Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Examination

A seller's agent represents the seller's interests and has a duty to find buyers, while a buyer's agent represents the buyer's/tenant's interests even if compensated by the seller/landlord, and has a duty to make continuous good-faith efforts to find property for the buyer.

A dual agent represents both buyer/tenant and seller/landlord in the same transaction and requires written consent from both parties, while a transaction licensee provides services without full agency representation and owes only limited confidentiality duties.

In designated agency, each designated licensee acts exclusively for one client (buyer or seller), while the supervising broker automatically takes on the role of dual agent for the overall transaction.

A standard license requires passing the Pennsylvania examination within 3 years prior to application, while a reciprocal licensee who fails to renew may reactivate without reexamination provided they hold a current equivalent license in their home state.

An initial complaint is subject to a 90-day waiting period before the State Real Estate Commission may act, while a second or subsequent complaint against the same licensee may be brought directly to the Commission without that waiting period.

A suspended broker must return the license and post a Commission-provided notice at each office entrance, while a revoked licensee must wait at least 5 years before petitioning for relicensure and must repass the examination.

A broker may supervise multiple offices and perform activities such as conducting comparative market analyses for a fee and representing clients as a consultant or house finder, while a salesperson is employed by a broker and performs enumerated activities such as collecting rent under the broker's supervision.

The Real Estate Recovery Fund reimburses consumers who obtain a final civil judgment against a licensee for fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit after exhausting all remedies, while civil penalties and fines imposed under the licensing act are paid into the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account—not the Recovery Fund.

A rental listing referral agent may supervise no more than one office, while a broker may supervise multiple offices through associate brokers.

A buyer's agent compensated by the seller's agent still represents the buyer's interests and does not owe the same duties to the seller as the seller's agent; compensation source does not create or alter the agency relationship.