How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania?
We’ve compiled this guide to give you a breakdown of the costs of a salesperson or broker license in The Keystone State.
We outline the steps for getting and keeping your license and share the associated expenses you’ll need to budget for, plus factors to consider in calculating your anticipated investment.
So, dive right into the details for an in-depth answer to the question, “How much is a real estate license in PA?”
Getting Your Initial License
Real Estate School: $300 to $600 for Salesperson; $300+ per Course for Broker
When pursuing a real estate license in Pennsylvania, the cost of preparatory education is your most substantial expense.
The pre-licensing education requirement for salespeople is 75 hours of classwork approved by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.
Depending on the format, your financial outlay for the courses runs from $300 to $600.
Web-based courses are typically the most affordable, and you can save time by not commuting. You can also work through the material wherever you study best.
Completing pre-licensing education in a traditional classroom is generally the most expensive option, and virtual courses fall in the middle range.
Prospective brokers have 240 hours, or 16 credits, of qualifying education to complete, as described below. The majority of broker courses are two credit hours.
- Mandatory topics (4 credits)
- Core topics (6 credits)
- Electives (6 credits)
Prices are relatively comparable across access types for most providers. You’ll find individual courses in the $300 to $400 range that are taught online, in person, or in a virtual classroom.
A handful of outliers top the $400 mark, with some of those courses offered by post-secondary institutions.
Exam Prep Course: $60+ for Salesperson; $100+ for Broker
You can’t get your license until you pass the exam, which is challenging. So, you should budget for a prep course if you could use help with preparing versus doing it on your own.
These courses allow you to assess your strengths and weaknesses by subject area and to get exam-ready with dynamic practice tests.
How much will it cost? Providers typically tack about $100 to the course price if you bundle exam prep with the 75 hours of online salesperson pre-licensing education.
If you do separate enrollment, expect a price of around $60 to $80 for prep that focuses on national or state-specific topics. In addition, you’ll find courses that cover both for $120 to $135.
Also, some providers offer prep courses focusing specifically on exam strategy and test-taking skill drills for broker candidates. Set aside at least $100 to take one of those.
License Examination: $49 per Attempt
The cost of the real estate license exam is $49, which you’ll pay when you book a reservation with the test administrator PSI Services.
There is no difference in the fee for broker or salesperson applicants.
This fee is a one-time expense, but only if you pass the Pennsylvania real estate exam on your first try. If you fall short of the passing score, you’re free to retake the test, but you’ll have to pay $49 for each attempt.
To improve your chances of success, check out our article on how to pass your real estate exam. You’ll get indispensable tips from a real estate professional licensed in three states.
Criminal Background Check: $22+
The total cost to get your real estate license as a salesperson or a broker includes the expense of a criminal background check that covers the prior five years.
If you’ve been in Pennsylvania that entire time, you’ll spend only $22 to get a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the State Police.
Those who have lived, worked, or completed studies out-of-state at any point during those five years must provide official criminal history information in one of two ways:
- CHRC from the equivalent official agency in every applicable state
- FBI Identity History Summary Check in lieu of individual CHRCs
You may pay more than $22 if you have multiple reports. And in the case of the FBI check, you must be fingerprinted, which could cost extra depending on where you get it done.
Know the complete background check process in the state by reading our article on getting a Pennsylvania real estate license with violations on the record.
Initial License: $107 for Salesperson; $97+ for Broker
Filing for your license involves completing your application online, submitting supporting paperwork, and paying the initial fees.
The total for a salesperson license is $107, which includes the following:
- Application Fee: $25
- License Fee: $72
- Recovery Fund Fee: $10
If you’re not familiar with the Recovery Fund, it exists to reimburse people for judgments won against licensees for misrepresentation, fraud, or deceit during a transaction.
For those becoming a broker in PA, your real estate license cost varies based on the specific type as follows:
- Associate Broker: $97
- Broker Multi-Licensee: $119.50
- Broker Sole Proprietor: $169.50
- Broker LLC, Partnership, or Corporation: $179.50
Before you file your license application, you will need to pick a broker to work for. Your sponsoring broker will train and supervise you as a new agent.
Find one through our directory of the best real estate brokerages in Pennsylvania.
Survey of Experts
In your opinion, was the cost of getting your real estate license reasonable?
Approximately how much did it cost you to get your real estate license? Including school fees, study materials, and other related expenses.
Expert Insight
What were your ‘surprise costs’?
During the process of obtaining my real estate license, I encountered a couple of surprise costs. Prior to obtaining the license, the course fees were slightly higher than my initial expectations.
Staying Actively Licensed
First Renewal Education: $100+
As a new agent, your education costs extend beyond the pre-licensing course to continuing education (CE), beginning with what’s required for your initial renewal.
Standard salesperson licensees renewing for the first time must complete two specific CE courses that are seven hours each:
- General Module – Reinforces understanding of key areas of real estate practice introduced in pre-licensing education
- Residential or Commercial Module – Practice-specific content to help new salespeople gain proficiencies
These modules are usually offered as an online package at a price point of $100. However, you may pay up to $50 more to take in-person classes or sign up for the courses separately.
Continuing Education: $100+ Every Renewal Cycle
To stay active as a licensed Pennsylvania real estate agent or broker, you must complete no less than 14 hours of CE for each two-year renewal period.
Accordingly, when budgeting for your PA real estate license renewal, your cost figures should include this education expense.
On average, be prepared to spend around $100 to $180 for CE. That range covers online, livestream, and in-person classes.
Most accredited Pennsylvania real estate schools offer online CE and let you choose between single and pre-bundled courses, which are consistently the most budget-friendly.
For individual online courses, your cost varies based on the combination you pick. Courses have varying numbers of hours and prices. But generally, the total will be higher than a bundle.
The same goes for classes taught in a live or virtual classroom. Those most commonly offered are 3.5-hour courses that cost $35 to $45 each.
License Renewal: $96 for Salesperson; $96 or $126 for Broker
All license types expire at the same time—May 31 in even-numbered years. Therefore, each renewal period is two years.
The Commission sends renewal notices approximately 60 days before that date, so licensees can make an on-time payment.
In PA, the real estate license renewal fee for a salesperson is $96. Associate brokers pay the same amount. All other broker licenses cost $126 to be renewed.
It’s important to note that the state does not offer a grace period. Instead, your license expires at midnight on the deadline.
What happens after that depends on your license type, and the delay comes with a price.
You’ll need to reactivate your license if you have a salesperson, associate broker, or broker-proprietor license. There is a $116 reactivation fee.
Additionally, reactivation requires 14 hours of CE. Plus, you must complete another 14 hours before the next expiration date to ensure your license can be renewed.
Other broker licenses are not eligible for reactivation. You are required to submit initial applications for new licenses and pay the associated costs.
Expert Insight
What were your ‘surprise costs’ after getting your license?
The biggest surprise costs when I was a Realtor were the dues for the National Association of Realtors, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, and our local board/MLS, the Greater Scranton Board of Realtors.
After successfully passing the exam, I incurred expenses related to registration fees with the state, brokerage fees, and commission splits.
NAR dues, MLS subscription, E&O insurance.
How to Reduce Real Estate License Education Costs
While the cost of pre-licensing and continuing education is an investment in your real estate career, it can put a dent in your finances.
If you’re looking for ways to keep those costs down, consider these tips.
1. Look for combo deals. You can usually save money by purchasing a pre-set package rather than single courses. So, take the bundling route whenever you can.
2. Do distance learning. Avoid paying a premium for in-person classes if online works for you. You’ll also save on commuting costs.
Know if virtual learning is for you by comparing real estate classes online vs classroom.
3. Deduct qualifying expenses. Ask a CPA which education and related costs (e.g., books, fees, etc.) are eligible for a tax deduction. Then write it off.
4. Explore aid options. Ask your broker about support for getting or maintaining a license. Also, see what financial assistance real estate associations may provide.
5. Search for special offers. Look for seasonal sales and promotion codes. Also, check with the school where you complete pre-licensing about former student discounts.
The more prepared you are for these expenses, the better you’ll be able to stay on track to achieve your licensing goal. So, use this information as you plan.
Another resource you’ll find helpful in your journey is our article which walks you through all the requirements for getting a real estate license in Pennsylvania.
Also, reference our post on how long it takes to get your real estate license in Pennsylvania to firm up your timeline.
Once your licensed, take advantage of the following resources designed to give your real estate career a great start:
- Know what it’s like to work as a realtor through insights shared by industry experts tackling the question: “Is being a real estate agent worth it?”
- Create an action plan that details what happens after you pass your real estate exam.
- Join a real estate team where you can meet experienced agents to help with your career.
To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.
It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.
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If you want to contribute your expert advice on a topic of your expertise, feel free to apply to our Expert Contributor Program.
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About the Author
Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.