Educational Resources: Take Pennsylvania Real Estate Sample Tests, Application Steps and Tips

In order to receive the PA real estate certification, you have to prove that you have all the knowledge and skills required. The best way to show this is through passing the real estate exam, which is a prerequisite for getting the license.

Once the pre-licensing education is done, the next hurdle is the actual exam, which is normally split into two parts, the state and the national portions. So, what does it look like?

Real Estate Exam Insight

The test is multiple choice, giving you 4 options to choose from, and carries 120 questions, of which 40 are state-specific, while the rest are nationally focused. You are given 180 minutes to complete the test, and the pass mark is 75%, which basically means that you should answer at least 60 out of 80 national questions and 30 out of 40 of the PA state portion.¹

With a 73% pass rate, it means that you have to work a little harder going through the coursework in order to pass it.

Typically, there are 14 topics to read on for both parts of the test, and here is a breakdown of what to expect.

Nation-Wide Topics Tested

• 3%: property management
• 5%: land use controls
• 6%: property disclosures
• 7%: market analysis and evaluation
• 8%: Transfer of Title
• 8%: property ownership
• 10%: calculations
• 10%: Financing
• 13%: Agency General Principles
• 13%: Real estate practice
• 17%: contracts

Pennsylvania State-Specific Topics Tested

• Regulation of Conduct of Licensees: 70%
• Licensure: 20%
• Real Estate Commission: 10%

Five-Step Procedure for PA Department of State Real Estate License Application

Now you know the requirements and the non-negotiable rules when it comes to applying for a real estate license in Pennsylvania. But, if this is your very first time applying and you want to know the steps to follow, you will be excited to know that there are only five steps involved.

And here’s how to get a real estate license in Pennsylvania.

Step 1: Meet the Education Requirement

There are very simple rules when it comes to being eligible for a real estate license in PA, starting with being over 18 years old and with a high school diploma. You don’t even need to have a college degree, just as long as you undertake the pre-licensing course that entails 75 hours of learning from a recognized institution.

You need to complete 30 hours of the fundamentals plus 45 hours of the practicals, that is, unless you have a bachelor’s in real estate or a Juris Doctor degree.

Step 2: Pass the Licensure Exam

Another important step in your journey to being a fully-fledged real estate agent in Pennsylvania is passing the exam.² This test consists of national and state-specific questions that you have to pass to prove that you have the skills and the knowledge to execute your tasks.

If you fail, you have to retake it and are only clear to move on with the process when you meet the pass mark, which is 75%.

Step 3: Join a PA Real Estate Brokerage

According to the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, you need to be employed under a licensed real estate agency so as to get your accreditation. But what may be the reason behind this?

This is to make sure that you have qualified people around you who will take you through the training that you need and supervise you. So, you will have to look for a successful and reputable firm to work with to help kick-start your career.

Step 4: Complete a Thorough Background Check

The state of Pennsylvania has to make sure that licensees meet the requirements when it comes to the legal system. That is why you will have to go to PATCH to prove that you don’t have a criminal record.

You can still apply even if you do, but the problem is that the commission can delay or withhold approving your license if you have committed certain crimes in the state or anywhere else.³

Step 5: Apply for the Real Estate License

Have you met all the requirements? Do you have a 75% or more on the license exam? Is your background check clear? If the answer is yes to all the questions above, then you are free to apply for your license.

All you will have to do is provide proof of the education hours or degree and all the other documents necessary. Immediately after the commission receives your application and can confirm that everything is on order, you should receive a copy of the license in your broker’s office.

What’s the Normal Timeframe for the Real Estate Application Process?

There are a number of steps that you have to complete before being a licensed real estate agent in Pennsylvania.

Taking that into consideration, you will realize that it will take you around 4- 6 months from the initial process to the licensing. It all depends on how fast you are with all the steps involved, but you should be done in at least 4 months.

What about the Pennsylvania real estate license cost? According to the commission, you need about $97, this means $72 for the licensure fee plus another $25 for the application fee.²

Membership Costs and Financial Obligations for the PA Department of State Association of Real Estate Agents

Being a part of such a group of professionals, of course, you must have thought about whether there are membership costs or renewal fees for being a licensed member of the PA Department of State Association of Real Estate Agents.

Again, the commission is clear to point out that you need to remit $96 for the biennial license renewal fee.

Application for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership

What is the difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor®? These are two terms that people wrongly use interchangeably, but they are not really the exact same thing.

As a real estate agent, you have obtained your license to help buy or know how to sell property, but to become a Realtor®, you will have to be registered under the National Association of REALTORS®, the largest such organization in the country.

Are you thinking about finally becoming a Realtor®? What should you do to make that happen?

In order to be an active member of the NAR, you have to apply and pay a membership fee of $150 each and every year, and in exchange, you get to enjoy so many fascinating things.

What makes you eligible to join the NAR? You may ask. Well, for starters, you are going to have to show proof that you are an active and licensed real estate agent in Pennsylvania and then show your commitment by taking the NAR code of ethics.

Whether you want to join the NAR or not is entirely your choice but no matter what, you will still be in the business that you love.