Pennsylvania · PA
How to get your Pennsylvania real estate license
Everything you need to earn a Pennsylvania salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.
Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.
Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026
How to get a Pennsylvania real estate license
- Hours required
- 75 hrs
- Total cost
- $425 – $850
- Typical timeline
- 8–16 weeks
- Minimum age
- 18+
Confirm you're eligible for a Pennsylvania real estate license
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a Pennsylvania real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.
Complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education
Note: 75 hours (5 credits) split into two courses: 30-hour Real Estate Fundamentals and 45-hour Real Estate Practice. Unique waiver: a Juris Doctor, a bachelor's degree in real estate, or a bachelor's with coursework equivalent to a real estate major fully satisfies the education requirement — no prelicense courses needed.
- Confirm eligibility: 18+, high school diploma or equivalent
- Complete the 30-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course at an approved provider or accredited college
- Complete the 45-hour Real Estate Practice course (75 hours / 5 credits total)
- Skip both courses if you hold a JD, a real estate bachelor's degree, or equivalent coursework
- Keep your completion certificates — you'll upload them for exam approval and licensure
Pass the Pennsylvania real estate exam
Pennsylvania uses Pearson VUE to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of Scaled score of 75 on each portion — national and PA state — passed separately. The exam fee is $49. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: Two-part computer-based exam: 80-question national portion (120 min) and 30-question PA state portion (60 min); $49 covers both parts in one sitting.
Apply for your Pennsylvania license
- Apply through PALS (pals.pa.gov) for exam eligibility approval, then schedule with Pearson VUE ($49)
- Pass both the national and PA state portions within 3 years before submitting your license application
- Obtain a criminal history record check from every state you've lived in during the past 5 years — PA residents use the State Police PATCH system ($22); reports must be dated within 180 days
- Submit the Salesperson – Standard license application in PALS with the $97 fee ($72 license + $25 application)
- Your employing broker must complete their section of the application — a standard salesperson license is issued under a sponsoring broker, so line one up before applying
- Wait for Commission approval; you cannot practice until the license number is issued (typical processing is several weeks)
Find a sponsoring broker
Your Pennsylvania license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.
Pennsylvania real estate license cost breakdown
Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 75-hour pre-licensing courses (2 courses) | $250 – $600 |
| State license application fee | $97 ($72 license + $25 application) |
| Pearson VUE exam fee | $49 per attempt (both portions) |
| Criminal history checks (PATCH + other states if applicable) | $22 – $75 |
| Estimated total | $425 – $850 |
Free download
Free: The National Exam Study Guide
The 9 topics, 15 formulas, and 20 vocab terms you must know to pass. Includes your Pennsylvania licensing checklist as a bonus.
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The CE Shop — Pennsylvania Pre-Licensing
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Frequently asked questions
Renewal & continuing education
Pennsylvania: 2-year cycle ending May 31 of even-numbered years; $96 renewal fee; 14 hours of CE per cycle — first-time renewers complete the required 14 hours as Commission modules: the 7-hour General Module plus a 7-hour Residential or Commercial Module..
Moving your license?
See how Pennsylvania handles out-of-state licenses — full reciprocity, partial agreements, recognition, or start-over — and how every other state stacks up.