Ohio Fair Housing Exam Guide

Ohio Fair Housing Exam Guide

Fair housing is mandatory content on both the national and Ohio state sections of the PSI real estate exam. Ohio's continuing education even requires 3 hours of civil rights and fair housing every renewal cycle — reflecting how seriously Ohio takes this topic.

Federal Fair Housing Act (7 Protected Classes)

The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in residential real estate based on:

1. Race
2. Color
3. National Origin
4. Religion
5. Sex
6. Familial Status
7. Disability

These apply in every state, including Ohio.

Ohio Fair Housing Additions

Ohio's Fair Housing Law adds to the federal baseline with additional protected classes:

• Marital status
• Military status (active duty and veterans)
• Ancestry or national origin (broader NationAl origin definition)
• Lineage — the Ohio law uses "ancestry" which extends national origin protections

For exam purposes, the key Ohio additions to memorize are: marital status, military status, and ancestry/lineage.

Prohibited Practices Under Ohio and Federal Law

Steering: Directing a buyer toward or away from specific neighborhoods based on protected class. For example, showing an African American buyer only properties in predominantly Black neighborhoods while not showing properties in predominantly white neighborhoods.

Blockbusting: Inducing panic selling by suggesting that protected-class members (such as racial minorities) are moving into a neighborhood, and that this will lower property values. Illegal.

Redlining: Refusing to make mortgage loans or provide insurance in specific geographic areas based on racial or ethnic composition. Practiced historically by banks and insurance companies; now illegal.

Discriminatory Advertising: Using language that signals preference for or against a protected class. This includes online listings, signage, and verbal statements.

Disability Rights Under the Fair Housing Act

Landlords must: - Allow reasonable modifications to the property (the tenant pays) - Make reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, and practices - Accept assistance animals (service and emotional support) even in no-pet buildings

New construction multifamily housing (4+ units built after March 13, 1991) must meet accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act.

Ohio's CE Requirement for Fair Housing

Ohio's 30-hour continuing education requirement for license renewal includes 3 mandatory hours of civil rights and fair housing. This means every Ohio licensee is trained on these topics every 3 years. Exam questions may test whether you know this CE requirement.

Key Federal Exemptions (and Ohio Nuances)

Federal exemptions include: - Owner-occupied 4-unit or smaller buildings (Mrs. Murphy exemption) - Private single-family home sales without a broker - Religious organization housing for members - Private club housing for members

Ohio state law has its own exemptions which may be narrower than federal exemptions. Licensed agents cannot discriminate even in exempt transactions.

Key Ohio Fair Housing Exam Takeaways

• Ohio adds marital status, military status, and ancestry/lineage to the federal 7
• Total protected classes under Ohio law: 10 (federal 7 + 3 Ohio additions)
• Steering, blockbusting, and redlining are always illegal
• Ohio CE requirement: 3 mandatory hours of civil rights/fair housing per renewal cycle
• Disability accommodation: reasonable modifications (tenant pays) and reasonable accommodations (landlord adjusts rules)

For full Ohio exam and licensing information, visit [CARealestate.com/states/ohio](https://carealestate.com/states/ohio).