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

The Kansas real estate license exam is divided into two parts and consists of 120 questions. The exam costs $82 each time it is taken. Test takers are allotted 4 hours to complete the exam.

The first part of the exam addresses general and national principles in real estate. It is made up of 85 total questions of which 80 are scored, and 5 are used to gather statistics.

Overview of the Real Estate Licensing Examination

Test takers are given 2.5 hours to complete this section. 56 of the 80 scored questions must be answered correctly to pass this part of the exam.

Part 2 of the exam will test knowledge of laws, regulations, and requirements that are specific to the state of Kansas. It consists of 40 total questions of which 30 are scored, and 10 are used to gather statistics.

21 of the 30 scored questions must be answered correctly to pass this part of the exam. Test takers will be informed whether they have passed or failed the exam immediately after completing it.

Here is a summarized outline of the general exam content for the first part of the exam, amended from Pearson VUE:¹

I. Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use (5 Knowledge, 2 Application, 2 Analysis)

A. Real property vs. personal property (2 items)
B. Characteristics of real property (2-3 items)
C. Legal descriptions (2-3 items)
D. Public and private land use controls – encumbrances (2-3 items)

II. Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title (4 Knowledge, 3 Application, 1 Analysis)

A. Ownership, estates, rights, and interests (4 items)
B. Deed, title, transfer of title, and recording of title (4 items)

III. Property Value and Appraisal (5 Knowledge, 5 Application, 1 Analysis)

A. Concept of value (4 items)
B. Appraisal process (3 items)
C. Methods of estimating value and Broker Price Opinions (BPO) (4 items)

IV. Real Estate Contracts and Agency (8 Knowledge, 6 Application, 2 Analysis)

A. Types of contracts (2 items)
B. Required elements of a valid contract (2-3 items)
C. Contract performance (2-3 items)
D. Sales contract (2-3 items)
E. Types of agency and licensee-client relationships (2 items)
F. Creation and termination of agency (2 items)
G. Licensee obligations to parties of a transaction (2 items)

V. Real Estate Practice (9 Knowledge, 3 Application, 2 Analysis)

A. Responsibilities of broker (2 items)
B. Brokerage agreements between the broker and principal (seller, buyer, landlord, or tenant) (4 items)
C. Fair Housing (4 items)
D. Risk management (4 items)

VI. Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues (5 Knowledge, 2 Application, 1 Analysis)

A. Property conditions and environmental issues (3-4 items)
B. Disclosure obligations and liability (4-5 items)

VII. Financing and Settlement (4 Knowledge, 2 Application, 1 Analysis)7)

A. Financing concepts and components (2 items)
B. Lender Requirements (1 item)
C. Federal Financing Regulations and Regulatory Bodies (2 items)
D. Settlement and closing the transaction (2 items)

VIII. Real Estate Math Calculations (0 Knowledge, 4 Application, 3 Analysis))

A. Property area calculations (1 item)
B. Property valuation (1 item)
C. Commission/compensation (1 item)
D. Loan financing costs (1 item)
E. Settlement and closing costs (1 item)
F. Investment (1 item)
G. Property management calculations (1 item)

Here is a summarized outline of the general exam content for the second part of the exam, amended from Pearson VUE:¹

I. Duties And Powers of The Kansas Real Estate Commission

A. General powers and duties; membership
B. Investigations, hearings, and appeals
C. License revocation, suspension, condition, restriction, censure of licensee, and civil fines
D. Criminal prosecution

II. Licensing Requirements

A. Activities requiring a license
B. Renewal of license
C. Education requirements
D. Deactivation, and reinstatement of licenses

III. Requirements Governing Activities of Licensees

A. Place of business and company names
B. Records
C. Reporting requirements
D. Advertising
E. Commissions/referral/relocation fees
F. Required residential contract language

IV. Prohibited Acts

V. Brokerage Relationships In Real Estate Transactions Act (BRRETA)

Sample Test Questions From the Kansas Real Estate License Exam

Here are some test questions that are similar to what is seen on the Kansas real estate license exam:

1. Jim Smith has completed negotiations on one of his listings and has received earnest money of $8,000 for the deal. What must Jim do with the $8,000 received?

a. Deposit it into his personal checking account
b. Deposit it into his company’s operating account
c. Deposit it into his company’s escrow account
d. Place the check in the deal’s file and give it to the closing agency when the deal officially closes

2. A homeowner’s association has decided to sell the subdivision’s community center due to economic reasons. The association wishes to get guidance on what an appropriate asking price would be, and hires an appraiser.

Which approach is the appraiser likely to find most appropriate to appraise this property?

a. The cost approach
b. The gross rent multiplier approach
c. The income approach
d. The sales comparison approach

3. What did the 1972 amendment to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 add?

a. The operation of adults-only apartment complexes
b. The display of equal housing posters in a broker’s place of business
c. Landlords needing to make reasonable property alterations for handicapped tenants
d. New qualification requirements as to the age of children in certain housing facilities

Applying for Kansas Real Estate Commission License (Five Steps)

Here’s a checklist for the 5 steps required when applying for a Kansas real estate commission license:²

Step 1: Do a Background Check

Fill out and submit Background Waiver form REL-150 to the Kansas Real Estate Commission.³ Obtain a fingerprint card.

Submit the form and documentation required with a $15 payment for the application fee, and a $60 background check fee.

Step 2: Enroll In and Successfully Complete a 60-hour Pre-Licensing Course

This course can be completed either in a live classroom setting or online. After completing the course, a certificate will be issued that will prove this requirement has been met.

Step 3: Schedule and Take the Licensing Exam

After completing the pre-licensing course, go to Pearson Vue’s website to create an account and schedule an exam date, time and chosen testing location through the website.⁴

Check the Candidate Handbook and the Exam Outlines to help prepare for the test and know what to bring the day of the exam.⁵

Show up early to the testing site the day of the exam. Double-check that all required materials are being brought.

Step 4: Be Affiliated With a Real Estate Broker With a License in Kansas

This person must sign the application to certify that the applicant is of honest, trustworthy reputation.

Step 5: Apply for the Kansas Real Estate License

After passing the licensing exam, Pearson Vue will provide an official real estate license application. Submit this license application and required documentation to the Kansas Real Estate Commission at the following address:

Kansas Real Estate Commission
Jayhawk Tower 700 SW Jackson St Ste 404
Topeka, KS 66603-3785

The license application fee is $125. Applications take about 3 to 5 days to process, on average, and the license will be sent via email.

Contact the Kansas Real Estate Commission at 785-296-3411 or by emailing [email protected] with any questions.

Financial Obligations for Membership in the Kansas Real Estate Commission

The Kansas Real Estate Commission requires a $125 license fee with the initial application. This application fee will be refunded if the application is denied, or if it is incomplete and needs to be resubmitted with complete information.

Every 2 years after approval, the real estate license must be renewed, with a cost of $125 for each renewal.

Deciding To Apply for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership

It can be a smart move for a real estate agent’s career path to apply for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) membership for a number of reasons.

NAR membership includes training resources, research reports, publications, and other content to help real estate agents grow and develop to become some of the best in the field.⁶

While there is a membership fee to join NAR, it can pay for itself with special savings and offers given to members such as discounted insurance rates and car rentals, special pricing on the latest tech, great deals on advertising campaigns, and more.

To initiate a membership with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), first join a local real estate association in Kansas.⁷ After joining, the process to become part of the national association can be completed and the perks and benefits that come with this can be enjoyed.

How Much Time Does the Real Estate Application Process Require?

The Kansas real estate application process itself is very short and can be completed conveniently and quickly online.

As long as all the required documentation is handy, such as a completed background check and proof of having a sponsoring real estate agent, the application process can be completed in a few minutes.

Most applications will be processed within 3 to 5 days, so turnaround time is also quick.