How to Pass the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam on Your First Try

New Hampshire's real estate salesperson exam is 120 questions — 80 national and 40 state-specific — with a 70% passing threshold. New Hampshire has no income tax and no sales tax, which makes it an attractive real estate market, but its exam still tests thorough knowledge of NH-specific law.

New Hampshire Exam Fast Facts - Questions: 120 (80 national + 40 state) - Passing score: 70% on each section (56 national, 28 state) - Time limit: 4 hours - Provider: PSI - Pre-license education: 40 hours (salesperson) - Governing body: New Hampshire Real Estate Commission (NHREC)

The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission

NHREC has 7 members: 5 licensees and 2 public members. The Commission enforces RSA Chapter 331-A (Real Estate Practice Act).

Key Commission facts: - Salesperson licenses renew every 2 years; 15 hours of CE required - New salespersons must affiliate with a licensed broker immediately upon licensure - New Hampshire does not have a Recovery Fund - Background check required; certain criminal convictions are disqualifying

New Hampshire Agency Law

New Hampshire uses the Disclosure of Agency Relationship form. The disclosure must be provided at first contact.

New Hampshire recognizes: - Seller's agent: fiduciary duties to seller - Buyer's agent: fiduciary duties to buyer - Disclosed dual agent: represents both with written consent; limited duties

Key NH rule: New Hampshire does not formally recognize the "transaction broker" (non-agent facilitator) role that many other states use. In NH, a licensee either represents someone (agent) or discloses they represent nobody (limited service provider).

New Hampshire Disclosure Requirements

New Hampshire's Property Condition Disclosure Report is required for residential sales. Sellers must deliver the form before the buyer signs the purchase contract.

Buyer rescission rights: - Buyer has 5 business days to review the disclosure and may rescind during this period

Required disclosures include: - Structural systems and known defects - Environmental hazards (lead, radon, underground tanks, arsenic) - Well and septic system condition - Fuel storage tanks (above and underground)

Arsenic in groundwater: New Hampshire has naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater in certain areas. This is a state-specific disclosure requirement — sellers with private wells must disclose known arsenic contamination, and buyers are advised to test.

Septic and well disclosures: New Hampshire has extensive rural areas with private wells and septic systems. The exam tests the specific disclosure requirements for each.

New Hampshire Environmental Issues

Underground storage tanks (USTs): New Hampshire has strict requirements for UST disclosure and remediation. Known USTs on a property must be disclosed.

Shoreland Protection Act (RSA 483-B): Similar to Maine's shoreland zoning, New Hampshire's Shoreland Protection Act restricts development within 250 feet of public water bodies. - Applies to lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams - Setback requirements and vegetation buffers apply - Impervious surface limits (% of lot that can be covered) vary by shoreland zone - Know the different shoreland zones: Primary Protection Zone, Waterfront Buffer, etc.

Topics That Catch Candidates Off Guard

Arsenic disclosure: New Hampshire's arsenic-in-groundwater issue is completely state-specific. Know that it's required to be disclosed when known.

Shoreland Protection Act: Like Maine, New Hampshire's waterfront restrictions are heavily tested in the state section.

No transaction broker role: New Hampshire doesn't formally have a "transaction broker" option. This is different from most other states and can confuse candidates.

5-business-day rescission: Know the exact timeline for the Property Condition Disclosure review period.

Your 4-Week New Hampshire Study Plan

Week 1: National — agency, contracts, ownership, land use, fair housing Week 2: National — financing, valuation, math, environmental (including arsenic, radon) Week 3: New Hampshire-specific — NHREC, agency law, Property Condition Disclosure, Shoreland Protection Act Week 4: Full practice exams. Target 75%+. Drill arsenic disclosure, shoreland setbacks, and dual agency rules.

Practice for the New Hampshire Exam

[CARealestate.com/states/new-hampshire](https://carealestate.com/states/new-hampshire) has New Hampshire-specific practice questions covering NHREC rules, agency law, the Property Condition Disclosure Report, and shoreland zoning. 5 free questions, no signup needed.

New Hampshire's arsenic groundwater disclosure and the Shoreland Protection Act setbacks are the two most state-specific topics on the exam. National prep materials won't cover either.