Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion Exam Prep Checklist
Everything for the Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion exam in one place: the bulletin's key facts, the topics and how many questions each carries, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a prep checklist. PSI gives the exam.
Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion Exam Facts
From the official bulletin:
| Questions | 40 questions |
| Time limit | 1 hour |
| Passing score | 75% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Closed book (no books in the room) |
| Exam fee | $43 |
On exam day
- Candidates must present one valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID bearing their signature and matching the name they scheduled with.
- Candidates should arrive at the examination site 30 minutes before their appointment.
- Reference materials of any kind are prohibited in the testing room and using outside references during the exam is prohibited behavior.
- Handheld calculators are prohibited items at the examination.
- Test center candidates receive scratch paper and a pencil to return at check-out, remote candidates may not have scratch paper, and a broad list of personal items is prohibited.
Study references listed in the bulletin (not allowed in the exam room)
- Ohio Administrative Code
- Ohio Revised Code (2006)
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- Candidates schedule online at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ohre or by calling PSI at (855) 834-8749.
- The Division must approve the candidate's eligibility before scheduling, and eligibility lasts 12 months from the date on the label of the initial Candidate Information Bulletin.
- A candidate may cancel and reschedule without forfeiting the fee if notice is received 2 days before the examination date, but examination fees are otherwise not refundable or transferable.
- To retake, the candidate must file an online Retake Application and fee with the Division for the portion failed and retest within the 12-month eligibility period.
Source: Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing — Real Estate Salesperson and Broker Candidate Information Bulletin, 7/1/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion Exam Topics
The official content outline has 4 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| State Governance of the Real Estate Profession | 4 | 10% |
| Licensing Requirements | 6 | 15% |
| License Law and Rules of the Ohio Real Estate Commission | 16 | 40% |
| Brokerage Relationships (Agency Law) | 14 | 35% |
State Governance of the Real Estate Profession: General Powers and Structure of Governing Bodies; Audit of Records; Investigations, Hearings and Appeals; Violations and Penalties (Education Sanctions/Reprimands); Recovery Fund.
Licensing Requirements: Activities Requiring a License; License Renewal and Maintenance; Change in License Status (military, retired, inactive); Post License Education and Continuing Education.
License Law and Rules of the Ohio Real Estate Commission: Advertising/Use of Business Name/Misrepresentation/Team Advertising; Broker/Salesperson Employment or Independent Contractor Agreement; Commissions and fees paid through broker only/Agent compensation; Document Handling and Record Keeping (Includes Contracts and Listings); Handling of Monies/Considerations (Items of Value); Trust or Special Accounts; Types of Listings and Rules; Offers, Counteroffers, Acceptance (including electronic documents).
Brokerage Relationships (Agency Law): Creating Agency and Agency Contracts/Types of Agency Relationships; Licensee Duties and Obligations to Clients and Customers, Licensee Liabilities, Waiver of Duties; Termination of Agency; Confidentiality; Disclosure of Agency Relationships and Listing Information; Disclosures Required when Dealing with Own Properties; Unauthorized Practice of Law; False Representations of Licensee Status or Expertise.
Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion Exam Prep Checklist
- Study the topics in the outline. This is a closed-book exam, so you work from memory.
- Start with the biggest topics: License Law and Rules of the Ohio Real Estate Commission and Brokerage Relationships (Agency Law) (75% of the exam).
- Take our timed practice exams until you pass several in a row.
- Read the explanation and reference for every question you miss.
- Practice at the real exam's pace: about 1 minute 30 seconds per question.
Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion Exam Reference Books
For the state portion the bulletin lists the Ohio Administrative Code and the Ohio Revised Code as possible study materials, says to use the latest edition available, and these may not be brought into the examination.
Where to get them:
Test Day Checklist
- First pass: answer every question you know. Bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions (some lock them once you take a break).
- Second pass: work through your bookmarks.
- Pace: 1 hour for 40 questions, which is about 1 minute 30 seconds per question.
- Last step: answer anything still blank. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
The state portion tests YOUR state's statutes, deadlines, and agency rules — which differ from national principles. Don't rely only on a national prep book; study the state-specific material.
Questions on fiduciary duties, agency relationships, and required disclosures run throughout the exam. Be able to apply them to scenarios, not just define them.
Read the explanation for every question — right or wrong. Understanding the underlying rule lets you answer reworded questions you've never seen, instead of memorizing specific answers.
Practicing against a ticking clock is the best way to beat exam-clock anxiety. Use these timed tests to build your pacing, so you learn to move steadily and never burn too long on a single question. By test day, the format feels routine.
Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion Sample Questions
From our practice question bank, with answers and references:
Sample 1 — State Governance of the Real Estate Profession
Question: Under Ohio law, if the amount available in the Real Estate Recovery Fund exceeds $250,000 on the first day of July, what action must the commission take regarding special assessments on licensees filing for renewal?
- A. Impose a reduced assessment of five dollars per licensee
- B. Impose an assessment only on broker licensees
- C. Impose an assessment at the commission's discretion
- D. Impose no special assessment on renewing licensees
Correct Answer: D
Per ORC 4735.12(A), the commission shall not impose a special assessment if the amount available in the fund exceeds $250,000 on the first day of July preceding the filing. The special assessment (not to exceed $10 per year per licensee) is only imposed when the fund falls below $250,000.
Reference: Ohio Chapter 4735, Section 4735.12(A)
Sample 2 — License Law and Rules of the Ohio Real Estate Commission
Question: Under Ohio law, what happens to a real estate salesperson's license if the broker with whom they are associated has their license suspended for failing to complete post-licensure education?
- A. The salesperson must immediately transfer to a new broker within 24 hours
- B. The salesperson's license is automatically revoked
- C. The salesperson's license remains active and unaffected
- D. The salesperson's license is correspondingly suspended
Correct Answer: D
Under ORC Section 4735.07(G)(2), if a broker's license is suspended for failing to complete post-licensure education, the license of any salesperson associated with that broker is correspondingly suspended. However, the salesperson's license can be reactivated at no charge if the broker subsequently complies and reactivates, and the salesperson intends to continue that association.
Reference: Ohio Chapter 4735, Section 4735.07(G)(2)
Sample 3 — Brokerage Relationships (Agency Law)
Question: Under Ohio law, which of the following is NOT one of the types of agency relationships a licensee may establish in a real estate transaction?
- A. An agency relationship between the licensee and the seller
- B. A subagency relationship between the licensee and the client of another licensee
- C. A designated agency relationship between the licensee and a third-party investor
- D. A dual agency relationship between the licensee and both the seller and the purchaser
Correct Answer: C
Under ORC 4735.53(A), the types of agency relationships are limited to four: (1) licensee-seller, (2) licensee-purchaser, (3) dual agency with both seller and purchaser, and (4) subagency with the client of another licensee. A 'designated agency relationship with a third-party investor' is not one of the permitted types.
Reference: Ohio Chapter 4735, Section 4735.53(A)
Sample 4 — Licensing Requirements
Question: A person engages in a single act of negotiating the sale of real estate for another person in exchange for a fee. Under Ohio law, does this person need a real estate license?
- A. No, because a license is only required for persons who engage in multiple transactions
- B. No, because negotiating a sale is not considered a licensable activity
- C. Yes, any person who performs even a single act contained in the definition of a real estate broker for compensation is considered a broker or salesperson
- D. Yes, but only if the fee exceeds $1,000
Correct Answer: C
Per ORC Section 4735.01(H), any person who, for another, in consideration of compensation, does or offers to engage in any single act or transaction contained in the definition of a real estate broker, whether an incidental part of a transaction or the entire transaction, shall be constituted a real estate broker or salesperson under this chapter.
Reference: Ohio Rev. Code Ch. 4735, Section 4735.01(H)
Online Practice vs. a PDF
- Timed: you practice finding answers under time pressure, not just reading them.
- Bookmarks: flag questions and come back, the way you will on test day.
- New sets: each attempt draws new questions from our bank.
- Scored by topic: your results show which outline topics need more study.
Next Step
- Take the free Ohio Real Estate Broker - State Portion practice exam.
- Study the topics where you scored lowest.
- Read the exam bulletin for the official rules, and see the licensing board's website.