Guides › Updated 2026-10-31
Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam: Format, Spanish Option and Passing Score
TL;DR. Pennsylvania’s salesperson exam is delivered by Pearson VUE in two portions. According to the candidate handbook (October 2026 edition, accessed 2026-10-31), you answer 80 national and 40 state scored questions, need 75 percent on each portion, and have 210 minutes in total. Spanish content outlines are listed; confirm Spanish exam delivery before you plan around it.
GablePrep is independent. We are not affiliated with the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, the Department of State, or Pearson VUE, and we are not a pre-licensing course. We summarize public documents; the current handbook always wins.
Pennsylvania exam format
According to the Pearson VUE Pennsylvania Real Estate Candidate Handbook (accessed 2026-10-31):
| Portion | Scored questions | Unscored pretest items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 5 to 10 | 150 minutes |
| State-specific | 40 | up to 10 (outline says ten) | 60 minutes |
That is 210 minutes if you sit both portions. Pretest items are unscored trial questions, and they are not identified. The state outline is effective March 16, 2026, so older study guides may not match it.
The same salesperson exam is also used for builder/owner salespersons and rental listing referral agents.
Passing score
The handbook gives a 75 percent minimum, scaled 0 to 100, on each portion. The raw score is converted to a scaled score, and a numeric score is shown only to candidates who fail. So if you pass, expect a pass notice, not a number.
Because each portion is scored separately, plan your study around both. Do not let strong state-law knowledge hide a weak national area, or the other way around.
Fees and education
The handbook fee table lists:
- Combined national and state: $52
- National only: $52
- State only: $49
On education, the handbook describes 5 credits or 75 hours of basic real estate courses, or a qualifying degree. Your authorization is good for 5 years after your first course, and exam results are good for 3 years. Confirm the exact course list with the Commission.
How you register
Per the handbook and Pearson’s page, candidates apply through the state’s licensing system (Clarus/PALS) first, then register with Pearson VUE. Do not book before your application steps are complete. Our scheduling guide walks through the general process.
The Spanish option
In the state handbooks we reviewed, only a small number list Spanish at all, and Pennsylvania is one of them. Pearson VUE’s Pennsylvania page lists both English and Spanish content outlines. But the handbook itself does not explicitly describe how Spanish exam delivery works, so we can only call this medium confidence.
What to do if you need Spanish:
- Open the Pearson VUE Pennsylvania page and look for the Spanish outline.
- Read the handbook for any language, accommodation or request instructions.
- Contact Pearson VUE or the Commission before you book, and ask whether the Spanish version is available at your test center and whether it can be taken online. Another state’s handbook, for example Rhode Island’s, says its Spanish version is available at physical test centers only, so do not assume remote testing works the same way.
- If you plan to test in Spanish, study from the official Spanish content outline so the topics you review match the exam.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying from an outdated outline. The state outline took effect March 16, 2026, so check that your materials match it.
- Treating the portions as one score. The 75 percent minimum applies to each portion separately.
- Expecting a number when you pass. Per the handbook, a numeric score is shown only to candidates who fail, so do not read anything into a plain pass notice.
- Booking before your application is complete. Finish the state application steps first.
A study plan for two portions
- Week 1: Read both content outlines and note the heaviest topics.
- Weeks 2 to 3: Alternate national topics (property, contracts, agency, finance) with Pennsylvania topics (licensing law, Commission rules, disclosures).
- Week 4: Take timed practice. Use roughly the handbook’s time allowance for each portion: 150 minutes national, 60 minutes state.
- Final days: Re-read your missed questions, and re-check the handbook for changes.
Practice math by hand and review the formulas on our math page.
Where to go next
Our Pennsylvania state page collects the facts we have verified. For practice, start with the free Pennsylvania quiz, or use the GablePrep app for longer review sessions.
Next step
Try the free Pennsylvania real estate quiz and see which portion needs more work.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Pennsylvania real estate salesperson exam?
According to the Pearson VUE Pennsylvania candidate handbook (accessed 2026-10-31), the national portion has 80 scored questions plus 5 to 10 unscored pretest items, and the state portion has 40 scored questions plus up to 10 pretest items.
What is the passing score in Pennsylvania?
The handbook lists a 75 percent minimum, scaled 0 to 100, on each portion. A numeric score is reported only to candidates who fail.
Is the Pennsylvania real estate exam available in Spanish?
Pearson VUE's Pennsylvania page lists both English and Spanish content outlines. The handbook itself does not clearly describe Spanish exam delivery, so verify availability and how to request it before you rely on it.
How many pre-licensing hours does Pennsylvania require?
The handbook describes 5 credits or 75 hours of basic real estate courses, or a qualifying degree. Authorization is good for 5 years after your first course, and exam results are good for 3 years.
Sources
- Pearson VUE Pennsylvania Real Estate Candidate Handbook
- Pearson VUE Pennsylvania real estate page
- Pearson VUE Pennsylvania content outline (English)
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice. Facts verified on 2026-10-31; always confirm with your state’s official handbook.