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How to get a real estate license in Pennsylvania. 75 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $178. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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40% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$178
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
3.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Pennsylvania
Take Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hrs) and Real Estate Practice (45 hrs) from a Commission-approved provider.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Create account at pare.useclarus.com. Upload proof of education. Pay $49 exam fee.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
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
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
Secure an employing broker with a valid PA real estate broker license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Apply at pals.pa.gov. Upload documents. Broker reviews and certifies. Pay $107 application fee.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks processing
Physical license mailed to broker's main office within 7–10 business days after issuance.
Estimated time: 7–10 business days
| 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. |
| Character References | 2 required Two character references from property owners in county of residence. |
| Social Security Number | Required |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
Commission-approved education providers or accredited colleges/universities
Required Courses
JD degree, bachelor's in real estate, or equivalent coursework may satisfy the requirement.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
120
Total Time
210 min
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.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Pennsylvania) | 40 | 60 min | 75% |
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.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application + License + Recovery Fund Fee Paid to: PA State Real Estate Commission (via PALS) | |
Exam Fee Paid to: Pearson VUE (via Clarus portal) | |
Criminal Background Check (PATCH) Paid to: PA State Police | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $178 |
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Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Pennsylvania with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
May 31 of the renewal year (next: May 31, 2026).
First Renewal Notes
First-time renewers must complete 14-hour post-education course. Licensed on/after Dec 1, 2025: no CE for first renewal. Licensees licensed less than 6 months before deadline are exempt from CE for first cycle.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Full Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Arkansas (AR) | Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in AR. Waives pre-licensing education and exam. |
| Georgia (GA) | Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in GA. Waives pre-licensing education and exam. |
| Louisiana (LA) | Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in LA. Waives pre-licensing education and exam. |
| Maryland (MD) | Must hold current, active license. Must maintain principal place of business in MD. Waives pre-licensing education and exam. |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 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.
4–24 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive online education and quick background check processing. PATCH electronic checks with no records return in 1–3 days.
2025-11-01
Spanish language exams now available for salesperson and broker licensing exams (in-person only).
2024-07-10
New mandatory CE topics for 2024-2026 cycle: minimum 5 of 14 hours must include 2 hours Fair Housing + 3 hours Agency Relationship.
2023-04-01
Exam provider changed from PSI Exams to Pearson VUE. New Clarus registration portal introduced.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Pennsylvania.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#21 of 49
Cost
#5 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$38,830
25th percentile
Median
$53,590
-5% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$79,340
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,250 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+13% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$53,590
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$53,590
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$74,990
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$60,320
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 4–24 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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