How many questions are on the North Dakota real estate exam?

The North Dakota real estate exam has 140 scored questions total: 100 on the national portion and 40 on the state portion. Additionally, there are 5-10 unscored pretest questions mixed throughout that do not affect your score but are indistinguishable from scored questions.

What is the passing score for the North Dakota real estate exam?

You must pass both portions separately. The national portion requires 70% (70 out of 100 questions) and the state portion requires 75% (30 out of 40 questions). The higher state passing score makes the ND-specific content particularly important to study.

How much does the North Dakota real estate exam cost?

The exam fee is $131 per attempt, paid directly to PSI. If you fail one portion, you can retake just that portion for the same $131 fee within 12 months. After 12 months, you must submit a new application and fees to NDREC.

How long does it take to get a North Dakota real estate license?

From start to finish, expect 2-4 months. This includes completing the 90-hour pre-license course (4-8 weeks depending on format), application processing (1-2 weeks), exam preparation (2-4 weeks), and passing the exam. You have 12 months from completing your education to pass the exam.

What are the continuing education requirements for North Dakota real estate agents?

North Dakota requires 12 hours of continuing education per annual renewal cycle. The CE cycle runs from November 16 to November 15, and all licenses expire on December 31. CE must be completed by November 15 to renew as active. There is no grace period.

Can I take the North Dakota real estate exam online?

Currently, the North Dakota real estate exam is administered in-person at PSI test centers. There are four locations in North Dakota: Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, and Williston. Salesperson applicants can schedule their exam at any time without needing a test code from the commission.

FREE North Dakota Real Estate Exam Guide 2026 | NDREC License Prep

North Dakota Real Estate License Overview

North Dakota offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring real estate professionals. With a growing energy sector, expanding agricultural economy, and affordable housing markets in cities like Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot, the state provides diverse opportunities for licensed agents. The North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) oversees all licensing requirements and works with PSI Services LLC to administer the state licensing exam.

North Dakota Real Estate Exam Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Exam Administrator	PSI Services LLC
Total Questions	140 scored + 5-10 pretest questions
National Portion	100 questions
State Portion	40 questions
Time Limit	210 minutes (3.5 hours)
National Passing Score	70% (70 out of 100 questions)
State Passing Score	75% (30 out of 40 questions)
Exam Fee	$131 per attempt
Results	Immediate (displayed on screen)
Test Centers	Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, Williston

Requirements Before Taking the Exam

Education Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age	18 years or older
Pre-License Education	90 hours of NDREC-approved coursework
Course Validity	Must complete exam within 12 months
High School Diploma	Required (or equivalent)

Pre-License Course Content (90 Hours)

The required 90-hour pre-license course covers:

Real estate law and principles
Property ownership and land use
Contracts and agency relationships
Real estate finance and valuation
North Dakota-specific regulations
License law and ethics

Application Process

Complete 90-hour pre-license course from NDREC-approved school
Submit application to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission
Complete background check requirements
Receive authorization to test from NDREC
Schedule exam with PSI at one of four North Dakota test centers
Pay $131 examination fee to PSI

North Dakota Exam Format

The North Dakota real estate exam consists of two distinct portions that must each be passed separately. You will have 3.5 hours total to complete both sections.

Content Breakdown

Portion	Questions	Passing Score	Time
National Portion	100 scored + pretest	70% (70/100)	Combined
State Portion	40 scored + pretest	75% (30/40)	3.5 hours total

Important: The exam includes 5-10 unscored pretest questions mixed throughout. These do not affect your score but are indistinguishable from scored questions, so answer every question carefully.

National Portion Topics (100 Questions)

Topic	Key Points
Property Ownership	Types of ownership, estates, bundle of rights
Land Use Controls	Zoning, building codes, environmental regulations
Valuation & Market Analysis	Appraisal approaches, CMA, market conditions
Financing	Mortgage types, loan calculations, lending regulations
Laws of Agency	Agency relationships, fiduciary duties
Contracts	Elements, types, contingencies, performance
Transfer of Title	Deeds, title insurance, recording procedures
Practice of Real Estate	Brokerage operations, ethical standards
Real Estate Calculations	Commission, prorations, area, investment

State Portion Topics (40 Questions)

Topic	Key Points
NDREC Regulations	Commission authority, licensing requirements
Agency Disclosure	North Dakota agency relationship requirements
Property Disclosure	Seller's disclosure requirements, radon disclosure
Trust Account Management	Escrow handling, record keeping
Advertising Rules	Compliance with ND advertising regulations
Broker-Salesperson Relationships	Supervision requirements, responsibilities
Disciplinary Actions	Violations, penalties, license revocation

North Dakota-Specific Topics

Property Disclosure Requirements

North Dakota has unique disclosure rules that differ from many states:

Disclosure Type	Details
Caveat Emptor State	ND is a "buyer beware" state; sellers not required to disclose unless represented by agent
Required When	Written disclosure required when real estate licensee is involved
Disclosure Form	NDREC-approved Seller's Property Disclosure Form
Material Facts	Must disclose facts that could adversely affect buyer's use/enjoyment
Radon Disclosure	Required as of August 1, 2025 - must disclose known radon concentrations
Lead Paint	Federal requirement for pre-1978 homes

North Dakota Homestead Provisions

Feature	Details
Homestead Credit	Available for seniors 65+ or permanently disabled
Income Limits	Based on household income thresholds
Maximum Value	Up to $200,000 True & Full value eligible
Savings	50% or 100% property tax reduction
Disabled Veterans	Up to $180,000 exemption for 50%+ service-connected disability
Blind Homeowners	Up to $160,000 exemption

Agency Disclosure Requirements

North Dakota licensees must disclose agency relationships in writing:

Seller's Agent - Represents seller's interests exclusively
Buyer's Agent - Represents buyer's interests exclusively
Dual Agency - Represents both parties with informed consent
Transaction Coordinator - Facilitates without representation

North Dakota Exam Pass Rate

The North Dakota real estate exam has varying pass rates depending on the portion:

Portion	First-Attempt Pass Rate
National Portion	~65-70%
State Portion	~70-75%
Both Portions Combined	~55-60%

Why Candidates Fail

Factor	Impact
Different passing scores	70% national vs 75% state creates challenges
State-specific content	ND-unique laws and procedures
Math calculations	Significant portion of national exam
Radon disclosure	New 2025 requirement catches candidates off guard

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Time

Approach	Hours	Timeline
Intensive	40-50	2-3 weeks
Standard	50-70	3-4 weeks
Part-time	70-100	5-6 weeks

After completing the 90-hour pre-license course.

Study Priority by Weight

National Portion (100 questions) - Largest section
- Property ownership and transfer
- Contracts and agency
- Financing and valuation
- Real estate calculations
State Portion (40 questions) - Higher passing score required (75%)
- NDREC regulations and licensing
- Property disclosure requirements
- Agency disclosure rules
- Trust account procedures

Key Math Formulas

Commission Calculations:

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

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

Prorations (365-day year):

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

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

Property Tax:

$\text{Tax} = \text{Assessed Value} \times \text{Mill Levy}$

Mill Levy: 1 mill = $1 per $1,000 of assessed value

Loan-to-Value:

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

Capitalization Rate:

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating the State Portion

The state portion requires 75% to pass (higher than the national 70%). Focus extra attention on:

NDREC regulations
ND disclosure requirements
State-specific procedures

2. Ignoring New Radon Disclosure Rules

As of August 1, 2025, North Dakota requires radon disclosure. This is a new requirement and will likely appear on the exam.

3. Weak Math Skills

Math questions make up a significant portion of the national exam. Practice daily:

Commission calculations
Prorations
Area calculations
Investment analysis

4. Poor Time Management

140+ questions in 210 minutes = ~1.5 minutes per question
Don't spend too long on difficult questions
Flag challenging questions and return later

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam

Get adequate rest the night before
Eat a balanced meal
Arrive 30 minutes early at the PSI test center
Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)

During the Exam

Read every question completely
Watch for "EXCEPT" and "NOT" questions
Show your math work on provided scratch paper
Trust your first instinct
Use all available time to review

Test Center Locations

City	Availability
Bismarck	Full service
Fargo	Full service
Minot	Full service
Williston	Full service

Retake Policy

Scenario	Policy
Fail One Portion	May retake failed portion only within 12 months
Fail Both Portions	Must retake both portions
12-Month Limit	If not passed within 12 months, new application required
Retake Fee	$131 per attempt

After Passing

Immediate Steps

Receive results on screen at testing center
Score report emailed to you with diagnostic information
Apply for license through NDREC
Associate with a broker (required to practice)
Complete any remaining requirements

Continuing Education Requirements

Requirement	Details
Annual CE Hours	12 hours per renewal cycle
Cycle Period	November 16 - November 15
License Expiration	December 31 each year
Mandatory Topics	Varies by cycle (check NDREC website)
2025-2026 Cycle	12 hours elective topics only
Deadline	CE must be completed by November 15

CE Exemptions

Licensees continuously licensed since January 1, 1969
New salesperson licensees (90-hour course) exempt for first renewal
New brokers who pass exam during current CE cycle

License Renewal

Type	Annual Renewal
Active License	Complete 12 hours CE + renewal fee
Inactive License	Renewal fee only (no CE required)
Reactivation	Complete CE for each cycle inactive (up to 3 years)

North Dakota Real Estate Career Outlook

Salary Expectations

Experience	Annual Income
First year	$30,000-$45,000
2-5 years	$45,000-$70,000
5+ years	$70,000-$100,000+
Top producers	$120,000+

Hot North Dakota Markets (2026)

Fargo - Largest city, diverse economy, growing tech sector
Bismarck - State capital, government jobs, stable market
Grand Forks - University town, steady demand
Minot - Energy sector hub, oil industry growth
Williston - Bakken oil field activity
West Fargo - Rapid suburban growth

Market Opportunities

Sector	Opportunity
Energy Sector	Oil industry creates housing demand
Agriculture	Farm and ranch properties
Affordable Housing	Lower prices attract first-time buyers
Commercial	Growing retail and industrial needs
Property Management	Rental market opportunities

Resources

NDREC - realestatend.org - Official licensing information
PSI Services - candidate.psiexams.com - Exam scheduling
ND Association of Realtors - ndrealtors.com - Industry resources
OpenExamPrep - Free study materials and practice questions

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