How many hours of pre-licensing education do I need?

Pennsylvania: 75 hours. Delaware: 99 hours. Maryland: 60 hours, including 3 hours of ethics.

How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in PA, DE or MD?

One try at the exam plus the state’s own fees comes to $181 in Pennsylvania, $262 in Delaware and $142 in Maryland. The pre-licensing course is extra; each school sets its own price.

How long does it take to get licensed?

Most people take two to four months from their first class to an active license. The course hours are the biggest part, so the pace is mostly up to you.

Who runs the real estate exam?

Pearson VUE in Pennsylvania and Delaware, PSI in Maryland. Each exam has a national portion and a state-law portion.

Do I need a brokerage before I get my license?

Yes. In Pennsylvania and Delaware your broker is part of the license application. In Maryland a license without a broker is issued inactive, so you can’t work until a broker affiliates you.

Can I get licensed while working full-time?

Yes. Pre-licensing courses are offered online, so you can study around a job, and many agents start part-time.

Where can I learn this in person?

At the Foraker Realty Real Estate Career Seminar, a free evening in Kennett Square, PA and on Zoom. The next one is Dec 7, 2026 at 5:30 PM. Register at foraker.ai/careers/seminar.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland

Steps to get licensed

The five steps, in every state

1Check that you qualifyYou need to be 18 or older in all three states. Pennsylvania also asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.
2Take the pre-licensing coursePick a school approved by your state’s commission and finish the hours: 75 in Pennsylvania, 99 in Delaware, 60 in Maryland. Most schools offer it online, so you can study around a job.
3Pass the licensing examEvery state tests a national portion and a state-law portion. Pearson VUE runs the exam in Pennsylvania and Delaware; PSI runs it in Maryland. Fail one portion and you retake only that one.
4Choose a brokerageA new agent works under a licensed broker, and in all three states your broker is part of the license application. Interview a few before you commit.
5Apply for your licenseApply to the state commission with your course certificate, exam result, broker’s sign-off and fees. Then complete any new-licensee education your state requires.

Pre-licensing hours per state

Pennsylvania 75 hours, Delaware 99, Maryland 60

Pennsylvania

75 hours

Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours).

18 or older, with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Delaware

99 hours

One 99-hour salesperson course: orientation, sales, law, math and review.

18 or older.

Maryland

60 hours

A 60-hour salesperson course, including 3 hours of ethics.

18 or older.

The exam

A national part and a state part

Pennsylvania: Pearson VUE. A national part (80 questions) and a Pennsylvania part (40 questions); you need 75% on each. Fail one part and you retake only that part. Fee: $52 to take both parts together.
Delaware: Pearson VUE. A national portion (80 questions) and a Delaware portion (40 questions), passed at a scaled score of 70. Fail one portion and you retake only that one; pass both within three tries or you retake the course. Fee: $88 per exam reservation.
Maryland: PSI. A national portion (80 questions) and a Maryland portion (30 questions); you need 70% on each. Pass both within a year of finishing the course. Fee: $44 per sitting, first try or retake.

Practice before you book it: Foraker’s free PA, DE and MD exam prep has flashcards, timed practice exams and an AI tutor.

Costs

What the state charges

These are the fees the state and its exam vendor charge, with one try at the exam. The pre-licensing course is on top; each school sets its own price, so compare a few approved schools.

Pennsylvania

Exam$52
Application and license ($25 + $72)$97
Real Estate Recovery Fund, at first license$10
Pennsylvania criminal history check (PATCH)$22

Total, before the course$181

Delaware

Exam$88
Salesperson application$149
Guaranty Fund$25

Total, before the course$262

Maryland

Exam$44
Original salesperson license (includes the $20 Guaranty Fund fee)$98

Total, before the course$142

Timeline

Two to four months, mostly at your pace

The course hours take the longest, and online you set the pace. After that you book the exam, then apply with your broker. Each state has its own deadlines, and its own education right after you’re licensed.

Pennsylvania: A passing exam score is good for 3 years. You also need a criminal history check from every state you lived in over the last 5 years, dated within 180 days. Broker needed: Yes. Your employing broker approves your application in PALS, the state’s licensing system. After you’re licensed: A 14-hour course before your first renewal, then 14 hours of continuing education every two years.
Delaware: Apply for your license within 12 months of finishing the course. Broker needed: Yes. Your application includes a statement from your Broker of Record. After you’re licensed: 12 hours of new-licensee courses within 90 days of getting your license, then continuing education every two years.
Maryland: Apply within one year of passing the exam, or the score expires. Broker needed: Yes, to work. A broker commits to affiliate you; without one the license is issued inactive. After you’re licensed: 15 hours of continuing education with set topics before your first renewal, then 15 hours every two years.

Choosing a brokerage

Ask every brokerage the same questions

What does it cost me each month if I close nothing? Ask about desk, tech, franchise and transaction fees.
How are commissions paid, and when does that change?
What does new-agent training look like, and what happens every week after that?
Where do leads come from, and when can a new agent get them?
Who answers my contract question at 7 PM on a Saturday?
Do I get a mentor on real deals?

At Foraker, agents pay $0 in monthly fees, newer agents are paired with a mentor on live deals, and every new agent follows a 30-60-90 day plan with live Tuesday training. See how it works.

Your first 90 days

From your license to your first closing

Days 1–30: Foundations
Learn your CRM and the contracts, role-play your scripts, shadow experienced agents at showings and open houses, and tell the people you know that you’re in real estate.
Days 31–60: Into action
Run showings and co-host open houses, write offers with your broker’s review, and set a daily block for calls to your sphere and company leads.
Days 61–90: On your own
Handle your own clients from showing to closing, with your broker reviewing every contract, and put your follow-up on autopilot so no lead goes cold.

Brian Foraker walks through the full week-by-week plan at the free career seminar.

Questions people ask

Becoming an agent in PA, DE or MD

How many hours of pre-licensing education do I need?: Pennsylvania: 75 hours. Delaware: 99 hours. Maryland: 60 hours, including 3 hours of ethics.
How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in PA, DE or MD?: One try at the exam plus the state’s own fees comes to $181 in Pennsylvania, $262 in Delaware and $142 in Maryland. The pre-licensing course is extra; each school sets its own price.
How long does it take to get licensed?: Most people take two to four months from their first class to an active license. The course hours are the biggest part, so the pace is mostly up to you.
Who runs the real estate exam?: Pearson VUE in Pennsylvania and Delaware, PSI in Maryland. Each exam has a national portion and a state-law portion.
Do I need a brokerage before I get my license?: Yes. In Pennsylvania and Delaware your broker is part of the license application. In Maryland a license without a broker is issued inactive, so you can’t work until a broker affiliates you.
Can I get licensed while working full-time?: Yes. Pre-licensing courses are offered online, so you can study around a job, and many agents start part-time.
Where can I learn this in person?: At the Foraker Realty Real Estate Career Seminar, a free evening in Kennett Square, PA and on Zoom. The next one is Dec 7, 2026 at 5:30 PM. Register at foraker.ai/careers/seminar.

Take the next step

Foraker Realty Real Estate Career Seminar

From License to First Closing: A Real Estate Career Night

A free evening for people considering a real estate career and for newly licensed agents. From License to First Closing: how to get licensed in Pennsylvania, Delaware or Maryland, then how to win your first 90 days as a new agent, with Brian Foraker and Q&A with Foraker agents.

When: Monday, December 7, 2026, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
In person: Foraker Realty Co., 135 E State St, Kennett Square, PA 19348
On Zoom: meetforaker.com, Meeting ID 302 420 4616. The talk runs 5:30–6:30 PM.
Cost: Free
Who it’s for: People considering a real estate career (career changers, students and recent grads) and agents licensed in the last one to two years. No experience needed.

Reserve a free seat at the seminar

Sources

State figures checked against these official pages on November 2, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with your state commission before you enroll.