Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania salesperson applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent
- Pre-license education requirement is 75 hours from a Commission-approved provider
- The exam has 120 questions (80 national + 40 state) with 150 minutes for national and 60 minutes for state portions
- Passing score is 75% on each section: 60/80 national and 30/40 state questions
- Exam results are valid for 3 years; education certificate is valid for 5 years
Pennsylvania License Requirements
Pennsylvania has specific requirements for salesperson and broker licenses. These requirements are frequently tested on the state exam portion.
Salesperson License Requirements
To become a Pennsylvania real estate salesperson, you must:
1. Basic Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be of good moral character
2. Education Requirements
Complete 75 hours of pre-license education from a Commission-approved provider:
| Course Component | Hours |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Fundamentals | 30 |
| Real Estate Practice | 30 |
| Additional Approved Courses | 15 |
| Total | 75 |
The education certificate is valid for 5 years from completion.
3. Background Check
Pennsylvania requires a fingerprint-based background check:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | IdentoGO (IDEMIA) |
| Type | FBI and State Police background check |
| Timing | Before exam registration |
| Fee | Paid directly to IdentoGO |
4. Examination
| Detail | Salesperson Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 multiple-choice |
| National Portion | 80 questions |
| State Portion | 40 questions |
| National Time | 150 minutes |
| State Time | 60 minutes |
| Total Time | 210 minutes |
| Passing Score | 75% on each section |
| National Passing | 60 correct out of 80 |
| State Passing | 30 correct out of 40 |
| Exam Fee | $49 |
5. Pass Rates
| Portion | Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| National | 61% |
| State | 46% |
Note: The state portion has a lower pass rate, indicating it is moderately difficult. Focus on Pennsylvania-specific laws and procedures.
Broker License Requirements
To become a Pennsylvania real estate broker, you must meet higher standards:
Experience Requirement
3 years of active experience as a licensed salesperson within the preceding 10 years.
Education Requirements
Complete additional education beyond the salesperson requirements:
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Salesperson Pre-License | 75 hours |
| Broker Pre-License Courses | 240 hours |
| Total for Broker | 315 hours |
Broker courses include:
- Real Estate Office Management
- Law of Agency
- Real Estate Brokerage
- Additional approved courses
Broker Examination
The broker exam is separate from the salesperson exam and covers advanced topics.
Application and Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Application | $49 |
| License Application | ~$97 |
| Background Check | ~$30 |
| Approximate Total | ~$176 |
Important Timeframes
| Timeframe | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Education validity | 5 years to take exam after completing education |
| Exam results validity | 3 years (for passed section) |
| License application | Within 3 years of passing exam |
Broker Sponsorship Requirement
Critical: Pennsylvania salespersons must work under a licensed broker:
- Cannot practice without broker affiliation
- Broker provides supervision and is responsible for salesperson conduct
- License is issued to the salesperson but held at the broker's office
Exam Scheduling Process
- Complete 75-hour pre-license course
- Obtain fingerprint clearance through IdentoGO
- Register for exam with PSI (testing provider)
- Pay $49 exam fee
- Pass exam (75% on both sections)
- Apply for license through PALS (Pennsylvania Licensing System)
- Affiliate with broker before practicing
Important: If you pass one section but fail the other, you only need to retake the failed section. Your passed section is valid for 3 years.
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a Pennsylvania salesperson license?
What is the passing score requirement for the Pennsylvania real estate exam?
How long is a Pennsylvania pre-license education certificate valid?