How to Get Your Pennsylvania Real Estate License

Written by: Kevelyn Rodriguez

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How to Get Your Pennsylvania Real Estate License

Getting your Pennsylvania Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Pennsylvania. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Pennsylvania real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines how to become a real estate agent in Pennsylvania in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Pennsylvania

Becoming a real estate agent in Pennsylvania is as simple as getting your license, finding a broker sponsor, and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Pennsylvania Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in Pennsylvania are:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
  • Be 18 years of age or older

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Pennsylvania

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

Pennsylvania requires that real estate sales agents complete 75 hours of pre-license coursework prior to sitting for their exam.

This includes the 30-hour real estate license fundamentals course and the 45-hour real estate license practice course.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs.

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

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For Pennsylvania real estate license exam courses and study tools, StateRequirement recommends:

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Pennyslvania is one of the few states that require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course. Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

In most cases, you can take this test in your own home, but you must have a proctor overseeing you when sitting for the test. When purchasing your real estate pre-license course, check to see if a proctor is included in your education package.

Step 2. Fingerprinting and Background Check

You will need to complete your fingerprinting and background check no more than 90 days prior to submitting the application. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires that all applicants have a background check performed before they can become a licensed real estate agent in Pennsylvania.

You must also provide a certified criminal history report issued by the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH).

The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $22 and an additional $5 for a notarized copy.

You can refer to this step-by-step guide on how to request a criminal background check online for more help.

Completing and turning in your fingerprints will begin the background check process. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission will review any findings in your background report to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you to provide additional information or documentation to clear up any findings.

If there is no record, you may print the Certification Form. If you do have a record, your results will be mailed to you at the address entered when the record check was done.

If you have prior criminal convictions or disciplinary actions from any licensing or regulatory agency, you must submit the following documentation to the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission along with your application for licensure:

  • The conviction summary information provided by the State Police
  • Certified copies of court documents
  • Letter from Probation Officer, dated within 90 days, indicating current probationary status/completion date
  • Police incident reports
  • Employment History (resume)
  • Detailed description (in the applicant’s words) of the circumstances surrounding the conviction, the basis for the conviction, and the disposition of the conviction
  • A signed and dated reference letter from the employing broker, on the company letterhead, indicating that the broker is aware of all conviction(s) and is willing to hire the applicant
  • Two signed and dated character references from individuals who are not related to or residing with the applicant

Note

If you aren’t sure whether you are eligible for a real estate license based on your history, check out our article on Real Estate License Eligibility.

Step 3. Pennsylvania Real Estate License Exam

After you’ve completed your pre-license education, it is time to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam.

The fee to take the exam is $49 per attempt.

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam consists of 125 questions. This includes 80 for the National section and 30 for the State section.

You will have 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 120 minutes (2 hours) and the State section time is 60 minutes (1 hour).

A passing score for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 60/80 on the National section and 23/30 on the State section.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

How Hard is the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam

The passing rate for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%. This test is purposefully difficult, but not impossible. Be sure to pay attention during your pre-license course and take studying seriously. If you put the proper effort forth, we know that you can pass on your first attempt!

You can register to take your exam on the PSI Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Before taking the exam, check out StateRequirement’s guide on How to Pass the Real Estate Exam. This in-depth guide works as a great partner to your pre-license course to prepare you to pass on your first attempt!

Step 4. Real Estate License Application

Upon passing the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam, you are now ready to apply for your Pennsylvania Real Estate license.

The fee for this application is $97.

You can fill out your application online using the Pennsylvania Licensing System. Please upload all the documents that are deemed necessary by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. For the process overview, you may visit the Professional Licensing Section of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission website.

Step 5. Application Review

Once you’ve submitted your application, you will only need to wait for your sponsoring broker to approve your affiliation request. In most cases, this process should take about 7 business days. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact PREC at (717) 783-3658 or email them at RA-REALESTATE@pa.gov.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Step 6. Real Estate License Sponsorship

Prospective applicants must have an employing broker willing to certify that they will supervise and train the applicant once they are granted a license. You may not apply for a Real Estate Sales license until you have an employing broker who holds a valid PA Real Estate Broker license. You should process this during your license application on the PREC member websiteProcess overview is available on the website as well.

If you don’t have a broker to work with yet, check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.

Pennsylvania Estate Post-Licensing Education

Newly licensed salespersons must complete the 14-hour Salesperson Post-License course. Sales licensees are required to take 14 hours of mandatory Commission-developed modules. Sales licensees must take the 7-hour general module and complete either the 7-hour residential module OR the 7-hour commercial module.

Note

There’s a chance that your pre-license education package came with the post-license courses in the package, so be sure you check before you buy another course.

Check out StateRequirement’s recommended post-license course provider for access to these courses.

PREC – Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address: 

Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

Phone: (717) 783-3658

Fax: (717) 787-0250

Email: RA-REALESTATE@pa.gov

Website: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/RealEstateCommission/Pages/Real-Estate-Guide.aspx

Pennsylvania Real Estate License FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the path to becoming real estate agents involves costs ranging from $580 to $740. This includes a $180 fee for all Pennsylvania-specific requirements, including the real estate licensing exam fee, and an estimated $399-$559 for courses from an approved real estate education provider.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Pennsylvania Real Estate License?

Getting a PA real estate license requires two steps: completing courses at a real estate school approved by the state and passing the exam. This usually takes three to six months, but you can finish in two months if you study hard and full-time. However, we advise you not to rush and prepare well for the exam.

How to Get a Pennsylvania Commercial Real Estate License?

To get a Pennsylvania commercial real estate license, you need a standard Salesperson or Broker license. There is no specific “commercial real estate license”. If you want to sell commercial real estate, choose a licensed broker who can oversee real estate transactions in the commercial property sector.

Are There any Real Estate Jobs Open Around Me?

If you’re pursuing a real estate career in Pennsylvania, you might be interested to see the available jobs at StateRequirement Jobs. Our job portal helps you find real estate jobs in your area. You can find opportunities to work as a real estate agent or a real estate broker, depending on your license and experience.

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