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EXAM GUIDE · KENTUCKY REAL ESTATE

Kentucky Real Estate Sales Associate Exam Exam Guide

Administered by Kentucky Real Estate CommissionVerified against the official content outline
By Vincent Ruan, EA, CFP®Published August 11, 2026

At a glance

Questions
120
Time limit
4h
Passing score
75%
Exam fee
$100

The Kentucky Real Estate Sales Associate Exam is the state licensing test required to work as a real estate sales associate in Kentucky, sitting alongside the required pre-license coursework. It's administered by PSI Services LLC under contract with the Kentucky Real Estate Commission, the state agency that sets licensing rules and reviews applications.

Overview

The exam is split into a national portion covering general real estate principles and practice, and a Kentucky state-law portion built around six content areas. The state-law portion breaks down as follows:

  • Brokerage Activities and Requirements - 14 items
  • Real Estate Commission - 7 items
  • Requirements for a License - 7 items
  • License Law Requirements for Contracts - 5 items
  • Disclosures and Agency Issues - 4 items
  • Property Management - 3 items

Before sitting for the exam, candidates must also complete 96 hours of Commission-approved pre-license instruction (or an accepted college-credit alternative).

Cost and registration

The exam fee is $100, paid to the testing vendor at the time of reservation. After passing, license application fees run $130 for an active license or $120 to go directly into inactive status. Candidates also cover background check costs: $18 for the FBI criminal history report and $51.25 for the Kentucky State Police check. Renewing late can add a $200 late renewal fee or, if continuing education is also overdue, a $1,000 late CE fee — confirm current amounts against the Kentucky Real Estate Commission's official fee schedule before paying.

Exam format

The exam totals 120 questions across 240 minutes: 80 national questions in 150 minutes, followed by 40 Kentucky state-law questions in 90 minutes. A small number of unscored experimental questions (typically 5 to 10) may also appear without being identified. Candidates must score at least 75% correct to pass.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Kentucky real estate sales associate exam cost?

The exam fee is $100, paid directly to the testing vendor by credit card at the time you reserve your seat. This is separate from the license application fees paid to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission afterward.

Who administers the Kentucky real estate licensing exam, and where can I take it?

PSI Services LLC administers the exam under contract with the Kentucky Real Estate Commission, with test sites in cities including Bowling Green, Lexington, and Louisville, plus additional locations in nearby Ohio and Tennessee. Check the current PSI candidate handbook for the full, up-to-date list of locations.

What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam?

You must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and complete 96 hours of Commission-approved pre-license instruction (or an accepted college-credit alternative) before scheduling. You must also have started the required FBI criminal background check process before you can schedule your test date.

What happens if I fail one portion of the exam but pass the other?

If you pass one portion but fail the other, you have 4 months from the date you passed to retake and pass just the failed portion. Miss that window and you'll need to retake both the national and state portions again.

How soon do I need to apply for my license after passing the exam?

You must submit your license application within 60 days of passing the exam. Your criminal background check documentation also has its own shelf life, since checks expire 90 days after the report date, so timing both steps together matters.

What does the background check for licensure cost and involve?

Kentucky requires an FBI criminal history report, which costs $18, alongside a Kentucky State Police check costing $51.25. Both must be completed and remain within their validity window before your license application is processed.

Sources

  1. 1.Real Estate Sales Associate and Broker Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin (Kentucky Real Estate Commission) — PSI Services LLCKentucky Real Estate Commission (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
  2. 2.Candidate Testing Information | Kentucky Real Estate CommissionKentucky Real Estate Commission (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
  3. 3.National Criminal History Checks (Background Checks) | Kentucky Real Estate CommissionKentucky Real Estate Commission (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
  4. 4.Licensing | Kentucky Real Estate CommissionKentucky Real Estate Commission (accessed Aug 10, 2026)
  5. 5.Real Estate Regulatory Agencies DirectoryARELLO

Official sources

Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.

Last verified against the official exam content outline: