Before you hire an agent, join a brokerage or check your own status, you can look up a Pennsylvania real estate license online in a couple of minutes. The lookup is free, does not need an account, and shows whether a license is active.
This guide walks through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) lookup, what the result tells you, and what to do when a search comes back empty.
Where to look up a Pennsylvania real estate license
Pennsylvania’s professional licenses are verified through PALS, the Pennsylvania Licensing System. Use the Verify a License option on the PALS home page. Because PALS covers many professions, pick the right board first.
How to search
- Open PALS and choose Verify a License.
- Set the board or commission to Real Estate Commission.
- Choose the license type if you know it, such as salesperson or broker.
- Search by the person’s name or, for the most precise result, by license number.
- Open the matching record to see the license status.
PALS can also search by facility, which is how you find a brokerage rather than an individual. Search the brokerage’s business name with the same board selected.
What the result tells you
- License status: whether the license is currently active or in another status.
- License type: salesperson, broker or another category.
- Dates: the issue and expiration dates, when the record lists them.
The fields shown depend on the record, so read the full entry rather than only the status line.
If you cannot find a license
- Try the license number instead of a name, since common names return many results.
- Check the spelling, nicknames and maiden names.
- Make sure the Real Estate Commission is selected, not another board.
- Remember that someone who has only passed the exam, or has not yet been sponsored by a broker, may not have an active license yet.
If a license still does not appear, ask the person for their license number or contact the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission.
Checking your own license or your future broker
New licensees can use the same lookup to confirm that their license shows as active after their broker approves the application in PALS. It is also worth checking a brokerage before you join one. Our guide to choosing an employing real estate broker in Pennsylvania lists what else to ask.
Not licensed yet?
Getting licensed starts with 75 hours of pre-license education. See the step-by-step guide to becoming a real estate agent in Pennsylvania, the full cost breakdown and the live class schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an account to verify a Pennsylvania real estate license?
No. License verification in PALS is a public lookup that does not require signing in.
Can I look up a brokerage as well as an agent?
Yes. Search by facility with the Real Estate Commission selected to find a brokerage.
How current is the information?
PALS is the state’s official system, so it is the right place to confirm a license. Check it close to the date you need it, because status can change.