Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam 10-Question Diagnostic Practice Test

Q: How many questions are on the Ohio real estate salesperson exam, and what is the passing score?

The Ohio real estate salesperson licensing exam administered by PSI consists of 120 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections: an 80-question Universal National Core portion (120 minutes) and a 40-question Ohio State Law portion (60 minutes), plus 5 to 10 unscored pretest items (total testing time: 3.0 hours / 180 minutes). To pass, you must score at least 70% on both portions independently: at least 56 out of 80 on the National section, and at least 28 out of 40 on the Ohio State portion.

Q: How hard is the Ohio real estate salesperson exam?

The Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing (ODRE) salesperson exam has an average first-time pass rate between 56% and 65%. Candidates frequently stumble on the Ohio-specific portion due to distinctive statutory rules: Ohio inchoate dower rights, Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships first substantive contact delivery, Split Agency rules, twin $40,000 Recovery Fund caps, 3-day trust account deposits ($100 buffer), 20-hour post-licensing within 12 months, and judicial foreclosure redemption ending at court confirmation of sale.

Q: How much does the Ohio real estate exam cost?

The PSI exam fee is $61 per attempt (whether taking both portions or a single retake). Upon passing, the ODRE initial salesperson license fee is $81. Candidates must also complete BCI and FBI fingerprint criminal background checks ($60 to $80) and 120 hours of approved prelicensing education ($900 to $1,500) covering Principles, Ohio Law, Finance, and Appraisal.

Q: What are Inchoate Dower Rights in Ohio?

Under ORC Chapter 2103, Ohio is one of the few states that retains statutory inchoate dower rights. A non-titled spouse has an inchoate 1/3 life estate interest in all real property owned by their spouse during marriage. When selling real estate, the non-owner spouse must sign the deed to release their dower rights, or the buyer acquires title subject to the spouse's surviving dower claim.

Q: What is the Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships in Ohio?

Under ORC § 4735.56, the Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships is a mandatory disclosure brochure that must be delivered to a prospective client at the "first substantive contact" (before discussing confidential financial details, motivations, or needs, or before showing property other than an open house). It outlines company agency policies, representation options, and dual agency procedures.

Q: What is Split Agency in Ohio?

Under ORC § 4735.70, Split Agency (often called assigned or designated agency in other states) occurs when a managing broker assigns two separate salespersons in the same brokerage to represent opposing buyer and seller. The two sales agents maintain exclusive fiduciary advocacy for their respective clients, while the employing broker functions as a dual agent.

Q: How does the Ohio Real Estate Recovery Fund work?

Governed by ORC § 4735.12, the Recovery Fund pays out unsatisfied civil fraud or misrepresentation judgments against licensees. The statutory limits are $40,000 per claim/transaction and a $40,000 lifetime aggregate cap per licensee (both numbers are $40,000). A payout triggers AUTOMATIC LICENSE SUSPENSION on the date of payment. Reinstatement requires reimbursing the Fund in full plus statutory interest. Minimum fund balance: $500,000.

Q: What are the trust account rules for Ohio real estate brokers?

Under OAC 1301:5-5-08, earnest money must be deposited into a non-interest-bearing Ohio trust account within 3 business days of contract acceptance. A broker may maintain a personal buffer of up to $100 in the account to cover bank maintenance fees (more than $100 is illegal commingling). Complete records and ledgers must be retained for at least 3 years.

Q: What is the Ohio Residential Property Disclosure Form 3-day rescission rule?

Under ORC § 5302.30, sellers of 1-to-4 residential units must provide the state disclosure form to prospective buyers prior to contract execution. If delivered after offer acceptance, the buyer has an absolute statutory right to rescind the contract within 3 business days of receipt (prior to closing) and receive a full refund of earnest money.

Q: What is the 20-Hour Postlicensing requirement in Ohio?

Under ORC § 4735.052, all newly licensed Ohio real estate salespersons must complete a mandatory 20-hour postlicensing course within 12 months (1 year) of initial licensure. Failure to complete this course on time results in the automatic suspension of the license.

Question 1

A married individual in Columbus owns residential real estate titled solely in their individual name. The individual executes a general warranty deed to sell the property to a buyer. Under Ohio dower law (ORC § 2103.02), what is the legal effect if the non-titled spouse fails to sign the deed?

Accepted Answer

A. The non-titled spouse retains an inchoate dower right (a 1/3 life estate interest in the real property), and the buyer takes title subject to this surviving marital encumbrance.

Answer

B. The deed is automatically void and the transaction is reversed by the county recorder.

Answer

C. Dower rights were completely abolished in Ohio in 1980; the deed conveys clean fee simple marketable title.

Answer

D. The buyer is required to pay a 10% penalty fee directly to the Ohio Department of Taxation.

Question 2

Under Ohio Revised Code § 4735.56, when MUST a licensed real estate salesperson deliver the written Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships to a prospective client?

Accepted Answer

A. At the first substantive contact, defined as the first discussion where the consumer discloses personal financial information, needs, or motivations, or prior to showing property other than an open house.

Answer

B. Within 3 business days after mutual acceptance of a formal purchase agreement.

Answer

C. Only when entering into a dual agency arrangement involving two properties.

Answer

D. Exclusively at the closing table when title insurance is issued.

Question 3

In a Cleveland brokerage, Salesperson Marcus represents the seller under an exclusive listing agreement. Salesperson Karen, working under the same broker in the same office, represents a buyer who writes an offer on Marcus's listing. Under Ohio statutory agency law, what type of agency relationship is created?

Accepted Answer

A. Split Agency (Assigned Agency), where Marcus exclusively represents the seller, Karen exclusively represents the buyer, and the employing broker functions as a dual agent.

Answer

B. Dual Agency, where both Marcus and Karen must remain strictly neutral and cannot advocate for either party.

Answer

C. Transaction Brokerage, where both Marcus and Karen surrender all fiduciary loyalty.

Answer

D. Prohibited Agency; the brokerage must immediately reject the buyer's offer under Ohio antitrust law.

Question 4

A consumer in Dayton secures a $60,000 fraud judgment against an insolvent Ohio real estate salesperson. The consumer files a claim with the Ohio Real Estate Recovery Fund. What is the statutory maximum amount the consumer can recover, and what is the lifetime aggregate cap for all claims against that single licensee?

Accepted Answer

A. $40,000 maximum per transaction/claim, and $40,000 lifetime aggregate cap per licensee; payment results in automatic license suspension.

Answer

B. $60,000 maximum per transaction, and $120,000 lifetime aggregate cap.

Answer

C. $20,000 maximum per transaction, and $100,000 lifetime aggregate cap.

Answer

D. $50,000 maximum per transaction, and $750,000 minimum fund balance.

Question 5

An Ohio real estate broker receives a $5,000 earnest money check from a buyer after a purchase contract is accepted. Under Ohio Administrative Code 1301:5-5-08, within how many business days must the broker deposit the funds into the brokerage trust account, and what is the maximum amount of personal funds the broker may keep in the account to cover bank service charges?

Accepted Answer

A. Deposit within 3 business days of contract acceptance, and a maximum of $100 of broker personal funds is permitted to maintain the account.

Answer

B. Deposit within 24 hours, and up to $3,000 of broker personal funds is permitted.

Answer

C. Deposit within 5 business days, and up to $500 of broker personal funds is permitted.

Answer

D. Deposit by the close of the same business day, with zero broker funds permitted under any circumstance.

Question 6

A seller in Cincinnati signs a purchase agreement on Tuesday, but does not provide the mandatory Ohio Residential Property Disclosure Form to the buyer until Friday. The buyer inspects the form and discovers a history of water intrusion in the basement. What statutory right does the buyer possess under Ohio law?

Accepted Answer

A. The buyer has the statutory right to rescind the purchase agreement within 3 business days of receiving the disclosure form, with full return of earnest money (prior to closing).

Answer

B. The buyer must proceed to closing but may sue the seller for triple damages in municipal court.

Answer

C. The buyer has no right to cancel because signing the contract waives all disclosure delivery defects.

Answer

D. The buyer must file a formal complaint with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Question 7

A new licensee in Akron receives an active Ohio real estate salesperson license. Within what timeframe must the licensee complete the mandatory 20-hour postlicensing course, and what penalty applies if the deadline is missed?

Accepted Answer

A. Must be completed within 12 months (1 year) of initial licensure; failure to complete results in automatic license suspension.

Answer

B. Must be completed within 30 days; failure results in a permanent revocation of the broker's corporate license.

Answer

C. Must be completed within 3 years by the licensee's birthday; failure results in a $50 late fee.

Answer

D. Postlicensing is completely voluntary in Ohio; only triennial CE is required.

Question 8

A commercial building in Franklin County sells for $500,000. Under Ohio law, what is the mandatory base state conveyance fee per $1,000 of value, and who is statutorily responsible for paying it?

Accepted Answer

A. $1.00 per $1,000 of value ($0.10%), customarily paid by the seller at closing (counties may levy an additional permissive fee up to $3.00 per $1,000, for a total up to $4.00 per $1,000).

Answer

B. $10.00 per $1,000 of value, paid exclusively by the buyer.

Answer

C. $5.00 flat fee regardless of sales price, paid by the title company.

Answer

D. Ohio does not levy any conveyance fee; transfer taxes are unconstitutional under the Ohio Constitution.

Question 9

A homeowner in Toledo defaults on a mortgage loan. The lender files a foreclosure lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas, obtains a decree of foreclosure, and the county sheriff holds an auction. At what exact legal point is the borrower's equitable right of redemption permanently extinguished under Ohio law?

Accepted Answer

A. Upon the court's journalization of the confirmation of sale order; there is zero post-confirmation statutory redemption in Ohio.

Answer

B. At the exact moment the sheriff strikes the auction gavel.

Answer

C. Six months following the delivery of the sheriff's deed.

Answer

D. One year following the filing of the initial foreclosure complaint.

Question 10

Salesperson Jenny wants to run a social media advertisement and print yard signs for a luxury listing in Dublin, Ohio. Under Ohio Administrative Code 1301:5-1-02, what statutory rule governs how Jenny's name and her brokerage name must appear?

Accepted Answer

A. The name of the broker or brokerage company must appear in equal or greater prominence than the salesperson's name in all forms of advertising.

Answer

B. The salesperson's name must be at least twice as large as the broker's name.

Answer

C. The brokerage name only needs to be disclosed in audio formats, not print or digital displays.

Answer

D. Blind ads are permitted as long as the salesperson includes their direct personal cell phone number.

Ohio Real Estate Practice Exam & 2026 ODRE Salesperson Guide

4 Legal Concepts That Catch Candidates on the Ohio State Exam

Inchoate Dower Rights (ORC Chapter 2103)

Consumer Guide & Split Agency Representation

Twin $40,000 Recovery Fund Caps & Suspension

3-Day Trust Deposit & $100 Personal Buffer

The 3 Tested ODRE Ohio State Law Domains

Ohio Licensing Requirements, Commission Governance & Regulatory Compliance

Ohio Agency Relationships, Brokerage Operations & Fair Housing

Ohio Property Law, Land Conveyance, Disclosures & Foreclosure

Free 10-Question Ohio Diagnostic Test

A married individual in Columbus owns residential real estate titled solely in their individual name. The individual executes a general warranty deed to sell the property to a buyer. Under Ohio dower law (ORC § 2103.02), what is the legal effect if the non-titled spouse fails to sign the deed?

How to Get Your Ohio Real Estate Salesperson License in 5 Steps

120-Hr Prelicensing

Find Sponsoring Broker

Submit Application & BCI

Pass PSI Exam

20-Hr Postlicensing

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