Ohio 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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Ohio exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | PSI Services LLC Bulletin (c) 7/1/2026; test-takers.psiexams.com/ohre. Several secondary sources/search queries suggested Pearson VUE - the bulletin confirms PSI. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 points; 5-10 unscored experimental questions may be added. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 40 points; same experimental-question caveat. | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 180 National 120 min + State 60 min (table also shows 180 min 'Both'). | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | 70% on each portion (National 80 pts, State 40 pts) Salesperson 70%; Broker 75%. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $66 State & National taken at same time $66; National only $46; State only $43. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 100 Bulletin education table: Principles & Practices 40 + Ohio Real Estate Law 40 + Appraisal 10 + Finance 10 = 100 hours. Older sources still say 120 (Appraisal 20/Finance 20); secondary sources say the change applies to… | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English No other language mentioned in bulletin. | 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 1.5 minutes each (180 minutes ÷ 120 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 Ohio 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: Candidate must pass both portions within the 12-month eligibility window; a failed portion requires a retake application + fee to the Division before PSI registration. Division application is separate (fee ~$81 per secondary sources, not verified). Background check required within 10 days of applying.
State-portion topics published for Ohio
- State Governance of the Real Estate Profession (4 items)
- Licensing Requirements (6 items)
- License Law and Rules of the Ohio Real Estate Commission (16 items) - advertising/team advertising, broker-salesperson agreements, commissions, documents/record keeping, handling of monies, listings, offers, inducements, property management, rentals, Ohio fair housing
- Brokerage Relationships / Agency Law (14 items)
Sample Ohio practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Ohio-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
After completing two or more valuation approaches, the appraiser performs reconciliation. What is that?
- Averaging the values mathematically without judgment
- Choosing the highest value
- Adding the values together
- Weighing the indicated values to reach a final value
Answer: D. Reconciliation compares the indications of value from the different approaches and gives the most weight to the most reliable, given the property type and data available. It is a judgment process, not a simple average.
Topic: Valuation & Market Analysis · Source: The Appraisal of Real Estate (Appraisal Institute), valuation principles
Buyer's agent Tomas learns that the home his client wants has a recorded easement that reduces its usable yard. Tomas must
- keep it confidential from the client until the client decides to make an offer
- tell his client, because material facts affecting the decision must be disclosed
- tell only the listing agent, who can decide whether the buyer should be told
- wait until after closing to mention it, so that the sale is not jeopardized
Answer: B. A buyer's agent owes the client disclosure of material facts that the agent knows. A recorded easement affecting use is plainly material. Delaying disclosure until after closing would deprive the client of the chance to decide or negotiate.
Topic: Agency & Brokerage Relationships · Source: Restatement (Third) of Agency § 8.11 (duty to provide information)
A servicer has a reasonable basis to believe a borrower let required hazard insurance lapse. Before charging the borrower for force-placed insurance, what must the servicer do?
- Obtain a court order authorizing the coverage
- Send a written notice at least 45 days before the charge
- Wait until the loan is 120 days delinquent
- Obtain the borrower's written consent to the policy
Answer: B. A servicer may not charge for force-placed insurance unless it has a reasonable basis to believe coverage has lapsed and has sent an initial written notice at least 45 days before the charge, followed by a reminder notice. It may charge only if it has not received evidence of continuous coverage by the end of 15 days after the reminder. If the borrower later shows proof of coverage, the servicer must cancel and refund overlapping charges within 15 days.
Topic: Real Estate Finance · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1024.37(b)-(c) and (g)
Try the full 20-question Ohio quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Ohio real estate exam?
The Ohio exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 Ohio questions (120 in total) in 180 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Ohio real estate exam?
70% on each portion (National 80 pts, State 40 pts) (Official source).
How much does the Ohio real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $66, paid to PSI Services LLC. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Ohio require?
100 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 Ohio
- Regulator: Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
- 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.