Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam Overview
The Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam is administered by PSI Services on behalf of the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Ohio requires one of the highest pre-licensing education hours at 120 hours and uses a comprehensive property disclosure system.
Passing this exam qualifies you to work as a real estate salesperson in Ohio—the 7th largest state with over 11.8 million residents and major markets including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati metros.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 multiple-choice (80 national + 40 state) |
| Time Limit | 3 hours (2 hours national + 1 hour state) |
| Passing Score | 70% on each section |
| Exam Fee | $63 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 120 hours required |
| Testing Vendor | PSI Services |
| License Term | 3 years |
Why Get Licensed in Ohio?
- Large population — Over 11.8 million residents
- Columbus growth — One of fastest-growing cities
- Affordable housing — Strong buyer market
- Three major metros — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati
- 3-year license — Longer than most states
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Division & Licensing (20%)
Regulatory Authority:
- Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing
- Ohio Real Estate Commission
- Rule-making powers
- Disciplinary procedures
- License law enforcement
License Requirements:
- 18 years old minimum
- High school diploma (if born after 1/1/1950)
- 120 hours pre-license education
- Pass both exam portions
- Background check required
License Types:
- Salesperson license
- Broker license
- Foreign real estate dealer
- Real estate appraiser
- Management-level license
Post-License Requirements:
- 20 hours within first year
- 10 hours on law and civil rights
- Additional coursework
- Deadline enforcement
- Consequences of non-completion
2. Agency Law (25%)
Agency Relationships:
- Seller agency
- Buyer agency
- Dual agency
- Agency disclosure requirements
- In-company transactions
Duties to Clients:
- Fiduciary duties
- Loyalty and obedience
- Disclosure and confidentiality
- Accounting
- Reasonable care and diligence
Agency Disclosure Form:
- Required at first contact
- Consumer guide to agency
- Written acknowledgment
- Timing requirements
- Documentation standards
Dual Agency:
- Written consent required
- Limited representation
- Both parties informed
- Confidentiality limitations
- Prohibited in some situations
3. Contracts & Disclosures (30%)
Residential Property Disclosure:
- Ohio Residential Property Disclosure Form
- Material defects
- Known conditions
- Lead-based paint disclosure
- Specific questions required
Purchase Contracts:
- Offer and acceptance
- Essential terms
- Contingencies
- Earnest money provisions
- Closing timeline
Trust Accounts:
- Escrow requirements
- Deposit timeline
- Interest-bearing accounts
- Disbursement rules
- Record keeping (3 years)
Additional Disclosures:
- Lead-based paint
- Sex offender notification
- Property tax disclosure
- Underground mine disclosure
- HOA disclosure
4. Property Law & Fair Housing (25%)
Ohio Civil Rights:
- Ohio Civil Rights Commission
- Protected classes
- State enforcement
- Fair housing violations
- Penalties and remedies
Types of Ownership:
- Fee simple absolute
- Life estates
- Tenancy in common
- Joint tenancy
- Survivorship tenancy (unique to Ohio)
Property Taxes:
- County auditor assessment
- Tax rates and levies
- Homestead exemption
- Tax liens
- Payment schedules
Environmental Issues:
- Lead-based paint
- Underground storage tanks
- Mine subsidence
- Wetlands
- Flood zones
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Division regulations and licensing | 18-22 |
| Week 2-3 | Agency law and disclosure | 20-24 |
| Week 3-5 | Contracts and property disclosure | 22-26 |
| Week 5-6 | Property law and fair housing | 18-22 |
| Week 6-7 | Practice exams and review | 18-22 |
Total recommended study time: 100-120 hours (plus 120-hour pre-licensing)
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Ohio Real Estate exam.
→ Access FREE OH Real Estate Practice Questions
Ohio-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master the Property Disclosure Form
Ohio's comprehensive disclosure:
- Detailed questionnaire format
- Specific items required
- Material defect definition
- Exemptions to know
- Lead paint separate requirement
2. Understand Survivorship Tenancy
Ohio's unique ownership form:
- Similar to joint tenancy
- Right of survivorship
- Specific language required
- Different from tenancy by entirety
- Common in Ohio deeds
3. Know Post-License Requirements
First-year education is mandatory:
- 20 hours within first year
- 10 hours law and civil rights
- Failure suspends license
- Cannot be extended
- Different from CE
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Ohio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passing score | 70% each section |
| Pre-licensing | 120 hours |
| Post-license | 20 hours (first year) |
| License term | 3 years |
| CE requirement | 30 hours/3 years |
| Exam questions | 120 (80+40) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating 120-hour requirement — Plan months ahead
- Missing post-license deadline — 20 hours in first year
- Confusing survivorship tenancy — Ohio-specific ownership
- Failing one section — Must pass BOTH at 70%
- Skipping disclosure details — Comprehensive form tested
- Not pacing the exam — 3 hours for 120 questions
After Passing Your Exam
- Complete fingerprinting as required
- Submit license application to Division
- Pay application fee ($81)
- Obtain employing broker before activation
- Complete 20-hour post-license in first year
- Begin your real estate career in Ohio
2026 Ohio Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Updated Division regulations
- Disclosure form revisions
- Digital transaction standards
- Fair housing training updates
- Post-license education changes
Start Your Ohio Real Estate Career Today
The Ohio Real Estate Salesperson license opens doors to diverse markets across the Buckeye State. With Columbus leading growth and strong markets in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio offers excellent opportunities. With proper preparation, you can pass both exam sections on your first attempt.
→ Begin FREE Ohio Real Estate Exam Prep Now
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- Property disclosure guide
- Survivorship tenancy specifics
- AI-powered study assistance
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