Pennsylvania Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses Compared (2026)
Compare Pennsylvania salesperson courses by checkout price, format, and exam-prep fit.
Pennsylvania salesperson education is 75 hours from an accredited college or an approved real estate education provider. The Department of State education page splits that into Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours). The comparison table below is the price source. Prices on this page run from $134.10 to $720. Confirm the school total before you pay. Official checklist: Real Estate Salesperson Licensure Snapshot.
| # | School & fit | Format · Access | List price▾ | Code / workflow | After workflow▾ | Go to school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RealEstateUBest Value | Online Self-Paced audio 6-month access 3 packages | $149.00 List price | CERTLAUNCH | $134.10 save $14.90−10% | Go to RealEstateU |
| 2 | Online Self-Paced + Livestream 6-month access 4 packages | $381.67 List price | CERTLAUNCH | $209.92 save $171.75−45% | Go to Colibri Real Estate | |
| 3 | The CE Shop | Self-Paced + Live Online 6-month access 4 packages | $389.00 List price | ANYWHERE40 | $233.40 save $155.60−40% | Go to The CE Shop |
| 4 | Aceable Agent | Self-Paced Online + mobile app Provider terms vary access 3 packages | $299.00 List price | ✓ Auto-applies at checkout | $239.20 save $59.80−20% | Go to Aceable Agent |
| 5 | Real Estate Academy of Bucks County | Online full course Not specified access 1 package | $300.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $300.00 no discount | Go to Real Estate Academy of Bucks County |
| 6 | Kaplan Real Estate Education | Online + Live Online 6-month access 2 packages | $429.00 List price | AFFCERTLAUNCH | $386.10 save $42.90−10% | Go to Kaplan Real Estate Education |
| 7 | Academy of Real Estate Careers | Classroom + Online 12-month retake policy access 1 package | $450.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $450.00 no discount | Go to Academy of Real Estate Careers |
| 8 | Philadelphia Real Estate Classes | Classroom + Zoom Not specified access 1 package | $499.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $499.00 no discount | Go to Philadelphia Real Estate Classes |
| 9 | Polley Associates | Online, Livestream, Classroom Not specified access 1 package | $565.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $565.00 no discount | Go to Polley Associates |
| 10 | Temple University Real Estate Institute | Classroom + Online Self-Paced Semester-based access 1 package | $720.00 Starting at | No discount code available | $720.00 no discount | Go to Temple University Real Estate Institute |
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Pennsylvania?
| Band | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual income | $48,000 – $70,000 | May 7 page, attributed to Bureau of Labor Statistics data |
| Top earners | $100,000 – $200,000+ | Experienced agents in top markets, as cited on the May 7 page |
Commission Structure
The May 7 page says Pennsylvania real estate agents typically earn 2.5%–3% commission per transaction. On a $286,000 home (the median cited on that page), that is approximately $7,150–$8,580 per sale. The same page says a new agent on a 70/30 split would keep $5,005–$6,006, and that closing 6–8 deals in the first year is a common benchmark, putting first-year earnings at $30,000–$48,000. These figures are an illustration from that page, not a forecast.
Top-Earning Pennsylvania Markets
Markets named on the May 7 page: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lehigh Valley, King of Prussia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Bucks County, and Chester County.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022). The May 7 page cited that series. National Association of Realtors — Member Profile. Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change. Verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission before enrolling or applying. How we source our data.
Is a Pennsylvania Real Estate License Worth It?
Pros
- Lower-priced online courses on this page start at $134.10 (RealEstateU after CERTLAUNCH on a $149 list).
- Diverse markets: the May 7 page names Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and smaller markets as different niches.
- The May 7 page describes Pennsylvania as a large state with steady housing demand.
Cons
- The May 7 page says the state section of the exam is harder than the national section. The Pearson VUE handbook does not print a pass rate. It does require 75% on each portion.
- The May 7 page notes that Pennsylvania realty transfer tax can complicate negotiations.
- Commission-only pay is typical. There is no guaranteed income.
- Course prices on this page run from $134.10 to $720 before the exam fee and the $97 initial license fee.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania
Complete 75 Hours of Pre-License Education
Complete 75 hours (5 credits) of basic real estate courses from an accredited college or an approved real estate education provider. The Department of State education page lists Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours). Courses must be completed within 5 years before you pass the licensing exam. Confirm the provider in the PALS facility search, then pick a package in the comparison table. Sources: Salesperson Licensure Snapshot and Education Information. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
Document Course Completion
Ask the school how it documents completion of Fundamentals and Practice. Salesperson exam candidates create an account in Clarus and submit proof of education. Pearson VUE reviews eligibility and emails scheduling instructions after the requirements are met. Source: Pearson VUE Pennsylvania Real Estate Candidate Handbook, March 2026.
Pass Both Portions of the Licensing Exam
The March 2026 handbook lists two salesperson portions. The national portion is $52, 80 scored questions, 150 minutes, and a 75% minimum. The Pennsylvania portion is $49, 40 scored questions, 60 minutes, and a 75% minimum. If both portions are scheduled on the same order, the handbook lists a combined fee of $52. A passing score is good for 3 years. Schedule through the authorization email. Handbook: 093900 (March 2026).
Get a Criminal History Records Check
The Department of State licensure guide requires a criminal history records check from the state police, or the equivalent agency, for every state where you lived, worked, or trained during the past 5 years. The report must be dated within 180 days of the application. Pennsylvania checks are requested at epatch.pa.gov. A volunteer record check is not accepted. The guide does not print a dollar amount for that report. Source: Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
Line Up an Employing Broker
The licensure guide says you may not apply for a salesperson license until an employing broker, who holds a valid Pennsylvania broker license, will supervise and train you. The license is mailed to that broker main office.
Apply for the Salesperson License
After the exam portions are passed, submit the salesperson application in PALS with the employing broker certification. The Department of State snapshot lists a $97 initial fee, made up of a $72 licensure fee and a $25 application fee. The snapshot does not add a separate recovery-fund line. Source: Salesperson Licensure Snapshot. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
Pennsylvania Real Estate License Requirements
Confirm the current checklist on the Department of State salesperson snapshot and the licensure guide before you apply. Retrieved 2026-09-30. The Pearson VUE handbook and those Department of State pages call the regulator the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. This page uses that full name.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old (salesperson snapshot)
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent (salesperson snapshot)
- Must complete 75 hours from an accredited college or an approved education provider, unless a Juris Doctor or a real estate bachelor degree meets the education requirement
- Must have an employing Pennsylvania broker before applying (licensure guide)
- Must provide a criminal history records check dated within 180 days (licensure guide)
Education and Exam Requirements
- 75 hours: Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours), from the education page
- Exam authorization through Clarus after proof of education is accepted
- Pass the national and Pennsylvania portions of the Pearson VUE salesperson exam
- Passing scores must be within 3 years of a complete license application (salesperson snapshot)
Pennsylvania Real Estate License Cost
Here is the breakdown of what it costs to get a Pennsylvania real estate license in 2026. Course dollars are the comparison table. Exam dollars are the March 2026 Pearson VUE handbook. The license fee is the Department of State salesperson snapshot, retrieved 2026-09-30.
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-license course | $134.10 – $720 | Comparison table. $134.10 is RealEstateU after CERTLAUNCH on a $149 list. $720 is Temple Fundamentals plus Practice at the regular price. |
| Licensing exam | $52 combined, or $52 + $49 | Pearson VUE handbook, March 2026. Combined $52 if both portions are on the same order. Separate orders are $52 national and $49 state. |
| Initial license fee | $97 | Department of State salesperson snapshot: $72 licensure fee plus a $25 application fee. |
| Criminal history records check | See epatch.pa.gov | Required by the licensure guide. The guide does not print a fee. A volunteer check is not accepted. |
| Course plus state fees | $283.10 – $869 | Course plus the $52 same-order exam fee plus the $97 license fee. The records-check fee is extra. A $134.10 course plus those two fees is $283.10. A $720 course plus those two fees is $869. |
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam
Exam Details
- National portion: 80 scored questions, 150 minutes, 75% minimum, $52 (Pearson VUE handbook, March 2026)
- Pennsylvania portion: 40 scored questions, 60 minutes, 75% minimum, $49
- Same-order combined fee: $52. Separate orders are charged per portion.
- Unscored pretest questions are mixed in and do not affect the score
- Provider: Pearson VUE, after the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission authorizes the exam in Clarus
- A passing score is good for 3 years
Exam Topics
The handbook says the national section is based on a national job analysis and the state section reflects Pennsylvania law, regulations, and practice. Topics named on the May 7 page:
- Real estate principles and practices
- Pennsylvania real estate law
- Contracts and agency relationships
- Property ownership and land use
- Real estate math and calculations
Exam Prep Tip
The May 7 page says the state section has a lower pass rate (about 46%) than the national section (about 61%), with an overall first-attempt rate near 64%. Those rates are not printed in the March 2026 handbook or on the salesperson snapshot. Use them only as a reason to spend extra time on Pennsylvania law. The primary Aceable row is Basic at $299 list and $239.20 after the auto 20% Off - Partner Discount. No typed code. Higher Aceable tiers are also shown at list.
How Long Does It Take?
| Pace | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 4–5 weeks | Studying 4–6 hours a day, as cited on the May 7 page |
| Part-time | 6–10 weeks | Studying 1–2 hours a day |
| Casual pace | 3–6 months | A few hours per week |
The 75-hour course is the education block. Clarus authorization, Pearson VUE dates, the records check, and broker sponsorship add calendar time. Treat the ranges above as planning bands from the May 7 page, not a promise. The salesperson snapshot says the 75 hours must fall within 5 years before you pass the exam.