Real Estate Broker / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker License Requirements

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

Manages real estate transactions and may employ real estate agents.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Real Estate Brokers

Pennsylvania sets the entry bar for real estate brokers at 179 training hours and a passing score on State Real Estate Broker Exam, with 2 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Pennsylvania's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Broker Pre-License Coursework".

Budget $249 to get started, plus $206 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 16-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, real estate brokers should know: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
40/100
Real Estate Broker · Pennsylvania

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
179 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$249
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$103/yr
$206 every 2 years
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
16 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Broker Pre-License Coursework
179 hours
Exam Requirement
State Real Estate Broker Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$249
Renewal Fee
$206
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
16 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Real Estate Broker in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's requirements cover 179 hours of education or training, the State Real Estate Broker Exam exam, and an initial fee of $249. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Real Estate Broker in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania licenses real estate brokers who complete its requirements (179 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Can I transfer my Real Estate Broker license to Pennsylvania from another state?
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for real estate brokers: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Pennsylvania licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Real Estate Broker licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for real estate broker licensing in Pennsylvania. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Real Estate Broker in Pennsylvania?
Licensed real estate brokers in Pennsylvania must complete 16 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $206.

What to do with this real estate broker license

Real Estate Broker in Pennsylvania, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a real estate broker-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Pennsylvania's real estate broker requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Real Estate Broker in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state real estate broker license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Pennsylvania's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Pennsylvania overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Pennsylvania licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.