Pennsylvania Real Estate Practice Exam
(Free Questions & Answers)
The Pennsylvania real estate exam is administered by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (SREC) and requires 75 hours of pre-license education plus 30 hours of post-license education within the first renewal period. Pennsylvania's Seller's Property Disclosure Statement Law (RESDL) requires sellers to complete a detailed disclosure form with defined exemptions. Pennsylvania law also requires licensees to provide a Consumer Notice at first contact — before any agency relationship is established — explaining what types of agency are available in Pennsylvania.
Administered by: Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission · 110 questions · Passing score: 75%
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Free Pennsylvania Real Estate Practice Exam Questions
Test your knowledge with these Pennsylvania real estate practice questions. Each question is based on topics from the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission exam and includes detailed explanations.
Q1. Which state agency licenses and regulates real estate brokers and salespersons in Pennsylvania?
Explanation
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, operating under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, licenses and regulates real estate brokers, salespersons, cemetery brokers, rental listing referral agents, and campground membership salespersons.
Q2. Pennsylvania's Consumer Notice must be provided to a consumer by a licensee:
Explanation
Pennsylvania law requires licensees to provide the Consumer Notice to prospective buyers or sellers at the first contact, before any real estate services are provided. This form discloses the different types of agency available in Pennsylvania.
Q3. In Pennsylvania, a listing agreement is a contract between the:
Explanation
A listing agreement is a contract between the property owner (seller) and the listing broker. It establishes the broker's authority to market and sell the property and specifies the broker's compensation.
Q4. Under TRID, which document replaced the HUD-1 Settlement Statement for most closed-end mortgage loans?
Explanation
TRID replaced the HUD-1 Settlement Statement with the Closing Disclosure for most closed-end mortgage transactions. The Closing Disclosure provides a final accounting of all loan terms and closing costs and must be provided 3 business days before closing.
Q5. In Pennsylvania, how many 'unities' are required to create a joint tenancy?
Explanation
Joint tenancy requires four unities: time (acquired at the same time), title (by the same instrument), interest (equal shares), and possession (equal right to possess the whole). Without all four unities, a joint tenancy may not be valid.
Q6. The cost approach to value estimates a property's value by:
Explanation
The cost approach estimates value by calculating: land value + cost new of improvements − accrued depreciation. It is most useful for unique properties, new construction, and special-purpose buildings where sales comparables are limited.
Q7. Which Pennsylvania law supplements the federal Fair Housing Act by adding additional protected classes?
Explanation
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) prohibits housing discrimination and adds additional protected classes to those in the federal Fair Housing Act, including ancestry and age (over 40 in employment contexts, with some housing protections as well).
Q8. In Pennsylvania, which professional typically conducts the real estate closing and handles the disbursement of funds?
Explanation
In Pennsylvania, closings are typically handled by a title insurance company, settlement company, or attorney. These professionals conduct the settlement, ensure all documents are properly executed, and disburse funds according to the settlement statement.
Q9. A Pennsylvania home sells for $425,000. Realty transfer tax is 2% of the sale price, split equally between buyer and seller. How much does the seller pay?
Explanation
Total transfer tax: $425,000 × 0.02 = $8,500. Seller's share (50%): $8,500 ÷ 2 = $4,250.
Q10. Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act requires that:
Explanation
Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) requires municipalities to maintain official sewage facilities plans and ensures that new land developments have adequate sewage disposal. Municipalities must approve plans for new development that includes sewage systems.
Q11. A nonconforming use in zoning is best defined as:
Explanation
A nonconforming use is one that was legally established under prior zoning regulations but no longer conforms after a zoning change. These uses are typically allowed to continue (grandfathered) but cannot be expanded and must be discontinued if abandoned.
Q12. Under Pennsylvania's Landlord-Tenant Act, a landlord may deduct from a security deposit for:
Explanation
Pennsylvania landlords may deduct from the security deposit only for actual damages beyond normal wear and tear and for unpaid rent. Normal wear and tear (minor scuffs, gradual carpet wear) is the landlord's responsibility and cannot be charged to the tenant.
1,500+ questions · Timed mock exams · Detailed explanations
Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam — What to Expect
What Is On The Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
The Pennsylvania real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission and tests both national real estate principles and Pennsylvania-specific laws and regulations. The exam contains 110 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 75% to pass.
The national portion covers topics that apply in every state: property ownership, land use controls, valuation and market analysis, financing, agency law, contracts, leasing and property management, transfer of title, fair housing laws, and real estate calculations. The state portion tests knowledge specific to Pennsylvania — including regulations set by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, Pennsylvania agency disclosure requirements, and state-specific contract and closing practices.
Topics covered on the Pennsylvania exam include: Property Ownership, Agency Law, Contracts, Finance, Pennsylvania License Law, Fair Housing. Candidates who struggle on the PA exam typically underestimate the state-specific portion — the national content is well-covered by most study materials, but Pennsylvania law questions require targeted preparation.
How Many Questions Are On The Pennsylvania Exam?
The Pennsylvania real estate salesperson exam has 110 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into a national section covering general real estate principles and a state section covering Pennsylvania-specific laws administered by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. You have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam Passing Score
You need a 75% to pass the Pennsylvania real estate exam. The first-time pass rate in Pennsylvania is approximately 55%, which means preparation is essential — most candidates who fail do so because they focused on national content and underestimated the PA-specific portion. Our Pennsylvania practice exam is built specifically around the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission exam outline.
Most Difficult Topics On The Pennsylvania Exam
These are the areas where Pennsylvania candidates most commonly lose points.
Pennsylvania requires 75 hours of pre-license education plus 30 hours of post-license education within the first renewal period. These specific requirements and the consequences of non-compliance are tested on the state exam.
Pennsylvania's Seller Disclosure Law (RESDL) requires a specific disclosure statement with defined exemptions. The conditions under which disclosure is required and the buyer's remedies for non-disclosure are frequently tested.
Pennsylvania requires licensees to provide a Consumer Notice at first contact — before any agency relationship is established — explaining what types of agency are available. This specific Pennsylvania requirement is tested on the state exam.
Pennsylvania's specific rules on trust account management, recordkeeping, and the broker's responsibilities for client funds differ from national norms in specific ways that are tested on the state portion.
Pennsylvania Real Estate Math
The Pennsylvania real estate exam includes math questions covering commission calculations, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, property tax prorations, area and volume, and appreciation/depreciation. A common example: if a property sells for $350,000 and the total commission is 6%, split equally between listing and buyer's broker, each side earns $10,500. Proration questions — such as calculating how many days of property taxes a seller owes at closing — are also common. On the PA exam, you will not need a calculator for most math questions, but you do need to understand the formulas. Practice the "T-bar" method for commission splits and the 360-day banker's year for prorations.
How To Get Your Pennsylvania Real Estate License
- 1Complete 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education covering topics required by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.
- 2Submit your application to the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission and pay the required fees (exam fee: $75).
- 3Pass the Pennsylvania real estate salesperson exam (110 questions, 75% to pass).
- 4Complete a background check and fingerprinting as required by Pennsylvania law.
- 5Find a licensed sponsoring/employing broker to activate your license.
- 6Complete any required post-licensing education within the timeframe set by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.
Best Study Strategy For The Pennsylvania Exam
Start with Pennsylvania license law first. State-specific regulations administered by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission make up a significant portion of the PA exam and are not covered in most national study materials.
Master the math early. The Pennsylvania real estate exam includes questions on commission calculations, prorations, loan-to-value ratios, and area calculations. Set aside dedicated math practice sessions — don't leave it until the last week.
Take timed practice exams. The Pennsylvania exam has 110 questions within a 3 hours time limit. Simulate exam conditions to build stamina and identify weak topics before exam day.
Focus heavily on agency law. Agency relationships, disclosure requirements, and fiduciary duties are consistently among the most-tested topics on the PA exam. Understand the difference between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent, and transaction broker in the context of Pennsylvania law.
Review Fair Housing thoroughly. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply in all states, but Pennsylvania may have additional protected classes. Know both federal and Pennsylvania-specific protections cold — this topic appears on virtually every exam.
Use active recall, not passive reading. Instead of re-reading notes, quiz yourself. Use flashcards or practice questions to test retention. Research shows active recall improves long-term retention significantly compared to passive review.
Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
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