Utah Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Utah, the first step you need to take is to pass the state licensing exam. As you can imagine, this exam requires much preparation, especially if you want to pass it on your first try. You’ll also need to equip yourself with as much information about the exam as possible to increase your chances of passing it.

This article will cover everything you should know about the Utah real estate exam. Here’s a list of what you can expect to gain as you read on:  

• How to schedule the Utah Real Estate Licensing exam 
• The requirements to register for the exam
• The cost of the exam
• Where you can take the exam 
• What is covered on the exam 
• The difficulty level of the exam 
• Best tips to pass the exam 

How to Schedule the Utah Real Estate Licensing Exam

To qualify to schedule the Utah real estate exam, all aspiring candidates must first meet the following requirements: 

• You must be 18 years or older 
• You must have at least a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• You must meet all education requirements within the year before licensing, which includes completing one hundred twenty (120) classroom hours of salesperson pre-licensing education from a certified real estate school. You’ll be required to present a Candidate Education Certifying Document each time you take this exam to prove your course completion. 

If you meet the requirements above, you can schedule your exam online by visiting the Pearson VUE website. If you’re a first-time user, you must create an account. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions on the website to book your exam reservation. You can also make a reservation over the telephone by calling (800) 359-9333. 

Note that you must make an online reservation for your exam at least 24 hours before your desired date. At the time of reservation, you’ll be required to pay an examination fee of $59 via credit card, debit card, or voucher, valid for one examination only. 

Where Do You Take the Utah Real Estate License Exam?

Candidates for the Utah real estate licensing exam are to take their exams at any of the designated Pearson VUE test centers in the U.S. The table below shows the test center locations, as well as their individual weekly schedules:

• Bountiful, UT (2-3 days per week
• Cedar City, UT (varies
• Draper, UT (Tuesday through Saturday
• Logan, UT (varies
• Moab, UT (varies
• Ogden, UT (2-3 days per week
• Orem, UT (1 day per week
• Richfield, UT (varies
• Roosevelt, UT (varies
• St. George, UT (varies
• Grand Junction, CO (Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
• Las Vegas, NV (Tuesday through Saturday

Can You Take the Exam Online?

No, you cannot take the Utah real estate licensing exam online. Candidates for this exam will be required to go to Pearson VUE testing centers in the U.S. to take the exam. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

On the day of your Utah real estate exam, you are expected to bring the following: 

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• Two forms of VALID, non-expired signature identification. This ID must contain your signature and photo and match the name you scheduled your exam with. The primary identification must be government-issued and can be any of the following: 
• Government-issued Driver’s License
• U.S. Department of State Driver’s License
• U.S. Learner’s Permit (plastic card only with photo and signature)
• National/State/Country Identification Card
• Passport
• Passport card
• Military ID
• Military ID for spouses and dependents
• Alien Registration Card (Green Card, Permanent Resident Visa

The secondary identification can be any of the following:

• U.S. Social Security Card
• Debit (ATM) or Credit Card
• Any form of ID on the Primary ID list
• A hand-held, battery, or solar-powered calculator that does not contain alpha characters

What is on the Utah Real Estate Exam?

The Utah real estate salesperson licensing exam is made up of two sections, namely: 

• The national portion, comprising questions based on national real estate principles and practice
• The Utah state-specific portion, comprising questions based on Utah real estate laws, rules, and regulations 

National Portion 

Here are the topics you will encounter in the salesperson exam national portion. The number of questions you can expect per topic is written in front of each topic: 

• Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use; 9 
• Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title; 8
• Property Value and Appraisal; 11
• Real Estate Contracts and Agency; 16
• Real Estate Practice; 14 
• Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues; 8
• Financing and Settlement; 7
• Real Estate Math Calculations; 7

State Portion 

Here are the topics you will encounter in the salesperson exam's state portion. The number of questions you can expect per topic is written in front of each topic: 

• Definitions; 3
• Licensing; 8
• Real Estate Office Procedure; 4-5
• Property Management; 3
• Licensee Practice; 15-17
• Enforcement; 4-5
• Real Estate Education, Research And Recovery Fund; 1-2
• Additional State Topics; 1-3
• Closing Statements; 6-8

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

Yes, there will be math on the Utah real estate licensing exam. These math questions will be found in the national portion and will be related to basic math concepts, including: 

• Property area calculations
• Property valuation 
• Commission/ Compensation
• Loan financing costs
• Settlement and closing costs
• Investments
• Property management calculations 

Candidates may use the following information in making mathematical calculations on the general section of the real estate examinations unless otherwise stated in the text of the question:

• 43,560 square feet/acre
• 5,280 feet/mile
• Round off calculations (where applicable)

Keep in mind that solving these math problems could be difficult and time-consuming. It is, therefore, best to save these questions for later while you continue to answer the other questions unless the answers are easy. This allows you to answer more questions and maximize your allocated time. 

Is the Utah Real Estate Exam Hard?

As can be expected of any professional certification exam, the Utah real estate exam is hard and will only get harder for poorly prepared candidates. This is why studying hard and getting all the help you can before taking the exam is important. 

How Many Questions Are on the Utah Real Estate Exam?

The Utah real estate salesperson exam has a total of 130 multiple-choice questions. 80 of these questions fall under the national portion, while the remaining 50 fall under the state portion. Candidates are given a total of 4 hours to complete the exam. 

Some “pretest” questions may be added to a candidate's test. These questions are used to evaluate the quality of the exam and develop future licensing examinations. These questions will not be scored, neither will the time used to answer them count against the testing time.  

To pass this exam, you must have a passing score of 70%. Once you submit the exam, your score will be displayed on the screen. If you pass, you will immediately receive a score report that includes information on how to apply for a license. 

If you fail, you will receive a score report that includes a numeric score and diagnostic

information relating to the general portion of the examination, as well as information about reexamination.

What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in Utah?

The real estate exam in Utah sees about 65-70% of candidates pass on the first try. This implies that while the exam might be hard, there is a good chance that candidates will pass if they undergo the necessary preparations. 

Note that this passing rate may be affected over time due to changes in the exam content and its difficulty level. 

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

When retaking the Utah real estate exam, you only need to sit for the portion(s) you failed. You must pass this portion within 6 months. If both sections have not been passed, you must retake the entire examination. 

To schedule a retake, follow the regular reservation procedures. You must wait 24 hours after failing an examination before making a reservation to retake it. Note that every attempt to take this exam will cost you an exam fee of $59. 

How to Pass the Utah Real Estate Exam

To pass the Utah real estate exam on the first trial, candidates must thoroughly study and understand all the topics listed above. With such a wide array of information being covered in the exam, studying and preparing is crucial if you want to pass on your first attempt. Below are a few study strategies you can implement in your preparation to ace the exam on your first try.

Create a Study Schedule 

When preparing for an exam like the Utah real estate exam, creating a study schedule can be very helpful in helping you balance your study sessions with your other daily commitments. A well-planned study schedule will improve your daily time management by ensuring that every minute of your time is accounted for, but it will also help you make the most of your study periods.  

Ensure you input frequent breaks into your study schedule to prevent burnout. It's also best to set your study time to periods of the day when you are less busy or distracted, such as early in the morning and late at night. We recommend studying for a little bit every night or at least every other night.

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

Acronyms and mnemonic devices are memory aids that break down complex information into smaller and simpler chunks that are easier for the brain to process and remember. A good example of a real estate acronym is CCIM, which stands for Certified Commercial Investment Member. 

Similarly, mnemonic devices are formed by associating a piece of information with something that can be easily related. A good mnemonic device detailing a property's four essential characteristics to have value would be “Don’t Utter Silly Things.”

• Don’t for Demand
• Utter for Utility
• Silly for Scarcity
• Things for Transferability

Join a Study Group 

Joining a study group can significantly increase your chances of success in the Utah real estate exam by advancing your learning process. It provides like-minded people to be accountable to, boosts your motivation to study, and helps you breed a healthy competition that gears you to do more.

Get Guided Help

One of the fastest and easiest ways to study for the exam is with our exam prep package. This includes online resources that will help you get familiar with the testing process while learning critical concepts to pass the exam.

You’ll also get access to the following helpful materials all at a very affordable price:

• 1,500 Utah real estate exam practice questions
• Customizable practice state exams
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Video explanations
• E-book study guide

Because it’s all online, you can access it from your phone, tablet, or laptop wherever you have internet connection.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Utah  

The Utah real estate exam is compulsory for all individuals who want to be licensed real estate salespersons in the state. Passing this exam requires careful preparation and a solid understanding of real estate concepts and practices. To increase your chances of succeeding on this exam, follow the tips above and enroll in a reputable real estate school.