How hard is the Nevada real estate exam?

The Nevada real estate exam has approximately a 60-65% first-time pass rate. While this is better than some states, the exam is challenging due to Nevada-specific topics like water rights, timeshare regulations, and common interest community rules. The 120-hour pre-license education requirement helps prepare candidates well. You need 75% on both the national (80 questions) and state (40 questions) portions.

How many questions are on the Nevada real estate exam?

The Nevada real estate exam has 120 scored questions: 80 on the national/general portion and 40 on the Nevada state portion. Additionally, each section includes 5-10 pretest questions that do not affect your score. You have 240 total minutes (150 for national, 90 for state) to complete both sections.

Can I take the Nevada real estate exam online?

Yes! Nevada allows candidates to take the real estate exam online through Pearson VUE OnVUE platform from home. You need a computer with webcam and microphone, stable internet, and a private testing space. However, the online option is limited to one attempt - if you fail online, subsequent attempts must be in-person.

How much does it cost to get a Nevada real estate license?

The total cost is approximately $800-$1,200, including: pre-license education ($400-$700 for 120 hours), exam fee ($100 to Pearson VUE), license application fee ($140 to NRED), background check/fingerprinting ($50-$80), and optional Realtor association membership. Nevada has higher education requirements than most states, which increases the upfront cost.

What are Nevada real estate continuing education requirements?

For first renewal (1 year after licensure), you need 30 hours of post-license education. For subsequent renewals every 2 years, you need 36 hours of CE including: 3 hours Agency, 6 hours Contracts, 3 hours Ethics, 3 hours Law & Legislation, 3 hours Risk Reduction, and 18 hours general electives. Importantly, at least 18 of the 36 hours must be completed through live instruction (in-person or approved livestream).

How has the Nevada exam registration process changed in 2025?

Beginning July 29, 2025, you must first register with the Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) and pay your application fee before you can schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. You can no longer register directly through Pearson VUE. This change streamlines the licensing process by having NRED verify your education completion before exam authorization.

FREE Nevada Real Estate Exam Guide 2026 | NRED License & Practice Test

Nevada Real Estate License Overview

Nevada is one of the most exciting real estate markets in the United States, featuring the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, rapidly growing suburbs, and the emerging Reno-Tahoe region. The Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) regulates all real estate licensing in the state.

With no state income tax, Nevada continues to attract residents and investors from high-tax states like California, creating strong demand for licensed real estate professionals. Whether you want to work in luxury properties on the Strip, vacation homes at Lake Tahoe, or residential communities in Henderson, a Nevada real estate license opens significant opportunities.

Nevada Real Estate Exam Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Exam Administrator	Pearson VUE for NRED
Total Questions	120 scored (80 national + 40 state)
Pretest Questions	5-10 unscored questions per section
Time Limit	240 minutes (150 national + 90 state)
Passing Score	75% on each portion
Exam Fee	$100 (paid to Pearson VUE)
Results	Immediate score report
Testing Options	In-person or online proctored (OnVUE)

Requirements Before Taking the Exam

Education Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age	18 years or older
Pre-License Education	120 hours total (see breakdown below)
High School Diploma	Required (or equivalent)
Background Check	Required before licensure
Course Validity	2 years from completion

Pre-License Course Requirements (120 Hours)

Nevada requires one of the most comprehensive pre-license education programs in the nation:

Course	Hours	Requirements
Real Estate Principles	45 hours	Or 3 college credits
Real Estate Law	45 hours	Must include 18 hours Nevada law
Contracts	15 hours	Or 1 college credit
Agency	15 hours	Must include 3 hours broker/agent foundation + 3 hours risk reduction
Total	120 hours	All courses must be NRED-approved

Application Process (Updated July 2025)

Beginning July 29, 2025, the registration process changed:

Complete 120 hours of NRED-approved pre-license education
Register with Nevada Real Estate Division through their website
Pay application fee ($140) to NRED
NRED will authorize you to schedule with Pearson VUE
Schedule exam through Pearson VUE
Pass both exam portions within 12 months

Important: You can no longer register directly through Pearson VUE without first registering with NRED.

Nevada Exam Format

The Nevada real estate exam consists of two portions that must both be passed with a score of 75% or higher.

Content Breakdown

Section	Scored Questions	Pretest	Time	Passing Score
National/General Portion	80	5	150 minutes	75% (60/80)
State Portion	40	5-10	90 minutes	75% (30/40)
Total	120	10-15	240 minutes	75% each section

National Portion Topics

Topic	Approximate Questions	Key Areas
Real Property Characteristics	8-10	Legal descriptions, property types, land characteristics
Forms of Ownership & Title	8-10	Ownership types, title transfer, recording
Property Value & Appraisal	10-12	Valuation approaches, CMA, market analysis
Real Estate Contracts & Agency	14-16	Contract elements, agency relationships, fiduciary duties
Real Estate Practice	12-14	Brokerage operations, listing procedures
Property Disclosures	8-10	Environmental issues, required disclosures
Financing & Settlement	8-10	Mortgages, closing procedures, RESPA/TILA
Real Estate Math	6-8	Commission, prorations, area calculations

Nevada State Portion Topics

Topic	Questions	Key Areas
Licensing & Registration	8-10	License types, permits, requirements, notifications
Definitions & Terminology	10-12	Nevada-specific terms, NRS definitions
Required Disclosures	6-8	Public offering statements, CC&Rs, budgets
Agency Relationships	5-6	Nevada agency law, duties, disclosures
Fair Housing Laws	2-3	Federal and Nevada fair housing
Special Topics	4-6	Timeshares, water rights, subdivisions, smart homes

Nevada-Specific Topics

Nevada Agency Relationships

Nevada law requires specific agency disclosures and defines licensee duties:

Agency Type	Description	Key Duties
Seller's Agent	Represents seller exclusively	Full fiduciary duties to seller
Buyer's Agent	Represents buyer exclusively	Full fiduciary duties to buyer
Dual Agent	Represents both parties	Requires written consent from both
Transaction Broker	Facilitates transaction	Limited duties, no advocacy

Nevada Disclosure Requirements

Key disclosures required in Nevada real estate transactions:

Disclosure	When Required	Details
Seller's Real Property Disclosure	All residential sales	Known defects, material facts
Agency Disclosure	Before showing property	Written disclosure of representation
Lead-Based Paint	Pre-1978 homes	Federal requirement
Common Interest Community	HOA properties	CC&Rs, budget, reserves, rules
Water Rights	Properties with water rights	Type, priority, limitations

Nevada Timeshare Regulations

Nevada has specific rules for timeshare properties (heavily tested):

Public Offering Statement required for all timeshare sales
5-day right of rescission (cancellation period)
Advertising restrictions and registration requirements
Developer must maintain escrow for deposits
Special disclosure requirements for resales

Water Rights in Nevada

Nevada follows the prior appropriation doctrine ("first in time, first in right"):

Concept	Explanation
Prior Appropriation	First to use water has senior rights
Beneficial Use	Water must be used beneficially to maintain rights
Appurtenant Rights	Water rights attached to land
Permit System	State engineer controls water allocation

Common Interest Communities (HOAs)

Nevada has extensive regulations for common interest communities:

Resale packages must include CC&Rs, bylaws, financial statements
Buyer has 5 days to review HOA documents
Seller must provide reserve study information
Transfer fees and move-in fees must be disclosed
Association meeting minutes must be available

Nevada Exam Pass Rate

The Nevada real estate exam has a pass rate of approximately 60-65% on the first attempt.

Factor	Impact
Extensive education	120-hour requirement prepares candidates well
Two separate sections	Must pass both national and state portions
Unique topics	Water rights, timeshares, mining claims
Higher passing score	75% required on each section

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Time

Approach	Hours	Timeline
Intensive	40-60	2-3 weeks
Standard	60-80	3-4 weeks
Part-time	80-100	5-6 weeks

After completing the 120-hour pre-license course.

Study Priority by Weight

National Portion (80 questions)
- Contracts and agency relationships (highest weight)
- Property valuation and appraisal
- Financing and settlement
- Real estate math calculations
State Portion (40 questions)
- Nevada licensing requirements and permits
- Disclosure requirements (especially CICs)
- Timeshare regulations
- Water rights basics
- Agency relationships under Nevada law

Key Math Formulas

Commission Calculations:

$\text{Commission} = \text{Sales Price} \times \text{Rate}$

$\text{Agent Share} = \text{Commission} \times \text{Split \%}$

Prorations (Nevada typically uses 365-day year):

$\text{Daily Rate} = \frac{\text{Annual Amount}}{365}$

$\text{Proration} = \text{Daily Rate} \times \text{Days}$

Property Tax:

$\text{Tax} = \text{Assessed Value} \times \text{Tax Rate}$

Capitalization Rate:

$\text{Cap Rate} = \frac{\text{NOI}}{\text{Property Value}}$

$\text{Value} = \frac{\text{NOI}}{\text{Cap Rate}}$

Loan-to-Value:

$\text{LTV} = \frac{\text{Loan Amount}}{\text{Property Value}}$

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Nevada-Specific Content

Nevada has unique topics not found in other states:

Water rights and prior appropriation doctrine
Timeshare regulations and rescission periods
Common interest community requirements
Mining claims and mineral rights

2. Underestimating Disclosure Requirements

Nevada requires extensive disclosures:

Seller's Real Property Disclosure Form
Agency disclosures before showing properties
CIC/HOA resale package requirements
Timeshare public offering statements

3. Poor Time Management

120 questions in 240 minutes = 2 minutes per question
Don't spend excessive time on difficult questions
Use the flag feature to mark and return to challenging questions
Review all answers if time permits

4. Confusing License Types and Permits

Nevada has multiple license types and permits:

Salesperson License - Basic license to practice
Broker License - Can supervise others, own brokerage
Business Broker Permit - Required for business sales
Property Manager Permit - Required for property management

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam

Confirm your exam appointment through Pearson VUE
Get adequate rest the night before
Eat a balanced meal before testing
Arrive 30 minutes early (in-person) or test your setup (online)
Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)

Online Testing Option (OnVUE)

Nevada allows candidates to take the exam from home:

Requirement	Details
Computer	Windows or Mac with webcam and microphone
Internet	Stable broadband connection
Environment	Private, well-lit room, clear desk
Identification	Same ID requirements as in-person
One-time attempt	Online option limited to one attempt

During the Exam

Read each question completely before answering
Watch for qualifier words: "EXCEPT," "NOT," "ALWAYS," "NEVER"
Show all math work on provided scratch paper or whiteboard
Trust your first instinct unless you find a clear error
Use the full time available to review answers

After Passing the Exam

Immediate Steps

Receive score report immediately after exam
Apply for license through NRED within 12 months
Complete background check if not already done
Find employing broker - required to activate license
Pay license fee - $140 for original license application

First-Time Renewal Requirements

Your first renewal is 1 year after initial licensure:

Requirement	Details
Post-License Education	30 hours (Modules A-O)
Submission	Proof of completion to NRED
Timing	Must complete before first renewal

Subsequent Renewal Requirements (Every 2 Years)

Category	Hours	Delivery Requirement
Agency	3	Live instruction
Contracts	6	Live instruction
Ethics	3	Any format
Law & Legislation	3	Any format
Risk Reduction	3	Any format
General Electives	18	Any format
Total	36 hours	18 hours must be live

Note: "Live instruction" includes both in-person and approved livestream/Zoom formats.

Permit Holder Additional CE

Permit	Additional Hours
Business Broker	3 hours
Property Management	9 hours

Nevada Real Estate Career Outlook

Salary Expectations

Experience	Annual Income
First year	$35,000-$55,000
2-5 years	$55,000-$90,000
5+ years	$90,000-$150,000+
Top producers	$250,000+

Hot Nevada Markets (2026)

Las Vegas Valley - Largest market, luxury, investment, relocation
Henderson - Fastest-growing large city, master-planned communities
Summerlin - Upscale suburb, golf communities
North Las Vegas - Affordable growth, new construction
Reno-Sparks - Tech industry growth, California migration
Lake Tahoe - Vacation homes, luxury market
Pahrump - Affordable alternative, growing rapidly

Specialization Opportunities

Nevada offers unique specialization opportunities:

Specialty	Market
Luxury Properties	High-rise condos, golf estates, celebrity homes
Investment Properties	Strip-adjacent, Airbnb/VRBO rentals
New Construction	Master-planned communities, production homes
Commercial	Casinos, retail, industrial logistics
Property Management	HOA management, vacation rentals
Land/Development	Desert parcels, solar projects

Resources

Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) - Official licensing information
Pearson VUE Nevada - Exam scheduling and candidate handbook
Nevada Realtors Association - Industry resources
Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors - Local market data
OpenExamPrep - Free study materials and practice questions

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