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Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Examination

Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing exam prep checklist: bulletin facts, topics and question counts, reference books, sample questions with answers, test-day steps.

40 questions 60 minutes 75% to pass 5 topics 1:30 per question Closed book 259 questions in pool
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Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam Prep Checklist

Everything for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing exam in one place: the bulletin's key facts, the topics and how many questions each carries, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a prep checklist. Pearson VUE gives the exam.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam Facts

From the official bulletin:
Questions 40 questions
Time limit 1 hour
Passing score a minimum score of 75
Books in the exam room Closed book (no books in the room)

On exam day

  • The bulletin states that 43,560 square feet/acre and 5,280 feet/mile are not available at the test center and should be memorized.

Study references listed in the bulletin (not allowed in the exam room)

  • Mastering Real Estate Principles (Gerald R. Cortesi)
  • Modern Real Estate Practice (Fillmore W. Galaty, Wellington J. Allaway, Robert C. Kyle, etc.)
  • Principles of Real Estate Practice (Stephen Mettling)
  • Property Management (Robert C. Kyle)
  • Real Estate Finance (J. Keith Baker and John P. Wiedemer)
  • Real Estate Fundamentals (Wade E. Gaddy)
  • Real Estate Law (Charles J. Jacobus)
  • Real Estate Principal (Charles J. Jacobus)
  • Real Estate Law (Elliot Klayman)
  • The Language of Real Estate (John E. Reilly)

Source: Real Estate National/General Content Outlines (Salesperson Examination, Broker Examination) and Pennsylvania Real Estate Content Outlines, #093901 | 03/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam Topics

The official content outline has 5 topics:

Topic Questions Share of the exam
Real Estate Commission 5 12%
Licensure 8 20%
Agency and Disclosure 10 25%
Regulations Governing the Activities of Licensees 11 28%
Miscellaneous 6 15%

Real Estate Commission: Duties and powers; Complaints, investigations, hearings, and appeal; Real Estate Recovery Fund.
Licensure: Qualifications; Activities requiring a license; License renewal and reactivation; Change of employment; Exemption from licensure.
Agency and Disclosure: Agency disclosures; Duties of licensees; Agency relationships; Compensation.
Regulations Governing the Activities of Licensees: Advertising; Broker/Salesperson relations; Funds and accounts; Prohibited conduct; Suspension and revocation.
Miscellaneous: Property disclosures; Documents, contracts, and forms; Pennsylvania Human Relations Action; Time-shares, planned communities, and condominiums; Rentals, leasing, and property management.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam Prep Checklist

  • Study the topics in the outline. This is a closed-book exam, so you work from memory.
  • Start with the biggest topics: Regulations Governing the Activities of Licensees and Agency and Disclosure (52% of the exam).
  • Take our timed practice exams until you pass several in a row.
  • Read the explanation and reference for every question you miss.
  • Practice at the real exam's pace: about 1 minute 30 seconds per question.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam Reference Books

For the national/general salesperson content, the bulletin lists ten real estate general/national resources and says to refer to the publishers for the most recent editions, adding that Pearson VUE does not endorse any particular pre-licensing provider or study materials.

Where to get them:

Test Day Checklist

  • First pass: answer every question you know. Bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions.
  • Second pass: work through your bookmarks.
  • Pace: 1 hour for 40 questions, which is about 1 minute 30 seconds per question.
  • Last step: answer anything still blank. A blank can't earn a point.

Study Tips

This practice exam mirrors the real Pearson VUE exam — the same number of questions, drawn from the same topics. Practicing in that format now means no surprises when you sit for the real thing.

The state portion tests YOUR state's statutes, deadlines, and agency rules — which differ from national principles. Don't rely only on a national prep book; study the state-specific material.

Our practice exam is specifically designed to mimic the testing conditions at all exam centers. While untimed PDF study guides might help with studying, they don’t prepare you for the challenge of managing your time during an actual test.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Sample Questions

From our practice question bank, with answers and references:

Sample 1 — Miscellaneous

Question: A buyer tenders a check as a deposit under an offer to purchase. The seller has not yet accepted the offer. With the written permission of both the buyer and seller, the broker holds the check rather than immediately depositing it. Once the seller accepts the offer, by when must the broker deposit the check into an escrow account?

  • A. Within 1 business day of the seller's acceptance
  • B. Within 3 business days of the seller's acceptance
  • C. By the end of the next business day after the broker receives the check, regardless of seller acceptance
  • D. Within 5 calendar days of the seller's acceptance

Correct Answer: A

Under 49 Pa. Code § 35.324, when both buyer and seller have given written permission to hold a check pending acceptance, the broker must deposit the check into an escrow account within 1 business day of the seller's or lessor's acceptance of the offer.

Reference: 49 Pa. Code § 35.324

Sample 2 — Real Estate Commission

Question: How many consecutive meetings must a commission member miss before forfeiting his or her seat?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Correct Answer: B

Under Section 202(c) of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing Act, a commission member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall forfeit his seat, unless excused by the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs due to illness or the death of a family member.

Reference: Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing Act, Section 202(c)

Sample 3 — Regulations Governing the Activities of Licensees

Question: A dispute arises between a buyer and seller over who is entitled to the earnest money deposit being held in escrow by the broker. The broker has held the funds for 30 days and resolution appears unlikely without legal action. What may the broker do?

  • A. Release the funds to the seller since the seller listed the property
  • B. Split the deposit equally between buyer and seller
  • C. Following 30 days' notice to the parties, petition the county court to interplead the rival claimants
  • D. Return the funds to the buyer immediately since the buyer made the deposit

Correct Answer: C

Per 49 Pa. Code § 35.327, if a dispute arises and resolution appears remote without legal action, the broker may, following 30 days' notice to the parties, petition the county court having jurisdiction to interplead the rival claimants.

Reference: Pennsylvania Title 49, Chapter 35, § 35.327

Sample 4 — Agency and Disclosure

Question: A licensee has a continuing obligation to disclose to a principal any ______ in a reasonably practicable period of time after the licensee learns or should have learned of it.

  • A. change in market value
  • B. conflict of interest
  • C. material defect
  • D. zoning violation

Correct Answer: B

Per § 35.283(f), a licensee has a continuing obligation to disclose to a principal any conflict of interest in a reasonably practicable period of time after the licensee learns or should have learned of the conflict of interest.

Reference: Pennsylvania Title 49, Chapter 35, § 35.283(f)

Online Practice vs. a PDF

  • Timed: you practice finding answers under time pressure, not just reading them.
  • Bookmarks: flag questions and come back, the way you will on test day.
  • New sets: each attempt draws new questions from our bank.
  • Scored by topic: your results show which outline topics need more study.

Next Step

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Examination?
The exam has two portions. The national/general portion contains 80 scored items plus 5 unscored pretest items. The Pennsylvania state-specific portion contains 40 scored items plus 10 unscored pretest items. Pretest items are not identified and do not affect your score.
What topics are covered on the Pennsylvania salesperson state-specific exam?
The Pennsylvania state-specific portion covers five major areas: Real Estate Commission (5 items), Licensure (8 items), Agency and Disclosure (10 items), Regulations Governing the Activities of Licensees (11 items), and Miscellaneous topics such as property disclosures, contracts, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, time-shares, and rentals (6 items).
What topics are covered on the national/general portion of the salesperson exam?
The national/general portion covers eight major areas: Real Property Characteristics and Legal Descriptions, Forms of Ownership and Transfer of Title, Property Value and Appraisal, Real Estate Contracts and Agency, Real Estate Practice, Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues, Financing and Settlement, and Real Estate Math Calculations, totaling 80 scored items.
Are there pretest questions on the Pennsylvania salesperson exam, and do they count toward my score?
Yes. The national/general portion includes 5 pretest items, and the Pennsylvania state-specific portion includes 10 pretest items. These pretest items are not identified and do not count toward your score, but you should answer all questions because you cannot tell which items are pretest questions.
Is a calculator allowed, and are any reference materials provided at the test center for the salesperson exam?
The bulletin does not mention a provided calculator. However, it does specify that certain math facts are NOT available at the test center and must be memorized, specifically that there are 43,560 square feet per acre and 5,280 feet per mile.
What math facts do I need to memorize for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam?
You must memorize that there are 43,560 square feet per acre and 5,280 feet per mile, as these figures are not available at the test center. For proration questions, the exam will specify whether to use a 360- or 365-day year and whether the day of closing belongs to the buyer or seller.
When did the Pennsylvania salesperson state-specific exam content outline take effect?
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Examination Content Outline became effective March 16, 2026.
Who administers the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Examination?
The bulletin is published by Pearson VUE, which builds and administers the real estate licensing examination.
Does Pearson VUE endorse any specific study materials or pre-licensing courses for the salesperson exam?
No. The bulletin explicitly states that Pearson VUE does not endorse any particular pre-licensing provider or study materials, though it does list several reference textbooks that reflect the content areas covered on the exam.

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