Real Estate Exam Fees by State (2026)
Compare real estate exam fees for all 50 states — from $15 in New York to $138.25 in Washington. Full cost breakdown. Free practice test included.
Real estate exam fees range from $15 in New York to over $138 in Washington, with most states charging between $35 and $65 per attempt. Exam fees are separate from real estate license application fees, education costs, and background check fees. This guide provides the full 50-state exam fee table, identifies the states with the highest and lowest fees, explains what the fee includes, and breaks down total licensing costs beyond the exam. Understanding exam fees is one component of planning your real estate license budget alongside pre-licensing education hours by state.
Exam Fees for All 50 States
Exam fees for a real estate license vary by state and depend on the test provider — Pearson VUE, PSI, or state-administered exams each set their own pricing.
| State | Exam Fee | Retake Fee | Test Provider | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77 | $77 | PSI | |
| Alaska | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| Arizona | $75 | $75 | Pearson VUE | |
| Arkansas | $75 | $75 | Pearson VUE | |
| California | $60 | $60 | State-administered | eLicensing system |
| Colorado | $44.95 | $44.95 | PSI | |
| Connecticut | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Delaware | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| Florida | $36.75 | $36.75 | Pearson VUE | |
| Georgia | $62 | $62 | PSI | |
| Hawaii | $68 | $68 | PSI | |
| Idaho | $75 | $75 | Pearson VUE | |
| Illinois | $55 | $55 | PSI | |
| Indiana | $53 | $53 | PSI | |
| Iowa | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Kansas | $65 | $65 | Pearson VUE | |
| Kentucky | $100 | $100 | PSI | Second-highest in the nation |
| Louisiana | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Maine | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Maryland | $60 | $60 | PSI | |
| Massachusetts | $54 | $54 | PSI | |
| Michigan | $54 | $54 | PSI | |
| Minnesota | $63 | $63 | Pearson VUE | |
| Mississippi | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| Missouri | $62 | $62 | PSI | |
| Montana | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| Nebraska | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Nevada | $85 | $85 | Pearson VUE | Third-highest in the nation |
| New Hampshire | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| New Jersey | $45 | $45 | PSI | |
| New Mexico | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| New York | $15 | $15 | State-administered | DOS administers directly — lowest in the nation |
| North Carolina | $56 | $56 | PSI | |
| North Dakota | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Ohio | $74 | $74 | PSI | |
| Oklahoma | $60 | $60 | Pearson VUE | |
| Oregon | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| Pennsylvania | $49 | $49 | PSI | |
| Rhode Island | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| South Carolina | $62 | $62 | PSI | |
| South Dakota | $75 | $75 | PSI | |
| Tennessee | $39 | $39 | PSI | |
| Texas | $43 | $43 | Pearson VUE | Low fee despite highest education requirement |
| Utah | $61 | $61 | Pearson VUE | |
| Vermont | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Virginia | $60 | $60 | PSI | |
| Washington | $138.25 | $138.25 | PSI | Highest in the nation |
| West Virginia | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Wisconsin | $65 | $65 | PSI | |
| Wyoming | $65 | $65 | PSI |
PSI administers the real estate license exam in the majority of states. Pearson VUE handles approximately 10 states. California and New York administer their own exams through state agencies, which contributes to their lower fee structures.
Fees change — verify current pricing with your state’s Real Estate Commission or test provider.
States with the Highest Exam Fees
Seven states charge $75 or more per real estate license exam attempt, making retakes a significant added cost for candidates who do not pass on the first try.
Washington — $138.25. The highest real estate exam fee in the nation. Includes both national and state portions administered by PSI. A single failed attempt doubles the exam cost to $276.50.
Kentucky — $100. Second-highest real estate license exam fee, administered by PSI. Kentucky also requires 96 hours of pre-licensing education.
Nevada — $85. Administered by Pearson VUE. Nevada’s exam fee combined with 90 hours of required education makes it one of the more expensive states for licensing.
Alabama — $77. Administered by PSI. Alabama has real estate license reciprocity agreements with multiple states, which can offset this cost for agents transferring from reciprocal states.
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota — $75 each. Multiple states share this fee level across both PSI and Pearson VUE platforms.
Ohio — $74. Just below the $75 threshold. Ohio also requires 120 hours of pre-licensing education, adding to total licensing costs.
High real estate exam fees add financial pressure to pass on the first attempt. The retake fee equals the initial exam fee in every state — no state offers discounted retakes. Some candidates pay 2 to 3 times the exam fee before passing, making thorough preparation with real estate exam tips a worthwhile investment.
States with the Lowest Exam Fees
Six states charge $50 or less per real estate license exam attempt, reducing the financial barrier for candidates entering the profession.
New York — $15. The lowest real estate exam fee in the nation. The New York Department of State administers the exam directly rather than outsourcing to a third-party provider, which eliminates the vendor markup. See the full New York real estate license guide.
Florida — $36.75. Administered by Pearson VUE. One of the most affordable major-market states for the real estate license exam. Florida also offers extensive real estate license reciprocity with approximately 10 states.
Tennessee — $39. Administered by PSI. Tennessee combines a low exam fee with 90 hours of required education.
Texas — $43. Administered by Pearson VUE. Texas has the lowest exam fee among states with high education requirements — a $43 exam fee despite requiring 180 hours of pre-licensing education.
Colorado — $44.95. Administered by PSI. Colorado’s low exam fee partially offsets its 168-hour education requirement, the second-highest in the nation.
New Jersey — $45. Administered by PSI. Combined with 75 hours of education, New Jersey offers a moderate total licensing cost.
Low exam fees make retakes less financially painful for candidates pursuing their real estate license. New York’s $15 fee is an outlier — the state administers its own exam rather than contracting with PSI or Pearson VUE, removing the third-party markup that drives fees higher in other states.
What Does the Exam Fee Include?
The real estate exam fee covers the administration and scoring of your licensing exam, but it does not include education, application, or background check costs.
What the exam fee typically includes:
- Scheduling and seat reservation at a testing center
- Administration of the exam (computer-based in most states)
- Immediate preliminary score report at the testing center
- Official score report sent to the state Real Estate Commission
What the real estate license exam fee does NOT include:
- Pre-licensing education ($100 to $1,000+) — see education hours by state
- License application fee ($50 to $300)
- Background check and fingerprinting ($30 to $100)
- Broker sponsorship paperwork
- Continuing education or renewal fees
Some states charge separate fees for national and state portions if they use a split exam format. Candidates who fail one portion may retake only the failed section in these states, paying the per-section fee rather than the full exam fee. Check real estate exam format details for your state.
Additional Costs Beyond the Exam Fee
The exam fee is one of several costs required to obtain your real estate license, and it is typically the smallest expense in the total licensing process.
| Expense | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | $100 – $1,000+ | Varies by state hours — 40 hrs costs less than 180 hrs |
| Exam fee | $15 – $138.25 | Per attempt — retakes at full price |
| License application fee | $50 – $300 | Submitted after passing the exam |
| Background check / fingerprinting | $30 – $100 | Required in most states |
| E&O insurance | $200 – $500/year | Required or recommended in most states |
| MLS / association dues | $500 – $1,200/year | Required to access property listings |
| Total first-year cost | $900 – $3,300+ | Varies significantly by state |
Education is the largest variable cost for a real estate license. States requiring 40 hours of education cost $100 to $300 for coursework, while states requiring 180 hours can cost $500 to $1,000+ for education alone. First-year MLS and association dues are often the largest ongoing expense after the initial licensing costs. Review key real estate exam terms to prepare efficiently and minimize the risk of retake fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the cheapest real estate exam?
New York has the lowest real estate license exam fee at $15. The New York Department of State administers the exam directly rather than outsourcing to a third-party testing company like PSI or Pearson VUE.
Which state has the most expensive real estate exam?
Washington has the highest real estate exam fee at $138.25. Kentucky is second at $100, followed by Nevada at $85. These three states represent the top tier of exam costs for a real estate license.
Do I have to pay the full exam fee again if I fail?
Yes — every state charges the full real estate license exam fee for each retake attempt. No state offers a discounted retake fee. Some states with split exams allow you to retake only the failed section, paying the per-section fee. Study with how to pass the real estate exam strategies to maximize your first-attempt success rate.
Is the exam fee the same as the license fee?
No — the real estate exam fee and license application fee are separate costs. The exam fee ($15 to $138.25) covers the test itself. The license application fee ($50 to $300) is submitted after passing to obtain your actual real estate license from the state Real Estate Commission.
How much does it cost total to get a real estate license?
Total first-year costs for a real estate license range from approximately $900 to $3,300+ depending on the state. The largest variables are education hours (40 to 180 hours, affecting course costs) and MLS/association dues ($500 to $1,200 per year).
Test Your Knowledge — Free Practice Exam
The best way to prepare for the real estate licensing exam is to practice with questions that match the format and difficulty of the actual test. Our free practice exams cover all 50 states with both national and state-specific content. Passing on your first attempt saves you the full retake fee — practice exams help you get there.
Take our free real estate practice exam →
Practice exams are available for every state. Review exam passing scores by state to know exactly what score you need.
This information is for educational purposes. Requirements may change — always verify with your state’s Real Estate Commission.
