Real estate license requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education and now tests through Pearson VUE, after moving off PSI in April 2023 — a switch worth knowing about if you find older prep material.
Education
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires 75 classroom hours (5 credits), split into two courses, before you can apply to take the exam.
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals | 30 |
| Practice | 45 |
| Total | 75 |
Both courses need to come from a Commission-approved provider before you’re eligible to sit for the exam.
What Pennsylvania calls your first license
Pennsylvania uses the straightforward “Real Estate Salesperson” title for its entry-level license — no unusual naming here. You’ll work under a sponsoring broker from the start, the same structure as most other states.
The licensing exam
Pennsylvania switched exam vendors from PSI to Pearson VUE effective April 1, 2023 — if you’re using older prep materials or hear “PSI” referenced for Pennsylvania, that’s now out of date. The exam has two portions: an 80-question national section (150 minutes, 75% to pass, $52 fee) and a 40-question state section (60 minutes, 75% to pass, $49 fee). Adding the two portion fees gives roughly $101 if taken separately; Pearson VUE may offer a combined-sitting discount, but we couldn’t confirm an exact combined total this session.
| Portion | Items | Time | To pass | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 scored | 150 min | 75% | $52 |
| Pennsylvania state law | 40 scored | 60 min | 75% | $49 |
Pennsylvania moved off PSI on April 1, 2023. Study guides or practice tests still branded for PSI may not reflect the current Pearson VUE content outline or fee structure — make sure your materials are current before you schedule.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $25 | PA Real Estate Commission |
| Initial licensure fee | $72 | PA Real Estate Commission (49 Pa. Code §35.203) |
| Exam fee | ~$101 (national + state) | Pearson VUE |
The $25 application plus $72 initial-licensure fee total $97, confirmed against 49 Pa. Code §35.203. A separate $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund add-on (which would bring the total to $107) is reported by some other sources but wasn’t independently confirmed this session — budget for the possibility and confirm with the Commission.
How to apply, step by step
Pennsylvania’s process is fairly linear once your education is done.
From a PA Real Estate Commission-approved provider.
A PA State Police CHRC via PATCH (dated within 180 days), plus CHRCs from any other state you've lived, worked, or studied in over the past 5 years.
National and Pennsylvania state-law portions.
Along with the $25 application fee and $72 initial licensure fee.
Your Salesperson license activates once a broker sponsorship is on file.
After you’re licensed: staying current
Pennsylvania requires 14 hours of post-licensing education before your first renewal — 7 hours of General content plus 7 hours of either a Residential or Commercial elective, under 49 Pa. Code §35.384(b).
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| General | 7 |
| Residential or Commercial elective | 7 |
| Total | 14 |
Reciprocity
Pennsylvania has signed reciprocal agreements with Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, and Massachusetts — if you hold an active license in good standing in one of those states, you can get a reciprocal PA license without repeating the full pre-licensing education or exam. Separately, any licensee from any state, if licensed within the past 5 years, can waive just the national portion of the Pennsylvania exam using a Letter of Good Standing — the state-law portion is still required.
Common questions
Is Pennsylvania's exam still through PSI?
No — Pennsylvania moved to Pearson VUE effective April 1, 2023. Make sure any prep materials you’re using reflect the current vendor.
How much pre-licensing education does Pennsylvania require?
75 hours: a 30-hour Fundamentals course and a 45-hour Practice course, both from a Commission-approved provider.
Does an out-of-state license help me in Pennsylvania?
It depends where you’re licensed. Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, and Massachusetts have full reciprocal agreements with Pennsylvania. Licensees from any other state, if licensed within the past 5 years, can waive just the national exam portion with a Letter of Good Standing — but still need to pass the state-law portion.
What background check does Pennsylvania require?
A Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) through the PATCH system, dated within 180 days, plus CHRCs covering any other state you’ve lived, worked, or studied in over the past 5 years. Pennsylvania doesn’t use a third-party fingerprint vendor for this.
Is there post-licensing education after I'm licensed?
Yes — 14 hours before your first renewal: 7 hours General plus 7 hours of a Residential or Commercial elective, under 49 Pa. Code §35.384(b).
Next step
PA Real Estate Commission (Dept. of State, BPOA) — https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/real-estate-commission.html
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