The Vermont real estate salesperson exam is administered by PSI and regulated by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) Real Estate Commission. With 136 questions and a 240-minute (4-hour) time limit, you need a focused study plan to pass on your first attempt.

The first-time pass rate is approximately 70%. With proper preparation, the odds are in your favor. Here is your complete guide.

Step 1: Complete the 40-Hour Pre-License Requirement

Vermont requires 40 hours of OPR-approved pre-license education. Your coursework will cover:

Real estate principles and practices

Vermont real estate law

Agency relationships and contracts

Real estate math and finance

Your school must verify your completion before you can register for the exam with PSI.

Step 2: Know the Exam Format

Total Questions: 136 multiple-choice

National Portion: 100 questions

State Portion: 36 questions

Time Limit: 240 minutes (4.0 hours)

Passing Score: 75% on each portion independently

Exam Fee: $110 per attempt

Administered By: PSI

You must pass both portions independently. If you fail one portion but pass the other, you only need to retake the failed portion.

Step 3: Master the National Content Areas

The national portion (100 questions) covers topics tested in every state:

Property Ownership and Land Use Controls

Forms of Ownership and Transfer of Title

Property Valuation and Appraisal

Financing and Settlement

Agency Relationships and Fiduciary Duties

Contracts and Purchase Agreements

Fair Housing and Civil Rights

Real Estate Math (calculations appear throughout multiple sections)

Step 4: Focus on Vermont-Specific Content

The Vermont state portion has 36 questions covering topics specific to this state:

Vermont Real Estate License Law and OPR oversight

Act 250 — Vermont's land-use development law requiring permits for significant projects

Vermont property transfer tax and calculation

Vermont agency disclosure rules

Lead paint and environmental disclosures

Vermont septic system and wastewater regulations

Attorney closing requirements unique to Vermont

Vermont Act 250 is the state's signature environmental and land-use development law that requires permits for larger subdivisions and developments. This is one of the most unique state regulations in the country and is frequently tested on the Vermont exam. Know when a project triggers an Act 250 review.

Step 5: Build Your Study Plan

Week 1: National Content

Study property ownership, financing, valuation, and real estate math. Complete at least 150 practice questions covering these national topics.

Week 2: Agency, Contracts, and Fair Housing

Focus on agency relationships, contract law, purchase agreements, and fair housing. These topics are heavily weighted on the national portion.

Week 3: Vermont State Law

Dedicate this week to Vermont-specific content including OPR rules, Act 250, state disclosures, property transfer tax, and local regulations.

Week 4: Practice Exams and Review

Take 3-4 full-length timed practice exams under realistic conditions. Review every wrong answer and focus on weak areas.

Step 6: Study Strategies That Work

Use practice questions from day one. Active recall — testing yourself on material — is the most effective study technique. Do not spend all your time reading; spend most of your time answering questions. Focus on weak areas. Track your performance by topic and spend extra time on areas where you score below 75%. It is tempting to study topics you already know well, but that wastes time. Learn the math. Real estate math questions follow predictable patterns: commissions, prorations, loan-to-value ratios, area calculations, and capitalization rates. Practice at least 10 math problems every day. Study the Candidate Handbook. PSI publishes a Candidate Handbook for the Vermont exam that tells you exactly what topics will be tested and how many questions each topic will have. Use it as your study roadmap.

Step 7: Exam Day Preparation

Schedule your exam at candidate.psiexams.com. Testing centers are available in Burlington, Montpelier, and Rutland, as well as nearby sites across the New Hampshire border.

What to bring:

Two forms of valid, unexpired ID (primary must be government-issued photo ID)

Confirmation email or appointment number

Name on IDs must match your exam registration exactly

What to expect:

Arrive 30 minutes early

You will receive scratch paper and an on-screen calculator

You have approximately 1 minute 46 seconds per question — watch your time and do not spend too long on any single question

Results are available immediately after completing the exam

After passing, submit your license application and fee to the Vermont OPR Real Estate Commission and affiliate with a Vermont-licensed broker to activate your license.

Start your Vermont exam prep today with Click2CE — practice questions mapped to the OPR PSI Candidate Handbook, AI Tutor, and a money-back pass guarantee.

How to Pass the Vermont Real Estate Exam in 2026