Educational Resources: Take North Dakota Real Estate Sample Tests, Application Steps and Tips

There are two tests required, a final course exam, and the state exam. The course exam is designed to assess a candidate’s understanding of key real estate topics covered in the coursework.

This exam does not have to be supervised. Different course providers can conduct their exams differently.

After the pre-education exam, you must take the North Dakota Real Estate Exam. The fee is $131, although it can fluctuate year to year.

An Overview of the Real Estate Test

The North Dakota real estate exam has 140 questions and a time limit of 4 hours. There are two sections, national and state.

The national test has 100 questions and the state has 40. Their respective time limits are 2.5 and 1.5 hours.

A passing score is a 70 (out of 100) on the national and a 30 (out of 40) on the state.

If you fail one portion you will be required to repeat it within 12 months. If it is not done within that year you will be required to submit a new application.¹

Submitting the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner Real Estate License Application (5 Steps)

The five steps necessary to submit your application are as follows.²

These will likely be covered in your coursework, and are generally considered formalities if you qualify for the license.

1. Application Form: The application form can be downloaded from the Office of State website. It includes fields about your age, education, etc.
   It is used for all the basic information and as a checklist for the documentation which should be submitted as a compliment.
2. Documentation: The documentation is mostly in regard to your education. It should be a confirmation that you passed your required coursework and the North Dakota State exam.
   Also included will be a cleared background check, discussed in the next step.
3. Background Check: This background check will be conducted after the fingerprinting takes place either in an in-person facility or with a kit through the mail. They use fingerprinting to reveal any criminal history.
   Not all offenses disqualify potential applicants. Once your criminal history has been cleared, you will receive notice.
4. Fees: The exact total of fees for applying to become a real estate agent depends on a great number of factors. However, the application fee itself is $150.
   Those interested in the cost of a North Dakota real estate license should be aware that this amount is in addition to any prior educational or test expenses.
5. Submission: Make sure that your application is complete and fits all the prescriptions. It is advisable to retain copies of all the submission materials for yourself.
   The North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner office is located here:

North Dakota Real Estate Commission
1110 College Dr. Ste 207
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501

Fees and Costs for the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner Association of Real Estate Agents

The majority of the costs for a real estate license in North Dakota will come from the required coursework. This will vary based on the provider you choose, but an estimate could be around $800.

In addition, you will be charged $131 per attempt to take the State Exam. The rest of the costs are fees charged for the application.

They can be estimated at around $200 and are outlined below.

The fee to simply submit an application is $150. The Criminal History Record Check request will require another $8 fee to check the credit report.

This is made out to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission. They do not accept cash, and the total amount can be paid in check, or online with the NDREC’s bill pay function.

There will be an additional $20 fee paid separately to the North Dakota Real Estate Recovery Fund. These numbers are subject to change every year.

There are also renewal fees. These of course are not required for applying for your license, but the license must be renewed in order to be valid.

In addition, those seeking to specialize in certain property types or market niches, for example, may choose to pursue extra training or certification. These costs will be ongoing throughout the course of a real estate career.

However, since real estate is such a profitable industry, these renewal and specialization fees will likely not be a problem. It is worth noting that most of these kinds of fees are non-refundable, but the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner’s website contact information should be used for all particular payment inquiries.³

Applying to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR)

What is the NAR? The acronym stands for National Association of REALTORS®.

Being part of these associations is what differentiates a ‘real estate agent’ from a ‘Realtor®.’ The NAR is a trade association with over 1.5 million members.

It is the largest in the USA and is, of course, focused on real estate injury. They hold a U.S. trademark over the term “Realtor®”.

There are various reasons you may want to become an NAR member. First, the association claims dedication to the industry’s highest standards of professionalism and ethics.⁴

It simply adds a layer of credibility. Second, are the networking benefits.

As mentioned it is the largest trade organization in the USA, so it affords access to a ton of advantages, like networking opportunities, marketing information, events, educational opportunities, and more. The procedure for joining is simple.

To become a REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE). There is an online applicant data form.

Yearly deadlines are July 1 and December 1 to submit and these periods correspond to Fall or Spring RCE exams. There is a short version of the form on the NAR website which gives an indication if you will qualify.

Of course, there are fees involved with this. There is a non-refundable $395 application fee and a $205 certification fee will be due after you have successfully completed the examination.

If you do not take the exam or fail one of the three modules within two years of submitting your application, you must resubmit with another fee.

There is also a nonrefundable, non-transferable $55 retake fee per module examination. Another $80 exam cancellation fee applies if you cancel your registration process after starting.

To continue as an RCE you must recertify every four years by Jan 1. This usually requires a shorter process and a $135 recertification fee.

These fees fund the variety of services and benefits provided by the organization. If you’re wondering, “Should I become a real estate agent and join NAR?”

These costs could be a factor. For the application process, there are potential scholarship opportunities.

In addition, there are annual dues of $95, with a $50 late fee.

How Much Time Is Typically Needed for the Real Estate Application?

One of the most often asked questions by prospective agents is “How long does it take to become a real estate agent?” The answer, although simple, comprises multiple components, each of which plays a part in the timetable.

North Dakota, as previously stated, requires 90 hours of pre-licensing coursework. This may take anything from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the school and manner of learning.

The biggest factor is usually whether you choose to do it online or in person.

After the final exam from your course provider, you will take the North Dakota final exam. This could theoretically take 1 day, however, you will likely want some time after your course to decompress and prepare for it.

After you pass comes the application process. Again, it really depends on how quickly you want to complete the various components.

Theoretically, everything can be assembled in a week or two, but all kinds of slight delays are possible. Once the application is submitted, expect to wait a couple of weeks for a verdict.

All in all, after your successful state exam, a successful application could take anywhere from 1-6 months.

Usually, it is best to prioritize the education you receive over the speed with which you apply.

Since, even if you slow down the process, you can still be certified in under a year, it is usually best to be patient and make the most out of the coursework.⁵