Common Questions About Licensing & Real Estate Careers in Pennsylvania

• 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. You can complete this education online or in person, depending on the school you select.

  • You are a licensed attorney.

  • You have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in real estate.

  • You have a current real estate license in another jurisdiction and are seeking licensure in Pennsylvania.

  Visit the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission website to learn more.

• Pass the Final 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.

• 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.

• 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 brokerage to work with. Your broker will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate.

• 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.

• 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).

You must take and pass 75 course hours from an approved education provider to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in Pennsylvania. If you treat your Pre-Licensing education like a 40-hour workweek, you can finish your coursework in as little as two weeks.

You’ll then move on to pass your licensing exam, choose a sponsoring broker, request a background check, and apply for your Pennsylvania real estate license. Most of our students complete these requirements within a few months.

• Your pre-licensing education in Pennsylvania ranges in average cost from $300 to $700, depending on the provider you go with and the package you purchase.

• The initial license and new application fee for a Pennsylvania real estate salesperson is $97.

• The National & Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam fees are each $49 (through Pearson VUE) is $49. A combination discount is available if you schedule BOTH the State and National exams on the SAME order. Learn more in the Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin.

*Note that licensing fees are subject to change.

You must be at least 18 years old to become a Pennsylvania real estate salesperson. You must also have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.

It is possible to get a real estate license in Pennsylvania with a criminal record in certain cases. When applying for your Salesperson license, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires that you complete a background check through the PATCH site within 180 days of your application.

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission contracts with Pearson VUE to facilitate and administer the National and Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exams. Both exam fees are $49. A combination discount is available if you schedule BOTH the National and state exams on the SAME order. Learn more in the Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin.

Pennsylvania has mutual reciprocity with Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, and Massachusetts. If you don't live in one of these states, be sure to check with the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission to learn the steps to get your license.

You can also learn more about license reciprocity in Pennsylvania in our Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability Guide.

Yes. After becoming a licensed Salesperson, you are required to complete 14 hours of Pennsylvania post-licensing courses during the first two-year license renewal period.

Pennsylvania salespersons and brokers must complete CE coursework by May 31st of every even-numbered year in order to renew licensure.

Pennsylvania salespersons and brokers must complete 14 hours of CE coursework. Courses must be completed through an education provider approved by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission.

Immediately upon finishing your CE course, The CE Shop will provide you with an electronic copy of your course certificate(s) of completion. You can also download a copy of your course completion certificates using your account at The CE Shop at any time. You’ll need to show proof of CE completion when renewing your license using the PALS online portal.

You can do a LOT with a Broker license in Pennsylvania, including:

• Help clients sell, lease, and buy properties

• Establish and manage your own real estate brokerage firm

• Supervise and hire other agents to work for you

• Become a property manager

The biggest advantage you’ll have as a Pennsylvania broker is the ability to hire other salespersons to work for you — which can be financially rewarding!

Yes! To start your own business, you’ll need to earn a Pennsylvania Broker license. Then, you’ll be able to hire other salespersons to work for you.

To get a broker's license, you must first:

• be at least 21 years old,

• have earned a high school diploma or equivalent education, and

• have three years of experience as a full-time licensed Pennsylvania real estate salesperson.

Then, you'll follow these steps: When you receive your Broker license, you’re ready to start your own brokerage. As a Pennsylvania broker, you must register your business name and type of business with the state. Learn how to do this on the Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop website.

Learn more about becoming a Pennsylvania broker at the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission website.

• 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.

  If you are a licensed broker in another state, you may be granted two credit hours of Broker Pre-Licensing education for each year of active practice in your state during the 10 years immediately before your broker application.

  You may also be able to satisfy this education requirement if you have:

  • a bachelor’s degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college,

  • a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, or

  • have already completed 240 hours of broker pre-licensing coursework in another jurisdiction that is approved to meet Pennsylvania’s requirements.

• Pass Your Final Course Exams.

  You’ll need to pass your Broker pre-licensing course exams 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.

  Your next step is to 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. Learn 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.

According to ZipRecruiter, Pennsylvania brokers make more than $100,000 per year on average.* See the current average salary range here. Your average broker salary also depends on your education and experience.

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