- 120 scored questions: 80 national (need 56 correct) and 40 New Hampshire-specific (need 28 correct).
- National portion allows 2 hours 30 minutes; state portion allows 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Both portions must be passed - a high national score cannot offset a failed state section.
- 40 prelicensing hours required, with at least 32 in a classroom and no more than 8 via distance education.
Exam Format at a Glance
The New Hampshire Real Estate Salesperson Exam (NHREC-S) is a computer-based, multiple-choice test administered by PSI on behalf of the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission, which sits inside the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. If you only have five minutes before test day, this page is the condensed version of everything you need to remember. For the full walkthrough of preparation strategy, see the NHREC-S Study Guide 2026.
The exam is split into two distinct portions that are timed and scored separately:
- National portion: 80 scored questions, 2 hours 30 minutes
- New Hampshire state portion: 40 scored questions, 1 hour 30 minutes
You may also see 5-10 unscored experimental questions mixed into the exam. These don't count toward your score, and time spent answering them doesn't count against your testing limit - so don't waste energy trying to guess which questions are "real."
Scoring & Pass Thresholds
Passing the NHREC-S isn't just about your combined score - you must clear the minimum on each portion independently.
| Portion | Scored Questions | Time Allowed | Points Needed to Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 2 hours 30 minutes | 56 |
| New Hampshire State | 40 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 28 |
That works out to needing 70% correct on each side of the exam. Because both portions must be passed, a strong national score does not carry over to compensate for a weak state score, and vice versa. For a deeper look at how this scoring structure plays out in practice, read NHREC-S Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
Key Takeaway
Treat the national and state portions as two separate exams that happen to be delivered back-to-back. Budget separate study time for each, and don't assume mastery of one guarantees success on the other.
National Domain Weight Cheat Sheet
The 80-question national portion is built from 11 content domains, each weighted differently. Memorize this table - it tells you exactly where to spend your limited study hours.
| Domain | Weight (of National Portion) |
|---|---|
| Contracts | 19% |
| Agency | 13% |
| Practice of Real Estate | 12% |
| Property Ownership | 10% |
| Financing | 10% |
| Valuation | 8% |
| Property Disclosures | 7% |
| Real Estate Calculations | 7% |
| Transfer of Title | 6% |
| Land Use Controls | 5% |
| Property Management | 3% |
Notice that Contracts, Agency, and Practice of Real Estate together account for close to half of the national portion's weight. If your study time is limited, these three domains deserve first priority. For a full breakdown of what each of the 16 total content areas actually covers, check the NHREC-S Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 16 Content Areas.
Domain 5: Contracts (19%)
The single heaviest-weighted domain on the entire national portion. Candidates need fluency in offer and acceptance mechanics, contract contingencies, and the legal elements that make an agreement enforceable.
- Elements required for a valid, enforceable contract
- Contingencies, addenda, and amendments
- Breach, remedies, and contract termination scenarios
Domain 6: Agency (13%)
The second-heaviest national domain. Expect scenario-based questions testing your understanding of fiduciary duties and the different types of agency relationships a licensee can create with a client.
- Fiduciary duties owed to clients
- Types of agency and disclosure obligations
- Dual agency and its limitations
The Five New Hampshire State Domains
The 40-question state portion draws from five New Hampshire-specific domains. Unlike the national portion, PSI doesn't publish individual percentage weights for these five areas - but each one is fair game, so plan to study all five with equal seriousness rather than guessing which will dominate.
Domain 12: New Hampshire Real Estate Commission
Structure, authority, and role of the Commission that governs licensees in the state.
Domain 13: Licensure
Requirements to obtain and maintain a salesperson license in New Hampshire, including education and application mechanics.
Domain 14: Regulation of Licensee Conduct
Rules governing how licensees must behave in transactions, advertising, and client dealings.
Domain 15: Regulation of Agency Conduct
State-specific rules layered on top of the national agency concepts tested in Domain 6.
Domain 16: New Hampshire Principles and Practice
Practical application of New Hampshire real estate law and custom in day-to-day transactions.
Because the state portion has a shorter time limit (1 hour 30 minutes for 40 questions) relative to the national portion, pacing matters. That's roughly 2.25 minutes per question versus about 1.875 minutes per question on the national side - slightly more breathing room per state question, but don't get complacent.
Eligibility & Prelicensing Snapshot
Before you can even sit for the NHREC-S, you need to meet basic eligibility requirements. Here's the condensed version:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must complete 40 hours of approved prelicensing education before testing
- At least 32 of those hours must be classroom-based
- No more than 8 hours may be completed via distance education, and only within six months before testing
- Must satisfy criminal-record requirements set by the Commission
The classroom-hour minimum is a detail candidates frequently overlook when comparing prelicensing course providers - an all-online course that exceeds 8 distance-education hours won't satisfy the requirement. For a complete rundown of every prerequisite, see NHREC-S Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Registration, Retakes & Testing Logistics
Once you're eligible, the clock starts running on a few important deadlines:
- Registration window: Candidates must test within three months of registering.
- Six-month rule: If you don't pass both portions within six months of your original exam date, you'll need additional accredited prelicensing education before retesting.
- Eight-attempt limit: After eight attempts without passing both portions, additional accredited prelicensing education is also required.
These rules mean the NHREC-S rewards a deliberate, focused approach rather than a "just retake it until it sticks" mentality - repeated failed attempts eventually trigger mandatory extra coursework, which costs time and money. If you're weighing whether the licensing path is worth the investment, the Is the NHREC-S Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 article and the NHREC-S Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown guide walk through the full financial picture, while NHREC-S Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling covers how to plan your registration around these deadlines.
Key Takeaway
Register only when your 40 prelicensing hours are complete and you're genuinely ready to test - the three-month registration-to-test window doesn't leave room for a slow start.
Calculator & Test-Day Tools
Real Estate Calculations makes up 7% of the national portion, so you will need to do math during the exam. PSI provides an online calculator built into the testing software, or you may bring your own silent, nonprogrammable calculator as long as it has no alphabetic keys. Practice with whichever option you plan to use ahead of time - fumbling with an unfamiliar calculator interface under a strict time limit is an avoidable way to lose points.
- Loan-to-value and amortization-style calculations
- Proration of taxes and other closing figures
- Commission splits and net-to-seller calculations
- Area and measurement conversions
Final-Week Review Sequence
In the days before your test, resist the urge to start new material. Instead, cycle back through the heaviest-weighted domains and the five state domains in a fixed order so nothing gets skipped.
Contracts & Agency
- Redo missed practice questions from Domains 5 and 6
- Drill fiduciary duty scenarios and contract element checklists
Financing, Valuation & Calculations
- Re-run calculator problems for proration and commission math
- Review appraisal approaches and financing instrument differences
All Five New Hampshire State Domains
- Review Commission structure, licensure rules, and conduct regulations
- Compare state agency rules against national agency concepts
Light Review & Logistics
- Confirm calculator choice and test-day ID requirements
- Skim remaining lower-weighted domains: Land Use Controls, Property Management, Transfer of Title
If you want a broader sense of how challenging this exam is relative to your current prep level, How Hard Is the NHREC-S Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 breaks down what makes the two-portion, dual-threshold format tricky for many candidates. You can also review outcome trends in the NHREC-S Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows article.
For newcomers still getting oriented, our companion explainer pages cover the basics in plain language: What Is NHREC-S?, NHREC-S Meaning, and What Does NHREC-S Stand For? are good starting points if you're new to the exam name itself, while NHREC-S Training outlines prelicensing course options in more depth.
FAQ
There are 120 scored questions total - 80 on the national portion and 40 on the New Hampshire state portion - plus possibly 5-10 unscored experimental questions that don't affect your score.
You need to pass both the national and state portions, but the key deadline to remember is passing both within six months of your original exam date, or you'll need additional accredited prelicensing education.
After eight attempts without passing both portions, candidates are required to complete additional accredited prelicensing education before testing again.
Yes. PSI offers a built-in online calculator, or you may bring a silent, nonprogrammable calculator that does not have alphabetic keys.
Of the required 40 hours of prelicensing education, no more than 8 hours may be completed through distance education, and those hours must fall within six months before your test date.