License Requirements

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission governs the licensing process and regulates a licensee’s practice in the state of Pennsylvania. Please reference the Pennsylvania Rules and Regulations of the State Real Estate Commission for specific information.

Did you know that not all licensees are REALTORS®? A real estate licensee can only be classified as a REALTOR® after becoming a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. The first step on your road to becoming a REALTOR® is to obtain a state-issued real estate license.

Renewing Your License

Licenses expire May 31 of every even-numbered year. The Commission sends renewal notices two to three months prior to the license expiration date. Notices are sent via e-mail to the e-mail address registered on the PALS website. You may update your registered e-mail address on that site also. For additional information, please visit the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission website.

For the 2022-2024 renewal cycle, the requirement is that a minimum of 3 hours of the required 14 hours of continuing education must be taken on a topic that covers the responsibilities of the broker and the responsibility of their licensees in regard to property management, advertising and general supervision, which would include, but not be limited to, commission and fees. The coursework must be completed between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2024, in order to meet the requirement. New licensees who are completing their first continuing education cycle are exempt from these required topics but are still required to complete the mandatory courses for new licensees (General Module and choice between Residential or Commercial Module.) Those holding a reciprocal license will not complete continuing education but are required to renew their reciprocal license.

Acquiring a Pennsylvania Real Estate License

A person wishing to acquire a Pennsylvania Real Estate License must be at least 18 years of age, have four educational credits in real estate from an approved education provider, submit a criminal background check, and have successfully completed the Pennsylvania State Licensing Examination.

Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practice are the mandatory courses that must be successfully completed before sitting for the exam. Each course is worth two educational credits. The Real Estate Fundamentals course provides foundational principles, language, and knowledge base about the laws that govern the practice of real estate in Pennsylvania. The Real Estate Practice course introduces ethics, techniques, procedures, regulations, and forms involved in a real estate transaction.

After passing the Pennsylvania State Licensing Exam, a sponsoring broker is required for the issuance of the salesperson’s license. After passing the exam, the licensee may wait up to three years before activating the license. After three years, the prospective licensee must retake the exam.
Start your career with our education partner Polley Associates School of Real Estate. Polley Associates is one of the most successful real estate schools in the US. Please check here for licensing courses offered by Polley Associates at GPAR.

License in Referral/Escrow Status

If you want to go into referral, GPAR will need a letter completed by your broker stating the license is being placed with a referral company and your licensure must reflect that change. Failure to update your licensure may result in dues billing or an assessment being placed upon your office/broker.

If you place your license in escrow, GPAR requires written notification of this change. Your licensure must reflect that change. A failure to update your licensure may result in dues billing or an assessment being placed upon your office/broker. Please visit your PALS account and change your licensure status to inactive.