How many questions are on the Pennsylvania real estate exam?

120 scored questions in two separately scored portions: 80 national questions in 150 minutes, and 40 Pennsylvania-specific questions in 60 minutes. Each portion also carries a handful of unscored pretest questions.

What score do you need to pass the Pennsylvania real estate exam?

75% on each portion. That is 60 of the 80 national questions and 30 of the 40 state questions. The portions are graded independently, so passing one and failing the other means you only retake the one you failed.

How much education does Pennsylvania require before the exam?

75 hours, which is 5 credits, split between Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours) from an accredited college or a Commission-approved provider.

How much does it cost to get a Pennsylvania real estate license?

The national exam is $52 and the state exam is $49, paid per attempt, plus a $97 initial license fee (a $72 licensure fee and a $25 application fee). A test fee is required for each attempt.

How long are Pennsylvania real estate exam scores valid?

Passing exam scores are valid for three years, and your authorization to sit the exam is good for five years from completing your first education course. If your application is not filed inside the three-year window, you retest.

I am already licensed in another state. Do I still take the whole Pennsylvania exam?

No. If you have been actively licensed as a broker or salesperson by another state within the last five years, you take and pass only the Pennsylvania portion.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Practice Test (Free)

The Pennsylvania real estate salesperson exam has 120 questions. Below are the exact numbers the PA exam uses, and a free practice test to see where you stand.

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The Pennsylvania exam at a glance

License: Real Estate Salesperson
Administered by: Pearson VUE, for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
Total questions: 120 (80 national and 40 Pennsylvania-specific)
Passing score: Two portions, each scored independently, and you must reach 75% on both. National: 60 of 80 correct in 150 minutes. Pennsylvania state: 30 of 40 correct in 60 minutes. A passed portion stands, so a retake covers only the failed half.
How it is taken: In person at Pearson VUE test centers, or online via Pearson VUE's OnVUE remote proctoring.
If you fail: Only the failed portion is retaken, and only that portion's fee is paid again. Cannot retest the same day. Fee is per attempt ($52 national, $49 state).

What Pennsylvania requires before you can sit the exam

Minimum age: 18+
Pre-license education: 75 hours
Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours)
Real Estate Practice (45 hours)
Exam / application fee: $97
License term: 2 years
Background check: Fingerprints and a criminal history check are required.

Free Pennsylvania practice questions

10 questions written for the Pennsylvania exam, drawn from 119 in the ApexAgent bank. The correct answer and the reasoning are under each one.

1. All of the following regarding the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission are true EXCEPT
- A. the Commission makes the rules by which real estate licensees must abide
- B. members of the Commission are elected officials who run for office every two years ✓
- C. independent testing centers administer the licensing exams
- D. the Commission submits annual reports to the Senate and House of Representatives
Why: Members of the Real Estate Commission are appointed by the Governor; they do not run for office
2. The maximum compensation paid by the Real Estate Recovery Fund is
- A. $5,000.00
- B. $25,000.00
- C. $50,000.00
- D. $100,000.00 ✓
Why: The maximum payout from the fund may not exceed $20,000.00 per claim and $100,000.00 per licensee
3. How many members of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission are required to be licensed brokers?
- A. 3
- B. 5 ✓
- C. 7
- D. 9
Why: Five members of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission must be licensed brokers at the time of their appointment
4. What is the term of a Pennsylvania Real Estate Commissioner?
- A. 3 years
- B. 4 years
- C. 5 years ✓
- D. 6 years
Why: Commission members are appointed by the Governor for 5-year staggered terms
5. Public meetings held by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission are primarily to
- A. keep licensees current on changing policies and procedures
- B. allow special interest groups to present information to the Commission
- C. hold disciplinary proceedings for licensees in a manner available to the general public
- D. solicit suggestions, comments, and concerns regarding real estate practices from the general public ✓
Why: In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, the Commission holds public meetings. Public meetings require 15 days notice
6. The Commission has the authority to do all of the following EXCEPT
- A. issue licenses
- B. require licensing examinations
- C. appoint commissioners ✓
- D. enforce Rules and Regulations
Why: The Commission does not appoint commissioners. That authority resides with state government
7. The Commission has authority to take the all the following disciplinary actions EXCEPT
- A. suspend licenses
- B. revoke licenses
- C. fine licensees
- D. arrest individuals practicing real estate without a license ✓
Why: The Commission does not have the authority to make an arrest. They can levy a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00 against any person engaging in real estate activities without a license
8. The purpose of the Real Estate Recovery Fund is to enable
- A. sellers to recover escrow money that brokers handled improperly
- B. sellers to recover money when buyers default on sales agreements
- C. claimants to receive payment for uncollected judgments against licensees ✓
- D. licensees to recover commissions that their brokers have failed to pay
Why: The sole purpose of the Real Estate Recovery Fund as outlined in Section 803 of the RELRA is for an aggrieved person who obtains a final judgment against a licensee for fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit and is unsuccessful collecting it from the licensee to recover the money from the Recovery Fund
9. What is the maximum penalty for a person who has been cited three times for performing real estate activities without a license?
- A. Criminal offense with imprisonment of 6 months
- B. Felony offense with fine up to $2,000.00 and/or up to one-year imprisonment
- C. Felony offense with fine up to $5,000.00 and/or one to two years imprisonment ✓
- D. Summary offense with fine not to exceed $500
Why: A second or subsequent offense of performing real estate activities without a license is a felony of the third-degree involving payment of a fine between $2,000 to $5,000 and/or imprisonment for one to two years
10. A licensee was convicted of fraud in a real estate transaction. Who may collect from the Real Estate Recovery Fund?
- A. Personal representative of the spouse of the licensee
- B. Individual who lost money due to the fraudulent action ✓
- C. Spouse of the licensee
- D. Individual who lost money in the campground membership scheme of a licensee
Why: To collect from the fund, the individual must prove they are not a spouse or personal representative of the spouse of the licensee and that the activity did not involve the sale of a campground/campground membership

Want more Pennsylvania-specific questions? Practice the full Pennsylvania state-law set.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Pennsylvania real estate exam?: 120 scored questions in two separately scored portions: 80 national questions in 150 minutes, and 40 Pennsylvania-specific questions in 60 minutes. Each portion also carries a handful of unscored pretest questions.
What score do you need to pass the Pennsylvania real estate exam?: 75% on each portion. That is 60 of the 80 national questions and 30 of the 40 state questions. The portions are graded independently, so passing one and failing the other means you only retake the one you failed.
How much education does Pennsylvania require before the exam?: 75 hours, which is 5 credits, split between Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours) from an accredited college or a Commission-approved provider.
How much does it cost to get a Pennsylvania real estate license?: The national exam is $52 and the state exam is $49, paid per attempt, plus a $97 initial license fee (a $72 licensure fee and a $25 application fee). A test fee is required for each attempt.
How long are Pennsylvania real estate exam scores valid?: Passing exam scores are valid for three years, and your authorization to sit the exam is good for five years from completing your first education course. If your application is not filed inside the three-year window, you retest.
I am already licensed in another state. Do I still take the whole Pennsylvania exam?: No. If you have been actively licensed as a broker or salesperson by another state within the last five years, you take and pass only the Pennsylvania portion.

Pennsylvania real estate license requirements

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Sources

PA Department of State: Real Estate Salesperson Licensure Snapshot (education, age, two exams, 3-year window, continuing education) (verified 2026-10-02)
Pearson VUE: Pennsylvania Real Estate Candidate Handbook #093900 (provider, portions, item counts, scoring, retake) (verified 2026-10-02)
Pearson VUE: Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission licensure exams (verified 2026-10-02)
Exam details are checked against the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Department of State, BPOA) and its testing vendor. Always confirm current requirements with the board before your exam.