EDUCATION FAQ

Step 1. To obtain a Pennsylvania real estate license, two 30 hour courses must be taken, Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practice. The Real Estate School of York & Adams Counties offers these classes in a classroom setting and online.

For online courses, the exam at the end of each course must be taken at the Realtors® Association of York & Adams Counties, in York, PA 17404. There are no additional costs for these tests, but pre-registration is required, by calling 717-845-3487. These exams must be taken within 90 days of completing each course. Click here for Pre-licensing Online classes at RAYAC.

Step 2. Successful completion of the two pre-licensing courses qualifies students to sit for the state licensing examination. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission has hired PSI to administer the examination. Information regarding the examination is available at   www.psiexams.com .

Step 3.   Provide a Criminal History Record Information Report from the state where the applicant resides completed by the State Police . This report must be dated within 90 days of application. Pennsylvania background checks may be obtained at   https://epatch.state.pa.us or from Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository (717-783-5593).

Step 4. Contact, interview and secure a broker. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission application requires a broker signature.

Step 5.   Complete the Pennsylvania Salesperson Initial Standard License Application and enclose payment. Other documents to be included with the application are: transcripts for the 60 hours of education, notices from the testing service evidencing a passing grade on the state-required exam, and the Criminal History Record Information Report. Click here to go to the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission’s website to obtain an application.

You may be eligible for a reciprocal license. Currently, Pennsylvania maintains reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and West Virginia.

Applicants who currently are licensed in a state other than the ones listed above (or have held a license in the last 5 years) must complete the state-specific portion of the exam and provide proof of the other licensure when completing the License Application. They also must submit a Criminal History Record Information Report from the state where the applicant resides.

For more information on reciprocal licensure, please click here to visit the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission’s website.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers has identified three levels of real property appraisal classification:

• Licensed Appraiser Trainee
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser

Licensed Appraiser Trainee: At least 75 hours of appraisal education and training from an approved supervising appraiser, including 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice, and passing the Registered Appraiser examination. College-level requirements: None

Certified Residential Appraiser: At least 200 hours of appraisal education and training, including 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice; 2,500 hours (including 1,500 hours non-residential) of appraisal experience across at least 30 months; and passing the Level B licensing examination. College-level requirements: Associate degree or higher.   In lieu of the required degree, 21 semester credit hours covering the following subject matter courses: English Composition; Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro); Finance; Algebra, Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and Business or Real Estate Law.

Certified General Appraiser: At least 300 hours of appraisal education and training, including 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice; 3,000 hours (including 1,500 hours non-residential) of appraisal experience across at least 30 months; and passing the Level C certification examination. College-level requirements: Bachelors degree or higher.   In lieu of the required degree, 31 semester credit hours covering the following subject matter courses: English Composition; Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro); Finance; Algebra, Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and Business or Real Estate Law; and 2 elective courses in accounting, geography, ag-economics, business management, or real estate.

Click here to visit the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers website to access more information and appropriate applications.

Real Estate Agents/Brokers: 14 hours of continuing education is required by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. The deadline to submit evidence of continuing education and the renewal application is by May 31st of every even numbered year. The current renewal period is June 1, 2016-May 31, 2018.

Real Estate Appraisers: 28 hours of continuing education is required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers. The deadline to submit evidence of continuing education and the renewal application is by June 30th of every odd numbered year. The current renewal period is July 1, 2015-June 30, 2017.

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires only newly licensed real estate agents to complete specific 14 hour continuing education courses for their first continuing education requirement. The course consists of two parts: a general module plus one practice specific module (residential or commercial). The Real Estate School of York & Adams Counties offers these modules.

In order to become licensed as a broker in Pennsylvania, a real estate licensee must meet both education and experience requirements.

Education Requirements: A total of 16 credits or 240 hours is required to be eligible to sit for the Broker’s Exam.

Required Course:

• 2 credits (30 hours) in Real Estate Office Management
• 2 credits (30 hours) in Real Estate Law

Required – 6 credits (90 hours) each in at least three of the following 2-credit courses:

• Valuation of Income Producing Property
• Valuation of Residential Property
• Non-Residential Property Management
• Residential Property Management
• Real Estate Finance
• Real Estate Investment
• Real Estate Construction
• Real Estate Sales

The remaining 6 credits (90 hours) may be taken in any elective topic approved for broker credit by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission.

Experience Requirements: Broker candidates must also document three (3) years experience in real estate sales and accumulate 200 points in real estate activity. Click here to find the point system on the Broker Examination Eligibility Application, form # 56 SPOA- 2103 on the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission’s website.

Test and Renewal : Once a broker licensing candidate has successfully completed the education and experience requirements, they are eligible to sit for the Pennsylvania Broker License Exam. This exam is administered through PSI Examination Services .

A licensed broker or salesperson who wishes to activate a license that has been placed on inactive status shall be required to document 14 hours of continuing education. Per Section 35.382(b) of the Regulations, continuing education that is used to reactivate a license cannot be used to renew the license during the same renewal period.  An additional 14 hours of continuing education will need to be completed prior to renewal.

If your license is currently inactive or expired, you have five years from the date of inactivity or expiration to reactivate your license without taking the licensing examinations.  Your completed application for reactivation must be received by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission before your five year deadline.  A completed application includes the reactivation fee, criminal background check, and continuing education certificates.

Per Section 501(b) of the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, “Any person who remains inactive for a period of five years without renewing his license shall, prior to having a license reissued to him, submit to and pass the examination pertinent to the license for which the person is reapplying.”

If your license is currently inactive or expired, you have five years from the date of inactivity or expiration to reactivate your license without taking the licensing examinations.  Your completed application for reactivation must be received by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission before your five year deadline.

Click here for additional information and to download the reactivation application.

Click here to visit RAYAC’s membership services site to view the courses you have completed through the Real Estate School of York & Adams Counties.

10. If I’m not a member of RAYAC, can I take continuing education courses at the Real Estate School of York & Adams Counties?

Yes, non-board members are welcome to take classes at the Real Estate School of York & Adams Counties. Class fees may be slightly higher for non-board members.

Click here to set up a non-board member account on our membership services site in order to view and register for classes.

Yes, we do offer continuing education classes online that are approved by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commissions for real estate continuing education. Click here to view the available online classes.

Under Section 602(h)(2) of the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, 63 P.S. §455.602(h)(2), reciprocal licensees, unlike standard licensees, are not required to complete Pennsylvania’s 14-hour continuing education requirement.  Upon request, a Certificate of Licensure dates within 90 days of submission must be provided to verify current licensure in the reciprocal state.