How to Get a Pennsylvania Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step guide on how to get your Pennsylvania Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Philadelphia to Pittsburg or Erie to my favorite town, Scranton, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your Pennsylvania real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all your burning questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Pass State Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of Pennsylvania requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Pre-Licensing Education
Pennsylvania requires only 75 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass State Exams
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Choose a Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Criminal History Check
It takes a few weeks to process your background check once you submit your fingerprints for review.
Submit an Application
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your Pennsylvania Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Must bear a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity and competence.
- Have valid ID proving citizenship or legal presence in the United States.
- Have a Social Security Number.
- Must pass a background check.
- Take and Pass a Pennsylvania approved Real Estate Salesperson Course or
- Have a Bachelors Degree in a Real Estate Major or
- Have a Law Degree.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
- Pass the Pennsylvania State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
2. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Pennsylvania has two courses that have a minimum of 60 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your Pennsylvania Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Fundamentals Course – 30 Hours of Coursework
- Real Estate Practice Course – 45 Hours of Coursework
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
3. Pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exams
Pennsylvania has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your Pennsyvlania Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson Pennsylvania State Exam
If you’re already licensed in another state, you only have to take the Pennsylvania State portion of the exam.
Pennsylvania Real Estate tests are proctored by PSI. After you’ve completed your Pre-licensing Education, you can take the test at any time.
You can download the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Information Bulletin here that contains all the details on the exams.
PSI has testing locations nationwide so even if you are out of state, it is easy to find a testing center to take the exam. PSI even offers remote online proctored exams too if you are too far away from a testing location.
4. Pick a Responsible Broker
All Realtors must work under the supervision of a Broker who’s responsible for supervising their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
When you apply for your Pennsylvania real estate license, part of the application form requires a sworn statement from a Real Estate Broker that you choose that attests to your good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity and competence and certifies that the Real Estate Broker will actively supervise and train you in real estate practices.
The PREC will not issue you a license until choose a broker and they sign this form. The PREC requires all applications to be submitted online so you don’t need to have your broker sign anything now. After you submit your application, the PREC will contact your broker and have them sign the needed forms.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
5. Get a Criminal History Records Check
Pennsylvania requires you to submit to a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) or a background check. A CHRC request will be automatically submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police upon submission of your application. The CHRC fee will be included at checkout on the website when you submit your application. Your PA CHRC will be sent directly to the Board/Commission. You will be notified if additional action is required.
If you have been living, working, or completing training or studies outside of Pennsylvania during the past five years, in lieu of obtaining individual state background checks, you may elect to provide BOTH a state CHRC from the state in which you currently reside, AND your FBI Identity History Summary Check, available at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
If you have a criminal history, you may still be able to obtain a Pennsylvania Real Estate License. Here is a Schedule of Criminal Convictions that may constitute grounds to refuse to issue you a license. You can ask for a Predetermination hearing if you are unsure if your past history excludes you from obtaining a license.
6. Submit Your Application
The PREC requires you to submit your application online at their PALS Website.
- Create an account at www.pals.pa.gov
- Click on “Apply for New License,” then select “Real Estate Commission” and “Real Estate Salesperson – Reciprocal” OR “Real Estate Salesperson – Standard.”
- Answer the survey questions and click on “Next” to open the application.
- Complete the application.
- Upload the required documents below.
- Proof of completion of the Real Estate Fundamentals Course
- Proof of completion of the Real Estate Practices Course
- Passing grade report for National Portion of the Exam or proof of license in another state that also requires at least 75 hours of Pre-Licensing Education.
- Passing grade report for Pennsylvania State Portion of the Exam.
- Click on “Send to Broker.”
Once you click “Send to Broker,” your prospective employing broker will be notified to log onto the PALS account associated with the broker office license.
The broker of record will review and approve your application, certifying that they are willing to hire, train, and supervise you as their agent.
Once the employing broker has approved your application, log back in to your PALS account.
- Click on “Review” to re-open the application and complete the legal questions.
- Click on “Submit” and then review the application before clicking on “Add to Cart.”
- Pay the application fees
- Submit it to the Commission.
If there are documents missing or information that needs to be corrected, you will receive an e-mail on how to resolve the missing or incorrect information.
You will receive the license at your broker’s main office in 7-10 business days after date of issue.
7. Congratulations! You're Now an Agent!
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
8. Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a Pennsylvania realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Pennsylvania is $270,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $5700 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
Pennsylvania requires 75 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 60 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as two weeks but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $39.00
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $300.00 – $745.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $49.00
- Pennsylvania Application Fee – $97.00
The cost of getting your Pennsylvania real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $739.00 to as high as $1998.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $550.00
