How to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania in 5 Easy Steps

With all the stunning properties across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Harrisburg, it’s easy to imagine a real estate career in Pennsylvania. Becoming a real estate agent in PA is a relatively easy process, and we’ve broken down each step to make it easier for you.

Read our guide on how to get a real estate license in PA and you’ll be selling homes in the Keystone State in no time. First, we’ll make sure you’re eligible, then we’ll dive into the five steps you’ll need to take.

Colibri Real Estate has paid for this placement. However, our team of experts approved Colibri Real Estate as an appropriate product and our content remains editorially independent.

Get 30% Off on Your Prelicensing Course With Colibri Real Estate

• Complete Required Courses: Enroll in and complete the state-specific pre-licensing courses provided by Colibri.
• Prepare and Pass the Exam: Use Colibri’s study aids and practice tests to prepare, then pass the state licensing exam.
• Apply for Your License: Submit your application and necessary documents to the state, and activate your license if needed.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in PA

To be eligible for a Pennsylvania real estate license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Pass a background check

Now, let’s break down each step to get you on your way.

1. Complete a 75-hour Prelicensing Course

• Cost: $419-$685 (through The CE Shop)
• Time commitment: 75 hours
• Helpful resource: 5 Best Real Estate Schools in Pennsylvania for 2023

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires prospective real estate agents to complete a 75-hour prelicensing course, which covers 30 hours of real estate license fundamentals and 45 hours of a real estate license practice course. You will have to pass a course test before you’re allowed to take the state licensing exam.

If you’re looking for a real estate school in PA, we recommend The CE Shop. The company offers a free trial of their Pennsylvania prelicensing course so you can test out its online platform before you buy.

You can save 35% on your online Pennsylvania real estate classes with The CE Shop when you use the promo code TheClose35 at checkout.

5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Pennsylvania

2. Pass the PA Real Estate License Exam

• Cost: $49
• Time commitment: 3 hours
• Helpful resource: Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission candidate handbook

Cost:

Time to Complete:

Format:

120 multiple-choice questions

What to Bring:

2 forms of valid ID

Passing Grade:

75% for both national and state

After you take your classes and pass your course exam, it’s time to move on to state testing. The Pennsylvania real estate license exam is taken on a computer and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. You’ll have 3.5 hours to complete the license exam: 2.5 hours to complete the national portion and one hour to complete the state portion. To pass, you’ll need to get 75% correct in both sections.

You have five years to take your license exam from the time you complete your prelicensing course. After those five years have passed, you’ll need to retake the prelicensing course.

Pearson VUE administers the Pennsylvania real estate license exam. You can schedule your exam online or by phone at 833-551-0235. You’ll need to fill out an application and include payment of the $49 license exam fee.

Make sure you bring two pieces of valid ID. One of the pieces of ID will need to have your photo and a signature. You may bring a non-programmable calculator to the exam for the real estate math portion.

Here’s a list of testing center locations:

• Allentown
• Altoona
• Erie
• Harrisburg
• Philadelphia
• Pittsburg
• State College

3. Join a PA Real Estate Brokerage

• Cost: None
• Time commitment: 2-4 weeks
• Helpful resource: What’s the Best Real Estate Company to Work For?

In Pennsylvania, prospective agents must have an employing broker in order to be involved in real estate transactions. This broker is essentially agreeing to take on your training and support as you embark on your real estate career.

It’s essential that you have this lined up before you apply for your license. The commonwealth will require your employing broker to approve your application in the Pennsylvania online application portal.

If you want to learn more about what to consider when choosing a brokerage to affiliate with, check out our section on compensation below.

Best Real Estate Company to Work For in 2024

4. Submit to a Background Check

• Cost: $22+
• Time commitment: Up to 4 weeks
• Helpful resource: Pennsylvania State Police website

Before you can apply for your license, you’ll need to obtain a recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police. And if you’ve lived or worked outside Pennsylvania during the past five years, you’ll need to provide a CHRC from each state where you were a resident as well as an FBI Identity History Summary Check. The reports must be less than 180 days old at the time of submission.

5. Apply for Your PA Real Estate License

• Cost: $97
• Time commitment: At least two weeks
• Helpful resource: Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission guide

To become a real estate agent in PA, you’ll need to create an account with the Pennsylvania Licensing System, or PALS. You’ll save all the information pertaining to your application in this account, which you can access whenever you need. Here’s what you’ll need for your application:

• Criminal history record information
• National real estate exam results
• Pennsylvania real estate exam results
• Letter of good standing (if applying for a reciprocal license)
• Sponsoring broker information

After you’ve uploaded the required documents and submitted your information, click on Send to Broker and your employing broker will be able to review and approve your application.

After your application is approved by your employing broker and the commission (which usually takes a week), you should receive a copy of your license within seven to 10 business days.