Exam day, start to finish
The rules at the test center are stricter than most candidates expect, and the two things that actually catch people out are identification and what you are carrying. Both are worth getting right the night before.
Identification
You need two forms, both unexpired, both in English, and the name must match your registration. One must be a primary ID carrying a photograph and a signature; the second needs a signature.
| Primary ID (photo and signature) | Secondary ID (signature) |
|---|---|
| Driver’s license | Social Security card |
| Passport or passport card | Debit or credit card |
| National, state or country ID card | Any primary-list ID |
| Military ID, including spouse and dependent | |
| Alien Registration Card (Green Card) |
Texas requirements, from the Pearson VUE candidate handbook, September 2026. Other states are similar but check your own handbook.
One genuine trap: if your ID has an embedded signature on a microchip that is not visible, or one that is difficult to read, it will not do — you will be asked for another form from either list.
What you cannot take in
One primary with a photograph and signature, one secondary with a signature. Names must match your registration exactly, with no expired documents.
No phone, smart watch, or other device. Everything goes in a locker before you enter the testing room.
Recommended, not required, and test center staff will not provide one. A financial calculator with no alpha characters or scientific functions.
You may not add a jacket mid-exam without re-screening. Bags, coats and outerwear are left with your other personal items.
Calculators
Not required, but recommended, and not provided by test center staff — so bring your own. Acceptable calculators are hand-held, battery or solar-powered financial calculators of the sort used in real estate, finance and accounting. It may have storage but must not contain alpha characters or scientific functions such as “cos” or “sin”.
One genuine trap worth repeating: a calculator malfunction is not grounds for challenging your results or requesting extra time in any state we checked.
For booking, rescheduling and how soon you may retake after a fail, see booking the exam.
Common questions
How many times can I fail before something changes?
In Texas, three. Fail three times and you cannot retest or submit a new application until you complete more qualifying education — 30 additional hours if you failed one portion, 60 if you failed both. Other states set their own limits, so check before assuming unlimited attempts.
Can I take just one portion at a time?
In Texas, yes. The national portion is 150 minutes and the state portion 90, and they can be taken in one 240-minute sitting or separately — each attempt costs the same fee either way.
When does the license actually arrive?
In Texas, by email within five to ten business days of passing, and only once your background check has cleared. The background check, not the exam, is usually the slow part.