What is required to get a license in Pennsylvania?

For salespersons:

  • Complete application form.
  • Proof of completion of 75 hrs Pre-License Education.
  • If you have a bachelor's degree with a major in real estate or its equivalent from an accredited education provider or if you have a letter of certification from another licensing jurisdiction showing you have been actively licensed within the past 5 years, education requirements could be waived.
  • You must get a criminal background check.
  • Proof of age 18 and above.
  • Complete and pass the real estate examination.
  • Fees: Examination Fees (Salesperson: $49). License (Salesperson: $107.00 total which includes $72.00 licensure fee, $25.00 application fee and $10.00 recovery fund fee).

For brokers:

  • Sign in and complete application form online.
  • You must be recommended by a broker licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission mentioning your reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, and competence and two other, unrelated persons who own property in the county where you reside to mention your reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, and competence.
  • You must provide broker information using the name, address, and license number exactly as it appears on the broker's license. If the employing broker is a corporation or partnership, use the company's name, address, and license number.
  • You must have completed 16 credits or 240 hours of real estate instruction within 10 years prior to the date of successful completion of the licensing examination.
  • You must get a criminal background check.
  • Proof of age 21 and above.
  • Complete and pass the real estate examination.
  • Fees: Examination Fees (Broker: $49). License (broker: $97 total, which includes $72.00 licensure fee and $25.00 application fee.).

What score do I need to pass?

The salesperson exam consists of 80 national questions and 40 state-specific questions. To pass you must correctly answer at least 60 of the national questions and 30 of the state-specific questions.

The broker exam consists of 80 national questions and 40 state-specific questions. To pass you must correctly answer at least 60 of the national questions and 30 of the state-specific questions.

You will receive your score immediately after you complete your exam.

How much time do I have to complete the exam?

For the salesperson exam: you are allowed 150 minutes for the national portion and 60 minutes for the state-specific portion.

For the broker exam: you are allowed 150 minutes for the national portion and 60 minutes for the state-specific portion.

What should I bring with me for the exam?

  • 2 Forms of identification with matching names, non-expired and containing a valid signature. (Driver's license, passport, green card, U.S. social security card, debit or credit card with signature). If your name on your registration is different than on your identification, you must bring proof of your name change.
  • Basic (non-scientific) calculator.

What is the format of the exam?

The exam is given on a computer.

What is on the exam?

The national portion of the multiple choice exam consists of the following sections:

  • Property Ownership
  • Land Use Controls and Regulations
  • Valuation and Market Analysis
  • Financing
  • General Principles of Agency
  • Property Condition and Disclosures
  • Contracts
  • Transfer of Title
  • Practice of Real Estate
  • Real Estate Calculations
  • Subdivisions
  • Commercial, Industrial, and Income Properties

The state-specific portion consists of the following sections:

  • Real Estate Commission
  • Licensure
  • Regulation of Conduct of Licensees

Resources