Ohio Real Estate Practice Exam
(Free Questions & Answers)
The Ohio real estate exam is administered by the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing and requires 120 hours of pre-license education — among the highest in the country. Ohio also requires 20 hours of post-licensing education within the first year, which is tested on the exam. The state portion covers Ohio's Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships (which must be provided at first contact), Ohio's property disclosure requirements, and Ohio's specific trust account and record-keeping rules.
Administered by: Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing · 120 questions · Passing score: 70%
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Updated May 2026 · Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing exam outline
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Free Ohio Real Estate Practice Exam Questions
Test your knowledge with these Ohio real estate practice questions. Each question is based on topics from the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing exam and includes detailed explanations.
Q1. Which state agency regulates real estate licenses in Ohio?
Explanation
The Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, within the Ohio Department of Commerce, is responsible for issuing and regulating real estate licenses in Ohio.
Q2. In Ohio, which document must a licensee provide to a consumer to explain agency relationships?
Explanation
Ohio requires licensees to provide the Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships (CGAR) to all consumers at the first contact, explaining the types of agency relationships available.
Q3. In Ohio, a purchase agreement becomes binding when:
Explanation
A purchase agreement in Ohio becomes binding (mutually accepted) when all parties have signed and the acceptance has been communicated to the offeror.
Q4. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a Qualified Mortgage (QM) generally prohibits:
Explanation
Qualified Mortgages under Dodd-Frank generally require that the borrower's total debt-to-income ratio not exceed 43%. QMs also prohibit certain risky loan features such as interest-only periods and negative amortization.
Q5. In Ohio, property taxes are levied based on:
Explanation
In Ohio, property taxes are based on the county auditor's assessed value, which is set at 35% of the property's appraised market value. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value.
Q6. In Ohio, the county auditor's assessed value is used to determine:
Explanation
The county auditor's assessed value (35% of appraised market value) is the tax base used to calculate the owner's property tax obligation. It is not used to determine market value for sale or insurance purposes.
Q7. Ohio's fair housing law is found in the Ohio Civil Rights Act, which provides protections that are:
Explanation
Ohio's Civil Rights Act provides broad fair housing protections covering race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and ancestry, among other classes.
Q8. In Ohio, a Closing Disclosure (CD) must be provided to the buyer at least:
Explanation
Under TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure), the Closing Disclosure must be provided to the buyer at least 3 business days before the loan closing, allowing time to review final loan terms.
Q9. An Ohio property is appraised at $280,000. The county auditor assesses it at 35% for tax purposes. The millage rate is 60 mills. What is the annual tax? (1 mill = $0.001 per $1 of value)
Explanation
Assessed value = $280,000 x 35% = $98,000. Annual tax = $98,000 x 60 mills = $98,000 x 0.060 = $5,880.
Q10. Ohio EPA is primarily responsible for:
Explanation
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) regulates air quality, water quality, waste management, and oversees cleanup of contaminated properties under state environmental laws.
Q11. In Ohio, zoning regulations are typically enacted by:
Explanation
Zoning is a local government function exercised by municipalities and counties under Ohio's enabling statutes. The state authorizes local governments to adopt zoning codes through their police powers.
Q12. Under Ohio landlord-tenant law (ORC Chapter 5321), a landlord must return a security deposit within:
Explanation
Under ORC 5321.16, an Ohio landlord must return the tenant's security deposit (with an itemized written statement of deductions, if any) within 30 days after the tenant vacates.
Q13. How many hours of pre-license education are required to sit for the Ohio real estate salesperson exam?
Explanation
Ohio requires 120 hours of approved pre-license education before a candidate may sit for the salesperson licensing exam, making it one of the higher pre-license requirements in the country.
Q14. In Ohio, a licensee who represents the seller but works with the buyer is called a:
Explanation
A licensee working for the seller but working with an unrepresented buyer is acting as the seller's agent. They owe fiduciary duties to the seller and must be honest and fair to the buyer.
Q15. An Ohio seller receives an offer with a financing contingency. This contingency means:
Explanation
A financing contingency makes the contract conditional upon the buyer obtaining a mortgage loan with specified terms. If the buyer cannot obtain financing, they may cancel the contract and recover their earnest money.
Q16. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) assists:
Explanation
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) provides affordable mortgage programs, down payment assistance, and tax credit programs primarily for first-time homebuyers and low-to-moderate income households.
Q17. In Ohio, a joint tenancy requires which four unities to be present at creation?
Explanation
Joint tenancy in Ohio requires the four unities: unity of time (acquired at the same time), title (same deed), interest (equal shares), and possession (equal right to possess the whole). All four must be present.
Q18. Which principle states that the value of an improvement is only worth the amount it adds to the total property value?
Explanation
The principle of contribution states that the value of any component of a property is measured by how much it contributes to the total property value, not by the cost to install it.
Q19. Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following statements about handicap (disability) accessibility is TRUE?
Explanation
Under the Fair Housing Act, tenants with disabilities have the right to make reasonable modifications at their own expense. The landlord may require the tenant to restore the unit to its original condition upon move-out.
Q20. In Ohio, which type of deed is most commonly used to convey residential property in a typical arm's-length sale?
Explanation
The general warranty deed is the most common deed used in Ohio residential sales. The grantor warrants title against all defects throughout the property's entire history.
Q21. A broker earns a 6% commission on a $390,000 sale and splits it 60/40 with the co-op broker. How much does the listing broker receive?
Explanation
Total commission = $390,000 x 6% = $23,400. Listing broker's share = $23,400 x 60% = $14,040. To solve this, multiply the relevant values: $390,000 at 6%.. The correct answer is $14,040.. This is a common calculation on the Ohio real estate exam.
Q22. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is conducted to:
Explanation
A Phase I ESA involves reviewing records, conducting interviews, and visually inspecting the property to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) — without actual sampling.
Q23. A 'variance' in Ohio zoning law is best described as:
Explanation
A variance grants relief from specific zoning requirements (e.g., setback, height, lot coverage) without changing the underlying zoning classification. The property owner must show hardship.
Q24. Under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act, which of the following is a landlord's statutory obligation?
Explanation
Under ORC 5321.02, Ohio landlords must keep rental units in a fit and habitable condition, maintain all common areas, and comply with applicable building and housing codes.
Q25. How many questions are on the Ohio real estate salesperson licensing exam?
Explanation
The Ohio real estate salesperson exam contains 120 questions divided between national and state-specific portions.
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Ohio Real Estate Exam — What to Expect
What Is On The Ohio Real Estate Exam?
The Ohio real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing and tests both national real estate principles and Ohio-specific laws and regulations. The exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 70% to pass.
The national portion covers topics that apply in every state: property ownership, land use controls, valuation and market analysis, financing, agency law, contracts, leasing and property management, transfer of title, fair housing laws, and real estate calculations. The state portion tests knowledge specific to Ohio — including regulations set by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing, Ohio agency disclosure requirements, and state-specific contract and closing practices.
Topics covered on the Ohio exam include: Property Ownership, Agency Law, Contracts, Finance, Ohio License Law, Fair Housing. Candidates who struggle on the OH exam typically underestimate the state-specific portion — the national content is well-covered by most study materials, but Ohio law questions require targeted preparation.
Official Ohio Exam Content Areas
Source: Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing · Updated June 2026
| Content Area | Questions |
|---|---|
| National Section (11 PSI topic areas) | 80 |
| Ohio State Section (ORC Chapter 4735, licensing requirements, agency disclosure, broker supervision, trust accounts, fair housing) | 40 |
- ▸Administered by PSI; must score 70% on each section — 56/80 national, 28/40 state; sections scored independently and may be retaken separately; Ohio Admin Code Rule 1301:5-1-05 governs the exam structure
- ▸Ohio's real estate licensing law is Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 4735 — the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing (OREPL) under the Department of Commerce administers and enforces it; Ohio fair housing is ORC Chapter 4112
- ▸Ohio state section covers ORC 4735 licensing requirements, agency disclosure law, broker supervision obligations, trust account rules, disciplinary procedures, and Ohio fair housing under ORC 4112
- ▸Ohio requires agents to provide the Consumer's Guide to Agency Relationships at or before first substantive contact with a buyer or seller — failure to provide this document is a license law violation; its content and timing are tested on the state exam
- ▸Ohio's 120-hour pre-license education requirement is among the highest in the country (covering real estate principles, real estate law, applied finance, and appraisal) — questions about pre-license hour requirements appear on the state exam
- ▸Source: Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing (com.ohio.gov/divisions/real-estate), ORC Chapter 4735, Ohio Admin Code Rule 1301:5-1-05, and PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (test-takers.psiexams.com)
Practice Ohio questions by topic — start with Ohio License Law, Agency, and Contracts to build your foundation, then work through remaining topics.
How Many Questions Are On The Ohio Exam?
The Ohio real estate salesperson exam has 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into a national section covering general real estate principles and a state section covering Ohio-specific laws administered by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing. You have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Ohio Real Estate Exam Passing Score
You need a 70% to pass the Ohio real estate exam. The first-time pass rate in Ohio is approximately 59%, which means preparation is essential — most candidates who fail do so because they focused on national content and underestimated the OH-specific portion. Our Ohio practice exam is built specifically around the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing exam outline.
Read our complete Ohio exam study guide — state-specific topics, 5-week study plan, and what to focus on before exam day.
Most Difficult Topics On The Ohio Exam
These are the areas where Ohio candidates most commonly lose points — and a key reason why some states produce harder real estate exams than others.
Ohio's requirement of 120 hours of pre-license education — among the highest in the country — reflects the depth of content tested on the OH state exam. License categories, supervision requirements, and renewal rules are heavily tested.
Ohio requires 20 hours of post-licensing education within the first year. This requirement, the specific topics that must be covered, and the consequences of non-compliance are tested on the Ohio state exam.
Ohio requires licensees to provide a Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships at first contact. The specific content of this guide and the timing of its delivery are tested on the state portion.
Ohio's specific rules on trust account maintenance, record-keeping, and the broker's responsibility for funds are tested on the state exam. Ohio's requirements differ in detail from national norms.
Ohio Real Estate Math
The Ohio real estate exam includes math questions covering commission calculations, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, property tax prorations, area and volume, and appreciation/depreciation. A common example: if a property sells for $350,000 and the total commission is 6%, split equally between listing and buyer's broker, each side earns $10,500. Proration questions — such as calculating how many days of property taxes a seller owes at closing — are also common. On the OH exam, you will not need a calculator for most math questions, but you do need to understand the formulas. Practice the "T-bar" method for commission splits and the 360-day banker's year for prorations.
🧮 See all exam math formulas →How To Get Your Ohio Real Estate License
- 1Complete 120 hours of state-approved pre-license education covering topics required by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.
- 2Submit your application to the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing and pay the required fees (exam fee: $63).
- 3Pass the Ohio real estate salesperson exam (120 questions, 70% to pass).
- 4Complete a background check and fingerprinting as required by Ohio law.
- 5Find a licensed sponsoring/employing broker to activate your license.
- 6Complete any required post-licensing education within the timeframe set by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.
Best Study Strategy For The Ohio Exam
Start with Ohio license law first. State-specific regulations administered by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing make up a significant portion of the OH exam and are not covered in most national study materials.
Master the math early. The Ohio real estate exam includes questions on commission calculations, prorations, loan-to-value ratios, and area calculations. Set aside dedicated math practice sessions — don't leave it until the last week.
Take timed practice exams. The Ohio exam has 120 questions within a 3 hours time limit. Simulate exam conditions to build stamina and identify weak topics before exam day.
Focus heavily on agency law. Agency relationships, disclosure requirements, and fiduciary duties are consistently among the most-tested topics on the OH exam. Understand the difference between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent, and transaction broker in the context of Ohio law.
Review Fair Housing thoroughly. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply in all states, but Ohio may have additional protected classes. Know both federal and Ohio-specific protections cold — this topic appears on virtually every exam.
Use active recall, not passive reading. Instead of re-reading notes, quiz yourself. Use flashcards or practice questions to test retention. Research shows active recall improves long-term retention significantly compared to passive review.
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Ohio Real Estate Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
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