Real Estate Exam Pass Rates by State (2026 Data)

Have you ever thought of becoming a real estate agent? It is a very competitive and enticing industry, but the very first step often scares candidates. The real estate exam is hard to pass, and many people fail it on their first attempt. However, the exam is not the same in every state, and some are regarded as more difficult than others. 

In this article, we’ll explore how challenging a real estate exam can be, from the perspective of states with the lowest pass rates. What makes them hard, and how can you prepare to stay out of that failing percentage?

How Hard is the Real Estate Exam

Every state has its own parameters and requirements, and of course, each has a unique exam. So the process is not the same, and when people say that becoming a real estate agent is difficult, they might be thinking of a different aspect of the journey. 

There are several factors that vary from state to state, like:

• Pre-Licensing Education Requirements: Some states have more extensive pre-licensing education requirements, including longer hours or more in-depth coursework. 
• Examination Difficulty: The real estate exams vary by state in terms of content, complexity, and format. The most objective indicator of difficulty is the pass rate. 
• State-Specific Laws and Regulations: Each state has its own real estate laws, which agents must learn and adhere to. States with complex or constantly changing laws, such as California or New York, may make the licensing process more challenging for prospective agents.
• Background Check and Fingerprinting Requirements: Some states may have stricter background check or fingerprinting requirements for licensees, which can be a barrier to entry, especially for those with criminal records.

But what about the difference in exam difficulty between states? While you can do an in-depth study, a good indicator could be the passing rate. How many candidates pass it on their first try? We reviewed the data from 2024 and 2025 collected by World Population Review, and made this comparative table, ordered from the states with the lowest pass rates.

States Ranked by Pass Rate

State	Pre licensing courses (h)	Passing Score (%)	First time Pass rate (%)	General Pass Rate (%)
North Carolina	75	70	39	39
California	125	70	45-50	45
Illinois	90	75	34	45
Florida	63	75	50-55	47
Tennessee	90	70	65-70	47.5
New Jersey	75	70	50-60	48
Arkansas	60	70	65	50
Kentucky	96	75	55	50
Georgia	75	75	50	50-60
Maryland	60	70	52	52
Alabama	60	70	50.6	55
Oklahoma	90	70	61	55
South Carolina	90	70	61	56
Hawaii	60	70	55	46-56
Virginia	60	72	61	57
Texas	180	77	56	57.69
Connecticut	60	70	54	60
New York	75	70	63	60
Arizona	90	75	67	60–66
North Dakota	90	70	61	61
Pennsylvania	75	75	52	61
Delaware	99	70	60	62
Washington	60	70	72	64
Michigan	40	70	65	65

Source

Key Trends Shaping Today’s Real Estate Exams

As a potential applicant, you must understand the importance of staying up-to-date with industry changes. Join us as we explore the key trends impacting real estate exams and how they affect your preparation.

1. Increased focus on technology: The real estate landscape is evolving, and so are the exams. Prepare for questions about technology, like social media, online marketing, and electronic signatures. These skills will empower you to serve your clients effectively.
2. Emphasis on ethics and client protection: The real estate exam increasingly emphasizes ethics and client protection. Your role as a licensee is to safeguard your clients’ interests. Expect questions that test your commitment to ethical practices.
3. More challenging content: Real estate exams are becoming more challenging, reflecting the intricate nature of the industry. Dedicate yourself to understanding the laws and regulations that govern it.

The Most Challenging States 

As you can see in the table, many states are considered difficult based on the pass rate alone. However, when you search online in forums like Reddit, some states are mentioned more often than others. Three classic examples are California, New York, and Texas, which rank 2nd, 17th, and 15th, respectively, by pass rate alone. 

Why does this happen? Well, one reason is the number of students per state. In very populous states like New York and California, there will be plenty more candidates each year than in less populous states like Tennessee. So, of course, even if the smaller state has a subjectively more difficult exam, you will see more people online talking about the New York exam. 

Pass rates only tell part of the story — the number of questions on your state’s exam also affects difficulty. See our full breakdown of how many questions are on the real estate exam by state for exact question counts, time limits, and passing thresholds.

To understand this concept better, let’s explore why some of these states are considered so hard, even if the pass rate doesn’t seem to indicate it. 

How Hard is the California Real Estate Exam 

The California Real Estate Exam pass rate is one of the lowest, getting in second place in the previous table. For the past two years, the pass rate has been below 50%, meaning that about half of the candidates have had to retake the exam. 

Let’s first review the exam structure, as it’s essential to mentally prepare. 

The California Real Estate Agent Exam contains: 

• 150 questions you must answer within 3 hours. 
• These questions are divided into seven sections, each covering different topics and situations you should have learned about while studying real estate and practicing online courses. 
• The California Broker Exam has 200 questions; you have 4 hours to complete it.

Among the most difficult sections, candidates find the Real Estate Practice and Disclosures particularly challenging. This section takes up 25% of the exam and has between 37 and 38 questions to answer, so it’s easier to see how it can affect the final result.

Learn More: You can read all the requirements to become a real estate agent in California here, and learn more about our prep courses for the California Real Estate Exam here. 

How Hard is the Florida Real Estate Exam

Florida ranks 4th in our table with a pass rate of 47%. That means more than half of test-takers fail on their first attempt. So why is Florida so tough?

First, let’s look at the numbers. The Florida Real Estate Exam consists of:

• 100 questions total (45 national, 55 state-specific)
• You have 3.5 hours to complete it
• The passing score is 75% — higher than many other states

What makes Florida particularly challenging is the heavy emphasis on Florida-specific laws. The state has unique regulations about condominiums, community associations, and waterfront properties that you won’t find on the national exam. About 55% of the exam is dedicated to state rules, so cramming national concepts alone won’t save you.

Another factor? The volume of applicants. Florida is a massive relocation destination. More candidates mean more competition, but also more people talking about how hard the exam is online. And they’re not wrong.

Learn More: You can read all the requirements to become a real estate agent in Florida here, and learn more about our prep course for the Florida Real Estate Exam here.

How Hard is the Texas Real Estate Exam 

How about Texas, you might ask yourself. It’s often cited as one of the most challenging states in which to obtain your real estate license, but it ranked 15th in the table. How hard is it actually?

There are many factors that contribute to making the exam so hard. First of all, we’re talking about a huge state, and on top of that, one that is a prime destination for international and domestic immigration. This means that the laws are more complicated, as they have so much to cover. So much so that Texas requires 180 hours of pre-licensing education. Which is the highest of all 50 states, followed by Colorado with 168, and Oregon with 150.

The exam itself consists of: 

• 125 questions about national and state topics. 
• To pass, applicants must pass 56 out of 85 questions in the national section and 21 out of 40 in the state section. 
• Only 60% of test takers pass on the first try. 

On top of this, when you apply, you must meet the Texas Real Estate Commission’s honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness qualifications. Depending on your background, this step makes obtaining a license trickier, as the requirements are not straightforward. 

But you can be proactive and fill out a Fitness Determination Form. This is not a necessary step, but if you are unsure if you can obtain a license, you can use this method so the Commission reviews your case before you spend any money on the process. Learn More: You can read all therequirements to become a real estate agent in Texas here, and learn more about our prep courses for the Texas Real Estate Exam here.

How Hard is the Tennessee Real Estate Exam

Tennessee sits at 5th place in our table with a 47.5% pass rate — barely above Florida. But here’s the thing: you won’t hear as many people complaining about Tennessee as you do about California or New York. Why? Fewer test-takers.

But don’t let the quiet fool you. The Tennessee Real Estate Exam is no joke.

Here’s what you’re looking at:

• 120 questions total (80 national, 40 state-specific)
• 2.5 hours to complete the exam
• Passing score: 70% on each section (you must pass both separately)

What trips most people up in Tennessee is the state portion. Tennessee has specific laws about lead-based paint disclosures, mineral rights, and farm properties that are more detailed than what you’ll find in other states. Plus, the exam includes questions on the Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s rules and regulations — which change frequently.

The pre-licensing requirement is 90 hours, which is solid but not extreme. The real challenge is the depth of state-specific material. You can’t wing it.

Learn More: You can read all the requirements to become a real estate agent in Tennessee here, and learn more about our prep course for the Tennessee Real Estate Exam here.

How Hard is the New York Real Estate Exam

New York is consistently cited as one of the most challenging states in which to obtain a real estate license. However, this doesn’t seem to match its place in the previous table. This doesn’t mean that people calling it hard are wrong, so let’s see why this happens.  

The pre-licensing course might not be as long as Texas’s, but it still covers a lot of material that you have to learn by heart. For prospective agents, it’s only 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework. But for brokers, the requirement increases to 120 hours on top of their experience as a licensed salesperson.

But also, New York has a complex set of real estate laws, including detailed regulations on property management, landlord-tenant laws, and specific rules governing real estate transactions. These are more intricate compared to the national standards that other states use.

For a deeper analysis of what makes the exam difficult — beyond pass rates — see our guide on how hard the real estate exam really is. It covers the question types, time pressure, state-specific content, and the study strategies that correlate with higher pass rates.

Despite these challenges, you can succeed in any state with the proper preparation. Lexawise offers state-specific exam prep tailored to the needs of aspiring real estate agents nationwide.

Learn More: You can read all the requirements to become a real estate agent in New York here, and learn more about our prep courses for the New York Real Estate Exam here. 

What About Reciprocity? Can You Transfer Your License to Another State?

If you’re looking at pass rates and thinking, “What if I move? Do I have to take that exam all over again?” — you’re not alone.

Reciprocity (or license portability) varies wildly by state. Some states make it easy. Others make you start from scratch.

Here’s how it usually works:

• Most states won’t give you a free pass. They’ll waive the pre-licensing education if you already have an active license elsewhere.
• You’ll almost always have to pass the state-specific portion of the exam. The national portion is often waived.
• Expect fees, background checks, and proof of a clean license history (a “certificate of good standing”).

What about the hard states from our table?

• Texas (TX): No full reciprocity. They may waive coursework, but you still have to pass the Texas state exam.
• California (CA): Very limited. You’ll likely retake the full exam unless you qualify under a specific exemption.
• Florida (FL) and Virginia (VA): Much friendlier. Florida has reciprocity with several states; Virginia has a reciprocal endorsement process.

For more info, check out our guide about reciprocity of every specific state.

Proven Success Strategies for Test-Takers

A strategic approach to studying and test-taking makes all the difference on exam day. The following strategies, organized by when to apply them, will help you maximize your preparation and perform with confidence.

Before the Exam

1. Ask for advice from people who recently passed the exam: Talk to test-takers, fellow students, or newer agents who have successfully passed the exam. Their experiences provide valuable insights into what to expect, what could be the most difficult subjects, and effective study strategies.
2. Practice real estate exam questions are never enough. Do as many as you can: Prepare yourself with practice real estate exam questions that mirror the actual exam. Consistent practice increases your skills for answering multiple-choice questions.
3. Stay Updated with Exam Trends: Understanding the trends and patterns of the real estate exam can provide you with a competitive advantage. Stay updated on recent changes. Analyzing exam data can highlight the importance of thorough preparation and motivate you to put in the necessary effort to succeed.
4. Avoid Last-Minute Cramming: While it may be tempting to cram all the material the night before the exam, this approach is generally ineffective. Research shows that shorter study sessions spread out over time yield better results in terms of retention and comprehension. Aim for 2-4 hours of focused study per day rather than marathon study sessions. This will allow your brain to process and absorb the information more effectively.

Once you know your state’s pass rate and feel ready to schedule, see our guide on where to take the real estate exam — covering scheduling tips and what to bring on exam day.

During the Exam

1. If you don’t know the answer to a question, skip it: Don’t get stuck on questions you can’t answer immediately. Skip them and return later if needed. You may be saving precious time by answering questions you already know the answers to. Sometimes, a later question may hint at the answer.
2. Don’t avoid an answer just because you chose the same letter on the previous question: each question is independent. 
3. Avoid keeping track of your score as you progress: Resist the urge to keep a running score as you advance. Focus on answering each question to the best of your ability without unnecessary pressure.
4. Don’t pay attention to other applicants: Remember, you’re on your unique journey. Don’t worry if others finish before you do. It’s about mastering the content, not the race.

Why Prep for the Real Estate Exam With Lexawise

If you’re preparing for the real estate exam in any of the states we’ve discussed, don’t fret, we’re here to help you prepare. We have exam prep courses for all states and levels, plus, our students report higher confidence and less stress during the exam, and the results are incredible. Take a look at our testimonials.

Here’s what Lindsay, one of our students, had to say:

“I failed my test 3x UNTIL I got Lexawise. Then I passed! (…) It really helped me study and see where I needed to focus and then helped me review. Highly recommend. (…)”

Choosing the right study tool can make or break your preparation. See our comparison of the best real estate study apps for exam prep — we evaluate state-specific coverage, practice exam quality, and pricing across the leading platforms.

Lexawise suits every learning style and has very affordable pricing. Check our exam prep courses and find the program that fits you best.

Summary

If you’ve already taken the exam and didn’t pass, you’re in good company. See our complete guide on what to do after failing the real estate exam for a step-by-step recovery plan: retake rules, study adjustments, and how to target the questions you missed

While some states have harder exams, this doesn’t mean that they’re impossible. There are plenty of factors that make people consider them challenging, but knowing them means that you can be better prepared! Even in states with lower pass rates, you can still become a real estate agent if you put in the hours and work hard. Ready to take the next step toward your real estate career? Check out Lexawise exam prep and join the ranks of successful agents today!