Key Takeaways
- North Dakota salesperson applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Pre-license education requirement is 90 hours of approved coursework
- The salesperson exam has 140 questions total: 100 national and 40 state-specific questions
- Passing score is 70% on the national portion (70/100) and 75% on the state portion (30/40)
- Applicants must have E&O insurance and complete a background check
North Dakota License Requirements
North Dakota has specific requirements for salesperson and broker licenses. Understanding these requirements is essential for the state exam.
Salesperson License Requirements
1. Age and Legal Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Pass a criminal background check
- Obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance
Note: North Dakota requires E&O insurance before activating your license—this protects both you and your clients.
2. Education Requirements
Complete 90 hours of pre-license education from an NDREC-approved school:
| Course Content | Hours |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Principles and Practices | 90 hours total |
| Topics include: Licensing law, contracts, agency, financing, property ownership |
Important: Applicants must apply for licensure within 2 years of completing pre-license education.
3. Examination
| Detail | Salesperson Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 140 multiple-choice |
| National Portion | 100 questions |
| State Portion | 40 questions |
| Time Limit | 3.5 hours total |
| Passing Score (National) | 70% (70 out of 100) |
| Passing Score (State) | 75% (30 out of 40) |
| Exam Provider | PSI |
| Exam Fee | $131 |
4. Background Check
All applicants must submit to a criminal background check:
- Complete the Criminal History Record Check Request Form
- Submit fingerprints through approved vendor
- FBI and state criminal history review
- NDREC reviews results for suitability
Convictions that may affect licensure:
- Felonies involving fraud or dishonesty
- Crimes related to real estate activities
- Recent criminal activity
Broker License Requirements
To become a North Dakota real estate broker, you must meet additional requirements:
Experience Requirement
Two years of active experience as a licensed salesperson within the preceding 5 years, OR equivalent experience as determined by NDREC.
Education Requirements
Complete additional broker-level education:
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Original salesperson education | 90 hours |
| Additional broker courses | As required by NDREC |
Broker Examination
| Detail | Broker Exam |
|---|---|
| Format | Simulation problems |
| Problems | 12 simulation problems (10 scored) |
| Sections | Information Gathering (IG) and Decision Making (DM) |
| Passing | Meet minimum passing level (MPL) for both sections |
Additional Requirements
Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| When needed | Before activating license |
| Purpose | Protects against professional liability claims |
| Minimum coverage | As specified by NDREC |
License Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | $131 |
| Recovery Fund contribution | $20 (one-time) |
| License fee | As determined by NDREC |
Application Process
- Complete education at NDREC-approved school (90 hours)
- Submit application through NDREC online portal
- Pay application and exam fees
- Submit fingerprints for background check
- Receive examination eligibility
- Schedule and pass exam at PSI testing center
- Obtain E&O insurance
- Find sponsoring broker (salespersons must affiliate with broker)
- Activate license through sponsoring broker
Reciprocity
North Dakota has reciprocal licensing agreements with:
| State | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | May obtain ND license without state exam |
| Iowa | May obtain ND license without state exam |
| Georgia | May obtain ND license without state exam |
Note: Reciprocal applicants must still meet other licensing requirements including background check and E&O insurance.
What is the minimum age requirement for a North Dakota real estate salesperson license?
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a North Dakota salesperson license?
What is the passing score for the state portion of the North Dakota real estate salesperson exam?