How to Pass the Arizona Real Estate Exam (ADRE) — 2026 Study Guide

2026 Update: Arizona Now Administers Two Separate Exams

Effective January 1, 2026, Arizona changed its real estate salesperson exam from a single 180-question test to two independently scheduled and scored exams. The national portion (ReAZ-Sales-GE) and the state portion (ReAZ-Sales-S) are now separate — you schedule each independently through Pearson VUE and must pass each one separately. A passing score on one does not carry over if you fail the other.

Arizona requires 90 hours of pre-license education and a 75% passing threshold on each exam. That's one of the tougher combinations in the country. The good news: the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) tests predictable topics, and candidates who drill state-specific content consistently outperform those relying on national prep alone.

Arizona Exam Fast Facts (2026) - National exam (ReAZ-Sales-GE): 80 questions, 75% required, Pearson VUE - State exam (ReAZ-Sales-S): 60 questions, 75% required, Pearson VUE - Both exams scheduled independently — you can take them on the same day or separate days - Pre-license education: 90 hours (salesperson) - Governing body: Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE)

Why this matters for your prep: The two-test structure means you can fail one and retake only that portion — but it also means you must prepare for each section as a standalone exam. Many candidates who prepared under the old format are underprepared for the state-only 60-question session. Allocate at least 40% of your study time to Arizona-specific content.

The Arizona Department of Real Estate

ADRE enforces the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Title 32, Chapter 20 — the real estate license law. The Commissioner of Real Estate is appointed by the Governor and has broad authority to investigate, discipline, and revoke licenses.

Key ADRE facts: - The Commissioner can issue cease-and-desist orders without a hearing - Licensees must notify ADRE within 10 days of a criminal conviction - The Real Estate Recovery Fund compensates victims of licensee fraud (max $30,000 per transaction; $90,000 per licensee lifetime cap) - License renewal is every 2 years; 24 hours of CE required (including 3 hours of Agency Law)

Arizona Agency Law

Arizona uses a "Broker Duties" framework defined in ARS 32-2153. All licensees owe these duties regardless of agency relationship:

• Disclose all known material facts
• Exercise reasonable care
• Account for all monies
• Be honest and not misrepresent

In addition, a buyer's agent owes fiduciary duties including loyalty, disclosure, obedience, and confidentiality. Arizona does allow dual agency (called "limited dual agency") with written consent.

The AAR Buyer-Broker Agreement and AAR Listing Agreement are the standard Arizona REALTORS® forms. Expect questions about what each covers.

The Arizona Purchase Contract

Arizona uses the Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract developed by the Arizona Association of REALTORS® (AAR). Key provisions tested:

• Inspection period: Default is 10 days. Buyer can cancel for any reason during the inspection period — no forfeiture of earnest money.
• BINSR: Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response. After inspection, buyer submits a BINSR requesting repairs; seller has 5 days to respond.
• Earnest money: Held in trust by the broker. If buyer cancels during inspection period, earnest money is refunded.
• Closing costs: AAR contract specifies which party pays typical costs; negotiable.

Disclosure Requirements

Arizona is a non-disclosure state for sales price — recorded sale prices are not publicly available. But sellers must still disclose known material defects using the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS).

Required disclosures include: - HOA information (including fees and CC&Rs) - Known defects (roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) - Environmental hazards (lead, asbestos, underground storage tanks) - Arizona Proximity to Military Airport or Ancillary Military Facility: required if property is within a mapped area

Topics That Catch Candidates Off Guard

The BINSR process: Many candidates mix up the timeline. Inspection period → BINSR submitted → seller has 5 days → if no response, buyer can cancel.

Non-disclosure of sale price: Arizona doesn't record sale prices publicly, which affects CMA methodology and why the SPDS is especially important.

The Recovery Fund: Know the caps ($30,000 per transaction, $90,000 per licensee) and the process for filing a claim.

Unimproved land: Arizona has separate disclosure requirements for unimproved/vacant land transactions (the Unimproved Property Contract).

Your 4-Week Arizona Study Plan (2026 Two-Exam Format)

The two-exam structure changes how you should allocate study time. Treat the national exam (ReAZ-Sales-GE) and state exam (ReAZ-Sales-S) as two separate goals.

Week 1: National exam content — agency law, contracts, property ownership, land use, fair housing (federal) Week 2: National exam content — financing, real estate math, property valuation, environmental issues Week 3: Arizona state exam content — ADRE structure, ARS 32-2153 broker duties, AAR contracts, BINSR process, Recovery Fund rules Week 4: Full timed practice for each exam separately. Target 80%+ on both sections before scheduling. Drill BINSR timeline, Recovery Fund caps, non-disclosure state rules, and limited dual agency requirements.

With 60 state-only questions on the ReAZ-Sales-S, Arizona's state exam is one of the most Arizona-specific in the country — you cannot pass on national knowledge alone.

Practice for the Arizona Exam

[CARealestate.com/states/arizona](https://carealestate.com/states/arizona) has Arizona-specific practice questions covering ADRE rules, the AAR contract, BINSR process, and disclosure requirements. 5 free questions, no signup needed.

Arizona's 75% threshold on both exams with 60 state-specific questions on the ReAZ-Sales-S means you cannot pass on national knowledge alone. Candidates who skip Arizona-specific prep routinely fail the state exam even when they pass the national. Plan accordingly — and remember both are now scheduled and scored independently.