A Guide To Pre-License Real Estate Courses in Pennsylvania

Let us understand first how to become a real estate agent in Pennsylvania before going into the details of the educational qualifications required. Fulfill certain eligibility criteria and go through the pre-license real estate courses in Pennsylvania. 

You should be at least 18 years old and a resident of the state to apply for a license in Pennsylvania. Next, complete 75 hours of Pennsylvania real estate pre-license coursework to be eligible for the licensing exam. 

Next, you must submit your fingerprints to the authorities to know whether you have any past criminal records. After you receive a clearance certificate, sit for the real estate exam in Pennsylvania, and pass it. 

The last step before starting your practice as a real estate agent is to find a sponsoring broker to mentor you. 

Eligibility norms for getting a license in the state are decided by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (REC). 

This article will elaborate on what is a pre-licensing course, the subjects covered, and the types of courses on offer. 

Key Takeaways  

• Understanding the Basics: What is a Pre-Licensing Course?
  • Definition of Pre-Licensing Course
  • Importance of Pre-Licensing Course
  • Expected Learning Outcomes from a Pre-Licensing Course
• Unpacking Pre-License Real Estate Courses in Pennsylvania
  • Overview of Real Estate Pre-License Courses in Pennsylvania 
  • Key Classes Covered in Pennsylvania Pre-License Courses
  • Best Institutions Offering Pre-License Real Estate Courses in Pennsylvania
• The Timeline: How Long Does it Take to Get a Real Estate License?
  • Pre-license Education Timeline
  • Factors Influencing the Duration of Pre-License Education
  • Potential Speedup Tips for Faster Licensing

Understanding the Basics: What Is A Pre-Licensing Course

Definition of Pre-Licensing Course

Pre-licensing is a program that imparts knowledge to aspiring real estate agents to pursue a career in this field. It is a mandatory requirement for sitting for the licensing exam and getting a real estate license in the USA. 

The pre-licensing requirements though vary from state to state. For example, it is 180 hours in Texas while the pre-license real estate courses in Pennsylvania are of 75 hours.  

Importance of Pre-Licensing Course

Pre-licensing courses explain the real estate principles and practices in simple terms that are easily understood by students. 

Pre-licensing courses give you the confidence to seamlessly navigate the journey of the real estate profession. This is why the Real Estate Commissions in all states have made pre-licensing courses mandatory to get into this field.

Expected Learning Outcomes From A Pre-licensing Course

Through pre-licensing courses, you acquire knowledge about the type and format of the licensing exam. Always choose a course provider that is approved by the Real Estate Commission of that state. 

Any course not approved by the REC does not count for the exam. To avoid such a pitfall, visit the website of your Commission for the list of approved pre-licensing course providers.

Unpacking Pre-License Real Estate Courses in Pennsylvania

Overview of Real Estate Pre-License Courses in Pennsylvania

Every state in the USA has fixed hours of study for real estate education. Pennsylvania real estate pre-license courses are 75 hours. Complete them either in a physical real estate school or online which is more flexible and convenient. 

With online courses, you can fit the study time into your busy schedule and learn at your convenience. You can also study through live video instructions where top experts teach the coursework. 

If you are an aspiring real estate agent in Pennsylvania, check out the online courses offered by RealEstateU. Their coursework is designed by in-house experts and is the most affordable in this niche.  

Key Classes Covered in Pennsylvania Pre-licensing Courses

When you sit for the real estate exam in Pennsylvania, there are two sections that you have to answer – national and state-specific. 

The national section has questions on the real estate industry common to all states in the USA. The topics covered in this section are as follows.          

• Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use
• Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title
• Property Value and Appraisal
• Real Estate Contracts and Agency, Real Estate Practice
• Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues
• Financing and Settlement
• Real Estate Math Calculations

The State portion has subjects on real estate related to the state of Pennsylvania only. These include:

• Real Estate Commission 
• Licensure
• Regulation of the Conduct of Licensees

Best Institutions Offering Pre-License Real Estate Courses in Pennsylvania

Almost all state-approved real estate schools and course providers offer high-quality courses. The prices vary though since the extent of content offered differs between the courses. Here are the top five courses in the state that will help you pass the real estate exam in Pennsylvania on the first try. The list given here is in no specific order of merit.

1. AceableAgent: The average pass rate for this course in Pennsylvania is 75% though the national pass rate exceeds 90%. The 75-hour course does not expire and you can complete it at your own pace and convenience.
2. The CE Shop: The school offers 6 months of unlimited access to the total course time of 75 hours. The school offers quick customer support via phone, chat, or email without a break 7 days a week.
3. RealEstateU: The pass rate is 86% which is higher than the state average. This is the most budget-friendly option in Pennsylvania. They provide 6 months of unrestricted access to their Pennsylvania real estate pre-license courses.
4. Colibri Real Estate Courses: Colibri has a pass rate of 75%. The school has helped over 520,000 aspiring real estate agents pass the real estate exam in Pennsylvania.
5. PrepAgent: The study materials include interactive guides, flashcards, webinars both live and recorded, and practice questions specific to Pennsylvania. 

You increase your chances of success in the licensing exam if you choose a state-approved course from one of these real estate schools.  

The Timeline: How Long Does It Take To Get A Real Estate License

Pre-License Education Timeline

A lot rides on you though as to how fast you can complete the stipulated hours of real estate education. Further, if you have other commitments along with your journey to become a real estate agent, the time taken will be longer.  

On average, aspiring real estate agents take about 4-6 months, starting from scratch to get a real estate license. 

Factors Influencing the Duration of Pre-Licensing Education

Several factors influence the duration of getting a license and not all of them are in your hands. 

First is which state you are residing in and applying for a license. Some states have a low pre-licensing education requirement like Florida at 63 hours and Pennsylvania at 75 hours. On the other side of the spectrum is California at 135 hours and Texas at 180 hours. Hence, the time taken to complete the pre-licensing courses varies a lot between states. 

Next, a critical factor is whether you are completing the course online or from a classroom environment. In online learning, you can rush through the course to quickly get ready for the licensing exam. In classroom study, you are bound to a fixed timetable.  

Other things that matter are downtime between tests and the compulsory waiting time if you fail multiple times. 

Taking all these points into consideration, keep about 4-6 months to get your real estate agent license. 

Potential Speedup Tips For Faster Learning

The most effective way to reduce the licensing time is to apply for a license before you finish the pre-licensing course. These include having your fingerprint tested for past criminal records and scheduling your licensing exam.

Another tried and tested method is to practice a lot with sample questions. Most course providers offer practice tests that simulate the real exam scenario. You can therefore know what to expect in the test and study accordingly. 

If you find that you are well-prepared for certain topics by answering the corresponding practice tests correctly, you can leave them out and focus only on your weaknesses. This reduces study and exam preparation time by almost 90%.