Real Estate Exam Passing Score by State — Complete Table
See the passing score for the real estate exam in all 50 states. Compare national and state portions, question counts, and take a free study guide quiz.
The passing score for the real estate exam ranges from 60% to 75% depending on your state, with most states requiring a 70% or 75% on both the national and state portions. Both portions must be passed independently — you cannot average the two scores together to reach the threshold. Your state’s real estate commission sets the minimum passing percentage, the number of questions, and the test provider used to administer the real estate licensing exam. This article covers the full 50-state table, the states with the highest and lowest passing requirements, what happens if you fail, and how to calculate the exact number of correct answers you need to earn your real estate license. The table below lists the passing score for every state.
Real Estate Exam Passing Scores for All 50 States
The following table shows the passing score requirements for the real estate salesperson exam in all 50 states plus Washington D.C.
| State | National Passing Score | State Passing Score | Total Questions | Test Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 70% | 70% | 140 | PSI |
| Alaska | 75% | 75% | 116 | Pearson VUE |
| Arizona | 75% | 75% | 180 | Pearson VUE |
| Arkansas | 70% | 70% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| California | 70% | 70% | 150 | eLicensing |
| Colorado | 75% | 75% | 151 | PSI |
| Connecticut | 70% | 70% | 110 | PSI |
| Delaware | 75% | 75% | 110 | PSI |
| Florida | 75% | 75% | 100 | Pearson VUE |
| Georgia | 72% | 72% | 152 | AMP |
| Hawaii | 70% | 70% | 100 | Pearson VUE |
| Idaho | 70% | 70% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Illinois | 75% | 75% | 140 | PSI |
| Indiana | 72% | 72% | 120 | PSI |
| Iowa | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| Kansas | 70% | 70% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Kentucky | 75% | 75% | 130 | PSI |
| Louisiana | 70% | 70% | 100 | PSI |
| Maine | 70% | 70% | 110 | Pearson VUE |
| Maryland | 70% | 70% | 110 | PSI |
| Massachusetts | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| Michigan | 70% | 70% | 115 | PSI |
| Minnesota | 75% | 75% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Mississippi | 70% | 70% | 110 | PSI |
| Missouri | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| Montana | 70% | 70% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Nebraska | 75% | 75% | 120 | PSI |
| Nevada | 75% | 75% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| New Hampshire | 70% | 70% | 110 | PSI |
| New Jersey | 70% | 70% | 110 | PSI |
| New Mexico | 75% | 75% | 110 | PSI |
| New York | 70% | 70% | 75 | eAccessNY |
| North Carolina | 75% | 75% | 140 | PSI |
| North Dakota | 70% | 70% | 110 | Pearson VUE |
| Ohio | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| Oklahoma | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| Oregon | 75% | 75% | 130 | PSI |
| Pennsylvania | 75% | 60% | 110 | PSI |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 100 | PSI |
| South Carolina | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| South Dakota | 70% | 70% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Tennessee | 70% | 70% | 120 | PSI |
| Texas | 70% | 70% | 210 | Pearson VUE |
| Utah | 70% | 70% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Vermont | 70% | 70% | 100 | PSI |
| Virginia | 72% | 72% | 120 | PSI |
| Washington | 70% | 70% | 140 | PSI |
| Washington D.C. | 70% | 70% | 100 | PSI |
| West Virginia | 70% | 70% | 110 | PSI |
| Wisconsin | 75% | 75% | 120 | Pearson VUE |
| Wyoming | 70% | 70% | 110 | Pearson VUE |
Passing scores and question counts are set by each state’s real estate commission and may change. Candidates should verify current requirements with their state licensing board before scheduling the real estate exam. The test provider listed is for the salesperson exam — some states use a different provider for the broker exam. For a detailed breakdown of what each exam covers, see our guide on exam format.
Some states set the bar higher than others — here are the hardest states to pass.
States with the Highest Passing Scores
Several states require a 75% passing score combined with a high question count, making them among the hardest states to pass the real estate exam.
Texas — 70% passing score on 210 total questions (125 national + 85 state). Texas has the highest question count of any state. The sheer volume means candidates must maintain accuracy across more than 200 questions over 4+ hours. Texas also requires 180 hours of pre-licensing education, the most in the country.
Arizona — 75% on 180 questions. Arizona combines a strict passing threshold with the second-highest question count. The real estate licensing exam in Arizona covers extensive state-specific content on community property law and desert land regulations.
Colorado — 75% on 151 questions. Colorado requires 168 hours of pre-licensing education and tests candidates on detailed state-specific regulations around water rights, mineral rights, and mountain community disclosures.
North Carolina — 75% on 140 questions. North Carolina uses PSI and enforces a strict 75% threshold on both portions. The state portion tests detailed North Carolina real estate commission rules.
Illinois — 75% on 140 questions. Illinois mirrors North Carolina’s structure with a 75% passing threshold and 140 questions. The state-specific content focuses on Illinois licensing act provisions and Chicago-area municipal regulations.
Florida — 75% on 100 questions. Florida has a lower question count but a strict 75% threshold and a state portion known for tricky scenario-based questions on Florida statutes. The real estate exam difficulty in Florida is reflected in its ~58% pass rate.
California — 70% on 150 questions. California’s passing percentage is lower than some states, but the high question count and broad topic coverage across the state’s complex real estate market make it one of the more demanding exams.
On the other end of the spectrum, some states have lower barriers to entry.
States with the Lowest Passing Scores
A handful of states require only a 60–70% passing score with a relatively low question count, resulting in higher pass rates.
Pennsylvania — 75% on the national portion but only 60% on the state portion. Pennsylvania has the lowest state passing threshold in the country. Candidates who struggle with Pennsylvania-specific content have more room for error than in any other state.
New York — 70% on only 75 questions. New York has the lowest question count of any state. Fewer questions means a shorter exam, but each question carries more weight — a single wrong answer has a larger impact on your final percentage.
Alaska — 75% on 116 questions with a pass rate of approximately 76%. Alaska has the highest overall pass rate in the country. The real estate licensing exam covers fewer state-specific regulations due to Alaska’s smaller market and fewer local ordinances.
Montana — 70% on 120 questions with a pass rate of approximately 74%. Montana’s real estate exam covers standard national content with a relatively straightforward state portion focused on Montana’s rural property regulations.
Wyoming — 70% on 110 questions with a pass rate of approximately 73%. Wyoming’s lower question count and standard 70% passing threshold make it one of the more accessible real estate licensing exams.
South Dakota — 70% on 120 questions with a pass rate of approximately 72%. South Dakota follows the same pattern as other high-pass-rate states: a moderate question count, standard passing threshold, and a state portion that reflects a smaller, less regulated real estate market.
Idaho — 70% on 120 questions with a pass rate of approximately 71%. Idaho’s real estate exam tests standard national content and state-specific rules around agricultural land and rural property transactions.
A lower passing score does not mean the exam is easy. The real estate exam content is comprehensive in every state. A lower threshold means fewer questions must be answered correctly, but candidates still must demonstrate competency across all major topic areas.
If you do score below the passing threshold, you have options.
What Happens If You Score Below Passing?
If you fail the real estate exam, most states allow you to retake only the portion you failed — you do not need to retake the entire exam.
Retake policies vary by state. Most states allow rescheduling within 24–72 hours of a failed attempt. Some states impose a waiting period of 1–2 weeks before you can retake. Retake fees typically range from $50–100 per attempt, and these fees add up quickly for candidates who need multiple attempts. You receive a diagnostic score report immediately after your exam showing which topic areas you missed, so you can focus your study on the specific sections where you lost points.
In some states, after a set number of failed attempts you must complete additional pre-licensing education hours before retaking the real estate exam. Texas requires additional coursework after 3 failed attempts. California requires additional education after 3 failed attempts as well. This rule prevents candidates from repeatedly taking the exam without addressing the knowledge gaps that caused them to fail. The score report is your roadmap — use it to identify the 2–3 weakest topic areas and study those exclusively before your retake.
Before you take the exam, calculate exactly how many questions you need to answer correctly.
How to Calculate How Many Questions You Need Correct
To calculate the minimum number of correct answers you need, multiply your state’s total question count by the passing percentage.
Formula: Minimum Correct Answers = Total Questions × Passing Percentage
Example 1 — Florida: 100 questions × 75% = 75 correct answers needed to pass.
Example 2 — Texas: 125 national questions × 70% = 88 correct + 85 state questions × 70% = 60 correct. That is 148 total correct answers out of 210 questions on the real estate licensing exam.
Example 3 — New York: 75 questions × 70% = 53 correct answers needed to pass.
Knowing your exact target number removes ambiguity from your preparation. Track your score on practice exams against this target. If you consistently score 70% on practice tests and your state requires 70%, you are on the edge — one bad section could push you below passing. Aim for 80–85% on practice exams to build a comfortable margin above the minimum passing score for your real estate license. For study strategies that help you reach that margin, see our exam tips.
Use a practice exam to test whether you are hitting your target score consistently.
Test Your Knowledge — Free Practice Exam
Our free real estate practice exam scores your results instantly so you can compare your performance against your state’s passing score. See whether you are above or below your state’s passing threshold before paying for the real exam. Questions cover all national exam topics including contracts, agency, financing, fair housing, appraisal, and real estate math. Start your free real estate practice exam now →
Requirements may change — verify with your state’s Real Estate Commission.
