Real Estate License Renewal
Current license cycle: 2022-24
Real Estate License Renewal for Cycle Ending in 2022
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission grants and renews licenses in Pennsylvania via the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
Real Estate License Renewal Now Closed
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission’s real estate license renewal cycle closed May 31, 2022.
All licensed real estate agents and brokers should log into PALS to confirm that their licenses are showing active with an expiration of 2024. Brokers should verify all agents under their supervision have also renewed their licenses through 2024.
What to do if Your License Was Not Renewed by May 31, 2022
Real estate agents who did not renew by the May 31, 2022 deadline will be required to apply online for reactivation through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
Once in PALS, licensees should log into their account and complete the following steps:
- Scroll down to “Professional License Details” and click on the green pencil icon to the left of your real estate license number.
- Click on “Reactivate” at the top of the pop-up screen.
- Complete the required information and answer questions.
- You will be prompted to enter your broker’s company license number per the instructions. Click the Tab key and the broker facility information will auto populate.
- Click “Send to Broker” at the bottom right.
- Log out of PALS and notify your broker that you have sent your reapplication to them for review. You must wait until your broker approves your application before you may continue.
- Once your broker of record has approved your application, you will receive notification.
- Log into your PALS account to complete the second portion of the application. Scroll to the bottom of your dashboard and click on the blue “Review” button in the My Queue section, then answer the questions and upload the applicable education or LOGS documents.
- Pay the $116 reactivation fee.
Brokerage licenses (RB, RBR, RM, RMR, LB, LBR, LM, LMR, RR and MR license types) that failed to renew by the May 31, 2022 deadline will need to submit new initial applications for a new company and broker of record license. The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission will no longer accept reactivation applications. If the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission can tell that the company had a broker license within the last 30 days, then it will waive the inspection, but otherwise all documentation and fees for the new licenses would need to be submitted. Broker sole proprietor licensees (RB) will still be able to reactivate rather than applying for a new license.
If a brokerage license was not renewed, it impacted all the licensees attached to the brokerage as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Does PAR renew my license?
No, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® (PAR) is a membership organization.
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission grants and renews licenses in Pennsylvania.
Will the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission call me about my license?
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission and the state Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs will NOT call licensees asking for payment over the phone. If you receive a call or text message asking for your credit card information, hang up. DO NOT give your personal or financial information over the phone.
If you believe you are a victim of any type of scam, you should immediately contact your local and state police.
When will I receive my printed license?
Due to global supply chain issues involving specialty paper, the printing of professional licenses will be delayed. All renewals and other license changes are valid as soon as they show online in PALS.
What if my license wasn't renewed?
If you missed the May 31, 2022, deadline, your license is expired, and you must cease practice immediately or be subject to possible discipline.
To reactive your license, you must log into your PALS account and apply to reactivate your license.
The PALS system is currently updating the system and will need several days to process those licenses that have not been renewed. You will not be able to able to start the reactivation process until PALS has completed the update. If you wish to start the reactivation process, you should contact the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission directly and they will explain the process.
To reactivate your license, you will need to upload your continuing education transcripts, follow the online prompts and pay the necessary fees. Your information will have to be verified by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. Your broker will receive a notification asking them to accept you as a licensee, which they must accept for your application to continue through the process.
Throughout this reactivation process, you should be checking the email address you have registered in PALS to make sure the commission hasn’t requested additional information to complete your reactivation. It is illegal to practice real estate without an active license.
How long will the reactivation process take?
The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, as of June 1, 2022, reported that processing renewal requests was taking approximately two weeks. Requests are responded to in the order they are submitted and as more requests are entered, the response time may take longer.
What if the license of my broker wasn't renewed?
Your broker must have an active license in order for your license to be renewed. Agents should speak to their broker to see if they intend to renew and/or if the license renewal for the broker is in "limbo."
What if my brokerage license wasn't renewed?
For all brokerage licenses (RB, RBR, RM, RMR, LB, LBR, LM, LMR, RR and MR license types) after June 1, 2022, the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission will no longer accept reactivation applications. If the license expires or is placed “Out of Business,” the broker will need to submit new initial applications for a new company and broker of record license. If the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission can tell that the company had a broker license within the last 30 days, then it will waive the inspection, but otherwise all documentation and fees for the new licenses would need to be submitted. Broker sole proprietor licensees (RB) will still be able to reactivate rather than applying for a new license.
If a brokerage license was not renewed, it impacted all the licensees attached to the brokerage as well.
Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) Questions
How do I get my username and password?
Submit a ticket to PALS help online. Once you submit a ticket, please allow at least 48 hours for a response. Submitting an additional request for the same issue will slow down response time.
Do NOT call the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®. PAR does not have access to PALS and cannot help you log into the system.
I am having trouble filling out the application, what do I do?
Submit a ticket to PALS help online. Once you submit a ticket, please allow at least 48 hours for a response. Submitting an additional request for the same issue will slow down response time.
I am getting a message that the broker hasn't renewed. What should I do?
You can complete the form, but your license will be on hold until your broker renews. Contact your broker to ensure that they have renewed their license.
Continuing Education (CE) Questions
How many CE credits do I need and what are the required topics needed to renew my license for the 2020-22 cycle?
Real estate licensees who are renewing their licenses must complete 14 hours of continuing education courses, including 3.5 hours of approved 2020-22 renewal cycle required training on redlining, steering, implicit bias, diversity and the Fair Housing Act by the renewal deadline.
Real estate licensees who were licensed during the renewal cycle are required to renew their license and complete a specific set of two, seven-hour continuing education courses (General Module, Residential Module or Commercial Module if you are a commercial practitioner) through an approved provider by the renewal deadline.
What are the continuing education requirements for a reciprocal license?
Reciprocal licensees must still renew their license, but do not have to take Pennsylvania-specific CE as part of that process. Reciprocal licensees must maintain their standard license and need only complete their home-state CE requirements.
Where can I find transcripts for all of the classes I've taken?
There is no one location for all real estate licensees’ transcripts. The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission requires licensees to keep track of your continuing education credits. Transcripts are issued by the individual schools that provided the training. If you do not have a record, you will need to contact each real estate school where you completed courses. PAR does not maintain transcripts for other real estate schools.
You should have received transcripts from the school/organization where you took the class. PAR does not maintain transcripts for other real estate schools.
Triple Play Realtors® Convention transcripts were emailed in January. If you didn’t receive your individualized email with your log in and password from PAR, use your member login to access and download the transcripts that you are eligible to receive on the course transcripts page.
Where can I find my transcripts for the classes I took at Triple Play?
Triple Play Realtors® Convention transcripts were emailed in January. Use your member log in to access and download the transcripts that you are eligible to receive from the course transcripts page.
Am I required to take an ethics course to renew my Pennsylvania real estate license?
As a member of the National Association of Realtors®, you are required to complete Code of Ethics training every three years. The last deadline was Dec. 31, 2021. This ethics training is NOT required to renew your Pennsylvania real estate license with the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.
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