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Pennsylvania Real Estate License Requirements

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Pennsylvania


Quick Overview:

You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma

  1. Complete
    75 hours of Pre-Licensing Education
  2. Pass the Course Final Exams
  3. Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam
  4. Find a sponsoring Broker
  5. Complete Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Check
  6. Complete the real estate license application

BUY YOUR PENNSYLVANIA PRE-LICENSING

How to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
requires all potential agents to complete the following steps in order to become a licensed real estate agent in the Keystone State.

1. Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Successfully complete the
required 75 clock-hour Pre-Licensing course. There are several different Pennsylvania real estate schools, many of which offer online classes as well as learning in-person coursework. Some PA real estate schools have an option for a Free Trial that can help determine if real estate courses are right for you.

2. Pass the Course Final Exam

After you complete all the course materials, meet the minimum time requirement, and pass the practice exam, there is a course final exam. The minimum passing score is 75%.

You must take your final in the presence of a proctor, so you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a proctor in advance.

3. Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam

PSI administers the Pennsylvania real estate salesperson licensing exam. This 110-question test has 2 portions, covering both state and national requirements. You will be given 120 minutes for 80 national questions and 60 minutes for 30 state questions.

You will need to
schedule and pay for a license exam online
with PSI, the testing service provider. You can either take the exam in-person with a proctor, or
schedule a remote exam on PSI’s website. Some students take an exam prep course to prepare for the test.

4. Find a Sponsoring Broker

To be licensed, you must first be associated with a current and active Pennsylvania sponsoring broker. It’s important to find the right broker to work with since this person will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate.

5. Complete Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Check

Before you apply for your Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson or Real Estate Broker License, you’ll need to submit an updated background check and fingerprints.

6. Complete the Real Estate License Application

Upon passing the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam and selecting a sponsoring broker,
you must complete the salesperson application online. The application must be received within 3 years of the date upon which you passed the exam.


Quick Facts:

Common Questions About Getting Your Pennsylvania Real Estate License.

1. How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Real Estate License in Pennsylvania?

The cost of an agent license in PA can vary considerably depending on the price of your Pennsylvania real estate classes and different types of fees for your licensing, etc. An individual can typically expect to pay $585-$835 to get an active Pennsylvania real estate license.

Average Course Tuition $399-$649
FBI Background Check $18
PA State Police Fingerprinting $22
Licensing Exam Fee $49
Application Fee $97
Total $585-$835

2. How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania?

The specific amount of time to complete your 75 hours of licensing can vary depending on how long between each task the student takes and of course how long they take to complete their pre-licensing courses. Different credit hours and requirements of each brokerage will affect each sales associate differently.

Student Learning Pace Time Period
Full-Time Student (40 hours a week) 1.88 weeks
20 Hours a Week 3.75 weeks
10 Hours a Week 7.5 weeks
5 Hours a Week 15 weeks

3. If I Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania, Where Else Can I Work?

If you get a real estate license in Kentucky, you are automatically eligible to work in states that offer full reciprocity. States that offer full reciprocity will recognize your Kentucky license, meaning you can work in their state after fulfilling significantly less requirements. Typically, this means passing the state-specific real estate exam or taking a state-specific course. States with full reciprocity include:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington 

The above list is not comprehensive. Please refer to
this guide for more information on reciprocity.

4. How Much Money Can I Make as a Pennsylvania Real Estate Agent?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Pennsylvania Real estate agent is $103,259. This number is the same as the national average.


Pennsylvania Real Estate Post Licensing Requirements

Pennsylvania Real Estate Post-Licensing education requirements are that you complete
fourteen (14) hours of post-licensing education courses
within the first two (2) years of receiving your real estate license. Sales licensees must take the 7-hour general module and complete either the 7-hour residential module OR the 7-hour commercial module.

You will need to make sure that you are getting these courses through a
PALS-approved education provider.


Pennsylvania Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

All licensed agents are
required to maintain their knowledge in their particular field, for real estate agents,
this requirement is fourteen (14) hours of approved continuing education
courses, these must be completed once every two years to renew your license.

3 of the 14 hours must be taken in a topic that covers the responsibilities of the broker and the responsibilities of their licensees regarding property management, advertising, and general supervision which would include, but not be limited to, commissions and fees.