Pennsylvania real estate exam
Format, passing score, fees and what to study — compiled from the official candidate handbook and state sources, with a link and a confidence level for every fact. Last verified 2026-10-31.
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Pennsylvania exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook October 2026. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 scored + 5-10 pretest (unscored). | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 40 scored + up to 10 pretest (outline says ten pretest). | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 210 National 150 min + State-specific 60 min. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | 75% minimum (scaled 0-100) on each portion Raw score converted to scaled score; numeric score only reported to failing candidates. | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $52 Combined (national+state) $52; national only $52; state only $49. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 75 5 credits / 75 hours of basic real estate courses (or qualifying degree). Authorization good for 5 years after first course; exam results good for 3 years. | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English, Spanish Pearson PA page lists both English and Spanish content outlines; handbook itself does not explicitly describe Spanish exam delivery - verify before relying. | Secondary source | Link |
“Official source” = read in a state agency page or the exam provider’s candidate handbook on 2026-10-31. Anything marked “Vendor claim” or “Not verified” should be confirmed before you rely on it. Fees and formats change.
What this means for your study plan
- Time per question: about 1.8 minutes each (210 minutes ÷ 120 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Both portions count: you must reach the pass mark on each portion — a strong national score does not make up for a weak Pennsylvania score.
- Where people lose points: math word problems, wording traps (NOT/EXCEPT), and state rules that differ from the national rule. Our formula sheet covers the math.
- Good to know: State outline effective March 16, 2026. Candidates apply via Clarus/PALS, then register with Pearson VUE. Also covers builder/owner salesperson and rental listing referral agent, which use the salesperson exam.
State-portion topics published for Pennsylvania
- Real Estate Commission (5 items): duties/powers; complaints, investigations, hearings, appeals; Real Estate Recovery Fund
- Licensure (8 items): qualifications, activities requiring a license, renewal/reactivation, change of employment, exemptions
- Agency and Disclosure (10 items)
- Regulations Governing Activities of Licensees (11 items): advertising, broker/salesperson relations, funds & accounts, prohibited conduct, suspension/revocation
- Miscellaneous (6 items): property disclosures, documents/contracts/forms, PA Human Relations Act, timeshares/planned communities/condos, rentals & property management
Sample Pennsylvania practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation.
Which notice must be contained in a written agreement between a broker and a consumer who may be committed to pay a fee?
- The Commission guarantees the broker's performance of the written agreement to the consumer
- The broker's commission is set by the Commission's published fee schedule for the county
- A Real Estate Recovery Fund exists for persons with unpaid fraud judgments against licensees
- Any dispute over the commission must be arbitrated by the Commission before suit is filed
Answer: C. Section 35.331(a)(1) requires notification of the Real Estate Recovery Fund, and RELRA section 608.1(6) requires a statement describing its purpose and the Commission's telephone number.
Topic: State Contracts & Forms · Source: 49 Pa. Code § 35.331
A licensed auctioneer sells a commercial building at a bona fide public auction and performs only authorized auctioneer duties. What is the effect on real estate licensing?
- The auctioneer must also hold a Pennsylvania real estate broker's license
- The auctioneer is excluded from RELRA for authorized duties at the auction
- The auctioneer needs a salesperson license supervised by a licensed broker
- The auctioneer is excluded only for auctions of residential property
Answer: B. Section 304(9) excludes a licensed auctioneer while performing authorized duties at a bona fide auction.
Topic: Licensing & Regulatory Authority · Source: RELRA § 304(9) (63 P.S. § 455.304)
A residential lease ends and the tenant surrenders the unit. Within how many days must the landlord give the tenant a written list of damages and return the balance of the deposit?
- Thirty days
- Ten days
- Fifteen days
- Sixty days
Answer: A. Section 512(a) requires the landlord, within thirty days of termination of a lease or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever first occurs, to give the tenant a written list of damages and pay the difference between the deposit and the actual damages.
Topic: State Property Law, Taxes & Disclosures · Source: Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 § 512(a) (68 P.S. § 250.512)
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Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Pennsylvania real estate exam?
The Pennsylvania exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 Pennsylvania questions (120 in total) in 210 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Pennsylvania real estate exam?
75% minimum (scaled 0-100) on each portion (Official source).
How much does the Pennsylvania real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $52, paid to Pearson VUE. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Pennsylvania require?
75 hours for the entry-level license, according to the sources below. Pre-licensing education must come from a state-approved school; GablePrep is exam prep and is not an approved course.
Guides for Pennsylvania
Official sources for Pennsylvania
- Regulator: Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs)
- Exam provider: Pearson VUE
- Official candidate handbook / content outline
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice.