State Practice Exam
Ohio Real Estate Practice Exam
40 questions covering Ohio real estate licensing topics with detailed explanations.
Question 1 of 40
Which action can the Ohio Division of Real Estate take against a licensee who breaks the law?
This page provides a 120-question practice exam, a comprehensive breakdown of exam eligibility, a complete list of all Ohio and national test topics, detailed key law updates, and study tips. Start the practice test below to assess your knowledge.
Who is eligible to take the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson license exam?
To qualify for the Ohio Salesperson license exam, candidates must meet specific education, legal, and sponsorship requirements:
- Complete the official application form.
- Finish approved pre-license education courses:
- Real Estate Principles and Practices (40 hours)
- Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours), including instruction in civil rights, housing discrimination, and desegregation issues
- Real Estate Appraisal (20 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (20 hours)
- Real Estate Principles and Practices (40 hours)
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (required for those born after 1950).
- Have no felony convictions or crimes of moral turpitude.
- Provide proof of being at least 18 years old.
- Obtain sponsorship from a licensed Ohio Broker.
What’s on the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson exam?
The Ohio Real Estate Salesperson exam includes a total of 120 scored multiple-choice questions. There are 80 national questions and 40 Ohio state-specific questions. The exam covers all major real estate topics, including property ownership, contracts, finance, Ohio license law, and brokerage relationships.
Ohio Real Estate exam topics
The table below are major licensing topics you’ll need to study:
National Section
| Topic | Subtopics (examples) | Number of Questions |
| Property Ownership | Real vs. personal property, legal descriptions, types of ownership | 8 |
| Land Use Controls | Government and private controls | 4 |
| Valuation | Appraisals, estimating value, CMA | 6 |
| Financing | Loan types, mortgage concepts, lending regulations | 8 |
| Contracts | General contract law, purchase/lease contracts, offers/counteroffers | 15 |
| Agency | Agency relationships, agent duties, disclosures | 10 |
| Property Disclosures | Property condition, environmental/government disclosures, material facts | 6 |
| Property Management | Landlord-tenant law, fair housing, maintenance | 2 |
| Transfer of Title | Deeds, title insurance, closing process, special issues | 5 |
| Practice of Real Estate | Antidiscrimination, legislation, duties, supervisory responsibilities | 10 |
| Real Estate Calculations | Seller’s net, prorations, loan calculations, equity, cap rate, LTV, points | 6 |
State-Specific Section
| Topic | Subtopics (examples) | Number of Questions |
| State Governance of Real Estate | Powers of governing bodies, audits, hearings, penalties, Recovery Fund | 4 |
| Licensing Requirements | Activities needing a license, renewal, changes, education | 6 |
| License Law & Rules (Ohio Commission) | Advertising, broker/agent agreements, commissions, records, money handling, ethics | 16 |
| Brokerage Relationships (Agency Law) | Creating agency, duties, termination, confidentiality, disclosures, practice of law | 14 |
What is the Salesperson exam passing score?
A minimum score of 70% is required on both sections to pass the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson exam. This means you need at least 56 correct answers out of 80 on the national portion and at least 28 correct out of 40 on the state portion.
What 2025 Ohio Real Estate Laws should you know for the Salesperson exam?
For the 2025 Ohio real estate salesperson exam, focus on the updated statutory framework from House Bill 238 and related regulations: pre-licensing education is now reduced and more flexible, broker licensing no longer requires college credits, and Ohio has enacted a reciprocal MOU with Kentucky. These changes are reflected in the state-specific exam content, especially under licensing requirements, education, and reciprocity.
Below is a summary of the key 2025 laws:
| Law/Rule | Brief Description | 2025 Status | Exam Relevance |
| Pre‑Licensing Education Hours (Salesperson) | Required education before taking the exam | Reduced from 120 to 100 hours on April 9, 2025, with finance and appraisal down to 10 hours each | Education Requirements & Licensing Process |
| Broker Licensing Education Requirements | Required coursework and college credit requirement | Removed 90 college credit requirement; now 4×30‑hour courses | Broker Licensing Topic (for brokers, indirectly impacts exam framework) |
| Occupational License Reform (HB 238) | Removes college credit mandates and allows non-credit providers for pre‑licensing | Effective April 9, 2025 | Licensing Process & Education Regulation |
| Ohio–Kentucky Reciprocity MOU | Recognizes licenses across state lines | MOU effective April 25, 2025 | Exam may include reciprocity awareness under License Law |
| Continuing Education Requirements | Ongoing education to maintain licensure | Unchanged: 30 hours every three years | License Maintenance & Law |
How to prepare for the exam?
Improving your pass rate depends on understanding exam details, using trusted resources, and following a targeted study plan.
Understanding Ohio Salesperson exam details
Ohio Real Estate exam structure and requirements is essential for effective preparation. Here is information you need to know:
- Time allotted: 3 hours
- Exam format: Computer-based multiple choice
- Exam fee: $63
- Licensing authority: PSI
- Where to take the exam: Cambridge, Cincinnati, Middleburg Heights, Dublin, Groveport, Maumee, Troy, and Akron
Learning from prep resources
Use trusted study guides and platforms that align with Ohio’s exam outline. Quality resources include:
Prep books
- Ohio Real Estate License Exam Prep: All-in-One Review and Testing to Pass Ohio’s PSI Exam by Stephen Mettling, David Cusic, and Ryan Mettling: A comprehensive study guide featuring Ohio-specific law reviews, over 500 national and 100 state-specific practice questions, and a sample exam.
- Modern Real Estate Practice in Ohio by Fillmore W. Galaty, Wellington J. Allaway, and Robert C. Kyle: A foundational textbook adopted by Ohio real estate schools, covering state-specific law, national principles, contracts, agency, property ownership, and end-of-chapter quizzes.
Free practice test platforms
- Realtylicenseprep practice tests: offer national and 50-state exam simulations that mirror real test conditions and question types.
Other resources
- Video tutorials: explain complex topics step-by-step.
- Flashcards: effective for memorizing key terms and legal definitions.
- Joining a study group: provides discussion-based learning.
Follow study strategy
A structured study plan improves content retention and builds confidence under real exam timing. You can begin with core topics, then refine your approach based on past performance. The table below is a sample of 8‑week study plan:
| Week | Focus | Activities |
| 1 - 2 | Ownership & agency | Read outline, watch topic videos, flashcards |
| 3 - 4 | Valuation, financing, contracts | Practice questions + review wrong answers |
| 5 | Disclosures & ethics | Deep dive into cases & laws |
| 6 | Practice exams | Timed mock tests |
| 7 | Review weak areas | Re-study low-scoring sections |
| 8 | Final exam simulation | Full test practice under timed conditions |
Weak area analysis
- Review your score breakdown weekly.
- Focus additional study on areas below 70%.
- Review incorrect answers to understand mistakes deeply.
Mastering Real Estate math
Math questions will account for about 7%of the national section of the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson exam. You will encounter questions that test your ability to calculate financial figures and analyze property values. Key math concepts include
- Seller’s Net Proceeds
- Buyer’s Funds Needed at Closing
- Real Property Tax and Prorations
- Real Property Transfer Fees
- PITI Payments
- Equity Calculations
- Rate of Return/Capitalization Rate
- Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio
- Discount Points and Origination Fees
Since math questions can affect your result, focused practice is essential after reviewing the main topics. To prepare:
- Review formulas for commission, loan-to-value ratio, and property tax calculations.
- Solve sample problems with our practice tests.
- Use flashcards or guided quizzes to reinforce conversions and amortization steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much math should I expect on the Ohio real estate exam?
On the Ohio exam, math questions typically make up about 7% of the national section, also covering calculations like net proceeds, proration, loan-to-value, etc.
What's tricky on the Ohio portion?
Exam takers flagged certain Ohio-specific topics as challenging, including auctioneering law, escrow account handling, zoning authorities, and reverse mortgages.
What if I fail one portion in the Ohio exam, can I retake just that part?
Although the rule cited in a blog was for another state, Ohio follows a similar policy: you can retake only the failed section (national or state) within a set timeframe, without repeating the passed section.
How should I pace my exam approach?
Use a two-pass method: quickly answer confident questions, flag the rest, then review flagged items. Take your time to read carefully, eliminate wrong choices, and ensure math accuracy.
How do I overcome test anxiety and second-guessing?
Label questions based on confidence (A – sure, B – unsure, C – math), complete the A group first, skip B and C, then return for review. Look for clues in later questions, you may find hidden answers.