1
DC Property Manager Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: DC Property Management Laws & Regulations — Questions 1-20]
Q1: According to DC regulations, which individual is required to hold a Property Manager
License?
A. An individual managing their own single-family home rental.
B. A resident manager living in the building where they work.
C. An employee of a licensed property management company who manages properties on behalf
of owners.
D. A real estate salesperson who occasionally shows rental units but does not manage them.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DC law requires a Property Manager License for anyone who manages residential
rental property on behalf of an owner. Key exemptions include managing one's own property and
on-site resident managers. While a salesperson shows units, they must be licensed to manage
ongoing landlord duties. Option D describes a sales function, not management.
Q2: Which of the following is a requirement to obtain a DC Property Manager License?
A. Must be at least 21 years old.
B. Must have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
C. Must complete a 30-hour pre-licensing course and pass the DC Property Manager exam.
D. Must have 5 years of verifiable property management experience.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To obtain a license, an applicant must complete a 30-hour pre-licensing course and
pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Age 18 is the minimum, not 21. A degree is not
strictly required, nor is specific experience mandated as the sole path without the course/exam.
Q3: How often must a DC Property Manager License be renewed?
A. Every 1 year.
B. Every 2 years.
C. Every 4 years.
D. Every 5 years.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC Property Manager Licenses must be renewed every 2 years. This renewal process
typically involves continuing education (12 hours) and paying the renewal fee. Options A, C, and
D do not match the statutory renewal period.
Q4: Which of the following entities administers the Rental Housing Act and enforces housing
codes in the District of Columbia?
A. The DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).
B. The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).
C. The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
D. The DC Board of Elections.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is the agency
responsible for enforcing housing codes, the Rental Housing Act, and property management
licensing. Police (MPD) handle criminal matters but not civil housing compliance.
,3
Q5: Which residential buildings in DC are generally covered by the Rent Stabilization Program
(RSP)?
A. All rental properties regardless of age.
B. Buildings constructed after 1975.
C. Rental accommodations constructed before 1975.
D. Only single-family homes.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Rent Stabilization Program (Rent Control) generally applies to rental
accommodations constructed before 1975. Buildings constructed after this date are usually
exempt from rent stabilization (though they may be subject to Tenant Bill of Rights). Options A,
B, and D misstate the eligibility criteria.
Q6: What is the maximum annual rent increase allowed under the DC Rent Stabilization
Program (unless otherwise petitioned)?
A. CPI + 5%, capped at 15%.
B. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 2%, capped at 10%.
C. Any amount the landlord chooses.
D. 5% regardless of CPI.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under RSP, allowable annual increases are calculated as the Consumer Price Index
(CPI) plus 2%, with a statutory cap of 10%. Landlords can petition for higher amounts for capital
improvements. Options A and D exaggerate or misrepresent the formula.
Q7: According to DC law, what is the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge a tenant?
, 4
A. Two months' rent.
B. One month's rent plus a pet deposit.
C. One month's rent.
D. No limit is specified by law.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The maximum security deposit permitted in DC is equal to one month's rent.
Landlords may charge an additional pet deposit if applicable, but the base security deposit cap is
one month. Options A and B exceed the statutory limit.
Q8: Where must a landlord hold a tenant's security deposit?
A. In a general operating account.
B. In a personal bank account.
C. In an interest-bearing escrow account.
D. In cash in a safe deposit box.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Security deposits must be held in a separate, interest-bearing escrow account or trust
account established specifically for that purpose. Commingling deposits with operating funds is
illegal. Interest must be paid to the tenant or used as allowed by law.
Q9: Within how many days must a landlord return a security deposit or an itemized list of
deductions after a tenant vacates?
A. 30 days.
B. 45 days.
C. 60 days.
D. 90 days.
DC Property Manager Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: DC Property Management Laws & Regulations — Questions 1-20]
Q1: According to DC regulations, which individual is required to hold a Property Manager
License?
A. An individual managing their own single-family home rental.
B. A resident manager living in the building where they work.
C. An employee of a licensed property management company who manages properties on behalf
of owners.
D. A real estate salesperson who occasionally shows rental units but does not manage them.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DC law requires a Property Manager License for anyone who manages residential
rental property on behalf of an owner. Key exemptions include managing one's own property and
on-site resident managers. While a salesperson shows units, they must be licensed to manage
ongoing landlord duties. Option D describes a sales function, not management.
Q2: Which of the following is a requirement to obtain a DC Property Manager License?
A. Must be at least 21 years old.
B. Must have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
C. Must complete a 30-hour pre-licensing course and pass the DC Property Manager exam.
D. Must have 5 years of verifiable property management experience.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To obtain a license, an applicant must complete a 30-hour pre-licensing course and
pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Age 18 is the minimum, not 21. A degree is not
strictly required, nor is specific experience mandated as the sole path without the course/exam.
Q3: How often must a DC Property Manager License be renewed?
A. Every 1 year.
B. Every 2 years.
C. Every 4 years.
D. Every 5 years.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC Property Manager Licenses must be renewed every 2 years. This renewal process
typically involves continuing education (12 hours) and paying the renewal fee. Options A, C, and
D do not match the statutory renewal period.
Q4: Which of the following entities administers the Rental Housing Act and enforces housing
codes in the District of Columbia?
A. The DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).
B. The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).
C. The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
D. The DC Board of Elections.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is the agency
responsible for enforcing housing codes, the Rental Housing Act, and property management
licensing. Police (MPD) handle criminal matters but not civil housing compliance.
,3
Q5: Which residential buildings in DC are generally covered by the Rent Stabilization Program
(RSP)?
A. All rental properties regardless of age.
B. Buildings constructed after 1975.
C. Rental accommodations constructed before 1975.
D. Only single-family homes.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Rent Stabilization Program (Rent Control) generally applies to rental
accommodations constructed before 1975. Buildings constructed after this date are usually
exempt from rent stabilization (though they may be subject to Tenant Bill of Rights). Options A,
B, and D misstate the eligibility criteria.
Q6: What is the maximum annual rent increase allowed under the DC Rent Stabilization
Program (unless otherwise petitioned)?
A. CPI + 5%, capped at 15%.
B. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 2%, capped at 10%.
C. Any amount the landlord chooses.
D. 5% regardless of CPI.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under RSP, allowable annual increases are calculated as the Consumer Price Index
(CPI) plus 2%, with a statutory cap of 10%. Landlords can petition for higher amounts for capital
improvements. Options A and D exaggerate or misrepresent the formula.
Q7: According to DC law, what is the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge a tenant?
, 4
A. Two months' rent.
B. One month's rent plus a pet deposit.
C. One month's rent.
D. No limit is specified by law.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The maximum security deposit permitted in DC is equal to one month's rent.
Landlords may charge an additional pet deposit if applicable, but the base security deposit cap is
one month. Options A and B exceed the statutory limit.
Q8: Where must a landlord hold a tenant's security deposit?
A. In a general operating account.
B. In a personal bank account.
C. In an interest-bearing escrow account.
D. In cash in a safe deposit box.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Security deposits must be held in a separate, interest-bearing escrow account or trust
account established specifically for that purpose. Commingling deposits with operating funds is
illegal. Interest must be paid to the tenant or used as allowed by law.
Q9: Within how many days must a landlord return a security deposit or an itemized list of
deductions after a tenant vacates?
A. 30 days.
B. 45 days.
C. 60 days.
D. 90 days.
