Find Your Pennsylvania Real Estate Courses

Why Should You Become a Real Estate Salesperson in Pennsylvania?

• High Salary Potential. Full-time real estate agents in Pennsylvania earn over $100,000 a year on average.* You can see the current average salary range here. Or, work part time to earn some play money.
  ^{*October 2024 Indeed Salary Data}

• It's a People-Focused Industry. Do you enjoy networking, negotiating, and working with people? You’ll have the opportunity to help others find the homes of their dreams.

• Flexible Schedule. Are you tired of your 9-5 job? Work as often or as little as you want!

How Do You Get a Real Estate Salesperson License in Pennsylvania?

1. Complete 75 Hours of Approved Pre-Licensing Education. To start, you must successfully complete 75 hours of approved pre-licensing coursework. This includes a 30-hour Real Estate License Fundamentals course and a 45-hour Real Estate License Practice course.

2. Pass the Course Exam. After completing your pre-licensing course, you’ll need to pass a course final exam. This exam must be taken in the presence of a proctor. Find out more about how online proctoring works.

3. Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam. Next, you’ll need to pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Read all about exam registration and preparation procedures in the Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin.

4. Select a Sponsoring Broker. Before you can become licensed, you need to be sponsored by an active Pennsylvania sponsoring broker. It's important to find the right broker to work with. Your broker will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate.

5. Provide a Criminal History Records Check. Within 180 days of applying for your license, you’ll need to provide proof of a background check. You’ll do this by requesting a criminal history records check through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) site.

6. Complete Your Real Estate License Application. Finally, you’ll need to complete Pennsylvania’s real estate salesperson application online using the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).

Pennsylvania Post-Licensing Education Requirements

Newly licensed Pennsylvania real estate salespersons are required to complete 14 hours of post-licensing education during their first two-year license renewal period. Post-licensing education includes a specific set of courses approved by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. These courses include a 7-hour general education module, and either a 7-hour commercial real estate education module or 7-hour residential real estate education module.

Pennsylvania Continuing Education Requirements

Both Pennsylvania real estate salespersons and brokers are required to complete 14 hours of CE coursework during each two-year license renewal period. Salespersons will complete required post-licensing education for the first renewal and then complete required CE for every renewal thereafter.

Required CE coursework hours for the 2024-2026 renewal cycle are as follows:

• Fair Housing – 2 hours

• Agency Relationships – 3 hours

• Elective Courses – 9 hours

Note: PA CE requirements change every two-year renewal cycle.

Fortunately, The CE Shop makes it easy for you to complete your Pennsylvania post-licensing coursework and salesperson or broker CE hours completely online and at your own pace.
When you complete your Pennsylvania post-licensing education and CE with The CE Shop, you will receive an electronic copy of your course certificates of completion. Certificates will remain in your account for a minimum of five years, should you need additional copies at a later time. Please refer to your application to determine if you need to submit your certificate(s) of completion. Course completion dates are recorded using Central Standard Time. Please note that the date on your certificate of completion will reflect this.

Pennsylvania Real Estate License Renewal

Pennsylvania real estate salespersons and brokers must renew their licenses every even-numbered year by May 31st. You must complete your post-licensing or CE requirements, submit a renewal application via PALS, and pay a license renewal fee by this date.

Upgrading to a Pennsylvania Broker License

Upgrading your Salesperson license to a Pennsylvania Broker license means you’ll be able to start your own brokerage and hire other salespeople to work for you. You’ll need to have earned three years of experience as a full-time, licensed salesperson to be eligible to upgrade your license. Then, you’ll follow these steps:

• Complete Broker Pre-Licensing Education.

  You must complete 240 hours of Pennsylvania broker pre-licensing coursework before you can apply to upgrade your salesperson license.

• Pass Your Final Course Exams. You’ll need to pass your Broker pre-licensing course exam with a score of 70% or higher. This exam must be taken in the presence of a proctor. Find out more about how online proctoring works.

• Create a Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) Account. Next, you’ll need to create an account via Pennsylvania’s online licensing portal, PALS. You’ll use this tool to apply for and manage your Broker license.

• Pass the National & Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker Exams. Each exam is administered by Pearson VUE, with individual exam fees of $49. There is a combination discount available if you schedule BOTH the state and national exams on the SAME order. Find out more in the Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin.

• Provide a Criminal History Records Check. Within 180 days of applying for your license, you’ll need to provide proof of a background check. You’ll do this by requesting a criminal history records check through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) site.

• Apply For Your Pennsylvania Broker License. You’ll then submit your Pennsylvania Broker license application using your PALS account.