How to Get a Pennsylvania Real Estate License

Step-By-Step Guide to Become a Licensed Real Estate Agent

Considering becoming a real estate agent? We’re not surprised, it’s a red hot market in Pennsylvania right now. Low interest rates and the woes of the pandemic have more people looking to change things up, so it’s definitely a good time for you to get your real estate license. 

Pennsylvania real estate is some of the most lucrative in the industry. Don’t worry though, we will go in depth about what paperwork needs to be filled out and the physical steps that need to be taken. You, my friend, have come to the right place.

You ready? Let’s break it down, step by step.

Step 1: Complete Your Real Estate Course

Just throwing it out there now, there will be a little studying involved.

Not a fan of school? Well, these classes just might change how you feel about school. You have so many options! Some of them are even entirely online which has huge advantages! Online classes means you can do them at your own pace and work them in around your own schedule even if you have a full-time job. Also, the classes are only a total of 75 hours! That may seem like a big number, but to get started in a new career, that number is just a speck in time.

But what’s included in those 75 hours? Take a look at the curriculum and see for yourself:

• Real property ownership
• Land use controls and restrictions
• Property valuation
• Real estate financing
• Agency law and agreements
• Disclosure of property conditions
• Contract law and common contracts used in real estate
• Deeds and transfer of title

Don’t be scared off by that long list, the courses are designed to defang any confusing topics by breaking them down. Still scared? Trust me, you can do this. The pass rates after taking these classes are sky-high, typically over a 91% pass rate and the support these classes offer is amazing. 

Students are always surprised how affordable these classes are. Take a look at the best real estate schools in Pennsylvania and see for yourself. If you’re still looking for a way to save some dough, AgentAdvice offers a way to get yours for free.

Step 2: Pass the Pennsylvania Licensing Exam

Once you’ve completed your coursework, it’s time to take the exam. The Pennsylvania real estate salesperson exam has 110 questions in 2 different parts, that include both state and national requirements. Don’t worry though, it goes by faster than you’d think. 

You must have a passing score of at least 77% within three years of the date of your licensing application. That means you must correctly answer at least 60 of the national questions and 23 of the state-specific questions. 

There is also a time limit on the exam. You will have 120 minutes to finish the national portion, and only 60 minutes for the state portion. So make sure you are fueled up and ready to go when you enter. The exam alone will cost you $49, so make sure you have that set aside.

It is important that you study for the exam and do well on it so you don’t have to take it a second time. There is no limit on the number of times you can take the exam though. 

You can take your state exam online or in person at any one of testing centers approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

 There are lots of benefits available like test prep classes and mock exams that are based on relevant questions that have been known to pop up on previous exams. 

Step 3: Complete a Background Check

The state of Pennsylvania wants to verify your criminal history. You can obtain your criminal background report online or from the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository. Take note because all background check documents must be pulled within 90 days of of submitting your application. 

This task is a little tedious but still an easy one to knock out.

Step 4: Apply for Your License

We are getting so close!

Let’s just go over the checkboxes again. To become a realtor in Pennsylvania, you must have your Pennsylvania real estate license administered by the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. Yup, your license comes from two organizations.

You have to log in to the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS), create a profile, then upload all your documentation to submit your application for a real estate license. 

At this time you will also have to pay $107 total which includes the $72 license fee, $25 application fee and $10 recovery fund fee.

Step 5: Join a Brokerage

This is a lot more straightforward than it sounds. Simply put, you cannot practice real estate in Pennsylvania without working under a broker.

You’ll get to choose a brokerage you like, that focuses on a niche you love, that has a company culture you love, and most importantly … has a good commission rate, so your paycheck is XL. Worried about finding a brokerage yourself? AgentAdvice helps with warm introductions to hiring brokerages if you sign-up for a class through us. Phew!

You have total freedom to choose your sponsoring broker. Here’s some things agents look at when choosing a brokerage:

• Commission Rate
  • Look at each brokerage’s commission rate when you’re shopping around. If they’ve got a good rate, your commission checks will be larger than life. 💸
• Niche
  • Maybe you want a brokerage that focuses on a niche on a location or a specific category of real estate like commercial retail, single family homes, or fixer-uppers. So if you have a specific interest you can find a broker who shares that interest.
• Culture
  • Maybe the company’s culture is important to you. If so, get to know what they’re all about, how they work, and what’s important to them.

That’s all just to say that you have the freedom to choose a brokerage that fits you.

Mission Complete

Those are the steps you need to get your Pennsylvania real estate license. Yes, you might have to trudge through paperwork, check boxes, file forms, burn the midnight oil, chug coffee … but after all that … you’ll have your license. We recommend printing it out on super-gloss and framing it. Leave some room next to it for your first commission check; A LOT of room!  

That’s all folks! Once you make it through these steps you’ll have a brand new career ahead of you. If there’s anything we can do to help you make it through these steps please let us know. We’ve got pre-licensing classes, cram courses, and all sorts of resources to help.

PREC Criteria to get a real estate license

Let’s answer the most obvious question straight out of the gate. “What the heck is PREC and why do I need to impress them?!” Well, PREC is short for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission and it’s their job to make sure all agents in Pennsylvania are capable, qualified, and can lawfully work in the state. To do so, they have some basic criteria you must meet. Luckily, most of the requirements are pretty straightforward.

Let’s meet the criteria:

1. You must be a citizen
2. You must be 18 or older
3. You need to have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent

How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Pennsylvania?

The size and type of costs associated with getting your Pennsylvania real estate license can vary depending on your choices. With that in mind, the following costs apply to all students:

• $250 to $700 for pre-license coursework
• $49 examination fee
• $107 initial licensing application
• $20 background check

Other than these mandatory costs, there will be other costs for books, tuition, continuing education classes, and membership fees after you obtain your license. 

How long does it take to get a real estate license in Pennsylvania?

The exact length of the time when you start the prelicensing course to obtaining a license depends on how fast you finish the course, how quickly you apply, your qualifications and characteristics, as well as how soon you pass the exam. In general, it takes a minimum of 3 months, and these are the time frames you could expect within that period:

• The prelicensing course lasts for 75 hours and can be taken as quickly as 2 or 3 weeks.
• After you submit your Registration Form to PSI, wait two weeks for the registration to be processed. After this, you can contact them to check if you’ve been approved and schedule a date to take the exam (schedules depend on seating availability). It can be within a day or two, or a week or two, it all depends on the number of applicants applying at the same time as you. 
• Getting your background checked for any misdemeanors or convictions usually takes around two weeks. 
• If you’re applying with a previous criminal record, there will be an additional 2 or 3 weeks required to process your application.

How much do real estate agents make in Pennsylvania?

The mean annual wage of a real estate agent in Pennsylvania is $62,430, slightly higher than the national average of $60,087. Top performers are rewarded handsomely though – the highest 10% of agents, can earn nearly double that amount, or $100,460. The Northern Pennsylvania metro area has the highest annual mean wage in the state ($67,230).