Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam Study Guide
Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam on your first attempt. 75 original practice questions with detailed answer explanations, complete coverage of all two-section PSI content areas, and every real estate math formula you’ll see on test day — built for candidates who don’t have time to waste.
Beat the 61% national / ~46% state First-Attempt Pass Rate
If you’ve been searching for a Pennsylvania real estate exam study guide, here’s the reality: the first-attempt pass rates are notably split — ~61% pass the national portion but only ~46% pass the state portion. The PA Salesperson exam is 110 questions (80 national + 30 PA-specific) in 3.5 hours with a 75% pass requirement on each section. Most candidates fail the state portion because their study materials don’t cover the Consumer Notice required at initial interview (RELRA § 608), the unique Transaction Licensee role (non-agency), the PA Realty Transfer Tax stacking (state 1% + local 1%; Philadelphia 5.278% combined), coal mining subsidence disclosure, or PA’s judicial foreclosure under Act 6 of 1974. This guide distills the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA) into quick-reference tables and includes 75 original practice questions with detailed answer explanations.
Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam Facts at a Glance
Exam Format
110 multiple choice
Time Limit
3h 30m
Passing Score
75% on each section
Exam Fee
$49
Your Step-by-Step Path to Passing
The exact 7-step study sequence our guide walks you through
Complete Your 75-Hour Pre-License Course
Pennsylvania requires 75 hours of pre-license education: 30-hour Real Estate Fundamentals + 45-hour Real Estate Practice from a PA-approved school. This guide is a focused exam-prep companion — it doesn’t replace the course.
- PA-approved providers include CompuTaught, Polley Associates, RealEstateExpress, and others
- Submit application + license fees totaling $107 ($72 license + $25 application + $10 recovery fund)
- Background check (~$30) required
- Sponsorship by an employing PA broker required for license activation
Master Universal Real Estate Principles
Drill the universal content areas first — they form the foundation for the Pennsylvania-specific material.
📘 Our guide’s Part 1 covers deeds, titles, the bundle of rights, contracts essentials, financing fundamentals, valuation approaches, fair housing protected classes, federal income tax rules, and more — in quick-reference table format so you can scan fast and recall on test day.
Master Pennsylvania-Specific Material (30 Questions)
PA-specific testing focuses on RELRA, the Consumer Notice (initial interview disclosure), Transaction Licensee (PA-unique non-agency role), the PAR Agreement of Sale, PA Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement, coal mining subsidence disclosure, judicial foreclosure under Act 6 of 1974, and PA realty transfer tax stacking.
Consumer Notice (RELRA § 608): Mandatory at initial interview; signed/refused acknowledgment retained 6 months
Transaction Licensee: PA-specific non-agency role — services without representation
PA Seller’s Disclosure: Required for residential 1–4 unit (68 Pa.C.S. § 7301)
Coal mining subsidence: Required for properties in PA’s anthracite/bituminous coal regions
PA Realty Transfer Tax: 1% state + ~1% local (Philadelphia 4.278% city + 1% state = 5.278%)
Judicial foreclosure: Required (Act 6 of 1974); typically 12–18 months; PA is lien theory
Drill Real Estate Math (10 Questions)
Math is only 10% of the exam — but it’s the area that trips up the most candidates. Every formula has a pattern; once you see the pattern, the questions become easy points.
- Commission & percentage — Part = Whole × Rate (T-bar method)
- LTV calculations — Loan ÷ Value
- Tax prorations — 365-day method, day of closing belongs to buyer
- Property tax — Assessed value × tax rate (with state caps if applicable)
- Transfer tax — Pennsylvania-specific rate calculations
- Capitalization — Value = NOI ÷ Cap Rate
- Acreage — 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft; 1 section = 640 acres
Take Practice Exams Under Test Conditions
Sit for the full 75-question practice set in one sitting. 2-hour timer. No notes. No phone. The point isn’t to score perfectly — it’s to identify weak content areas before exam day.
🎯 Pro tip: Review every answer — even the ones you got right. Sometimes you get the right answer for the wrong reason, and the explanation reinforces the concept for similar variations on the actual exam.
Schedule Your PSI Exam
Schedule via PSI at one of PA’s testing centers — or take online via secure remote proctoring.
Exam fee: $49 per attempt
Format: 110 questions: 80 national + 30 PA-specific (3.5 hours total)
Pass score: 75% on EACH section (60/80 national; 30/40 state — sources vary)
Validity: 5 years from coursework completion
Pass with 75% Each → Activate Under an Employing Broker
Your PA salesperson license is active only when sponsored by an employing PA broker. License period is 2 years; renewal due May 31 of even years. CE: 14 hours per cycle including mandatory Fair Housing.
What’s Next After Passing
- • Choose an employing PA broker
- • Activate license through PA REC
- • Plan 14-hour CE curriculum across the 2-year cycle
- • Join local MLS & PA Association of REALTORS®
Build Your Business Fast
- • Google Business Profile + Maps SEO
- • Use AI for listings & client comms
- • Build referral network
- • Earn from your first closing
⚠️ Why Generic Practice Quizzes Fall Short:
Most free online practice tests recycle the same generic national questions and skip the Florida-specific material that makes up almost half the exam. Worse, many give you the answer with no explanation — so even when you get it right, you don’t understand why. Our 75 questions are organized by topic, written specifically for the Florida exam, and every answer includes a detailed explanation tied to the underlying statute or concept.
Everything You Need to Pass on Your First Attempt
28–32 pages · 75 practice questions · all two-section content areas · instant download
Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam Study Guide
2026 Edition · PDF Download · Written by Mark Sias
- All two-section PSI content areas covered with weight breakdown
- 75 original practice questions grouped by topic for targeted review
- Detailed answer explanations for every question — not just the ones you missed
- Complete real estate math walkthroughs (commission, LTV, prorations, doc stamps, cap rate, acreage)
- Quick-reference tables for Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA), 63 P.S. § 455.101 et seq. and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 35
- Pennsylvania-specific content: agency disclosure rules, license law, mandatory disclosures, transfer tax, state caps
- Memory aids and acronyms (DEEP-U, MARIA, COLIC, OLD CAR SKID, T-bar method)
- National portion fundamentals: deeds, contracts, financing, fair housing, valuation
- Recommended study approach with realistic 2–4 week timeline
Pennsylvania Exam Study Guide
Why This Guide Beats Free Practice Quizzes
Free quiz sites are everywhere. A focused, Pennsylvania-specific blueprint isn’t.
PSI Aligned
Organized exactly the way the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (under PA Department of State / Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) breaks down the two-section content areas, so you study what’s actually tested at the right weighting.
Pennsylvania Law Built In
Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA), 63 P.S. § 455.101 et seq. and 49 Pa. Code Chapter 35 distilled into quick-reference tables — not buried in a 600-page textbook.
Math Made Simple
Every formula you’ll see on test day, with worked examples. The T-bar method makes percentage problems trivial.
75 Practice Questions
Original questions modeled on the exam format. Grouped by topic so you can target weak areas after your first run-through.
Detailed Explanations
Every answer is explained — not just labeled right or wrong. Memory aids and acronyms reinforce the concepts.
Phone & Print Ready
Optimized for reading on phones, tablets, and desktops. Print-friendly for highlighting and margin notes.
two-section Content Areas, Weighted by Exam Importance
Knowing which topics are worth the most points lets you spend study time where it matters
High-Weight (Study First)
RELRA & Consumer Notice; Transaction Licensee (PA-specific); contracts (PAR Agreement of Sale); PA realty transfer tax (1% state + 1% local; Philadelphia 5.278%); coal mining subsidence; PA seller disclosure.
Medium-Weight
License renewal & CE; PA Human Relations Act fair housing additions; valuation; financing & judicial foreclosure (Act 6 of 1974).
Lower-Weight (Don’t Skip)
Specialty topics — leases, commercial nuances, environmental.
What Pennsylvania Licensing Actually Costs
Realistic Pennsylvania Salesperson Licensing Budget
💰 The $49 retake math: Failing the PA exam and retaking costs $49. The average new PA agent’s first commission check is $5,000+. Spending $14.97 to pass on the first attempt is the obvious move.
Bonus: every concept in this guide reappears in real life. The contracts, disclosures, math, and brokerage relationship rules you study to pass the exam are the same rules that govern every transaction you’ll work for the rest of your career.
Who Wrote This Guide
Mark Sias — Founder, Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers
Mark is a Florida-commissioned notary, legal document preparer, and digital marketing author based in Port Orange, FL. He co-owns Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers with his wife Grace, where they prepare real estate documents (deeds, POAs, lease agreements, dissolution packages) for clients across multiple Florida counties.
Mark authored “A Homeless Guy’s Guide to Digital Marketing” and runs Notary Prosperity Academy, where he’s trained thousands of notaries, signing agents, and legal entrepreneurs through his YouTube channel (5,000+ subscribers, 500,000+ views) and online courses.
This study guide draws on years of working alongside real estate agents, title companies, and attorneys — distilling Pennsylvania’s exam material into the quick-reference format that mirrors how working professionals actually use the law every day.
After You Pass — Build a Real Income
Passing the exam is one milestone. Turning a license into actual closings is a separate challenge — and it’s the challenge most new agents underestimate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Pennsylvania real estate exam?
The PA Salesperson exam first-attempt pass rates are notably split: ~61% pass the national portion but only ~46% pass the state portion on first attempt. The exam is 110 questions total (80 national + 30 PA-specific) in 3.5 hours, and you must score 75% on EACH section. Most candidates fail because their study materials don’t cover the Consumer Notice timing, Transaction Licensee role, or PA realty transfer tax stacking.
How much does the Pennsylvania real estate exam cost?
The PSI exam fee is $49 per attempt. The combined PA REC license fees on passing total $107 ($72 license + $25 application + $10 recovery fund). Add background check (~$30) and the required 75-hour pre-license course ($200–$500) for total upfront licensing costs of $400–$700.
How long should I study for the Pennsylvania real estate exam?
Most candidates need 3–4 weeks of focused study after the 75-hour pre-license course. Plan for 1–2 hours per day. This guide compresses the timeline by focusing on what’s actually tested — RELRA, Consumer Notice, Transaction Licensee, contracts, disclosures, and PA tax math.
Does this guide replace the 75-hour pre-license course?
No. PA law requires every Salesperson candidate to complete a 75-hour pre-license course (30 Fundamentals + 45 Practice) from a PA-approved school before sitting for the exam. This study guide is a focused exam-prep companion.
What does the Pennsylvania real estate exam cover?
110 questions: 80 national + 30 PA-specific. National content covers deeds, contracts, financing, valuation, fair housing, federal tax. PA content covers RELRA, Consumer Notice, agency types including Transaction Licensee, PA Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement, coal mining subsidence, PA Human Relations Act, judicial foreclosure under Act 6 of 1974, and PA realty transfer tax.
What is the default agency relationship in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires the Consumer Notice at the initial interview (RELRA § 608 / 49 Pa. Code § 35.336). Recognized agency types include Seller’s Agent, Buyer’s Agent, Dual Agent, Designated Agent, and the unique ‘Transaction Licensee’ (a non-agency role where the licensee provides services without representing either party). Dual agency requires informed written consent of both parties.
Does Pennsylvania require radon disclosure?
No. Pennsylvania does NOT statutorily require radon disclosure on real estate transactions. The PA Radon Certification Act applies to professionals doing radon testing/mitigation but doesn’t impose a sale-time disclosure mandate. Coal mining subsidence disclosure IS required for properties in PA’s anthracite/bituminous coal regions.
What format is the guide?
Digital PDF download — 26 pages with quick-reference tables, real estate math walkthroughs (including PA realty transfer tax stacking and Philadelphia 5.278% combined rate), 75 original practice questions, and detailed answer explanations. Print-friendly. Instant download via Kajabi.
© 2026 Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers. All rights reserved.
This study guide provides educational information to help candidates prepare for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson licensing examination. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for the required 75-hour pre-license education or for the official content outline published by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (under PA Department of State / Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs). All practice questions are original content based on public statutes (Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA), 63 P.S. § 455.101) and public administrative rules (49 Pa. Code Chapter 35). No actual PSI exam content is reproduced. Pennsylvania statutes, administrative rules, fees, and exam content may change — always verify current information at pa.gov. Mark Sias is a Florida notary and legal document preparer, not a licensed attorney or real estate instructor. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the PA State Real Estate Commission, PSI, or the National Association of REALTORS.