Washington D.C. Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know (2025 Guide)

In the bustling capital of Washington, D.C., working in real estate is a rewarding and lucrative career for many agents. After finishing your pre-licensing coursework, the only thing left is to study and pass the Washington D.C. real estate exam. 

Taking the Washington D.C. real estate licensing exam requires additional preparation and studying to ensure you can pass on the first try. If you’re looking for resources like vocabulary flashcards, practice real estate exams, study guides and more, we can help.  Our RE State Exam Prep program has helped thousands of students ace their real estate exams. 

If you’re preparing to take the licensing exam, we’ll help walk you through: 

• How to schedule the real estate licensing exam 
• What you can expect to be tested on 
• How difficult the exam is
• Study tips and tricks to ensure you pass on the first try

Take a Free D.C. Real Estate Exam

Here is a short 10-question D.C. exam to test your real estate knowledge. This exam mimics our practice exams featured in our exam prep package. If you want the full package, tap the button below.

How to Schedule the Washington D.C. Real Estate Licensing Exam

In order to be eligible to schedule the exam, you’ll have to complete the 60-hour pre-licensing coursework requirement taken from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider. In Washington, D.C., you’ll be required to take a final exam with your educational institution, which is different from the licensing exam. 

Once you’ve successfully completed your coursework, passed the final exam and received your certificate of completion, you can schedule your licensing exam through PSI Exams — the third-party test-taking provider that has contracted with the DC Real Estate Commission to administer the licensing exam. 

To schedule the exam, you can call a PSI registrar or schedule online through PSI’s DC website. Keep in mind there is a $61.50 non-refundable exam fee each time you take the test. The exams are taken in person at the D.C. PSI Test Center, located at 1100 4th Street SW. This is the only testing location available within Washington, D.C. Alternatively, you may choose to take the exam at an out-of-state PSI testing site.

Can You Take the Exam Online?

The D.C. Real Estate Commission does not allow for the real estate licensing exam to be taken online. While you will take the exam on a computer, the test can only be taken in person at the PSI Exam Test Center. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

Make sure you’re prepared on your exam day! It’s recommended to show up at the test center at least 30 minutes before the exam is scheduled to begin so you can check-in. You’ll need to bring two things with you: 

• Two forms of ID — One must be a government-issued form of ID that confirms you’re at least 18 years of age and matches the name on your reservation. The other can be a credit card, debit card or another item that matches your name. 
• Proof that you’ve completed the 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing coursework

The test center has strict rules about personal belongings in the exam room, so make sure to only bring the necessities with you on exam day. Take the time to review the rules and prohibited items so you can comply on the day of the exam. Otherwise, you could be kicked out or prohibited from taking the exam, which will result in forfeiting the $61.50 exam fee. 

What is on the Washington D.C. Real Estate Exam?

When you take the Washington D.C. real estate exam, you’ll be tested on both a national and state-specific section to ensure you’re familiar with the general real estate industry, as well as local rules and regulations. 
On the national portion of the exam, the content will be broken down as follows: 

• Property ownership (8%)
• Land use controls and regulation (5%)
• Valuation and market analysis (7%)
• Financing (10%)
• General principles of agency (13%)
• Property disclosures (6%)
• Contracts (17%)
• Leasing and property management (3%)
• Transfer of Title (8%)
• Practice of real estate (13%)
• Real estate calculations (10%)

For the D.C.-specific part of the exam, you’ll be tested on:

• Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission
• Licensing Requirements
• Statutory Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

On the national portion of the DC real estate license exam, approximately 10% of your questions will include real estate math calculations. These questions will include things like basic math concepts and how to calculate transactions. You won’t be given any guidelines for conversion, so it’s important to remember some basic calculations like there are 43,560 square feet in an acre and 5,280 feet in a mile. Memorizing these formulas can ensure you can properly solve any calculations for those metrics.

For the math questions, you will be given a calculator when you check in for the exam that you can use for any basic math calculations. Once the exam is complete, you’ll return the calculator to the test proctor. 

Is the Washington D.C. Real Estate Exam Hard?

The exam is challenging but absolutely manageable with the right preparation. The District of Columbia Real Estate Commission does not publish an official pass-rate.

Because each section is scored separately, you can pass one section and retake only the other—but both must be passed within six months of your first attempt.

If you’re looking for extra support, our RE State Exam Prep program consistently sees a 90 % success rate among enrolled students. With focused study and the right resources, you can walk into the exam feeling confident—and walk out with a passing score.

How Many Questions Are on the Washington D.C. Real Estate Exam?

The D.C. real estate licensing exam includes two sections — the national section, which covers general real estate information, and the D.C.-specific section, which includes questions specific to D.C. real estate rules and regulations. 

In the national section, you’ll have 120 minutes to answer 80 questions. For the state-specific section, you’ll have to answer 30 questions and will have 90 minutes to complete the section. Altogether, you have a time period of 210 minutes for the 110 questions. 

What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in Washington D.C.?

In order to pass the Washington D.C. real estate test, 60 out of the 80 questions and 23 out of 30 questions on the state portion of the exam. In other words, you’ll need to answer 75% of the questions correctly to pass. 

Once you submit your exam, you’ll be able to see immediately if you passed or failed the exam. If you fail the exam, you’ll be able to get a diagnostic report that outlines your strengths and weaknesses so you can work to improve for the next time. 

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

The good news is that if you fail, you’re able to take the exam again. There are no limits to how many times you can take the D.C. real estate exam. But keep in mind that you have to pass both the national and state-specific sections within six months of your first test attempt. If you pass one section but fail the other, you’ll only need to retake the section that you failed. 

You will have to repay the $61.50 exam fee every time you take the exam though, which can be a further incentive to pass on the first try! Our standard guided help state exam prep package is only $49.99 — less than the cost of taking the exam — and provides an affordable way to ensure you only take the test once. 

How to Pass the Washington D.C. Real Estate Exam

One of the final things to do is pass the Washington D.C. real estate exam. Investing time and effort into an exam prep program can elevate your studying and ensure you’re ready for the exam when the day comes. 

A guided exam prep course is different from your previous required pre-licensing coursework. While your pre-licensing coursework will give you the foundation for the exam, a guided exam prep course can arm you with the helpful study tools and resources to pass the exam on the first try. 

Create a Study Schedule

Structure and consistency can go a long way as you study for your Washington D.C. real estate licensing exam. One way to set yourself up for success is to create a study schedule and stick to it. Even if your day gets hectic, by setting up a specific routine for studying, you’ll have a set, dedicated time to study for the exam. 

We recommend trying to study every night, or at least every other night, in the weeks leading up to your exam. One way to accomplish this is through small 15 or 30-minute time blocks where you can put aside any distractions and focus on your study materials. You'll appreciate taking the time to schedule and maintain a consistent exam prep routine in the future!

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

Whether you have a great memory or struggle to grasp vocabulary words, utilizing an acronym or mnemonic device can give you an easy way to remember common topics for the real estate licensing exam. This strategy has been used in classrooms for decades and utilizes rhyming words or phrases to help your brain remember vocabulary words. You might be familiar with the common mnemonic device, Roy G. Biv, to remember all the colors of the rainbow. Have fun with it and create your own study phrase that is specific to you. 

Join a Study Group

They say there’s power in numbers, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to preparing for your Washington D.C. real estate licensing exam. Joining a study group is a great way to meet friends, prep for the real estate exam and have accountability throughout the process. Even if you prefer to study alone, having the accountability and camaraderie of a study group can help you work through the study materials and brainstorm new ways to understand the material. 

Get Guided Help

There’s no such thing as too much help. Signing up for a guided help prep course can give you the study skills and resources necessary to ensure you pass the exam on the first try. While your pre-licensing coursework is designed to give you the knowledge you need, a guided prep program will give you the study skills you need to pass the exam.

Resources like real estate practice exam tests for the Washington D.C. exam can give you a sneak peek at what you might be tested on and outline where your strengths and weaknesses are. 

Plus, the extra investment in a guided prep program can help you save money in the long run by minimizing the chances you have to take the exam more than once. If you’re looking for a trusted and reputable guided prep program, our RE State Exam Prep program for Washington D.C. can help. 

You get access to 

• Over 1,500 Washington D.C. real estate exam practice questions 
• Customizable practice state exams
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Video explanations by real estate experts
• E-book study guide
• And so much more

With a 90% pass rate and over 50,000 registered students, our exam prep program has helped real estate students across the country and in Washington D.C., prepare and pass their licensing exams. If you’re interested in trying it yourself, you can register for a free 3-day trial and access our program at no cost to you. You’ll see how our materials will set you apart as you study for your licensing exam.

You can add real estate crash course videos. It's 8+ hours of video content that teaches you the concepts, vocabulary, historical events, and more. Led by our head instructor, Robert Rico, our crash course videos teaches you everything you need to know to pass on your first try.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Washington D.C.

From vibrant row homes to spacious estates, the world of Washington D.C. real estate is an exciting opportunity to grow your career as a real estate agent. Taking the time to prepare and study for your final licensing exam with a guided prep course will give you the confidence you need to ace your exam on the first try. 

Use our proven RE State Exam Prep program to study for your Washington D.C. real estate exam. Our pass guarantee helps you feel confident your investment will pay off. Ready to get started? Sign up today for our free 3-day trial to see how we can help.

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