The Puerto Rico real estate salesperson exam, the reválida de bienes raíces vendedor, is the licensing exam administered by the Junta de Corredores, Vendedores y Empresas de Bienes Raíces. Before you can work as a real estate salesperson in Puerto Rico you must pass it. This page covers the format, the pass mark, the topic breakdown, and what you need to know before exam day.
How many questions are on the Puerto Rico real estate salesperson exam?
The exam has 75 questions: 60 are scored and 15 are unscored pilot questions that do not count toward your grade. The pilot questions are mixed in with the scored ones and you will not be told which are which. Treat every question as if it counts.
The exam is multiple choice with four options per question, and it is conducted in Spanish.
What is the pass mark for the Puerto Rico real estate exam?
The pass mark is 70%, which means you need at least 42 of the 60 scored questions correct. A result of 41 correct (68.3%) falls short. The 15 pilot questions have no bearing on whether you pass or fail.
Is there a time limit for the Puerto Rico real estate salesperson exam?
The Junta does not publish an official time limit for the salesperson (vendedor) exam. A figure of roughly 2.5 hours sometimes circulates online, but that corresponds to the broker (corredor) exam, which has 100 questions. For the salesperson exam, plan your pacing without relying on a fixed limit.
How are the 60 scored questions distributed across topics?
The Junta’s specification table (Anejo A) divides the 60 scored questions across five areas:
| Topic area | Scored questions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Legal and juridical aspects | 32 | 53% |
| Professional ethics | 11 | 18% |
| Financing | 8 | 13% |
| Zoning and permits | 7 | 12% |
| Property registry | 2 | 4% |
| Total | 60 | 100% |
Legal and juridical content dominates: more than half of all scored questions fall in this area. This section draws from Ley Núm. 10 de 1994 and the Código Civil de Puerto Rico de 2020.
What does each topic area cover?
Legal and juridical aspects (32 questions, 53%) is the largest block by a wide margin. It covers who qualifies as a salesperson versus a broker, the role and powers of the Junta, how licences are granted and revoked, contract law for real estate transactions, property rights, and the rules governing escrow (plica) accounts.
Professional ethics (11 questions, 18%) covers the code of conduct: prohibited practices under the Act, such as retaining a client’s funds without authorisation or representing multiple parties in the same transaction without their written consent, as well as the fiduciary duties owed to clients and disclosure requirements.
Financing (8 questions, 13%) tests the basics of mortgage lending as they apply in Puerto Rico real estate transactions: how the escrow account works, what happens to a mortgaged property if the secured obligation is not met, and the federal rules that govern loan disclosures (RESPA and TRID).
Zoning and permits (7 questions, 12%) covers Puerto Rico’s construction and use permit system: what permits are needed before building or changing the use of a property, what a buyer should verify regarding existing permits, and lot subdivision (segregación). Buyers must confirm that the actual use of a property matches its valid use permit.
Property registry (2 questions, 4%) tests the core principles of the Puerto Rico Property Registry: how rights are inscribed, the principle of priority (the first to inscribe has preference over later parties), and why buyers must verify the registered title chain before purchase.
What do I need to qualify for the exam?
You must complete a 72-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Junta before sitting the exam. The other eligibility requirements are a high-school diploma and being at least 18 years old. Once your licence is issued you will also need to post a surety bond of $10,000.
Where does the exam content come from?
The exam draws from Puerto Rican government law. The two primary sources are Ley Núm. 10 de 1994 (the law that governs real estate brokers, salespersons and companies in Puerto Rico, as amended) and the Código Civil de Puerto Rico de 2020. Both are government publications available as public domain documents from the Office of Management and Budget (OGP).