Alabama real estate exam facts, rule by rule

All Alabama exam facts

Format: two parts in one sitting

General portion: 80 questions, 2.5 hours. It follows the Pearson VUE general outline; each area has its own page under the national portion. State law portion: 40 questions, 1 hour, on the outline effective February 1, 2026.

Pretest items: 5 on the general part and 5–10 on the state part, 10–15 in all; they look like the rest and are not marked.

Passing score and the score report

You need a scaled 70 overall. The scale runs 0–100 and the number is not a percentage of correct answers. The Commission rule sets the passing grade at 70 and the time at three and a half hours (r. 790-X-2-.02(8)).

Score report: marked pass or fail; a fail shows the numeric score and diagnostics for the general and state sections. A pass shows no number, so there is nothing to compare between candidates who passed.

If you fail: the retake rule

Fail one part? No: failing one or both parts means retaking the entire exam. Each attempt is a new booking at the full exam fee.

Attempts: unlimited attempts within the 6-month authorization; after that, the prelicense course must be taken again. The window counts from course completion, not from your first attempt, so a late first try leaves fewer retakes inside it. You do not need a new authorization from the Commission between attempts.

Booking and test day

Booking: book online at least 24 hours ahead, no walk-ins; change or cancel at least 48 hours ahead or the fee is lost. The fee is paid by card when you book, never at the center. Absences for illness, a death in the family, jury duty and a few other reasons can be excused if you call Pearson VUE within 14 days (handbook, p. 6).

At the center: bring two current signature IDs, one of them government-issued with a photo, with the name exactly as registered. Arrive 30 minutes early. Calculator: personal calculators not permitted; an on-screen calculator is provided.

After you pass: 90 days

A passing score is good for 90 days: apply to AREC within that window. The application for the temporary license goes in with a qualifying broker who sponsors you; the steps are on how to get licensed.

Licensed in another state

Reciprocal candidates take only the 40-question state portion ($53, 1 hour), after 6 hours of approved Alabama coursework; the state portion must be passed within 6 months of the course. The license you hold must come from passing a full exam in the state that issued it.

More on the Alabama exam

• Alabama salesperson →One exam in two parts, one overall scaled score, the HB382 changes (Oct 2025)
• Alabama salesperson practice test →State-law questions by outline weight plus general items, all explained
• Alabama salesperson cost →Exam fee plus the temporary, original and renewal license fees, sourced to the Code
• Alabama salesperson how to get licensed →Seven steps from the prelicense course to the original license, with every deadline
• Alabama salesperson study guide →A state-part study map by outline weight, with the 2025–2026 rule changes