Licensing Exams

Licensing Exams

Application
2024 Exam Application

Exam applications (with attached credit card authorizations) must be emailed to Pam Crane, Licensing Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Applications must be submitted no later than 4pm seven calendar days before your scheduled exam date

Students must fully complete their licensing course prior to submitting their exam application. Applications ubsmitted priot to completing the course will result will exam registrations being delayed. Once your exam application is processed, the time, date, and location will be confirmed on your receipt.

Location

Licensing exams are held in the Chardonnay Ballroom of the Best Western Hotel (15 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X7). The Best Western hotel is offering a disounted rate for students requiring overnight accommodations. The rate is $119 per night from October-May or $139 per night from June-September. Contact the Best Western for details.

Exam Fees

The licensing fee for exams is $100 + tax ($115). Students pay their exam fee by completing the credit card authorization (page 2 of the exam application).

Qualifying Period for Exams

Per Commission by-law 321, students must pass the licensing exam within 12 months of completing their licensing course. 

Schedule

The 2024 licensing exam schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 8: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, May 6: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, June 3: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, July 8: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, August 12: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, September 9: 1 - 4 pm
Tuesday, October 8: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, November 4: 1 - 4 pm
Monday, December 2: 1 - 4 pm

Students are to arrive 30 minutes prior to their exam (12:30pm) to allow for seating, verifying identification, passing out exams, reviewing rules, etc.

Accomodations for Physical and Mental Disabilities

Students seeking accomodations for exams due to physical and mental disabilities must make a request to the Registrar by email, per the Commission's Accomodation of Applicants with Physical and Mental Disabilities Policy. Please review the Commission's policy for more information.

What to Bring and Not to Bring

Students are required to bring:
  • Government issued photo ID
  • Black or blue ink pens (pencils cannot be used to write the examination.)
  • Calculator

Students are permitted, but not required, to bring:

  • Highlighters
  • Ear plugs
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Watch (smart watches are not permitted.)

Students are not permitted to bring:

  • Cell phones or electronic devices, such as tablets, laptops or smart watches (students found to have cell phones or smart watch on their person during the exam will forfeit their writing.)
  • White out

Exam Rules

Exam rules as provided by the Commission's Licensing Officer to students upon exam registration:

  • Government-issued photo ID is required to write the exam.
  • Bring black or blue ink pens (no pencils) and a calculator.
  • Write as clearly as possible.
  • The examiner is not permitted to answer questions regarding content of the exam.
  • No talking during the exam.
  • Cell phones/electronic devices (tablets, translators, smart watches, etc.) are not permitted in the examination room. Students found to have cell phones or smart watch on their person during the exam will forfeit their writing.
  • Notebooks, text books, scrap paper, backpacks, etc. are not allowed in examination room.
  • Exams are not to be taken apart and are to be passed in to the examiner upon completion or allotted time elapse, along with any other handout given.
  • Make sure that all personal belongings are taken by you upon leaving the examination room; Commission employees are not responsible for any items left behind
  • Time allotted for exams: salesperson – 3 hours, broker – 3 hours, challenge – 2 hours
  • If you are unable to write your exam, contact the Commission prior to your scheduled exam time to have your exam pulled from the list without penalty.

Additional reminders:

  • All true and false or multiple choice questions only have one correct answer. If you circle one answer, but change your mind, you must clearly indicate which answer you do and do not want marked (recommended to put an X through the answer you think is wrong). If not, and you leave two or more answers circled, you will be given 0 points, even if one is correct.
  • In the salesperson licensing exam, there are two sets of real estate forms. The second set is only in case you have made a mistake and want to start over fresh. (You do not have to start over, you also have the option of making corrections to the form like you would in real life.) If you use any of the second set of forms, draw a large X through the page(s) in the first set so that the marker knows which one you want marked.
  • Students are alloted three hours to write the exam, but are allowed to leave as soon as they finish. 
  • Salesperson exams are in one piece and CANNOT be taken apart.
  • Broker exams are in two pieces held together with a paperclip. The two sections can be separated from each other, but CANNOT be taken apart.
  • Examiners can only answer questions about format, not content.
  • Remember to complete and sign the first page. 
  • If you need space for math calculations or scrap paper, use the back pages (they are blank).
  • If you need extra space for the essay section, draw an arrow, indiciating to the marker to flip the page, and use the back pages (they are blank). 
  • A calendar is provided in the salesperson exam to complete the forms section.

Exam Results

Due to the increase in students, it may take up to 20 BUSINESS days before marks are available. Marks will be sent out via email. 

Passing the Exam

The minimum passing grade is 70%.
 
If you've passed, congratulations! Students who have successfully passed the salesperson or broker licensing exam must apply for their respective licence within 180 days of passing. To proceed with your licensing application, click HERE.

Failing the Exam & Re-Marks

Students have two attempts to write and pass the licensing exam (a passing grade is 70%). Students who have failed on their second writing with a mark of 65 - 69% may apply for and pay a fee to have their exam re-marked.
 
If a student does not pass the exam within that 12 month period, they must retake their applicable licensing course, before they may write the exam again. If a student fails twice, they must wait 12 months from the day they finished the licensing course before they are eligible to re-take the course.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

If a student or someone in their household has cold or flu like symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19 or are required to isolate on their exam date, they are not permitted to write and must reschedule their exam. 
 
The Commission is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and will make on-going reassessments of our policies based on recommendations and guidelines from Public Health. Any changes to our decisions will be communicated to the industry via news bulletins. For now, the Commission has the following updates to our COVID-19 policies:

Current COVID-19 Policies for Licensing Exams:
  • Students are not required to complete the COVID-19 screening declaration.
  • Students are not required to wear masks, but it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED by the Commission.
  • Students are not required to provide proof of full vaccination.
  • Any student who is ill must reschedule their exam for the next writing.

When In Effect:
When the Commission is enforcing masks by students and staff,  masks must be properly worn to cover the chin, mouth and nose for the duration of the exam. Students who do not comply will forfeit their writing and be asked to leave.

When the Commission is enforcing the COVID-19 screening declaration, all students must complete the screening between 12am and 4pm on the day BEFORE the exam. Declarations submitted earlier or later will not be accepted. Students must complete the declaration fully and honestly. Submitting false information or documents on this declaration may jeopardize the health of others and the student's eligibility to be licensed. 

When the Commission is enforcing the requirement to provide proof of full vaccination, all students must provide proof of full vaccination to be eligible to write. Vaccination documents are submitted as part of the COVID-19 screening declaration. To be considered fully vaccinated, you must have your second dose of an approved vaccination at least 14 days BEFORE the exam. Vaccination records are not maintained by the Commission, and are deleted after verification. 

The Nova Scotia Real Estate
Commission
is the regulator of the
Nova Scotia real estate industry.

Contact Us

Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission

601-1595 Bedford Highway
Bedford, NS
B4A 3Y4

p: 1.902.468.3511 or
1.800.390.1015

f:  1.902.468.1016 or
1.800.390.1016