FREE Utah Real Estate Exam Guide 2026: Complete License Prep

Utah Real Estate License Overview

Utah is experiencing explosive population and economic growth, particularly in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area and the "Silicon Slopes" tech corridor. The Utah Division of Real Estate, under the Department of Commerce, oversees licensing and regulates real estate professionals across the state.

With strong job growth, a booming tech sector, and world-class outdoor recreation, Utah consistently ranks among the top states for population growth, creating excellent opportunities for real estate professionals.

Utah Real Estate Exam Quick Facts

Requirements Before Taking the Exam

Pre-License Education Requirements

Pre-License Course Content (120 Hours)

Utah requires 120 hours of pre-license education, which is among the highest requirements in the nation. The curriculum covers:

Core Topics:

1. Real estate principles and practices
2. Utah real estate law
3. Property ownership and land use
4. Real estate contracts
5. Agency relationships
6. Real estate finance
7. Property valuation and appraisal
8. Closing procedures
9. Property management
10. Ethics and professional standards

Application Process

1. Complete 120-hour pre-license course from approved provider
2. Pass school final exam
3. Create account on Pearson VUE website
4. Schedule and pay for exam ($59)
5. Pass both exam sections
6. Apply for license through Utah Division of Real Estate
7. Complete background check
8. Affiliate with a licensed broker

Utah Exam Format

The Utah real estate exam consists of two separate sections that must both be passed with a scaled score of 70 or higher.

Content Breakdown

National Portion Topics (80 Scored Questions)

State Portion Topics (50 Scored Questions)

Utah-Specific Topics to Know

Utah Division of Real Estate

Utah Agency Relationships

Utah has specific agency disclosure requirements:

• Seller Agency - Represents seller exclusively
• Buyer Agency - Represents buyer exclusively
• Limited Agency - Same brokerage represents both parties
• Subagency - Agent represents seller through MLS

Utah Water Rights

Critical exam topic - Utah operates under the prior appropriation doctrine:

• "First in time, first in right" principle
• Water rights are separate from land ownership
• Must be registered with state
• Beneficial use requirement
• Can be bought, sold, or transferred separately

Utah-Specific Laws

Mechanic's Lien/Construction Lien:

• Contractors and suppliers can place liens
• Preliminary notice requirements
• Time limits for filing
• Priority rules

Utah Residential Mortgage Lending and Servicing Act:

• Protections for borrowers
• Foreclosure procedures
• Disclosure requirements

Stigmatized Property Laws:

• No duty to disclose certain stigmas
• Death on property
• Alleged paranormal activity
• Sex offender registry considerations

Utah Trust Account Requirements

Utah Exam Pass Rates and Difficulty

Pass Rate Statistics

Why Utah's Exam Can Be Challenging

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Timeline

After completing the 120-hour pre-license course.

Study Priority by Section

National Portion Focus Areas:

1. Agency & Contracts (16-18 questions)

   • Agency relationships and duties
   • Contract elements and types
   • Offer and acceptance procedures

2. Financing (12-14 questions)

   • Mortgage types and terms
   • Loan qualification
   • TILA, RESPA, ECOA compliance

3. Valuation (11 questions)

   • Three approaches to value
   • Comparative market analysis
   • Appraisal process

4. Real Estate Math (7-10 questions)

   • Commission calculations
   • Prorations
   • Loan-to-value ratios
   • Area measurements

State Portion Focus Areas:

1. Licensee Practice (33-35 questions)

   • Professional standards
   • Commission structures
   • Discharge procedures
   • Approved forms

2. Licensing Requirements (15-17 questions)

   • Initial license process
   • Renewal procedures
   • CE requirements
   • Reporting obligations

3. Utah-Specific Topics (8-10 questions)

   • Water rights doctrine
   • Mechanic's liens
   • Foreclosure procedures
   • Property tax rules

Key Math Formulas

Commission Calculations:

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

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

Prorations (Utah uses 365-day year):

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

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

Loan-to-Value:

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

Gross Rent Multiplier:

$\text{GRM} = \frac{\text{Sales Price}}{\text{Gross Annual Rent}}$

Capitalization Rate:

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

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating Content Volume

With 120 hours of coursework:

• Review all course materials thoroughly
• Don't skip any sections
• Create summary notes for review

2. Ignoring Utah-Specific Topics

State portion has 50 questions:

• Water rights are frequently tested
• Licensing procedures are detailed
• Trust account rules are strict

3. Weak Math Skills

Math appears throughout the exam:

• Practice daily with real problems
• Memorize key formulas
• Use basic calculator efficiently

4. Misunderstanding Scaled Scoring

The 70 passing score is scaled:

• Not a simple percentage
• Accounts for question difficulty
• Can miss ~24 national and ~15 state questions

5. Poor Time Management

Four hours seems long but:

• 145+ questions total (with pretest)
• About 1.6 minutes per question
• Leave time for review

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam

• Get adequate rest the night before
• Eat a balanced meal
• Arrive 30 minutes early
• Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)
• Review key formulas and Utah-specific rules

During the Exam

• Read every question completely
• Watch for "EXCEPT," "NOT," and "LEAST" questions
• Use scratch paper for all calculations
• Flag difficult questions and return later
• Pace yourself: ~1.6 minutes per question
• Use all available time to review

What to Bring

• Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
• Confirmation from Pearson VUE
• Nothing else - personal items stored in locker

Calculator Policy

• Basic on-screen calculator provided
• Personal calculators not allowed
• Practice with basic calculator functions

After Passing the Exam

Immediate Steps

1. Receive results on screen at testing center
2. Apply for license through Utah Division of Real Estate
3. Complete background check if not done
4. Affiliate with a broker (required to practice)
5. Obtain E&O insurance (typically required by broker)
6. Activate license and begin practicing

First Renewal Requirements (New Agents)

Continuing Education Requirements

License Renewal Timeline

Utah Real Estate Market Outlook

Hot Utah Markets (2026)

Salary Expectations

Why Utah is Growing

• Tech industry boom - Silicon Slopes rivaling major tech hubs
• Outdoor lifestyle - World-class skiing, national parks
• Business-friendly - Low taxes, pro-business environment
• Young population - Strong demographic growth
• Quality of life - Low crime, good schools, family-oriented

Utah Market Considerations

• Cultural factors - Large LDS population affects scheduling
• Seasonal markets - Ski areas, summer recreation
• Water concerns - Great Salt Lake and drought issues
• High demand - Limited inventory in desirable areas

Resources

• Utah Division of Real Estate - Official licensing information
• Pearson VUE - Exam scheduling
• Utah Association of Realtors - Industry resources
• OpenExamPrep - Free study materials and practice tests