Educational Resources: Take Delaware Real Estate Sample Tests, Application Steps and Tips

After successfully completing the required hours of approved pre‐licensing education, candidates become eligible to take the Pearson VUE Delaware Real Estate Exam.

This crucial exam evaluates retention and comprehension of important concepts covered in real estate education. Passing demonstrates you can apply this knowledge when conducting real estate transactions.

Exam Registration and Fees

• The exam is administered by Pearson Vue.¹ Test centers are located across Delaware including Dover, Georgetown, Millsboro, and New Castle. You can also choose to take the exam remotely with online proctoring.²
• You can register and schedule online through the Pearson VUE website or by calling their Customer Service line at 877-551-7587 (toll-free).¹
• The registration fee is $85 paid during booking by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
• Retake fees for those who fail a section are $85.

Note that registration fees are non-refundable. You can modify or cancel an existing reservation up to 48 hours before your scheduled time.

No-shows or late cancellations will forfeit the registration fee.

Quick Look at the Real Estate Exam Structure

The exam itself is administered on a computer and consists of two portions:

• National Section (80 questions): This section covers general principles and practices applicable across the country.
• State Section (40 questions): This section covers Delaware real estate license laws, rules, regulations, and practices.

Time Limits

• National Portion: 150 minutes allowed
• State Portion: 90 minutes allowed

The sections may be completed back-to-back on the same day or separately over two different testing days. Each section must be passed independently with a minimum score of 70% to demonstrate proficiency.

Candidates need to correctly answer at least 56 of the 80 national questions and 28 of the 40 state questions.

National Section Overview (80 Questions)

This section covers universal real estate concepts and practices using a multiple-choice format. Below are the major topics covered and their approximate distribution:

• Contracts (15-20%)
• Agency and Brokerage Relationships (12-18%)
• Property Condition and Disclosures (8-12%)
• Financing (8-12%)
• General Principles of Agency (10-16%)
• Valuation and Market Analysis (8-12%)
• Land Use Controls and Regulations (6-12%)
• Transfer, Encumbrances, and Claims (10-18%)
• Practice of Real Estate (12-18%)

There are also 5 to 10 experimental “pretest” questions randomly mixed in that do not impact scoring.

Sample National Section Questions

1. Which of the following interests in property is held by a person who is granted a lifetime use of a property that will be transferred to a third party upon the death of the lifetime user?
   a. A life estate
   b. A remainder estate
   c. An estate for years
   d. A reversionary estate
2. Which of the following statements BEST identifies the meaning of the term, “rescission of a contract”?
   a. A ratification of a contract by all parties.
   b. A return of all parties to their condition before the contract was executed.
   c. A transfer or assignment of a particular responsibility from one of the parties to another.
   d. A review of the contract by the legal counsel of either party that may result in a cancellation without penalty or further obligation.
3. Which of the following clauses in a mortgage allows the lender to demand loan repayment if a borrower sells the property?
   a. Defeasance clause
   b. Prepayment clause
   c. Acceleration clause
   d. Alienation clause

State Section Overview (40 Questions)

The state section concentrates exclusively on Delaware real estate license laws, regulations, practices, and consumer protection. The major topics tested include:

• Delaware Real Estate License Law (8-12%)
• Commission Rules and Regulations (10-20%)
• Licensee Relationships, Requirements and Prohibitions (25-35%)
• Delaware Listing and Sales Contracts (15-25%)
• Closings and Settlement (13-23%)
• Trust Accounts and Recordkeeping (3-13%)

Similar to the national portion, 5 to 10 non-scored experimental questions are also included.

Sample State Section Questions:

1. Which of the following forms is required to be provided to tenants subject to foreclosure actions?
   a.Tenant’s Notice to Quit
   b. Landlord’s Notice to Tenant
   c. Tenant Protection Notice of Foreclosure
   d. Landlord Protection Notice
2. The maximum civil penalty for violations of Delaware license laws and regulations is _______________.
   a. $1,000
   b. $5,000
   c. $10,000
   d. None of the above
3. Delaware recognizes which of the following agency relationships in real estate transactions?
   I. Seller’s agent
   II. Buyer’s agent
   III. Disclosed dual agent
   IV. Undisclosed dual agent
   a. I and II only
   b. I, II, and III
   c. I, III and IV |
   d. I, II, III, and IV

What To Expect on Exam Day

On the scheduled exam day, plan to arrive at your exam site at least 30 minutes before the allotted start time to complete the check-in procedures.

Bring two valid forms of current identification; one primary government-issued ID with a photograph and signature like a driver’s license and one secondary ID confirming your identity like a credit card.

Exam Scoring and Results

Upon completing the exam, you will receive your pass or fail results immediately onscreen after finishing each exam portion. However, printed score reports are not provided at the test center.

Passing candidates will also see further instructions on how to apply for their Delaware real estate license. Those failing to receive diagnostic information showing their percentile performance in each major content area.

This will help guide your preparation when retaking the exam.

• Exam retake fees ($85) apply

You have up to three attempts in a one-year period to pass both the National and State sections of the exam. Candidates who fail to pass both sections even after three tries will need to retake the pre-licensing education courses before retaking the test again.

The average pass rate for first-time applicants is around 62%. With that in mind, investing in comprehensive exam prep can greatly improve your chances of passing the real estate license exam on the first try.

Resources like sample exams, study guides, and prep courses can help you familiarize yourself with the concepts covered, format, timing, and pacing. Do not underestimate the value of proper preparation when pursuing your Delaware real estate license.

Delaware Division of Professional Regulation License Application: Completing the 5 Required Steps

The next step after passing the Pearson VUE Delaware Real Estate Licensing Exam is submitting your completed salesperson license application to the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DDPR) for review and approval.³

Here are the key steps involved:

1. Create or Activate Your DELPROS Account

All real estate licensing applications are to be submitted electronically through the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services (DELPROS) online portal.⁴

Start by visiting the DELPROS homepage to either register for a new user account or log into your existing account.

2. Complete Your Online Application in DELPROS

Once you have logged into your DELPROS dashboard, select the “Apply for License” option. Next, choose the license type in this case “Salesperson”, and follow the prompts to complete the next steps of the online application.

As you fill out the required sections, DELPROS will guide you by asking you to provide information such as your name, contact details, education history, criminal background, and sponsoring brokerage.

Answer all the questions accurately and fully to avoid processing delays.

The $140 non-refundable application fee will be paid online through DELPROS by credit card when you submit everything.

3. Upload Supporting Documentation in DELPROS

After answering the key application questions, you will then be prompted to upload electronic copies of supporting documentation including:

• Pre-licensing education certificates showing successful 99-hour course completion.
• Exam result notification letter demonstrating you passed both the National and State sections.
• A completed Statement of Broker of Record form signed by the sponsoring broker you will be affiliated with.
• A copy of your criminal history records check receipt.

Some of the forms requiring original signatures like the Statement of Broker of Record must be mailed separately directly to the Delaware Real Estate Commission office:

Delaware Real Estate Commission
Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Boulevard
Dover, DE 19904
USA
Phone Number: (302) 744-4500

Double-check that all the forms and documentation you submitted match the name on your DELPROS account to avoid rejections or delays.

4. Allow the DELPRS Review Period

Once you submit the completed application and supporting materials in DELPROS, it will take approximately 5 to 10 business days for the DDPR staff to review and process your application.⁵

You can also conveniently check the status of your pending application in DELPROS on your online e-License account dashboard to see updates as your approval processes.

5. Print Your Active License from DELPROS

Once the DDPR verifies that you meet all requirements and qualify for licensure, the active real estate salesperson license will be automatically added to your DELPROS account digitally.

With that, you can now legally begin practicing real estate in Delaware under your sponsoring broker! You can also print copies of your license from DELPROS anytime as needed.

Costs and Fees To Join the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation

As a licensed real estate salesperson in Delaware, you are required to pay various licensing fees and costs charged by the state’s Division of Professional Regulation (DDPR).⁶

Here are the key costs and fees associated with obtaining and maintaining your Delaware real estate license:

• DELPROS application fee. You are required to pay $140 when submitting your initial salesperson license application.
• License renewal fee. You will pay $133 every 2 years to renew your license with a 50% late penalty that applies for 30 days past the expiration date of the license.
• Criminal history background check. Approximately $65 is payable to the fingerprinting services provider.
• Continuing education courses. Varies but is required for license renewal.
• Other service request fees. Other fees are charged for unique service requests such as license transfers, certifications, status changes, etc.

Note that all Delaware licensing fees are non-refundable. Additionally, DDPR provides full fee tables for reference on the most recent updates.⁷ Prompt payment of the relevant fees ensures your application gets processed swiftly and your license remains in good standing.

You may also choose to pay annual dues to industry organizations like the state and National Association of Realtors® for benefits like MLS access, training programs, and advocacy. These professional association fees vary but provide valuable resources.

It is important to factor these ongoing costs into your real estate business budget. Costs such as renewing your license and education are essential to provide services legally each biennial cycle.

Maintaining an active license status also requires paying deductibles if a claim is ever filed against your mandatory errors and omissions insurance.

National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership Application (By Choice)

Although not mandatory, active Delaware real estate licensees can join the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) to access expanded benefits.⁷ NAR membership enables licensees to use the Realtor® trademark and other accompanying resources so as to grow professionally.

Here is an overview of NAR membership costs and the value it provides:

• NAR Annual Dues: $150 per member in 2023 but rising to $156 in 2024. This can be paid by your sponsoring brokerage on your behalf. There is also a $45 Special Assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign paid through the local realtors® association.
• Local Realtor® Association Dues: They vary by region (Ranges from $150 to $500 per year)
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Fees: MLS provides valuable home listing data to members. Fees include a $100 to $400 application fee and subscription fees ranging from $25 to $50 per month depending on the service.

NAR Benefits: Members stand to gain a lot by joining NAR including professional development courses, the ability to use the Realtor® trademark, logo and branding, access to listing platforms, discounts on services, leadership programs, participation in lobbying and advocacy, and more.

The application process involves finding and joining your local NAR-affiliated Realtor® association, and then paying the membership and annual dues.

The local Realtor® associations in Delaware are:

1. New Castle County Board of Realtors®
2. Kent County Association of Realtors®
3. Sussex County Association of Realtors®

After joining one of the three local associations, you become a member of the Delaware Association of REALTORS® (DAR) and are eligible to join the NAR.

While optional, NAR membership can significantly expand your real estate business capabilities.

What’s the Anticipated Duration of the Real Estate Application?

The general timeline to become a licensed real estate salesperson in Delaware varies from person to person depending on a variety of factors but is approximately 3 to 6 months for a majority of applicants.³ That said, it is possible to complete the full licensing process in under 3 months.

Here is a general timeline:

• Approximately 2 to 6 months to complete 99 hours of pre-licensing education
• Approximately 2 to 4 weeks to process a background check
• Around 1 month minimum to pass the licensing exam
• Between 2 and 4 weeks to secure E&O insurance and brokerage sponsorship
• Around 1 week for the Division of Professional Regulation to approve the application

The key variables that determine the timeline for getting a real estate license in Delaware include your chosen pre-licensing education delivery method and study pace. Although it is possible to finish the course in a short period of time, it is advisable to allow sufficient time to go through the coursework when preparing for the exam.

Don’t underestimate the value of giving yourself plenty of time to thoroughly learn real estate fundamentals through pre-licensing courses before testing. Rushing through diminishes your chances of passing the exam on the first attempt.