Is there a limit to how many times you can take the real estate exam?

Most states allow unlimited retakes within the 1–2 year exam-eligibility window after completing your pre-license course. A few states (e.g., Texas allows 3 attempts before requiring additional education) cap the number. After hitting the cap or letting your eligibility expire, you must retake additional pre-license hours.

Do I have to wait between retakes?

Yes. Most states require a 24-hour waiting period between attempts. Some require longer (e.g., 30 days after a third failure). Each retake also requires paying the full exam fee — typically $40–$100.

If I pass one section but fail the other, do I have to retake both?

In most states, no. You retake only the failed section. Passing scores on the section you passed are typically valid for 6 months to 2 years depending on the state — so you must pass the failed section within that window or you start over.

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam? (Retake Rules by State)

The short answer: most states allow unlimited retakes within your exam eligibility window (typically 1–2 years after completing your pre-license course). But there's nuance — wait periods, partial-section retakes, and score expiration can all bite you. Here's the breakdown.

State retake rules at a glance

| --- | --- | --- | --- |

| Texas | 24 hr | Yes | 1 yr; 3 attempts max |

| Arizona | 24 hr | Yes | 1 yr |

| New York | None | Yes | 2 yrs |

| Massachusetts | 1 day | Yes | 2 yrs |

| Connecticut | 24 hr | Yes | 1 yr |

| Tennessee | 24 hr | Yes | 6 mo to retake failed section |

| Indiana | 24 hr | Yes | 1 yr |

| Maryland | 24 hr | Yes | 1 yr |

| South Carolina | 24 hr | Yes | 12 mo activation window |

| Kentucky | 24 hr | Yes | 60 days/section |

| Louisiana | 24 hr | Yes | 1 yr |

(Always verify with your state real estate commission — rules update periodically.)

How section retakes work

Most state exams are split into a national section (80 questions) and a state-specific section (30–60 questions depending on state). Scores are reported separately. If you pass one and fail the other:

You retake only the failed section in most states.

The passing section's score is valid for 6 months to 2 years depending on the state.

You pay the full exam fee each retake (typically $40–$100).

This is a huge break — you don't need to re-prepare the section you already passed. But you must retake the failed section within the window or your passing score expires and you start over.

Score expiration — the silent timeline killer

Even if you pass both sections, your passing scores have an expiration date in most states.

South Carolina: 12 months from passing to activate your license. Miss the window and your score is voided. (South Carolina guide)

California: 2 years to apply for license after passing.

Texas: 1 year to file your license application.

Most states: 1–2 years.

Translation: pass the exam → activate the license fast. Don't sit on a passing score for a year.

Common retake mistakes

1. Studying the same way that didn't work the first time

If you failed using only your pre-license course materials, repeating that approach gets the same result. Add a dedicated exam-prep tool with state-specific questions.

2. Not analyzing the score report

PSI and Pearson VUE score reports break out which content areas you missed. Study those specifically — don't re-study the whole exam.

3. Booking the retake too soon

The 24-hour minimum doesn't mean rebook for tomorrow. Take a week to fix the gaps the score report exposed before sitting again. The retake fee is typically $40–$100 — don't waste it.

4. Letting eligibility expire

If your pre-license eligibility window runs out before you pass, you have to retake additional pre-license hours in most states. Calendar your eligibility window and don't miss it.

The smart retake plan

Read the score report. Identify the 2–3 weakest content areas.

Use a tool with rationales — the question alone doesn't teach you. The explanation does.

Take 2–3 full timed mocks before re-sitting.

Re-sit within 2 weeks of finishing focused review. Knowledge fades fast.

Use a tool with a Pass Guarantee — Click2CE refunds your $59 if you complete the program and don't pass.

Bottom line

You almost certainly have multiple retakes available, but each one costs $40–$100 and weeks of momentum. Read your score report, fix the specific gaps, and re-sit within 2 weeks. The candidates who fail twice are usually the ones who repeat the same study approach — don't be one of them.