Minnesota Real Estate Exam Topics: Full Breakdown

Minnesota Real Estate Exam Topics

The Minnesota salesperson exam is 120 questions — 80 national and 40 state. Passing requires 73% (88 correct). Here is the complete topic breakdown.

National Section (80 Questions)

1. Property Ownership (~8%) — Estates in land, types of ownership, air rights, water rights, easements, encumbrances.

2. Land Use Controls and Regulations (~5%) — Zoning classifications, eminent domain, deed restrictions, subdivision regulations, environmental controls.

3. Valuation and Market Analysis (~7%) — Three appraisal approaches (sales comparison, cost, income); CMA; market value definition.

4. Financing (~10%) — Loan types (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA), RESPA, TILA, PMI, qualifying ratios, foreclosure methods.

5. General Principles of Agency (~13%) — Fiduciary duties, agency types, buyer agency, dual agency, disclosure timing.

6. Property Disclosures (~6%) — Seller disclosure requirements, federal lead paint disclosure, environmental hazards.

7. Contracts (~17%) — Validity elements, listing agreement types, purchase agreements, contingencies, option contracts, breach, Statute of Frauds.

8. Transfer of Title (~8%) — Deed types, title insurance, closing, recording requirements.

9. Practice of Real Estate (~13%) — License law overview, advertising rules, antitrust, ethics overview.

10. Real Estate Calculations (~10%) — Commission splits, proration, property tax, GRM, loan calculations.

State Section (40 Questions)

Commerce Department Structure — Minnesota has no separate real estate commission. The Commerce Department, Real Estate Unit, regulates licensing directly. Know this — it is frequently tested.

Minnesota License Law — Chapter 82; 90-hour pre-license requirement (one of the highest in the country); 2-year renewal; 30-hour CE requirement per cycle (one of the highest).

Minnesota Agency Law — Written Buyer's Broker Agreement required before providing buyer representation; seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agency; designated agency; facilitator/non-agent option.

Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition (SDPC) — Required for residential property sales; seller completes it; timing and delivery requirements; buyer's rights upon receipt.

Minnesota Purchase Agreement Forms — Minnesota Association of Realtors (MN REALTORS) Purchase Agreement is the standard form. Minnesota's required use of standardized purchase agreement forms is a state-specific topic.

Minnesota Deed Tax — 0.33% of purchase price (also called transfer tax); who pays; how to calculate.

Minnesota Dual Agency — Allowed with written informed consent of both parties; what can and cannot be disclosed.

Minnesota Fair Housing — Federal 7 classes plus Minnesota additions: marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income (some municipalities), and stronger familial status protections than federal law.

Minnesota Homestead — Homestead tax credit for owner-occupants; how it works and who qualifies.

Minnesota Environmental — Radon, lead paint, CERCLA, Minnesota Environmental Rights Act basics.

Study Priority

Focus most time on: 1. Contracts (17% of national — largest single topic) 2. Agency (13% national + 40-question state section) 3. Minnesota Commerce Department structure (no commission) 4. Minnesota 90-hour pre-license and 30-hour CE requirements 5. Deed tax at 0.33%

Practice by Topic

[CARealestate.com/states/minnesota](https://carealestate.com/states/minnesota) has Minnesota topic-specific practice questions for every area on the outline. 5 free questions — no signup needed.