Getting a Pennsylvania Real Estate License

Your exam scores are valid for 3 years from the date you passed your first section, so your PALS application needs to go in before that window closes. You'll also need a sponsoring broker lined up before you apply — Pennsylvania's application actually names the brokerage you'll work under, so this isn't a step you can push to later.

Later than you'd think — your PATCH criminal history report is only valid for 90 days from the date PREC receives your application. Running it right after finishing your coursework means it could expire before you're ready to submit through PALS, so wait until you're close to applying.

Yes, but only with specific states through formal agreements, not a blanket policy — and an active license in another state within the past 5 years may also qualify you for an education waiver even outside formal reciprocity. Confirm the current list of reciprocal states directly with PREC, since these agreements can change.

This trips up a lot of candidates: exam eligibility runs through Clarus (Pearson VUE's system), while your actual license application goes through PALS. They're not connected — passing your exam through Clarus doesn't automatically feed into PALS, so you'll need to upload your results yourself when you apply.

Most current sources point to 70% on each of the two sections (80 national questions, 40 Pennsylvania-specific questions), though you may see 75% cited elsewhere — check the current Candidate Information Bulletin on Pearson VUE's site to confirm before test day.

Pennsylvania's 75-hour requirement splits into Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours). It doesn't matter which one you take first, but you need a passing grade of 70% or higher on each course's final exam before you're eligible to register for the state licensing exam.

Beyond your coursework, plan for roughly $49–$52 per exam section through Pearson VUE, about $22 for your PATCH background check, and $107 for your PALS license application ($72 license fee, $25 application fee, $10 recovery fund).