Pass Your Ohio Real Estate Exam the First Time
Ohio requires 120 hours of pre-licensing education - one of the highest! The exam tests Ohio's agency disclosure requirements and property condition disclosures heavily. Understanding Ohio's 'dual agency' rules is essential for your exam.
Questions
120
80 NAT / 40 STATE
To Pass
70%
~84 / 120 TO PASS
Time Limit
3 Hrs
180 TOTAL MINUTES
Provider
PSI
ODRE
Pass your Ohio Salesperson or Broker License
Ohio still recognizes Dower Rights, a concept abolished in most other states, and the ODRE tests it every single exam.
Dower Rights are mentioned in passing in most national courses, if at all. Ohio’s version carries specific signature requirements and title implications that only a state specific course covers accurately. Generic prep platforms and AI generated banks treat Ohio like any other common law state. Ohio’s exam tests rules that require Ohio specific preparation.
The License Professor is written by licensed Ohio real estate professionals who built questions around the PSI state exam’s actual priorities. From dower rights to blockbusting disclosure requirements in written agency agreements, every question reflects what Ohio tests.
Ohio Sample Exams
Experience the real study interface — no account required.
Salesperson
Individuals new to real estate who want to start their career helping clients buy and sell property
Broker
Experienced professionals who want to operate independently or run their own brokerage
Three Topics that Trip Up Ohio Students Most
Dower Rights
Ohio is one of only six states still recognizing dower rights, granting a surviving spouse a one-third life estate — the exam hammers the requirement that both spouses must sign the deed to release dower, even if only one is on title.
Read the full breakdown →Consumer Guide to Agency
Ohio requires the Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships printed in no smaller than 14-point font and delivered to sellers before any showing — miss the precise timing and formatting requirements and you miss the question.
Dual Agency Consent
Written consent from both parties is required, and the agent must disclose all relevant information for an "informed decision" — plus the client’s right to refuse dual agency and seek other representation.
The Ohio Real Estate License Professor includes specialized deep dives for each of these.
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Ohio Real Estate Practice Questions
Sample questions from the Ohio real estate exam — with answers and explanations.
1. Regarding the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, which of the following statements is true?
- A.It attempts to induce noncompliance with the law.
- B.It comprises seven members appointed by the governor.
- C.It has no more than four members of the same political party.
- D.It hears complaints filed before it of events that occurred within the 12-month period preceding filing for the complaint.
2. After the transferor (seller) provides the real property disclosure form to the transferee (buyer), how long does the transferee have to rescind the property transfer agreement?
- A.One business day.
- B.Three business days.
- C.Seven business days.
- D.Ten business days.
3. A real estate licensee who is not an attorney must not engage in any activity that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law in Ohio.
- A.may charge a fee for preparing deeds.
- B.is acting within his / her legal rights.
- C.is in violation of the Ohio Real Estate License Law.
- D.may legally do so only in the area of real estate law.
More on Ohio Licensing
Deeper reading on the topics that matter most for Ohio candidates.
How to Get Your Ohio License
Requirements, costs, and steps to get licensed in Ohio.
Read more →Ohio Exam Study Plan
A realistic plan to pass the Ohio real estate exam.
Read more →Ohio Dower Rights: What the Exam Actually Tests
What the Ohio exam tests on this topic.
Read more →Ohio Still Tests Dower Rights: What Most Candidates Miss
Ohio still tests dower rights alongside modern spousal rights. The PSI exam covers both, and candidates who only studied one of the two regularly get it wrong.
Read more →
Ohio Real Estate Exam Structure: What to Expect
The Ohio salesperson exam is administered by PSI in testing centers across Ohio. It combines 80 national questions and 40 state-specific questions in 180 minutes total.
Question breakdown
National portion: 80 questions, 56 correct to pass (70%)
Standard PSI national content covering property ownership, valuation, financing, agency, contracts, math, and federal disclosures.
Ohio portion: 40 questions, 28 correct to pass (70%)
The 40 state questions concentrate on:
- Ohio license law and ODRE rules (10-12 questions)
- Dower rights and marital property (3-4 questions)
- Ohio agency disclosure requirements (4-6 questions)
- Property condition disclosure (4-6 questions)
- Trust accounts and recordkeeping (4-6 questions)
- Civil rights, fair housing, advertising (4-6 questions)
Time management
180 minutes for 120 questions = 90 seconds per question. Generous, but Ohio's scenario-based questions on dower and agency timing can absorb time. Practice under timed conditions before exam day.
Cost structure
- Pre-licensing (120 hours): $400-$800
- Exam fee: $81 per attempt
- License application: $60
- Background check: ~$40
- Total: $581-$981
Retake rules
Retakes allowed after brief wait. Each attempt costs $81. Score report shows weak content areas for focused retake study.
If you're taking the Broker exam
The Ohio Broker exam is the same size as the Salesperson exam — 120 questions (80 national + 40 state) in 180 minutes — but with a higher passing bar: 75%, not 70%. Broker content shifts toward brokerage supervision and trust account management. Source: PSI Ohio candidate bulletin (hondros.com mirror), read directly (Sprint 1504) — Examination Summary Table confirms identical item counts and time budget for both license types.
Topics Covered on the Ohio Real Estate Exam
The Ohio salesperson exam tests defined topics across both national and state portions. Knowing the topics tested gives you a study roadmap.
National Exam Topics (80 questions)
- Property Ownership and Land Use Controls — Estates, deeds, easements, zoning, government powers
- Valuation and Market Analysis — Three approaches to value, comparative market analysis
- Real Estate Financing — Mortgages, FHA/VA, RESPA, TILA
- Real Estate Calculations — Math problems, prorations, commissions
- Laws of Agency and Fiduciary Duties — Agency relationships, disclosure
- Mandated Disclosures — Federal disclosures including lead-based paint
- Contracts — Listing agreements, purchase contracts, options
- Real Estate Practice — Working with buyers and sellers, fair housing, advertising
Ohio State Exam Topics (40 questions)
- Ohio License Law (Chapter 4735) — License categories, broker supervision, advertising
- Ohio Agency Disclosure — Agency Disclosure Statement, timing, content
- Dower Rights and Marital Property — Ohio's distinctive marital property right
- Property Condition Disclosure — Residential Property Disclosure form requirements
- Trust Accounts and Recordkeeping — Broker trust account rules, retention requirements
- Disciplinary Procedures — ODRE enforcement, license suspension/revocation
Why this list matters
Each state topic generates 4-7 questions. Skip dower rights (uniquely Ohio) and you've lost 3-4 points on a 40-question portion where you need 28 correct to pass. Effective candidates allocate study time proportional to question weight.
What this list doesn't tell you
Topic outline tells you what's tested, not how. PSI writes scenario-based questions that test application, not just memorization. Practice questions, not just topic review.
Ohio Exam FAQ
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