Northeast · Real Estate License
Pennsylvania
Salesperson License Requirements
Governing Authority
PREC
Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
Official website →75
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$178
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
4–24 weeks
Timeline
start to license
2 years
Renewal Cycle
14 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Take Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hrs) and Real Estate Practice (45 hrs) from a Commission-approved provider.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Register for Exam via Clarus Portal
Create account at pare.useclarus.com. Upload proof of education. Pay $49 exam fee.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Schedule and Pass State Exam
Take exam at Pearson VUE center or via OnVUE online proctoring. Pass both National (60/80 = 75%) and State (30/40 = 75%) portions.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Obtain Criminal Background Check
Request CHRC from PA State Police PATCH system (epatch.pa.gov) and from every state lived/worked in past 5 years. $22 per check.
Estimated time: 1 day – 4 weeks
Find a Sponsoring Broker
Secure an employing broker with a valid PA real estate broker license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Submit License Application via PALS
Apply at pals.pa.gov. Upload documents. Broker reviews and certifies. Pay $107 application fee.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks processing
Receive License
Physical license mailed to broker's main office within 7–10 business days after issuance.
Estimated time: 7–10 business days
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
VerifiedTwo courses: Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hrs) + Real Estate Practice (45 hrs). Courses must be completed within 5 years before passing the exam.
Required Topics / Courses
- Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hrs)
- Real Estate Practice (45 hrs)
Provider type: Commission-approved education providers or accredited colleges/universities
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering Pennsylvania-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at Pearson VUE centers or via OnVUE remote proctoring (since late 2024). Spanish language option available since November 1, 2025.
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Pennsylvania) | 40 | 60 min | 75% |
| Total | 120 | 210 min | — |
Retake policy: Unlimited retakes within 5-year authorization period. Same fee per attempt. Only the failed section needs to be retaken. Score validity: 3 years from passing.
Approximately 10 additional unscored pretest questions may appear. 10 testing locations across PA.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the Pennsylvania real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
CompuCram
Adaptive exam prep with vocabulary tools, practice tests, and simulated exams for real estate licensing.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application + License + Recovery Fund Fee Note: Base application is $97 ($25 + $72). First-time salesperson applicants pay additional $10 Recovery Fund fee, totaling $107. (Alt: $97 per PA.gov Licensure Snapshot (excludes $10 Recovery Fund)) | $107.00 | PA State Real Estate Commission (via PALS) | |
| Exam Fee | $49.00 | Pearson VUE (via Clarus portal) | |
| Criminal Background Check (PATCH) | $22.00 | PA State Police | |
| Estimated Total | $178.00 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
High school diploma or GED
Residency
Not required
Background Check
Required
Criminal History Records Check (PATCH) from PA State Police for each state lived/worked in past 5 years. Must be dated within 180 days of application.
Sponsoring Broker
Required
Must have an employing broker with a valid PA broker license to certify supervision before application.
Social Security Number
Required
Reciprocity
Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements
Type: Full Reciprocity
Reciprocal States (5)
Arkansas
Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in AR. Waives pre-licensing education and exam.
Georgia
Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in GA. Waives pre-licensing education and exam.
Louisiana
Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in LA. Waives pre-licensing education and exam.
Maryland
Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in MD. Waives pre-licensing education and exam.
Massachusetts
Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in MA. Waives pre-licensing education and exam.
Reciprocal licensees exempt from CE for PA renewal. Must affiliate with PA broker. Licensees from non-reciprocal states with active license in past 5 years are exempt from the National exam portion (must pass PA State exam). NY reciprocity was discontinued.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education Hours
14 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$96.00
First Renewal Notes
First-time renewers must complete two specific 7-hour CE modules: General Module + either Residential or Commercial Module. Licensees licensed less than 6 months before deadline are exempt from CE for first cycle.
Deadlines
May 31 of the renewal year (next: May 31, 2026).
Find Continuing Education Courses
Pennsylvania requires 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
Spanish language exams now available for salesperson and broker licensing exams (in-person only).
Effective: 2025-11-01 · Affects: exam
New mandatory CE topics for 2024-2026 cycle: minimum 5 of 14 hours must include 2 hours Fair Housing + 3 hours Agency Relationship.
Effective: 2024-07-10 · Affects: renewal
Exam provider changed from PSI Exams to Pearson VUE. New Clarus registration portal introduced.
Effective: 2023-04-01 · Affects: exam
Sources
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/real-estate-commission/real-estate-salesperson-licensure-snapshot
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/resources/professional-licensing-resources/licensure-processing-guides-and-timelines/real-estate-commission-guide
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://pare.useclarus.com/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/pa/realestate.html
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.parealtors.org/resources/license-reciprocity/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible