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Real Estate Agent
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
To get a Pennsylvania real estate license in 2026, you must complete 75 hours of Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the Pearson VUE licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $327–$678 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$178
Total Gov Fees
120
Exam Questions
3.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
18 years old
Min. Age
Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
Authority
⚠ Recent Changes in Pennsylvania
| 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 |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
Commission-approved education providers or accredited colleges/universities
Required Courses
A Juris Doctor degree, bachelor's degree in real estate, or a bachelor's degree that included coursework equivalent to a major in real estate will be deemed to have met the education requirement.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in Pennsylvania.
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.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
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
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
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in Pennsylvania: Continuing education details →
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in Pennsylvania
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Official Sources
Real Estate Agent requirements in Pennsylvania verified against Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
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