Pennsylvania Real Estate
Licensing Guide

The Kaplan Commitment* - Achieve Success with Kaplan's Real Estate Licensing Program

At Kaplan, we're committed to your success. With our proven program and your dedication, you'll have everything you need to complete your education, pass your state exam, and start your real estate career. We’re confident that you’ll pass your state exam the first time. If not, we’ll help you pass at no additional cost.  *Kaplan Commitment applies to course purchases on or after 8/26/24. 

Kaplan’s Commitment to You:

• Ongoing Support: If you don’t pass your state exam, Kaplan will continue to provide personalized assistance at no cost.

• Personalized Study Plan: Our instructors will create a study plan based on your strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring you’re fully prepared.

• Access to Resources: You’ll keep access to Kaplan’s exam prep tools and expert instructors for up to 18 months (varies by state).

Steps to Qualify for Kaplan’s Commitment Offer:

1. Watch the Commitment Video (See The Kaplan Commitment course in the LMS)

   • Within 14 days of enrolling, watch the video and complete the final exam.

   • Look for the green checkmark next to the second image in your course as confirmation.

2. Complete the Program

   • Finish all required courses and exam prep materials.

3. Take Your State Exam

   • Sit for the State exam within 30 days of completing the program (some states may allow more time).

   • If you pass, you do not need to complete any more steps.

   • If you don't pass, move on to steps 4-6.

4. Submit the Kaplan Commitment Form (if you do not pass)

   • Fill out the Kaplan Commitment Request Form (See The Kaplan Commitment course in the LMS) within 7 days of taking and not passing the State licensing exam to schedule a personalized meeting with an instructor.

5. Follow the Study Plan

   • Engage with the study plan created by your instructor and attend all scheduled meetings.

6. Retake Your State Exam

   • Attempt the state exam again within 30 days of your one-on-one meeting.

• Verify your correct Legal Name and your personal information is correct (as necessary for your state)

  • Please verify that you have registered using your full legal name (First, Middle, Last), as it appears on your government-issued ID, as well as the correct personal information.  This will ensure the accuracy of your certificates of completion upon passing your final exam(s).  

  • If you did not register using your full legal name, or your personal information needs to be corrected, please get in touch with Customer Support PRIOR to taking your final exams and applying for your state exam.

  • If the name on your Kaplan certificate and photo ID do not align, the testing provider will prohibit you from taking the examination. Failure to set this up correctly may result in applications being flagged as incomplete and subsequently lost in the system. 

• All students will have six months to complete their course from the date of purchase. 

Step 1: Be at Least 18 Years of Age

In addition to being at least 18 years of age, you must also be a US citizen or permanent resident alien and show proof of high school graduation or equivalent.

Step 2: Complete Your Required Education and Exam Prep

You must successfully complete 75 hours of approved real estate education. Complete the 75-hour requirement online with our approved education.

• 75-Hour Licensing with Master Exam Prep Package

  1. • 30-Hour Real Estate Fundamentals

     • 45-Hour Real Estate Practices

Step 3: Complete a Background Check

You must obtain a Pennsylvania report of your criminal history. Pennsylvania background checks may be obtained on the PATCH website or from the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository: 1800 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758; phone (888-783-7972).

Step 4: Take the Pennsylvania and National Licensing Exam

Apply for the exam on the Pearson VUE website.  Successfully pass both the Pennsylvania and National portions of the PSI Salesperson Real Estate Exam. Come fully prepared on exam day with Kaplan's live Exam Prep course.

If you are considering taking your exam online with Pearson VUE, please review this information.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

In order to practice real estate, you need the sponsorship of a licensed real estate broker. There are many different brokers out there, so find the best fit for you.

Step 6: Apply for Your Pennsylvania State License

Complete, sign, and submit the licensing application provided by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission along with the required fee of $107. More information can be found on the PALS website.

We are here to help you on your education journey.  Here are some important teams that can help you along the way:

Customer Support Team

Phone: 800.636.9517

Email: restudentsupport@kaplan.com

Chat is also available via the website.

Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 am–6:00 pm ET

Contact for help regarding: printing a certificate, upgrading your package, locating/tracking materials, or requesting a transfer or extension.  

Technical Support Team

Phone: 888.213.5124

Phone Hours:  Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 10:00 pm ET - If you require immediate assistance, please call.

Email: REtechsupport@kaplan.com

Email Hours:  24 hours/day, 7 days/week - Emails are responded to within 24 hrs.

Contact for help regarding: technical assistance with online education.  The best time to contact our Technical Support team is Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm EST. 

Instructor Support Team

Email: nationalleadinstructor@kaplan.com

A team of national and state-specific Kaplan Real Estate Education Subject Matter Experts are ready to answer your curriculum questions. You can expect a reply to your question no later than 24 hours or the next business day.

Contact for help regarding: questions involving content, materials, missing a class, or setting a schedule.

Community Forum

Website:  https://community.kaplan.com/realestate/

Kaplan Real Estate Community (KREC) creates one place for students to ask questions, find answers, engage with our expert instructors, and network with other Kaplan students at any time of day.  Access the Community Forum from your LMS through Your Live Online Learning HUB.

We are here for you and are committed to doing our part so you can achieve your goals!

Pennsylvania Department of State, Real Estate Commission

Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensure Guide 

Kaplan Real Estate Education

Kaplan's Real Estate Accelerator Course

Kaplan's Continuing Education Courses 

Kaplan's Terms and Conditions

What is the Live Online Learning HUB?

• Your Live Online Learning HUB is your portal to all of your live LEARN classes.  It contains your Live Online calendar, the necessary Zoom links to attend the sessions, your class resources, and access to the Community Forum. 

What can I expect from a live LEARN session?

• Live LEARN sessions complement your online licensing program.  A live instructor offers a concentrated review or preview of the most challenging topics essential for success on test day. 

Why would I go to the same LEARN session more than once?

• Studies have shown that repetitive learning significantly increases the memory performance for detailed and associative information.  With this in mind, our LEARN sessions are designed so you can decide when you want/need the information.  You may choose to preview the information you are about to study or review the information you just learned in your online course.  

What is the difference between an Evergreen course and a Reiteration course?

• An Evergreen course has multiple sessions that repeat. (Ex; session 1, 2, 3, 4, then starts over)

• A Reiteration course is the same course that repeats.  (Ex; session 1 on Monday, session 1 on Wednesday)

How do I access my Live Online Courses?

• Access your course through your Learning Management System (LMS) by selecting the name of the course.  Once in the course, select the course folder, click Start Course, then click Join to enter the Zoom online classroom.

  • Pro-Tip: Arrive 5-10 min prior to class to ensure your camera and microphone are working properly.

  • Test your live online connection here.

  • For tech issues, please contact Tech Support.

Can I earn my completion certificates by only attending LEARN sessions? 

• No.  You must complete your required online course to earn your course completion certificates.  LEARN sessions are supplemental to your online course. 

How long do I have to finish my courses?

• You have 6 months to complete your courses

• The Access End date is listed under each course name on your LMS

Can I re-take courses?

• As long as you are in your enrollment period, you can retake a course.  Please contact Customer Support to enroll in a re-take course.

Are extensions available?

• We understand life happens and sometimes, 6 months is not long enough.  Therefore, we offer extension packages.  Please be aware that enrollments may not exceed 12 months from the original date of purchase. 

Where do I find my Course Completion Certificates?

• Log in to your LMS.  At the top right, click "My Account".  Your course completion certificates will be housed under the completions tab.

What do I do with my Course Completion Certificates?

• You must provide your Course Completion Certificate(s) when you take your Licensing Exams at the third-party testing provider (PSI or PearsonVUE).

How do I complete my Fingerprints and Background check?

• You must obtain a Pennsylvania report of your criminal history. Pennsylvania background checks may be obtained on the PATCH website or from the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository: 1800 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758; phone (888-783-7972).

How do I register to take my exams at Pearson VUE?

• See the Pearson VUE Exam Tips section in your syllabus.

What score do I need to pass my PSI exams?

• • National Exam - 80 questions, 2 hours.  Passing is 75% or better.

  • State Exam - 40 questions, 1:00 hours.  Passing is 75% or better.

What holidays does Kaplan observe?

• New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.