Pennsylvania real estate licensing in one screen
This hub is the starting point for Pennsylvania candidates. Use the linked guides for a deeper look at course choice, cost, exam prep, the application, renewal, and out-of-state situations.
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The Pennsylvania salesperson path, start to finish
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission regulates real estate licensure and approved pre-licensing education in the Commonwealth. Most first-time candidates follow the same general sequence: complete approved education, register for and pass the Pearson VUE exam, line up an employing broker, submit a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), and apply for licensure through the state's PALS system.
- Education — 75 hours (5 credits) from an approved or accredited provider, completed within 5 years before the exam.
- Exam — Register with Pearson VUE and pass the Pennsylvania salesperson exam.
- Broker — Confirm an employing broker who is willing to supervise and train you; you cannot apply without one.
- Background check — Obtain a CHRC dated within 180 days of your application submission.
- Application — Apply for licensure through PALS once the pieces above are in place.
- Renewal & CE — Renew every two years by May 31 of even-numbered years and complete Commission-approved continuing education.
Education: 75 hours across two courses
Salesperson pre-licensing education is split into Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours / 2 credits) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours / 3 credits), for 75 hours / 5 credits total. Confirm your provider's approval status before enrolling — see the PA real estate license course guide and the online course guide if you're comparing formats.
Application and the employing broker
Pennsylvania does not let you apply for a salesperson license until an employing broker has agreed to supervise and train you. The application itself runs through PALS. See the full PA real estate license application guide for the sequence, including where the CHRC upload fits.
The Pearson VUE exam
Pearson VUE administers the Pennsylvania salesperson exam under the Commission's process. For current portion structure, time limits, and passing thresholds, verify in the current Pearson VUE candidate handbook — see the PA real estate license exam guide.
Cost
Costs include education tuition, the exam fee, the CHRC fee, and the PALS application fee. Tuition varies by provider, so treat it as a range rather than a fixed number. See the PA real estate license cost guide for a breakdown and verified-as-of dates on official fee figures.
Timeline
Realistic timelines depend on how quickly you complete education, schedule the exam, and receive CHRC and PALS processing. See how long it takes to get a real estate license in PA for a stage-by-stage estimate. RealReady does not guarantee any specific timeline.
Renewal and continuing education
Pennsylvania salesperson licenses expire May 31 of every even-numbered year with no grace period. Renewal happens online through PALS, and 14 hours of Commission-approved continuing education are required each two-year period. See the PA real estate license renewal guide for first-time-renewal and reactivation notes.
Watch out for these Pennsylvania-specific traps
Clarus vs. PALS: Two Different Systems
Two separate systems control different stages of this path:
- Clarus / Pearson VUE handles salesperson exam-eligibility applications, education-document review for exam eligibility, authorization to schedule, and the exam itself (National and/or PA State portions).
- PALS handles the license application that follows after passing the required exam portion(s), employing-broker certification, license status, and renewal.
Passing the exam does not create a license by itself — it creates eligibility to move into the PALS application stage.
Who Does What
| Party | Controls | Contact for |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Meeting eligibility, completing education, applying in Clarus, scheduling with Pearson VUE, timing CHRC documents, completing the PALS application | — |
| Education provider | Approved 75-hour pre-license education (Fundamentals + Practice), course completion records | Course scheduling, format, completion certificates |
| Pearson VUE / Clarus | Salesperson exam-eligibility applications, National/PA State exam applications, education-document review for exam eligibility, scheduling, score reports | Exam eligibility, scheduling, retakes, score reports |
| State Real Estate Commission / BPOA | Regulates licensure, reviews and approves PALS applications, issues the license, sets renewal/CE rules | Application status, licensing rules, complaints |
| PALS | License application after passing required exam portions, employing-broker certification workflow, license status, renewal | Application submission, status tracking, renewal, verification |
| Pennsylvania State Police / ePATCH | Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), issued through ePATCH (not a volunteer check) | Obtaining a valid, dated CHRC for Pennsylvania |
| Employing broker | Willingness to supervise and train the applicant, certifying/approving the PALS application, receiving the issued license at the broker's main office | Sponsorship, certification of the PALS application |
Already Licensed Elsewhere?
Out-of-state licensing has three distinct pathways — a possible National-portion waiver for a standard applicant, formal reciprocity with five specific states, or a separate Act 41 endorsement. See the full out-of-state guide to identify your branch before assuming any shortcut applies.
A Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) is the required report. Request Pennsylvania’s paid individual criminal-history check through PATCH/ePATCH; the free volunteer check is not accepted.