DC Real Estate Salesperson Exam Overview
Key Takeaways
- DC requires 60 hours of DCREC-approved pre-license education, including a mandatory 3-hour Fair Housing component
- The PSI exam has 110 items (80 general + 30 state), 210 minutes total, and requires 75% on EACH portion
- The official PSI exam fee is $61.50; total license fees are $295 ($65 application + $170 license + $60 Guaranty Fund)
- Reciprocity (state portion only) covers VA licensees, MD brokers, and MD salespersons licensed 1996-present; others use endorsement (full exam)
- Licenses renew every 2 years (salesperson Aug 31 of odd years) with 15 hours of CE (9 mandatory + 6 elective)
District of Columbia Real Estate Salesperson Exam Overview
Welcome to OpenExamPrep's FREE District of Columbia Real Estate Salesperson exam prep guide. This resource covers DC-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and real estate laws governed by the DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC) under the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) (formerly DCRA).
DC Salesperson Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Pre-license hours | 60 hours (DCREC-approved provider) |
| Exam vendor | PSI |
| Exam structure | 110 items (80 general + 30 state) |
| Time allowed | 210 minutes (120 general + 90 state) |
| Passing score | 75% on each portion |
| Exam fee | $61.50 (one or both portions) |
| License fees | $295 total |
| Renewal | Every 2 years; 15 hours CE |
Accuracy note: PSI's official Candidate Information Bulletin sets the exam fee at $61.50 and the combined time limit at 210 minutes (3.5 hours) — not the "4 hours" or "$69" figures some third-party sites repeat.
Pre-License Education
DC requires 60 hours of pre-license education from a DCREC-approved school. The course must include a mandatory 3-hour DC Fair Housing component within the 60 hours, with the balance covering real estate law, interests and ownership, legal descriptions, titles, liens, encumbrances, listing and advertising, appraisal, finance, closings, and the professional code of ethics.
The DC Exam (PSI)
The salesperson exam is administered by PSI on behalf of DCREC. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam split into a national (general) portion and a DC state-law portion.
| Portion | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|
| General (national) | 80 | 120 minutes |
| State (DC law) | 30 | 90 minutes |
| Combined | 110 | 210 minutes |
Up to 10 non-scored pretest items may be embedded; time is added for them, so they do not count against you. You must score 75% on each portion separately — passing one portion does not offset failing the other.
A basic calculator and scratch paper are provided at check-in; you cannot bring your own. Memorize 43,560 square feet per acre and 5,280 feet per mile — these are not given at the test center. Arrive 30 minutes early with two forms of ID (one government-issued photo ID).
General-Portion Content Weights (Salesperson)
| Topic | Weight |
|---|---|
| Property ownership | 8% |
| Land use controls and regulations | 5% |
| Valuation and market analysis | 7% |
| Financing | 10% |
| General principles of agency | 13% |
| Property disclosures | 6% |
| Contracts | 17% |
| Leasing and property management | 3% |
Exam Tip: Contracts (17%) and agency (13%) are the heaviest general-portion topics — budget your national-portion study time accordingly.
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
- Verify eligibility — 18+, HS diploma/GED, able to read, write, and understand English; no application denied within the past year (other than exam failure).
- Complete 60 hours of DCREC-approved pre-license education.
- Register and schedule with PSI at psiexams.com; pay the $61.50 exam fee (valid one year from payment).
- Pass both portions at 75%. Fail one portion → retake only that portion within 6 months of the first attempt.
- Affiliate with a sponsoring DC broker (salespersons must work under a broker).
- Apply for the license within 6 months of passing, via the DCREC online application; pay $295 in fees.
License Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $65 |
| License fee | $170 |
| Real Estate Guaranty & Education Fund | $60 |
| Total | $295 |
Estimated all-in cost including education ($300–$600) and the $61.50 exam fee runs roughly $656–$956.
Renewal and CE
Salesperson licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years; broker and property-manager licenses expire February 28 of odd-numbered years. Each 2-year cycle requires 15 hours of CE — 9 hours in mandatory Commission-determined topics plus 6 hours of electives. Newly licensed people are exempt from CE for the partial cycle in which they were first licensed but must still renew at the end of that cycle.
Reciprocity vs. Endorsement
DC distinguishes reciprocity (waive pre-license and the national portion; take the DC state portion only) from endorsement (take the full national + state exam):
| Path | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| Reciprocity (state portion only) | VA brokers/salespersons; MD brokers; MD salespersons licensed 1996–present |
| Endorsement (full exam) | Licensees of other jurisdictions; MD salespersons licensed before 1996 |
Both paths require a 3-hour DCREC-approved Fair Housing course and an original Letter of Certification (dated within 90 days) from the home jurisdiction, whose national exam standards must have been substantially equivalent to DC's.
Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund
The $60 Fund fee paid at licensure backs a consumer-protection fund. A harmed consumer who obtains a final court judgment against a licensee may recover up to $50,000 per single transaction (aggregate across all claimants). When the Commission orders a Fund payment, the licensee's license is automatically suspended until repayment plus interest is made. Up to 20% of Fund deposits may be spent on education.
How to Use This Guide
Key Numbers to Memorize
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Pre-license hours | 60 |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Exam items / time | 110 / 210 min |
| Passing score (each portion) | 75% |
| Exam fee | $61.50 |
| License fees total | $295 |
| Apply after passing | within 6 months |
| CE per cycle | 15 hours (9 mandatory + 6 elective) |
| Fund max per transaction | $50,000 |
Let's begin with Chapter 1: DC Real Estate Commission & Licensing.
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a DC real estate salesperson license?
What passing score does the DC salesperson exam require?
How is the DC salesperson exam structured and timed?
What is the total amount of the DC license fees due at application?
How many hours of continuing education are required each renewal cycle?