Moving Forward After Failing the Real Estate Exam - Next Steps

How Many Times Can You Take The Real Estate Exam?

You’ve taken your real estate exam a couple of times and have yet to pass. Inevitably you start to think, “I failed my real estate exam twice; I can’t pass the real estate exam. How many times can you take the real estate exam?” 

Don’t fret. The number of attempts you have to pass the real estate exam varies by state. And ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you failed the real estate exam five times; the real estate exam is just a barrier to get into the industry, and once you’re in, no one will care how many attempts it took you to pass the real estate exam. 

Pro Tip: 

If you’re struggling to pass your test, our Exam Prep Edge study program can help.

With this information in mind, let’s dig into how many times you can attempt the real estate licensing exam in each state:

Two Attempts Allowed	Three Attempts Allowed	Eight Attempts Allowed	No Limit on # of Attempts Allowed
Mississippi* Tennessee* West Virginia	Delaware* Nebraska* Texas*	New Hampshire*	Alaska Arizona* Arkansas* California* Colorado* Connecticut* Washington DC Florida* Georgia* Hawaii* Idaho* Illinois* Indiana* Kansas* Kentucky* Louisiana* Maine* Maryland* Massachusetts* Minnesota* Mississippi* Montana* Nevada* North Carolina* North Dakota* Ohio* Oregon* Pennsylvania* South Carolina Utah* Vermont* Virginia* Washington* Wyoming*

*These states have more specific rules regarding the number of exam attempts you’re allowed. We’ll outline these rules below:

Arizona: The Salesperson and Broker exam is a single exam, specific to the practice of real estate in Arizona, that must be successfully completed within one year prior to the date of the license application. Candidates who do not pass an examination must wait 24 hours after taking that exam before making a reservation to retake it. Reservations cannot be made at the test center. Payment must be made at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, voucher, or electronic check. The cost for each retake is the same as the initial examination. Payment for retaking the examination will not be accepted at the test center.

Arkansas: The Salesperson examination is divided into two parts: general and state law. Those who pass one part of the examination and fail the other need to retake only the failed part within six months. Candidates who after six months have not passed both parts must retake the entire examination. 

California: There is no limitation on the number of examinations you may take during the two-year period following the date of the filing of your original application. If you wish to take additional examinations after the two-year period, you will be required to submit a new application, requalify by meeting all statutory requirements, and pay the appropriate fee.

Colorado: It is not possible to make a new examination appointment on the same day you have taken an examination due to processing and reporting scores. A candidate who tests unsuccessfully on a Wednesday can call the next day, Thursday, and retest as soon as Friday, depending upon space availability. You may access a registration form at PSIExams.com. You may also call PSI at 855.744.0313.

Connecticut: Candidates are allowed an unlimited number of exam attempts in the first year. If you do not pass both portions within one year, you must reapply with the PSI.

Delaware: Candidates who fail the examination will receive a score report that includes a numeric score and diagnostic information relating to the general portion of the examination as well as information about reexamination. Candidates who fail need retake only the portion of the examination they failed, as long as they do so within one year of completing the required Pre-Licensing education. If a candidate is unable to pass both parts of the examination in three or fewer attempts, that candidate must retake the Pre-Licensing course.

Florida: Candidates who fail an examination are entitled to review the questions they answered incorrectly under such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Candidates are entitled to review only their most recent examination. The candidate shall be permitted to review only those questions the candidate answered incorrectly. The request to review must be made within 21 days from the date of the examination and can be scheduled by going online to: PearsonVUE.com or by calling 1.888.204.6230. The same security requirements observed at the examination will be followed during the review session. Reviews will be held at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Georgia: If you do not achieve a passing score, your score report will indicate your results, including the number correct in each content area, and reapplication instructions. To retake this examination, you will need to schedule another appointment through AMP’s Candidate Support Center. The examination proctor cannot schedule you for another examination. You may reapply for this examination by calling AMP at 800.345.6559 between the hours of 8:00 AM -10:00 PM Eastern Time Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM on Fridays, and 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM on Saturdays. You also may reapply by scheduling online at GoAMP.com. All candidates are scheduled on a first-come, first serve basis, but you will be able to schedule another appointment within five business days from the day you contact AMP to request an examination.

Hawaii: Candidates who pass one section of the examination but fail the other section need retake only the failed section, as long as the candidate retakes the failed section within two years of the date of the first passed section, and the candidate has an unexpired Hawaii School Completion Certificate or Prelicensing Education Equivalency Certificate for Real Estate License Exam and also an unexpired Experience Certificate for Real Estate Broker’s Examination (if a Broker candidate). Candidates who have not passed both sections of the examination within two years of the first passed section must retake both sections.

Idaho: Candidates who pass one section of the exam and fail the other need to retake only the section they failed as long as they pass the failed section within one year of the date of the passed section. The exam fee is required each time a candidate tests. A candidate must pass both sections of the exam and submit a completed application for licensure within one year of the date of the first passed exam section. Otherwise, the candidate must retake both sections of the exam.

Illinois: If you passed one portion of the examination, you have one year or four attempts from the date of passing that portion to retake and pass the remaining portion, make an application, and meet the requirements for licensure. After 4 attempts, candidates must retake their Pre-Licensing courses. 

Indiana: Candidates who pass one portion of the exam and fail the other need retake only the portion they failed as long as they retake and pass the failed portion within one year of completing the required Pre-Licensing education.

Kansas: If a candidate passes one part of the exam and fails the other, only the part failed needs to be retaken. However, the failed part must be passed in time for the Kansas Real Estate Commission to receive the complete application within six months of the earlier exam date. Candidates who do not meet the six-month time limit must retake both parts of the exam. 

Kentucky: Candidates who pass one portion of the examination and fail the other need to retake only the section failed. However, if you don’t pass both portions within four months from passing the portion, you must take both portions again. The fee is $100 regardless if you are taking one or both portions.

Louisiana: You must apply for a new examination eligibility from the Louisiana Real Estate Commission and pay a $15.00 re-eligibility fee before you can reschedule your examination. This check must be payable to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. You may continue to retake the licensing examination for a period of one year from your initial examination. There is no limit on the number of times you may retest during this one-year period. However, you must obtain a new examination eligibility from the LREC.

Maine: Candidates are allowed an unlimited number of exam sessions as long as you pass before the expiration date of the Course Completion Certificate. Course Completion Certificates are valid for one year.

Maryland: Failing candidates will receive a failing score report which includes a diagnostic report indicating their strengths and weaknesses by exam topic. If you do not pass, you must retake and pass the portion(s) which you failed before you can be licensed. Submit a new registration form to PSI with the appropriate fee, and schedule a new appointment to retake the examination. There is no limit to the number of times that you can retake the entire examination.

Massachusetts: Candidates who pass one portion of the examination and fail the other need to retake the full exam. 

Minnesota: Candidates who pass one part of the examination and fail the other need to retake only the failed portion of the exam. Reservations for reexamination may not be made at the test center, and candidates must wait 24 hours before scheduling to ensure previous exam results are processed.

Mississippi: Candidates who pass the State portion of the exam but fail the National portion may continue to take the National portion on an unlimited basis within the two months following the date that your application was approved.  For the State portion only: if two failures result, you may re-apply to the Commission after a waiting period of three months has passed for the Salesperson examination or a period of six months has passed for the Broker examination.  Both State and National portions must be passed in the same two-month eligibility period. 

Montana: If the applicant passes one subject portion of the examination, the applicant is not required to repeat that portion of the examination if the applicant passes the remaining portion within 12 months.

Nebraska: Candidates are given three attempts or six months to pass the exam, whichever comes first. If you do not pass both portions within the next three attempts or six months, you must take the full examination until you pass all or one part of it, in which case the retention schedule starts over.

Nevada: Candidates who pass one part of the examination and fail the other need to retake only the failed part within 12 months. Candidates who after 12 months have not passed both parts must retake the entire examination.

New Hampshire: The real estate board will indicate your scores and reapplication instructions. If you pass only one portion of the exam, you have up to eight attempts within six months to pass the second portion. Should you fail to pass the exam within the time frame noted above, you will be required to complete an accredited Pre-Licensing course in addition to any Pre-Licensing course previously submitted to take the original examination.

North Carolina: Applicants who fail any required examination section can retake that portion if there are at least 10 days remaining within the 180-day examination eligibility period after the candidate’s last testing date.

North Dakota: Candidates who pass one portion of the examination, National or State, will not be required to repeat that portion of the examination. If the remaining portion of the examination is not passed within 12 months of the first attempt, you will be required to submit a new application and fees to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission.

Ohio: Candidates who do not pass both portions of the exam within the 12-month eligibility period must start the process over by sending in a new Exam Application to the Division. If you pass only one portion of the exam or if you failed both portions of the exam, you must use the Retake application to retake the portion(s) you failed within the 12 months. 

Oregon: Candidates who fail may retake the examination after rescheduling and paying another fee to PSI. Broker and Principal Broker applicants who pass only one section of the Broker or Principal Broker License examination are only required to retake the failed section. The score for the section passed is valid for 12 months; if the other section of the examination is not passed by then, both sections of the exam must be retaken.

Pennsylvania: Candidates cannot make a new examination appointment on the same day you have taken an examination because the board needs time to process and report examination results. A candidate who fails an exam on a Wednesday can call the next day, Thursday, and can retest as soon as Friday, depending upon space availability. Examination retakes are $49 for one or both examination portions. The examination fee is valid for one year. 

Tennessee: Candidates who pass one section but fail the other need retake only the section they failed. The passing score for one section of an examination is valid for two retakes of the failed section or six months, whichever comes first. Candidates who fail the first attempt at the examination may retake it as soon as they want (however you cannot schedule until the day after you took the examination). After the second attempt, an examination candidate must wait thirty days between any subsequent failed exams to retake the examination.

Texas: Candidates have three attempts to pass both portions of the examination prior to the application expiration date. If the examination is failed three times, the candidate is unable to retest or submit a new application until additional qualifying real estate education is completed as follows: Thirty hours for an applicant who fails either the national or state part of the examination; and 60 hours for an applicant who fails both parts of the examination. After completion of the additional education, the course completion document(s) and a copy of the third failed score report must be submitted to TREC at documents@trec.texas.gov. Allow 5-7 business days for the education to be processed and authorization submitted to Pearson VUE to allow rescheduling. If the application expires, candidates may reapply for licensure and meet current requirements.

Utah: Candidates who pass one section of the examination and fail the other need retake only the failed section within six months. If, after six months, both sections have not been passed, the candidate must retake the entire examination. To retake an examination, candidates should follow regular reservation procedures. Reservations for reexamination may not be made at the test center, and candidates must wait 24 hours after failing an examination before making a reservation to retake it.

Vermont: Candidates who do not achieve a passing score, your score report will indicate your scores and reapplication instructions. To re-register for the examination, you must submit your score report, with any necessary changes to your registration information, along with the appropriate examination fee to PSI.

Virginia: If you fail one portion of the examination (State or National), you must retake that portion and pass. Your completed application must be submitted within one year from the initial examination date when you originally took the examination. If all paperwork and fees are not received within one year from the original examination date, you must retake the expired portion or portions.

Washington: Candidates who pass only one portion must pass the other portion within six months of passing the first portion. Failure to do so will result in having to take the entire examination again. 

Washington, D.C.: Candidates who fail one portion of the examination and pass the other need retake only the portion they failed. Any failed portion must be passed within six months of the first examination attempt. Candidates must apply for a license within six months of the passing examination date.

Wyoming: Candidates are allowed an unlimited amount of attempts to take the examination, as long as your attempts fall within your six-month eligibility period.

Eleven States with Complicated and Unclear Exam Rules  

And finally, there are 11 states with more complicated and unclear rules regarding the number of exam attempts allotted - but don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you: 

Alabama: If you do not achieve a passing score in the state, your score report will include diagnostic scoring information and reapplication instructions.  

Iowa: If you do not pass your licensing exam the first time, you must retake the examination before you can be licensed. Submit a new registration form and the appropriate fee to PSI and schedule an appointment to retake the examination.

Michigan: Candidates who do not pass the exam will receive an individual score for each of the major sections in the examination outline. Candidates should use this information to assist them in studying for the re-examination.

Missouri: If both portions of the exam are not passed at one sitting, the application for license must be submitted within six months of the first passing exam score. A copy of your current Bar card must be provided with the application for license.

New Jersey: You cannot make a new examination appointment for your real estate licensing exam on the same day you have taken an examination. A candidate who fails an exam on a Wednesday can call the next day, Thursday, and can retest as soon as Friday, depending upon space availability.

New Mexico: You are required to pass both national and state portions of the examination of the real estate licensing exam. If you fail one portion of the examination, you will only need to register to retake the failed portion and pay an additional $95. You must pass both portions within 90 days of passing the first portion. If you do not pass both portions within the 90 days, you must retake both portions again. You must wait 24 hours before you can register for a retake.

New York: If you fail the exam, you can schedule another exam by utilizing your account in eAccessNY.

Oklahoma: In the event you fail the examination, you will be given 60 minutes at the end of the examination to review the items you missed. The items will not be in any particular order. A failed examination will generate your actual score and a summary of the categories.

Rhode Island: The real estate licensing examination is divided into two parts: general and state law. Candidates who fail one portion of the examination and pass the other need only retake the portion that they failed and do so within one year. After this time period, candidates must retake the entire examination.

South Dakota: If you do not pass any portion of the real estate licensing examination and wish to re-register for the portion(s) you did not pass, you must register online with AMP or call PSI at 800.354.6559 and pay using a credit card. If payment will be made by cashier’s check or money order, submit a new completed registration form. Keep all of your score reports. Original passing score reports will be required when you apply for licensure.

Wisconsin: Candidates who fail the Broker or sales examination may retake it, but studying between attempts is recommended to increase the chance of passing. Candidates must wait 24 hours to retake the exam. 

Pro Tip:

Struggling with test-taking anxiety? You’re not alone! It is both common and natural to feel that way. The best way to combat those emotions is to put in the work to prepare and study. Channel your nervous energy into hard & focused work. You might not be able to eliminate your anxiety, but you can make sure you’ve done everything right going into the test. 

Study Tips if You Can’t Pass the Real Estate Exam

If you’re concerned about how many times you can take a real estate exam or stressed you can’t pass the real estate exam, take control of your situation. Don’t let that stress keep you from your goal. The following tips will help give you the confidence you need to conquer your licensing exam. 

• Exam Prep Edge allows you to take a free initial assessment and receive feedback on the topics you’ve mastered and the ones you still need to focus on. Then you'll study lessons by topic and improve your score with real-time dashboards while taking unlimited simulated practice exams to fully prepare you for your licensing exam. 
• You’ve been through the test at least once, so utilize that experience to your benefit. Consider which were the most difficult sections of the test, then study them. Exam Prep Edge can make this practice easier by highlighting the topics you should focus on so you can study smarter, not harder. 
• Every person has different study habits and a different amount of time that they can allocate to practice exams. So, on top of studying effectively, use your time wisely. In other words: Do not try to pull off an all-nighter.
• Writing your notes down has been scientifically proven to increase your ability to recall information. Make flashcards to test yourself on the vocabulary and bulleted information you need to succeed. 
• As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” So take as many practice exams as you can. And when you’re done, practice some more. The more practice tests you pass, the more likely you are to pass the real exam. 
• According to Psych Central, mnemonic devices are techniques a person can use to help improve their ability to remember something. Mnemonics allow us to associate the information we want to remember with an image, sentence, or definitions for easier recall. 

Day of Test Taking Tips for the Real Estate Exam 

Your test day has arrived - now what? Here’s some advice to ensure you’re confident and ready to ace your real estate exam, whether you’re taking the real estate exam for the first time or you’ve failed the real estate exam five times.

• Answer the questions you know first. Based on your studying habits, you should know right away which topics you’re most familiar with. This will save you time for the portions that will be more challenging. 
• In the beginning, skip questions you don’t know. If you’re spinning your wheels on a question, skip it. Time is valuable, and you can always come back at the end of the test to try and answer whatever you’ve skipped. 
• If you want to ensure you put yourself in the best situation to have success, get a great night of sleep before the exam. Doing so will allow your mind to process and assimilate the information you’ve learned through your studying efforts.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. Your mind and body need energy, so give it to them. When paired with a good night’s sleep, you’ll set yourself up to perform well on the exam. 
• Give yourself plenty of time to commute to the exam. The last thing you want is unneeded stress, so plan ahead. As soon as you wake up, check the traffic and keep an eye on it to ensure you arrive on time (or, preferably, a few minutes early so you can use the facilities before you sit down. That’s one less thing you need to worry about if you’re stressed that you can’t pass real estate exams)
• Be aware of tricky wording. There is bound to be wordplay, but don’t let it impact you. You know it’s coming based on your practice exams, so remain confident, and you’ll succeed.