Pennsylvania Broker & Remedial Pre-Licensing How to Upgrade Your PA Real Estate License

Learn the Steps to Become a Real Estate Broker in Pennsylvania

Are you ready to become a real estate broker in Pennsylvania? In this guide, we cover the steps (including prerequisites) you will need to take to upgrade your real estate salesperson license and take your Pennsylvania real estate career to the next level.

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Prequalification

Before you enroll in coursework, be sure you meet the following Broker License prerequisites:

  • Be at least 21 years of age or older.
  • Must have a High School diploma or its equivalent.
  • Must have 3 years of experience as a full-time Pennsylvania-licensed salesperson (working for a Pennsylvania-licensed broker).
  • Must be competent and of good moral character (meaning no convictions of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, or fraud).

 

 

  1. Complete 240 hours of a Pennsylvania-Approved Broker Licensing education

    Once you’ve met the prerequisites, it’s time to begin the 240-hours of Pennsylvania state-approved Broker Pre-Licensing education coursework.

    Two credit hours can be granted for each year of active practice the applicant has as a licensed broker in another state during the 10 years immediately before the Broker application.

    This requirement can also be satisfied if you have a bachelor’s degree with a major in Real Estate from an accredited college, a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, or completed 240-hours of broker pre-licensure coursework in another jurisdiction that was approved to meet the requirements.

  2. Pass the Pennsylvania Pre-Licensing Course Final Exams

    Part of completing the required coursework is passing the course’s final exams. An exam score of 70% or greater is needed to receive a certificate of completion.

    You must take your final in the presence of a proctor, so you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a proctor in advance. Find out more about our online proctoring here.

  3. Create a Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS)

    If you haven’t done so already, make sure you have set up a Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) account with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

  4. Pass the National & Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker Exam

    After completing the course exams, the next step is to apply to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker Exam. The application to take the exam will cost $49 for each exam portion (national and state) and you will need to provide the necessary documentation requested in PALS. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE. For more information, please see the Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin.

  5. Apply for your Pennsylvania Broker’s License

    Upon passing the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam, you must submit your license application through your PALS account.

    You'll need to complete a background check with the state police or other state agency as part of your application. The report must be dated within 180 days of the date the application is submitted. To obtain a Pennsylvania record check, please visit the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) site.

  6. Start your own Brokerage Firm

    At last, it is time to start your own brokerage firm and get to work building your real estate empire. Brokers must register (including the business name and the type of company they choose e.g. sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.) with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at https://business.pa.gov/register/. It's also wise to consult with both your tax and insurance professionals as you take the next big step in your real estate career.