What’s on the Arizona Real Estate Exam? The Complete 2026 Guide
Exam Prep
One of the most useful things about the Arizona real estate exam is that Pearson VUE publishes exactly what's on it. The Candidate Handbook—updated February 2026—contains the full content outline for both the General exam and the State exam, including every topic area, how many questions each topic carries, and how much time you have.
Most candidates don't read it. That's a significant mistake.
This guide breaks down everything in the Pearson VUE handbook in plain English: what the two-exam format looks like since the January 2026 split, exactly which topics appear on each part, how many questions each section carries, and what ASREB instructors recommend you prioritize when studying.
The strategy that works: you don't need to go deep on any single topic. You need to know a few keywords or phrases about most of them. Stay in the shallow end of the pool. If a topic shows up once or twice in the content outline, you need awareness—not expertise. If it shows up 28 times (like Arizona Real Estate Statutes), you need to own it.
What Is the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook?
Pearson VUE is the company contracted by the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) to administer the Arizona real estate licensing exam. Every year, Pearson publishes a Candidate Handbook—a public document that contains the official exam content outlines, exam structure, fees, policies, and what to bring on exam day.
The February 2026 handbook (#090300) is the authoritative source for what's on the exam. You can download it directly from Pearson Vue. Everything in this guide is sourced from that document.
There is no secret to what's on the Arizona real estate exam. It's all published. What most candidates lack isn't access to the information—it's a clear map of what it means and how to use it. That's what this guide provides.
The 2026 Format Change: Two Separate Exams
Effective January 1, 2026, the Arizona salesperson exam was split into two distinct parts. Previously a single combined exam, it is now:
- Arizona Real Estate Sales—General (ReAZ-Sales-GE): The national portion. 80 scored questions covering general real estate principles that apply in all states. 150 minutes.
- Arizona Real Estate Sales—State (ReAZ-Sales-S): The Arizona-specific portion. 60 scored questions covering Arizona statutes, Commissioner's Rules, and state-specific topics. 90 minutes.
You can sit for both on the same day and book them at a combo price of $75 (vs. $70 + $60 = $130 separately). If you fail one part, you only need to retake that part—not both.
| General Exam | State Exam | Combined | |
| Scored Questions | 80 | 60 | 140 |
| Pretest Questions | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Total Questions | 85 | 65 | 150 |
| Time Allotted | 150 min | 90 min | 240 min* |
| Fee | $70 | $60 | $75 combo |
| To pass | 75% (60/80) | 75% (45/60) | Both parts |
*If you book both exams back-to-back on the same day, budget approximately 4 hours at the test center including check-in, tutorial, breaks, and both exam windows.
Part 1: The General Exam — What's Covered (80 Questions)
The General exam tests national real estate principles—concepts that apply regardless of which state you're in. The content outline is divided into major topic areas, each with a specific question count. Pearson VUE also categorizes questions by cognitive level: knowledge, application, and analysis. Expect more analysis-level questions than you might on a typical multiple-choice test.
I. Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions & Ownership (approx. 8 questions)
| Key topics:
• Real property vs. personal property — know the fixtures test (MARIA: Method of attachment, Adaptability, Relationship of parties, Intention, Agreement) • Characteristics of real property: physical (immovable, indestructible, unique) and economic (scarcity, situs, fixity) • Legal descriptions: metes and bounds, rectangular survey system (sections, townships, ranges), lot and block • Forms of ownership: sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, community property, tenancy by the entirety • How Arizona as a community property state affects ownership |
II. Land Use Controls & Regulations (approx. 5 questions)
| Key topics:
• Public vs. private land use controls • Zoning: types, variances, nonconforming uses, spot zoning • Building codes, permits, and certificate of occupancy • Eminent domain and condemnation • Deed restrictions and CC&Rs |
III. Valuation & Market Analysis (approx. 7 questions)
| Key topics:
• Three approaches to value: sales comparison, cost, and income • Principles of value: substitution, supply and demand, conformity, contribution • Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) vs. formal appraisal • Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) and capitalization rate • Depreciation: physical, functional, and external/economic |
IV. Financing (approx. 10 questions)
| Key topics:
• Types of loans: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA • Loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and down payment calculations • Discount points—calculated on the loan amount, not purchase price • Primary and secondary mortgage markets (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae) • Truth in Lending Act (TILA/Regulation Z) and APR • Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) • Adjustable rate vs. fixed rate mortgages • Deed of trust vs. mortgage |
V. Real Estate Practice (approx. 13 questions)
| Key topics:
• Agency relationships: types of agency, creation, disclosure, termination • Fiduciary duties: COALD (Care, Obedience, Accounting, Loyalty, Disclosure) • Listing agreements: exclusive right to sell, exclusive agency, open listing, net listing • Buyer representation agreements • Offers, counteroffers, acceptance, and contract formation • MLS rules and cooperation • Commission: when earned, how split, and broker vs. agent |
VI. Property Disclosure (approx. 3 questions)
| Key topics:
• Material facts and seller disclosure obligations • Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 homes) • Stigmatized properties and psychological impact • Environmental hazards: asbestos, radon, mold, underground storage tanks |
VII. Contracts (approx. 17 questions)
| Key topics:
• Essential elements of a valid contract: offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, legality • Statute of frauds—real estate contracts must be in writing • Purchase contracts: earnest money, contingencies, closing date • Lease agreements: types, terms, tenant rights • Options and rights of first refusal • Contract default, remedies, and breach • Assignment and novation |
VIII. Transfer of Title (approx. 5 questions)
| Key topics:
• Types of deeds: general warranty, special warranty, bargain and sale, quitclaim • Requirements for a valid deed: grantor, grantee, consideration, legal description, delivery • Recording and constructive vs. actual notice • Title insurance: owner's vs. lender's policy • Methods of transfer other than sale: will, inheritance, adverse possession, dedication |
IX. Math Calculations (7 questions)
The General exam dedicates 7 questions to math—one per category. All seven categories and the formulas you need are covered in detail in ASREB's companion guide: Real Estate Math Questions: The Complete Arizona Exam Guide (2026). A summary of the seven categories:
- Property area calculations (43,560 sq ft per acre)
- Property valuation (GRM, cap rate, price per sq ft)
- Commission and compensation (Memory Circle: Part = Whole × Percent)
- Loan financing costs (simple interest, LTV, discount points)
- Settlement and closing costs (proration — 360 or 365 days as specified)
- Investment calculations (NOI, cap rate)
- Property management calculations (28/36 qualifying rule, vacancy, management fees)
Part 2: The State Exam — What's Covered (60 Questions)
The State exam is where most candidates who fail get caught out. It tests Arizona-specific laws, rules, and practices—content that national prep guides either skip or get wrong. The two largest sections alone account for 46 of the 60 scored questions.
I. Real Estate Statutes — 28 Questions
This is the heaviest-weighted section on the entire State exam. Nearly half of your State exam score comes from this section alone.
| Key topics:
• Article XXVI of the Arizona Constitution — real estate brokers and salespersons • ARS Title 32, Chapter 20 — the Arizona Real Estate Act • License requirements: eligibility, application, fees, renewal • Activities requiring a license vs. license exemptions • Duties of licensees to clients and the public • Disciplinary actions: grounds, process, penalties • The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE)—structure and authority • Real Estate Recovery Fund—when it applies, limits, and how to file • Subdivision laws and public report requirements • Unsubdivided land regulations |
28 questions out of 60 = 46.7% of your State exam. If you're short on study time, start here and do not leave it until the week before.
II. Commissioner's Rules — 18 Questions
Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) rules set by the Real Estate Commissioner. These govern day-to-day licensee conduct.
| Key topics:
• General requirements for licensees • Continuing education requirements • Advertising rules—what must appear, what's prohibited • Compensation rules—who can pay whom, referral fees • Document handling and retention requirements • Professional conduct standards • Trust account requirements |
III. Agency Relationships & Managerial Duties
| Key topics:
• Law of agency applied to Arizona real estate • Types of agency: seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agency, designated agency • Fiduciary duties in Arizona • Listing and buyer-broker agreement requirements • Brokerage management: supervision, team structures |
IV. Contracts and Contract Law
| Key topics:
• Arizona-specific purchase contract (AAR Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract) • Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response (BINSR)—default timelines • Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS)—Arizona's 8-page form • Options and first right of refusal • Breach, default, and remedies under Arizona law |
V. Government Rights in Real Property
| Key topics:
• Eminent domain and condemnation in Arizona • Police power, zoning, and land use regulation • Escheat—property reverting to the state • Taxation: property tax assessment in Arizona (10% of Limited Property Value for residential) |
VI–VIII. Property Interests, Income Tax & Arizona Water Law
Three distinct sections tested with a smaller question count each.
| Property Interests:
• Fee simple, life estates, leasehold estates • Easements: appurtenant, in gross, prescriptive • Encumbrances: liens, CC&Rs, deed restrictions • Arizona Homestead Exemption |
| Income Tax Aspects:
• Capital gains exclusion on primary residence ($250K single / $500K married) • 1031 like-kind exchange—requirements and timelines • Depreciation recapture • FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) |
| Arizona Water Law — a uniquely AZ topic:
• Surface water vs. groundwater rights in Arizona • Arizona Groundwater Management Act • Active Management Areas (AMAs) • Grandfathered water rights • Well permits and transfer of well rights • This topic is unique to Arizona—national prep guides largely skip it |
IX. Environmental Law
| Key topics:
• Federal and Arizona environmental statutes • Common issues: lead, asbestos, radon, USTs, mold • Due diligence requirements for buyers • Alternative wastewater systems (septic) in Arizona |
X–XI. Land Descriptions & Land Development
| Land Descriptions:
• Metes and bounds • Rectangular survey system—townships, ranges, sections • Arizona Constitution Article X (state trust land) |
| Land Development:
• Subdivision vs. unsubdivided land • Public report requirements • Planned communities and condominium laws • New home sales requirements |
XII–XIV. Encumbrances, Title & Escrow
| Key topics:
• Monetary vs. non-monetary encumbrances • Mechanic's liens in Arizona • Methods of transfer and types of deeds • Affidavit of Value—Arizona requirement on most transfers • Adverse possession requirements • Title insurance: owner's and lender's policies • Escrow and closing statements • Commission disbursement through escrow • FIRPTA withholding at closing |
XV–XX. Fair Housing, Leasing, Disclosure & More
| Key topics:
• Federal Fair Housing Act: seven protected classes • ADA compliance obligations for commercial property • RESPA requirements • Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ARLTA) • Leasehold estates and lease types • Property management: trust accounts, records retention, finder fees • Property insurance: homeowners, title, hazard • Disclosure requirements: SPDS, swimming pool barriers, military airport proximity, soil remediation • Wholesale disclosure requirements (ARS §44-5101) |
How to Study for the Arizona Real Estate Exam — ASREB's Recommended Approach
With 140 scored questions across two exam parts and dozens of topic areas, the candidates who pass on their first attempt share one approach: they prioritize by question count and depth of coverage, not by how interested they are in the topic.
Priority 1: High-volume sections you must own
- Arizona Real Estate Statutes (28 questions—State exam): Know the Arizona Real Estate Act inside out. License requirements, ADRE authority, disciplinary grounds, Recovery Fund.
- Commissioner's Rules (18 questions—State exam): Advertising, trust accounts, document retention, compensation rules.
- Contracts (17 questions—General exam): Contract essentials, purchase contracts, contingencies, default remedies.
- Real Estate Practice (13 questions—General exam): Agency types, fiduciary duties, listing agreements, commission.
Priority 2: Medium sections — know the keywords
- Financing (10 questions): LTV, loan types, RESPA, TILA, discount points on loan amount not price.
- Valuation (7 questions): Three approaches to value, GRM, cap rate, depreciation types.
- Math (7+ questions): Master the Memory Circle and the seven formula categories. See our dedicated math guide.
- Arizona Water Law (AZ-specific): Don't skip this — national prep guides skip it entirely. Know AMAs, surface vs. groundwater, well rights.
- Transfer of Title (5 questions): Types of deeds, recording, title insurance, adverse possession.
Priority 3: Awareness topics — know a few keywords each
For topics that carry 2–4 questions, you don't need deep knowledge. You need to recognize the key term when you see it and understand what category it falls into. This includes: land descriptions, land development, environmental law, property insurance, income tax aspects, and leasing.
ASREB instructors teach the exact same framework Greg Muir describes in the Pearson VUE handbook post: 'Do not go deep into any one topic; you need to know a little bit about a lot of things.' The exam rewards breadth, not depth.
Exam Day — What to Know Before You Walk In
What to bring
- Two forms of current signature ID—primary must be government-issued with photo and signature (driver's license, passport, military ID)
- Your prelicensure education certificate (electronic or physical copy)
- A battery-operated, non-printing calculator without an alphabetic keypad (optional but strongly recommended—HP 10BII, HP 12C, Real Estate Qualifier Plus IIIX)
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time
What not to bring
- No phones, smartwatches, wallets, purses, bags, notes, books, or study materials in the testing room
- All personal items must be stored in a locker—the test center is not responsible for lost items
- Scratch paper is provided at the test center—you cannot bring your own
After the exam
- Score reports are issued immediately on screen at the end of the exam
- Passing candidates receive a link to the license application with their score report
- If you fail, the score report shows diagnostic information by content area so you know where to focus for your retake
- You must apply for your Arizona license within one year of passing the exam
- Before licensure, salesperson candidates must also complete a 6-hour Arizona Contract Writing Course
What Happens If You Don't Pass?
The retake fee is the same as the initial exam ($70 General / $60 State / $75 combo). You can retake a failed section as soon as the next available appointment—there's no mandatory waiting period beyond the 24-hour booking window.
The score report diagnostic is your roadmap. If you scored below 75% in Commissioner's Rules, that's where your next study session starts — not at page one of your notes.
For a fuller picture of how candidates find the exam overall, see: How Difficult Is It to Get a Real Estate License in Arizona?
Start Your Arizona Real Estate Career with ASREB
You've just mapped every topic on the Arizona real estate exam. The next step is a pre-licensing program that walks you through every single one of them—taught by licensed Arizona real estate professionals who know the exam from the inside.
| Pass or Don't Pay Guarantee
Follow ASREB's recommended study plan and pass the Arizona state exam on your first attempt—or ASREB refunds your first state exam fee. No hoops, no asterisks. Just send your Pearson VUE score report to ASREB. You've just mapped every topic on the Arizona exam. The next step is a pre-licensing program that walks you through every single one of them. |
ASREB students have a 74% first-time pass rate on the Arizona real estate exam—well above the statewide average of around 60%.
55+ years of Arizona real estate education. ASREB has been Arizona's leading real estate school since 1969—instructors teach from real-world market experience, not textbooks.
CompuCram exam prep—86.5% first-time pass rate. Practice tests and a simulated exam that mirrors the Pearson VUE format, with a readiness indicator that tells you when you're ready to book. Value: $105.
The Crammer Course. An instructor-led live session reviewing the exam questions, testing strategies, and every topic on the content outline above. Value: $99.
Your format, your schedule. Self-paced online, livestream, or in-person classroom. Complete the 90-hour pre-licensing requirement on a timeline that works around your current job.
- New to the process? How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Arizona—step-by-step from eligibility through license application.
- Ready to enroll? View ASREB pre-licensing course options
- Focused on exam prep? Explore ASREB Exam Prep
- Need the math guide? Real Estate Math Questions: The Complete Arizona Exam Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the Arizona real estate exam?
The Arizona real estate salesperson exam consists of two separate parts since January 2026. The General exam (80 scored questions, 150 minutes) covers national real estate topics including property ownership, contracts, financing, agency, valuation, and math. The State exam (60 scored questions, 90 minutes) covers Arizona-specific topics including Real Estate Statutes (28 questions), Commissioner's Rules (18 questions), Arizona Water Law, SPDS disclosure, ARLTA, and AZ-specific contract forms.
Where can I find the official Arizona real estate exam content outline?
The official content outline is published in the Pearson VUE Arizona Real Estate Candidate Handbook. The February 2026 version (handbook #090300) is available for free download at pearsonvue.com/us/en/az/realestate.html. The handbook contains every topic area, question count, and exam policy.
How many questions are on the Arizona real estate exam?
The General exam has 80 scored questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (85 total, 150 minutes). The State exam has 60 scored questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (65 total, 90 minutes). If you sit both on the same day, you'll answer 150 total questions (140 scored).
What is the hardest part of the Arizona real estate exam?
The Arizona Real Estate Statutes section (28 questions on the State exam) is typically the most challenging because it requires specific knowledge of Arizona law rather than general principles. Arizona Water Law is also frequently cited as a topic candidates underestimate—it's largely absent from national prep guides but appears on the State exam. The math section catches candidates who haven't practiced the Memory Circle formulas.
How is the 2026 Arizona exam different from previous years?
Effective January 1, 2026, the Arizona salesperson exam was split from a single combined exam into two separate parts: the General exam and the State exam. You can sit both on the same day for a $75 combo fee. If you fail one part, you only retake that part—not both. The content covered is the same as the prior combined exam; the format and scheduling changed.
What is Arizona Water Law and why is it on the exam?
Arizona Water Law covers the state's unique approach to water rights—a critical issue in a desert state. The exam tests the distinction between surface water and groundwater rights, the Arizona Groundwater Management Act, Active Management Areas (AMAs), grandfathered rights, and well permit requirements. This content is unique to the Arizona State exam and largely absent from national real estate prep materials.
What is the SPDS and why does it matter for the exam?
The Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) is an 8-page form unique to Arizona that sellers complete disclosing known material facts about the property. It's tested on the State exam under both contracts and disclosure sections. Key points: sellers complete it (not agents), it covers property condition, utilities, environmental issues, HOA status, and legal disputes, and buyers have the right to cancel during the inspection period after reviewing it.
Does ASREB's pre-licensing course cover all exam topics?
Yes. ASREB's 90-hour pre-licensing curriculum is built around the Pearson VUE content outline—covering all topics on both the General and State exams, including Arizona-specific topics like Water Law, SPDS, ARLTA, and Commissioner's Rules that national programs often undercover. View pre-licensing course options →
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