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Free Practice Questions for PA RE Broker

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Key Facts: PA RE Broker Exam

150 + 60 min

National + State Time

Pearson VUE PA candidate handbook

80 + 40

National + State Questions

Pearson VUE PA broker bulletin

240 hrs

Total Education Required

SREC

3 yrs

Experience Required

Active salesperson experience

$52

Exam Fee (Combined)

Pearson VUE PA candidate handbook (October 2026)

75%

Passing Score (Scaled)

SREC

Pennsylvania broker candidates need 16 credits (240 hours) of real estate education, separate from the credits used for the salesperson exam, plus 3 years as a licensed salesperson or Commission-approved equivalent. The exam has 80 national and 40 state questions, and each portion requires a scaled score of 75. Key broker topics include escrow accounts, office requirements, supervising licensees, agency disclosure, and RELRA. PA brokers must maintain a main office and are responsible for all escrow funds.

Sample PA RE Broker Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PA RE Broker exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA), what is the minimum pre-license education requirement for a broker license?
A.120 hours
B.200 hours
C.240 hours
D.300 hours
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires 240 total hours of approved pre-license education for a broker license under RELRA. This includes the initial salesperson education plus additional broker-level coursework covering topics such as brokerage administration, law, and real estate office management. The 240-hour total reflects the advanced knowledge expected of a broker who will supervise other licensees.
2How many years of active real estate experience does Pennsylvania require before a salesperson can apply for a broker license?
A.1 year
B.2 years
C.3 years
D.5 years
Explanation: Under RELRA, an applicant for a Pennsylvania broker license must have at least 3 years of active experience as a licensed real estate salesperson or equivalent experience. This experience requirement ensures that broker candidates have sufficient practical knowledge before assuming the supervisory responsibilities of a brokerage. The 3-year period must be verifiable through the applicant's employing broker.
3A Pennsylvania broker receives earnest money from a buyer. Under RELRA, within what timeframe must the deposit be placed in the broker's escrow account?
A.By the end of the next business day
B.Within 3 business days
C.Within 5 business days
D.Within 7 calendar days
Explanation: Pennsylvania RELRA requires that all deposit monies received by a broker or salesperson on behalf of a principal must be placed in the broker's escrow account by the end of the next business day following receipt. This strict timeline is designed to protect consumer funds and ensure proper handling of trust money. Failure to deposit within this timeframe is a violation of RELRA and can result in license suspension or revocation.
4The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission (PREC) is composed of how many members?
A.5 members
B.7 members
C.9 members
D.11 members
Explanation: The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission consists of 9 members who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The commission includes licensed brokers, a consumer member, and other qualified individuals. PREC is responsible for administering RELRA, issuing and revoking licenses, establishing education requirements, and adopting regulations to protect the public in real estate transactions.
5What is the current Pennsylvania realty transfer tax rate imposed at the state level?
A.0.5%
B.1%
C.1.5%
D.2%
Explanation: Pennsylvania imposes a state realty transfer tax of 1% on the value of real estate transferred by deed, instrument, or other writing. This is the state portion only; most municipalities and school districts impose an additional 1% local transfer tax, making the typical combined rate 2%. The transfer tax is customarily split equally between buyer and seller in Pennsylvania, though the parties can negotiate a different allocation in the agreement of sale.
6Under Pennsylvania law, what is the typical combined state and local realty transfer tax rate?
A.1%
B.1.5%
C.2%
D.3%
Explanation: The typical combined Pennsylvania realty transfer tax rate is 2%, consisting of 1% state tax and 1% local tax (split between the municipality and school district). However, some municipalities may have different local rates, so the combined rate can vary. Philadelphia, for example, has a higher combined rate. Brokers must be familiar with the applicable rates in the areas where they conduct business to properly estimate closing costs for clients.
7In Pennsylvania, the Seller Disclosure Law requires residential sellers to provide a property disclosure statement. Which of the following properties is EXEMPT from this requirement?
A.A single-family home being sold by the owner
B.A new construction property that has never been occupied
C.A condominium unit in a building with fewer than 10 units
D.A two-family residential property
Explanation: Under Pennsylvania's Seller Disclosure Law (68 Pa.C.S. § 7301 et seq.), new construction that has never been occupied is exempt from the disclosure requirement. Other exemptions include transfers by court order (foreclosure, bankruptcy), transfers between co-owners or family members, and transfers by a fiduciary. The rationale is that a builder of new construction would not have the occupancy experience necessary to report on property conditions in the same manner as a previous occupant.
8A Pennsylvania broker must maintain escrow account records for a minimum of how many years?
A.2 years
B.3 years
C.5 years
D.7 years
Explanation: Under RELRA and PREC regulations, Pennsylvania brokers must maintain all escrow/trust account records for a minimum of 3 years. These records include bank statements, deposit slips, disbursement records, and monthly reconciliation statements. The 3-year retention period allows PREC to conduct audits and investigate complaints. Brokers should note that other state or federal laws may require longer retention periods for certain documents.
9Under RELRA, which of the following is a requirement for a Pennsylvania broker's escrow account?
A.The account must be in a federally insured depository located in Pennsylvania
B.The account may be in any bank in the United States
C.The account must earn interest for the broker
D.The account must be separate from the broker's business operating account but can be in any state
Explanation: RELRA requires that a broker's escrow account be maintained in a federally insured bank, savings institution, or credit union located in Pennsylvania. The account must be designated as an escrow or trust account and must be separate from the broker's personal and business operating accounts. This requirement ensures that consumer funds are protected by FDIC or NCUA insurance and are accessible within the state's jurisdiction.
10Pennsylvania requires that all licensees complete continuing education to renew their license. How many hours of continuing education are required per biennial renewal period?
A.10 hours
B.14 hours
C.16 hours
D.24 hours
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires 14 hours of approved continuing education per biennial (two-year) renewal period for both salesperson and broker licensees. The 14 hours must include specific mandatory topics as determined by PREC. Failure to complete the required continuing education before the license expiration date will result in the license lapsing, and the licensee cannot engage in real estate activities until the education is completed and the license is renewed.

About the PA RE Broker Exam

The Pennsylvania real estate broker exam covers brokerage management, trust account administration, office procedures and policies, RELRA broker provisions, SREC compliance, supervision of salespersons, independent contractor management, and Pennsylvania-specific broker responsibilities under the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act.

Exam sponsor: Pearson VUE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

120 questions

Time Limit

3 hours 30 minutes

Passing Score

75% scaled

Exam / Certification Fees

$52

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission and Pearson VUE do not publish a broker pass rate Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

12% of national (10 of 80 items)

National: Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use

Real vs. personal property, legal descriptions and surveys, public and private land use controls.

10% of national (8 of 80 items)

National: Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title

Ownership, estates and liens; deeds, title transfer and recording.

12% of national (10 of 80 items)

National: Property Value and Appraisal

Market value vs. market price, the appraisal process, and methods of estimating value including broker price opinions.

19% of national (15 of 80 items)

National: Real Estate Contracts and Agency

Contract elements and performance, electronic contracts, sales contracts, and agency relationships.

15% of national (12 of 80 items)

National: Real Estate Practice

Broker responsibilities, brokerage agreements, fair housing, risk management, and antitrust.

11% of national (9 of 80 items)

National: Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues

Property condition disclosures and environmental hazards.

10% of national (8 of 80 items)

National: Financing and Settlement

Financing concepts, loan programs, and settlement and closing.

10% of national (8 of 80 items)

National: Real Estate Math Calculations

Commission, loan, proration, and valuation calculations.

10% of state (4 of 40 items)

Pennsylvania: Real Estate Commission

Duties and powers; complaints, investigations, hearings and appeal; Real Estate Recovery Fund.

15% of state (6 of 40 items)

Pennsylvania: Licensure

Activities requiring a license, license types and eligibility, renewal, change of employment, exemptions, suspension and revocation.

25% of state (10 of 40 items)

Pennsylvania: Agency and Disclosure

Duties of licensees, agency disclosures, agency relationships, and compensation.

25% of state (10 of 40 items)

Pennsylvania: Regulations Governing the Activities of Licensees

Advertising, broker/salesperson relations, and prohibited conduct.

12% of state (5 of 40 items)

Pennsylvania: Miscellaneous

Property disclosures, documents and forms, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, time-shares and condominiums, and leasing.

12% of state (5 of 40 items)

Pennsylvania: Brokerage Management

Office requirements and inspections, and funds and accounts.

Preparing for the PA RE Broker Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% scaled
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $52 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PA RE Broker: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master escrow account rules: deposit timing, record retention (3 years), interest-bearing account options
2Know RELRA broker provisions: definite place of business, advertising name requirements, branch office rules
3Study supervision duties: training salespersons, reviewing transactions, vicarious liability exposure
4Learn the Recovery Fund: $20,000 maximum per claim and $100,000 per licensee
5Understand independent contractor vs employee: written agreement required, IRS classification criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Pennsylvania real estate broker exam?

The PA broker exam has 120 scored questions (80 national + 40 state), and the Commission and Pearson VUE publish no pass rate. A minimum passing score of 75 is required on each portion. Broker topics like escrow management, office procedures, and RELRA compliance make the state section particularly challenging.

What are the requirements to become a broker in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania broker candidates must be at least 21, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have 3 years as a licensed salesperson (or equivalent experience or education the Commission accepts), and complete 16 credits (240 hours) of real estate education within 10 years before passing the exam. Two credits must be office management and two real estate law, and credits used for the salesperson exam do not count.

What escrow account rules apply to PA brokers?

A Pennsylvania broker's escrow account must be in a Federally- or State-insured bank or recognized depository, name the broker as trustee, and be used only for escrow. Money belonging to others must be deposited by the end of the next business day after receipt; with written permission of both parties, a check offered with a purchase or lease offer may be held until acceptance and then deposited within 1 business day. Transaction records are kept at least 3 years.

What is a definite place of business in Pennsylvania?

Every broker must maintain a main office in Pennsylvania unless the main office is in another state where the broker holds an equivalent license. The office must be devoted to real estate business and arranged for private conversations; an office in a private residence needs a separate entrance, and the business name must be displayed prominently and permanently outside. Current licenses are kept at the main office, and each additional office needs its own branch office license.