Check a Pennsylvania Real Estate License Before You Sign, Pay or Hire
Use this Pennsylvania real estate license verification guide to confirm a salesperson, broker, broker entity or branch through the official Pennsylvania Licensing System, commonly called PALS.
The quickest safe workflow is to find the exact license record, match the license type and status, review any disciplinary information, then use the separate PALS account process if you are the licensee and need renewal or reactivation.
Quick Answer: Pennsylvania Real Estate License Verification
Use Pennsylvania’s official PALS database to verify a real estate professional. Search the licensee, open the matching record and confirm the license number, credential type, current status and any disciplinary information before relying on an advertisement, business card or online profile.
Start with PALS
Pennsylvania Department of State directs the public to PALS for professional and occupational license number and status searches.
Verify both person and business
If a salesperson claims to work through a particular brokerage, verify the individual credential and the relevant brokerage or branch record when available.
Appraisers use a different board
A Pennsylvania real estate salesperson or broker is not the same credential as a certified real estate appraiser. Appraiser licensing uses the separate State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.
A trade-association designation, MLS profile, brokerage biography or social-media page does not replace a Pennsylvania state license lookup. Use the PALS record for the licensing question.
Choose the Right Pennsylvania Real Estate License Route
People use “license verification” for several different tasks. Choose the route that matches what you actually need to know.
How to Verify a Pennsylvania Real Estate License Online
Use this sequence for a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, employer, brokerage, referral partner or compliance team checking a Pennsylvania real estate credential.
Open Pennsylvania PALS
Start from the Commonwealth’s professional-license verification page or directly from PALS. Avoid paying a private directory for a basic state license-status search.
Use the license number when you have it
A license number is usually safer than a name-only search. If you only have a name, compare every identifying detail available before assuming you found the correct person.
Select the Real Estate Commission route
Make sure the record belongs to the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission and that the license type matches the service being offered.
Open the matching license record
Confirm the legal name, license number, license category and current status. Check the relevant business or broker relationship when it matters to the transaction.
Review discipline separately from basic status
Pennsylvania says PALS can show whether a licensee has faced board disciplinary action such as suspension, fines or other penalties. Read the available action instead of relying on a one-word summary.
Save a dated verification record
For hiring, referral or transaction files, save the source, date checked, name, license number, license type, status and discipline result.
Pennsylvania Real Estate Credentials You May See
Do not assume every result authorizes the same work. Pennsylvania maintains several real-estate license and registration categories.
| Credential | What it generally represents | Verification tip |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Salesperson | An individual salesperson working under broker supervision. | Check the individual record and the brokerage relationship relevant to the transaction. |
| Associate Broker | An individual holding broker-level licensure while associated with another broker or entity. | Do not treat the title alone as proof of the brokerage entity’s status. |
| Broker Sole Proprietor | An individually operated brokerage license. | Match the broker and business details before sending funds or signing documents. |
| Broker of Record | The broker responsible for a licensed brokerage entity. | Useful when checking who is responsible for a corporation, LLC or partnership brokerage. |
| Broker Corporation / LLC / Partnership | A licensed brokerage business entity. | Verify the company as well as the individual professional when both matter. |
| Branch Office | A licensed brokerage branch location. | Check the branch when an agent claims affiliation with a particular office. |
Certified residential appraisers, certified general appraisers and appraiser trainees are regulated separately from salesperson and broker licenses. Use Pennsylvania’s Certified Real Estate Appraisers Board resources for those credentials.
How to Read a Pennsylvania Real Estate License Result
Use the exact wording shown in the current PALS record. An existing license number does not automatically mean the person is currently authorized to conduct licensed activity.
Check the live record
Use the status shown in PALS on the day of verification. Do not substitute an old license copy, listing profile or cached search result.
Not the same as active practice
A license can remain in the state system while inactive. A licensee who wants to return to active practice should follow the Commission’s reactivation process.
Review reactivation rules
An expired salesperson, associate broker or broker sole proprietor license is handled through reactivation rather than by assuming a normal late renewal remains available.
Read the action and current status
Suspension, fines or other board action can appear in licensing information. Review dates and the underlying disciplinary material before drawing conclusions.
Consumer Checklist Before Hiring a Pennsylvania Real Estate Professional
License verification is most useful before you sign a listing agreement, buyer agreement, lease-related document, referral arrangement or send money connected to a property transaction.
Match these details
- Full legal name shown in the state record.
- Pennsylvania license number.
- Exact salesperson or broker license type.
- Current PALS status.
- Brokerage or branch identity relevant to the transaction.
- Available disciplinary information when it matters to your decision.
- Date you performed the verification.
Weak proof
- Business card or yard sign.
- Zillow, social-media or brokerage profile.
- MLS-style profile without independent state verification.
- Old printed license.
- Trade-association membership.
- Screenshot supplied by the licensee without checking PALS yourself.
- A brokerage record without also checking the individual involved.
License verification does not authenticate wire instructions. For deposits, escrow or closing funds, independently confirm payment instructions through trusted transaction contacts before sending money.
Pennsylvania Real Estate License Renewal: Current Cycle and Fees
Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission licenses expire May 31 of every even-numbered year. The current cycle runs through May 31, 2028, and renewal is completed online through PALS.
May 31 of even-numbered years
The Commission emails renewal notices approximately 60 days before expiration using the email address recorded in PALS.
Do not wait until after expiration
The Commission specifically states that there is no grace period for renewal of a real estate license or registration.
Renew through PALS
The Commission no longer offers ordinary paper renewal applications. Keep your PALS email address and account access current before the renewal window opens.
| License type | Current renewal fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Salesperson | $96 | Biennial renewal; standard salesperson CE rules apply. |
| Associate Broker | $96 | Applies to standard and reciprocal associate broker renewal. |
| Broker Sole Proprietor | $126 | Verify current status and CE before submitting renewal. |
| Broker Corporation / LLC / Partnership | $126 | Entity rules differ from an individual salesperson or associate broker. |
| Broker of Record | $126 | Check both individual and entity information when applicable. |
| Branch Office | $126 | Branch licensing is separate from the individual salesperson record. |
Pennsylvania Real Estate Continuing Education for 2026–2028
Standard Pennsylvania brokers and salespersons generally need 14 hours of Commission-approved continuing education during each two-year license period. The Commission has also set a specific mandatory topic for the current cycle.
14 CE hours
Real estate brokers and salespersons renewing a standard license generally complete 14 hours of Commission-approved continuing education during the two-year period.
At least 2 hours on consumer protection
For the June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2028 cycle, at least 2 hours must address protecting consumers’ real property, personal property and information.
New-licensee modules are different
Standard licensees renewing for the first time are exempt from the one-time 2-hour topic and instead complete the required general module plus either the residential or commercial practice-specific module.
Continuing education should be completed through an approved provider and approved course. Do not assume a generic real-estate webinar will count toward Pennsylvania renewal.
Inactive or Expired Pennsylvania Real Estate License: Reactivation Rules
An inactive or expired salesperson, associate broker or broker sole proprietor license is not handled the same way as an on-time renewal. The length of inactivity or expiration matters.
Reactivation may avoid retesting
The Commission says an inactive or expired license generally has five years from the date of inactivity or expiration to reactivate without retaking the licensing examinations.
Examination requirement applies
After five years without renewal, Pennsylvania law requires the person to pass the examination applicable to the license before it can be reissued.
Log in to PALS
Locate the license under Professional License Details and choose the available request or reactivation option.
Review CE required for reactivation
An associate broker, broker sole proprietor or salesperson activating an expired license must document 14 hours of continuing education.
Do not reuse the same CE for renewal
The Commission states that CE used to reactivate a license cannot also be used to renew during the same renewal period. An additional 14 hours may therefore be needed before the next renewal.
Complete the application before the five-year cutoff
The Commission treats an application as complete only when the required fee and continuing-education documentation are included.
Broker corporations, LLCs, partnerships and certain other business licenses have special rules after becoming inactive, out of business or expired. Review the Commission’s current renewal and application instructions instead of applying the individual-license reactivation rule to a company.
How to Check Pennsylvania Real Estate Disciplinary Action
License status and discipline answer different questions. A consumer or employer checking risk should review both when the information matters to the decision.
Start with the license record
Pennsylvania says PALS can show whether a professional has faced licensing-board disciplinary action, including suspension, fines or other penalties.
Department disciplinary listings
The Department of State also publishes disciplinary and corrective measures taken by its professional licensing boards and commissions.
Report licensed or unlicensed conduct
If you believe a professional violated licensing standards or someone is practicing without the required license, use the Pennsylvania Department of State complaint process.
Pennsylvania Real Estate License Not Found? Check These Issues
A failed search does not always mean the person never held a license. Fix the search route before reaching a conclusion.
Try the exact legal or former name
Check spelling, middle initials, suffixes, maiden names and other legal-name variations when a name-only search fails.
Salesperson, broker and business are separate
A person may appear under an individual license while the brokerage entity or branch has its own separate record.
Appraiser is not a salesperson license
If the person is acting as a certified real estate appraiser, use Pennsylvania’s appraiser licensing board rather than the State Real Estate Commission search intent.
Application does not equal active license
A person who has taken coursework, passed an exam or submitted an application should not be treated as actively licensed until the official state record supports it.
Use reactivation rules
An old license may remain part of the professional record even though the person is not currently in active status.
Use the BPOA support route
If you are the licensee and your record, renewal or PALS account is incorrect, use the official support-ticket or Commission contact route instead of creating duplicate applications.
Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission Contact Information
Most public verification should be completed online. Contact the Commission when a licensing, application or PALS issue cannot be resolved through the available online instructions.
| Contact item | Official information | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1-833-DOS-BPOA (1-833-367-2762) | General licensing assistance; published call hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| RA-REALESTATE@PA.GOV | Real Estate Commission questions when email is appropriate. | |
| Mailing address | State Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 | Only when a current Commission instruction specifically requires mailed material. |
| Physical address | 2525 N 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 | Board office location; basic license verification does not require an in-person visit. |
Official Pennsylvania Real Estate License Verification Links
Use the link that matches your task. Public lookup, licensee renewal, education, discipline and complaints are separate workflows.
Official Pennsylvania professional and occupational licensing system for license number, status and licensing records.
Commonwealth explanation of professional license verification and disciplinary information available through PALS.
Main board page for licensing, resources, contacts, announcements and Commission information.
Current expiration cycle, fees, CE requirements and inactive/expired license guidance.
Approved education, continuing education and first-renewal course information.
Department listings of professional licensing disciplinary and corrective actions.
Use for suspected misconduct by a Pennsylvania-licensed professional or suspected unlicensed practice.
Pennsylvania Real Estate License Verification FAQs
How do I verify a Pennsylvania real estate license online?
Use the Pennsylvania Licensing System, or PALS. Search the professional, open the matching record and verify the license number, credential type, current status and available disciplinary information.
What is PALS in Pennsylvania?
PALS is the Pennsylvania Licensing System. The Department of State uses it for professional and occupational licensing services, including public license verification and licensee account actions.
Can I check disciplinary action against a Pennsylvania real estate agent?
Yes. Pennsylvania says PALS can show whether a professional licensee has faced licensing-board disciplinary action. The Department of State also publishes professional licensing disciplinary-action listings.
When do Pennsylvania real estate licenses expire?
Real Estate Commission licenses expire May 31 of every even-numbered year. The current licensing cycle ends May 31, 2028.
How much does a Pennsylvania real estate salesperson license cost to renew?
The current Real Estate Commission renewal fee for a real estate salesperson is $96.
How much is Pennsylvania broker renewal?
The current renewal fee is $126 for several primary broker categories, including broker sole proprietors, broker corporations, LLCs or partnerships, brokers of record and branch offices. Associate broker renewal is $96.
Is there a grace period after the Pennsylvania real estate renewal deadline?
No. The State Real Estate Commission states that there is no grace period for renewal of a license or registration.
How many continuing education hours are required?
Standard brokers and salespersons generally need 14 hours of Commission-approved continuing education for the two-year license period.
What is the Pennsylvania real estate CE requirement for 2026–2028?
For the June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2028 cycle, at least 2 of the required 14 hours must cover protecting consumers’ real property, personal property and information. First-renewal standard licensees follow their separate required new-licensee modules.
Can I reactivate a Pennsylvania real estate license that expired less than five years ago?
The Commission says an inactive or expired license can generally be reactivated within five years without retaking the licensing examinations, provided the applicable reactivation requirements are completed.
What happens after a Pennsylvania real estate license is inactive for five years?
Pennsylvania law requires a person who remains inactive for five years without renewing to pass the examination applicable to that license before it can be reissued.
Is a Pennsylvania real estate appraiser verified through the State Real Estate Commission?
No. Real estate appraisers are regulated through Pennsylvania’s separate State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers. Salesperson and broker verification uses the State Real Estate Commission route.
Does REALTOR® membership prove a Pennsylvania real estate license is active?
No. Trade-association membership and advertising do not replace official state verification. Check the Pennsylvania PALS record before relying on the person’s license status.
Is verificationlicense.org the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission?
No. This is an independent information guide. It does not issue, renew, reactivate, discipline or officially verify Pennsylvania real estate licenses. Final licensing information comes from PALS and the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Bottom Line for Pennsylvania Real Estate License Verification
Use PALS before hiring a Pennsylvania real estate professional, signing an agreement, accepting a referral or relying on a claimed salesperson or broker credential. Match the exact person, license type, current status and available disciplinary information.
Licensees should use their own PALS account for renewal, reactivation and license changes. For the current 2026–2028 cycle, keep the May 31, 2028 deadline and current continuing-education requirements in view. This page is an independent guide and does not replace the official state licensing record.