Free North Dakota Real Estate Practice Exam
North Dakota real estate salesperson practice exam. 140 questions covering national content and North Dakota state law.
North Dakota Real Estate Exam
Practice by North Dakota Real Estate Topic
Target a specific area, or launch the full exam below
Real Estate Principles
Property ownership, contracts, agency, deeds, fair housing, and appraisal. Core national content.
Real Estate Finance
Mortgages, loan types, RESPA, TILA, title insurance, and closing costs.
North Dakota State Law
NDREC rules, ND license law, mineral rights (Bakken oil), agency disclosure, trust accounts, Recovery Fund, and ND-specific regulations.
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Full ND Real Estate Practice Exam
National and North Dakota-specific questions combined to match the real North Dakota salesperson exam structure.
About the North Dakota Real Estate Exam
The North Dakota real estate salesperson licensing exam is administered by PSI Services on behalf of the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC). Before sitting for the exam, candidates must complete 90 hours of NDREC-approved pre-license education, then submit a license application along with a criminal record history form and $41.25 fee to the ND Attorney General. NDREC sends back a fingerprinting kit. Only after clearance does NDREC send a test ID number to schedule with PSI. Exam scores are valid for 12 months. North Dakota requires mandatory E&O insurance for all active licensees.
The exam has 140 scored questions: 100 national (150 minutes, 70% = 70/100) and 40 North Dakota-specific (90 minutes, 75% = 30/40). Note the split passing scores — national requires 70% while state requires 75%. Questions are intermixed when both sections are taken the same day. North Dakota has three license types: salesperson, broker associate (a broker working under another broker), and broker. The state section emphasizes mineral rights (critical in Bakken oil country), annual CE (12 hours, Nov 16–Nov 15 cycle), and a $20 Recovery Fund fee due at initial licensure.
North Dakota Real Estate Exam Topic Breakdown
| Section | Questions | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Agency & Contracts (National) | 28 | Agency relationships, fiduciary duties, purchase agreements, contracts |
| Property Ownership (National) | 12 | Real vs. personal property, ownership types, legal descriptions, PLSS |
| Finance (National) | 14 | Mortgages, FHA/VA/conventional, RESPA, TILA, closing costs |
| Regulations (National) | 25 | Fair housing, zoning, environmental law, property management |
| Calculations (National) | 21 | Math, CMA, appraisal, prorations |
| ND — NDREC & License Law | 12 | Commission powers, 3 license types, 90-hr pre-ed, annual CE (12 hrs), Recovery Fund, E&O |
| ND — Statutory Requirements | 16 | Trust accounts, advertising, broker supervision, commingling, mineral rights, agency disclosure |
| ND — Additional Topics | 12 | Out-of-state land sales registration, buyer rights on unregistered lots, ND fair housing |
Study Tips for the North Dakota Real Estate Exam
North Dakota's most important exam distinctions: the split passing scores (70% national, 75% state = 30/40 state questions correct); mineral rights that do NOT automatically transfer with a deed in North Dakota (must be explicitly included — critical in Bakken oil country); annual CE (12 hours per year, Nov 16–Nov 15 cycle, with new graduates exempt at first renewal); the Recovery Fund $20 fee paid at initial licensure; and ND's three license types (salesperson, broker associate, broker). The background check requires submitting a form and fee to the ND Attorney General BEFORE the exam — plan ahead.
Licensing nearby? See the South Dakota practice exam or the Montana practice exam. National content is in our national real estate practice exam.
How to Get Your North Dakota Real Estate License
There are four steps to get your North Dakota real estate salesperson license. Most people finish in two to five months.
Steps to Get Your North Dakota Real Estate License
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Pre-License Education | Complete 45 hours at a state-approved school. Topics include principles, contracts, finance, and North Dakota law. |
| 2. Licensing Exam | Take the 130-question exam through PSI. It covers national concepts and North Dakota state law. You need 70% to pass. |
| 3. Submit Application | Send your results, background check, and fees to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission. |
| 4. Activate with a Broker | Attach your license to a sponsoring broker. You cannot work with clients or earn commissions until you do. |
What to Focus On for the North Dakota State Exam
The North Dakota state exam pays close attention to North Dakota agency relationships and the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement. Know these rules well. They appear on the exam and come up in daily practice.
Our free North Dakota real estate practice exam covers both national and state content. You can also try the national real estate practice exam or the real estate exam study guide.
Interested in where this license leads? See our guide to real estate careers — including salary ranges, how to break in, and what the career looks like day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions — North Dakota Real Estate Exam
How many questions are on the North Dakota real estate exam?
The ND salesperson exam has 140 scored questions: 100 national (150 min, 70% = 70/100) and 40 ND-specific (90 min, 75% = 30/40), totaling 3.5 hours. Questions are intermixed if both sections are taken the same day. PSI administers; no online proctoring. Scores valid 12 months.
What are North Dakota's CE requirements?
North Dakota requires 12 hours of NDREC-approved continuing education every year, running from November 16 to November 15. New salesperson licensees are exempt from CE at their first renewal. This annual CE cycle (not biennial like most states) is a frequently tested North Dakota fact.
Do mineral rights automatically transfer with a North Dakota real estate sale?
No. Mineral rights do NOT automatically transfer with a deed in North Dakota unless explicitly included. In Bakken oil country (western ND), mineral rights (oil, gas, coal) are often owned separately from surface rights and may have been previously severed. Every North Dakota purchase agreement must address whether mineral rights are included. This is the most distinctive and most-tested North Dakota property law topic.
What is North Dakota's Recovery Fund fee?
All new North Dakota licensees must make a one-time $20 payment into the Education, Research & Recovery Fund at initial licensure. This fund provides last-resort compensation to consumers harmed by licensee misconduct.
North Dakota Real Estate License Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pre-License Education | 45 hours (North Dakota-approved school) |
| Exam Questions | 130 questions (national + state sections) |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Exam Provider | PSI |
| License Type | Real Estate Salesperson |
| Licensing Authority | North Dakota Real Estate Commission |
Key North Dakota-Specific Topic to Know
Beyond national real estate principles, the North Dakota exam places particular emphasis on North Dakota agency relationships and the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement. Understanding your state's specific requirements in this area is essential for both passing the exam and practicing real estate effectively in North Dakota.
Our free North Dakota real estate practice exam covers both the national and state-specific content you need to pass. For a broader review of general principles, see the national real estate practice exam and the real estate exam study guide.
Track Your North Dakota Real Estate Progress
Save every score, track national and North Dakota state sections, and build exam confidence session by session.