What is the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
Find out what the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission does and why this matters to you as a real estate professional.
Are you looking to become a real estate agent in Pennsylvania? If so, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission can help make this goal a reality. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission evaluates potential real estate agents' applications. The Commission also determines if applicants can receive a real estate license or not. The Pennsylvania Department of State defines the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission as a group that:
- Grants and renews real estate licenses.
- Ensures licensees are honest, trustworthy, and have integrity.
- Ensures licensees are competent to complete a business transaction.
- Will safeguard the interest of the public.
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission also enforces Pennsylvania’s real estate laws and creates the education requirements for licensed real estate brokers and salespeople. Additionally, the Commission must approve every real estate school. Every school must follow the Commission's regulations.
How Does the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission Work?
Like every state, Pennsylvania has state-specific real estate laws. These laws protect buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission enforces the terms and ensures active real estate agents have a license. Have you been involved in real estate transactions with an expired license? If so, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission may revoke your license.
Who Is on the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission?
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission consists of members from different backgrounds. This creates a well-rounded group. The Commission meets once a month. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission has quorum requirements. The smallest number of members required at meetings are as follows:
- Six real estate brokers (one cemetery broker)
- Three public members
- One consumer protection
- One commissioner
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission invites real estate licensees to certain meetings. The general public can also attend. During each meeting, the Commission reserves time for individuals to discuss issues, licenses, and ask questions.
What Types of Questions Does the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission Answer?
The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission answers questions related to:
- Advertising (i.e., Can a salesperson’s name be larger than the agency name on a real estate ad?).
- Real estate license applications (i.e., How do real estate salespersons know when their license expires?).
- Auctioneers (i.e., Are auctioneers who sell real estate required to obtain a broker's license?).
- Cemetery companies (i.e., Are cemetery company employees who don’t sell cemetery plots required to have a real estate license?).
- Responsibilities of licensees (i.e., If licensees are involved in real estate transactions with their own properties and have not listed it with a brokerage, does the consumer need to receive a consumer notice?).
- Real estate education (i.e., What are approved real estate education providers, and what are the approved courses?).
- Fees (i.e., Who pays the salesperson the commission if the property is listed with a brokerage, then the salesperson has gone to work for another broker?).
- License display (i.e., Can a real estate license be kept in a book instead of hanging on a wall?).
- Real estate license reciprocity (i.e., With what states does PA have real estate reciprocity?).
- Supervision (i.e., Can a licensed salesperson work for more than one broker?).
Begin Your Pennsylvania Real Estate Career
Are you ready to get your Pennsylvania real estate license? Do you want to engage with the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission? Check out Pennsylvania’s pre-license online real estate course to learn more. Find out the steps you can take to begin your Pennsylvania real estate career.