Do I need a College Degree to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania?

Learn more about getting your Pennsylvania real estate license and get exclusive offers

If you’re looking into a real estate career in Pennsylvania, I bet you have some questions! One important one on your mind might be “Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license?”. The short answer is no, but let’s dig into the actual requirements you will need in order for you to start your real estate journey.

In order to qualify to apply for your Pennsylvania real estate license, you need to meet the following state qualifications:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a high school graduate or equivalent
  • Be a US citizen or permanent resident alien

While many people are often surprised to learn you do not need a college degree to get your Pennsylvania real estate license, there is still at least some schooling involved.

What Education is Needed to Become a Real Estate Agent?

While you don’t need a college degree or prior education in real estate, you’ll still need to complete a 75-hour pre-licensing course through an approved real estate education provider such as Aceable. After you finish the course, the next step is passing the state real estate licensing exam. Aceable offers a pass guarantee with plenty of practice exams to help you prepare for the test. Once you pass the exam, the next step is partnering with a sponsoring broker. You will also need a background check as part of your application.

There are a few other things you should know about Pennsylvania real estate education in general. And if you do have some real estate college credits, they may be able to help you expedite the process.

Ready to get your real estate license?

Enroll in Aceable's 100% online pre-licensing course and jumpstart your new career!

When a College Degree Helps

While you don’t specifically need a real estate degree, if you already have a bachelor’s degree with some kind of emphasis in real estate, this can work as a substitute for your education requirement. A law degree can suffice, too. These degrees may be considered in lieu of your 75-hour pre-licensing course. Then, you can just move on and take the licensing exam. If you happened to take pre-licensing courses in another state, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission (PREC) may consider them. This is only offered for courses in certain states though, so keep in mind that this is not guaranteed!


How Do You Become a Real Estate Broker in Pennsylvania?

Would you be interested in becoming a broker in Pennsylvania? A broker can perform all of the duties of a licensed salesperson, but also oversee other brokers and real estate agents.

In order to become a broker in Pennsylvania, you'll need 240 hours of professional real estate education.

If you have a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in real estate or a law degree, you may also have your pre-license broker education waived. You’ll also need to document at least three years of salesperson experience in the state. PREC will also consider other comparable experiences, as it reviews and makes decisions on a case-by-case basis.

And there you have it! You do not need a college degree to get your real estate license in the state of Pennsylvania. All you need to do is follow these steps and you’ll be out in the world selling homes in no time. Getting your real estate license is easier and more affordable than ever before. So, what are you waiting for? Begin your journey now!