Oregon Real Estate Exam Pass Rate: What the Numbers Mean for You
Oregon's broker exam has a lower-than-average first-attempt pass rate. Learn what the data shows and how to make sure you are in the passing group.
Oregon's Exam Is Harder Than You Think
Oregon's real estate broker exam consistently sees first-attempt pass rates in the 55–65% range depending on the testing period. That means roughly one in three candidates fail on the first try. Understanding why — and preparing accordingly — is the clearest path to passing.
The exam is administered by PSI and consists of 130 questions: 80 national and 50 state-specific. You need a 75% to pass, which means 98 correct answers out of 130.
Why the Pass Rate Is Lower in Oregon
Several factors push Oregon's pass rate below the national average for real estate exams:
150-hour prelicense requirement. Oregon requires 150 hours of pre-license education for a broker license — one of the higher hour requirements nationally. More content means more material to master before the exam.
Large state section. With 50 state-specific questions, Oregon's state section is bigger than most states. Candidates who focus only on national prep materials often underestimate how much Oregon-specific content matters.
No salesperson tier. Because Oregon skips the salesperson license and starts candidates at broker, the exam tests broker-level knowledge from day one. The content is inherently more complex.
Urban growth boundaries and land use law. Oregon's statewide land use planning system is unlike anything tested in other states. Candidates unfamiliar with urban growth boundaries, ORS Chapter 197, or agricultural land protections often lose points in this area.
What Passing Candidates Do Differently
Reviewing patterns among candidates who pass on the first attempt reveals consistent habits:
- They complete all 150 hours of prelicense coursework without skipping ahead
- They use a dedicated exam prep course with Oregon-specific content (not just a generic national course)
- They average 500 or more practice questions before exam day
- They schedule the exam within two to four weeks of finishing coursework, while material is fresh
- They review the PSI Oregon candidate handbook and understand the content outline
Retake Rules
If you do not pass, Oregon allows you to retake the exam. You must wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake. There is no limit on the number of attempts within the two-year period following your school's certificate of completion.
However, your school certificate is valid for only two years. If that window expires, you must complete the 150 hours of coursework again before testing.
Scoring Breakdown
PSI reports your score as a scaled score on a range where 75 is passing. You will also receive a diagnostic report showing your performance in each content area. If you fail, use this report strategically — focus your retake prep on the weakest sections rather than reviewing everything equally.
How to Be in the Passing Group
The single biggest predictor of first-attempt success is how much Oregon-specific practice you do. Generic national prep materials cover the 80-question national section well, but they leave you unprepared for 50 Oregon questions. Find a prep provider that explicitly covers Oregon law, OREA authority, disclosure forms, and land use planning.
Set a goal of passing on your first attempt. Retakes cost time and money, and the data shows that candidates who prepare with state-specific content consistently outperform those who rely on national-only materials.
Get a full Oregon prep plan at [CARealestate.com/states/oregon](https://carealestate.com/states/oregon).
Ready to test your knowledge?
Start with 5 free CA real estate exam questions — no signup required.
Take the Free Quiz →