Real Estate License from District of Columbia to Pennsylvania: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) ↗
A real estate license transfers from District of Columbia to Pennsylvania by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State), verify your District of Columbia license, and meet Pennsylvania's endorsement requirements. An applicant actively licensed as a salesperson or broker in another state within the last 5 years takes and passes only the Pennsylvania state portion of the exam (national portion waived); a non-resident reciprocal license requires no Pennsylvania examination..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Pennsylvania publishes no agreement covering District of Columbia, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Pennsylvania's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, District of Columbia → Pennsylvania
| District of Columbia (current) | Pennsylvania (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 75 |
| Application fee | $65–$195 ($65 application fee plus $130 salesperson license fee (=$195 total); the PSI exam fee and the two required 3-hour DC courses are additional) | $97 (Standard salesperson initial fee = $72 licensure + $25 application; reciprocal-license fees are billed through PALS. Renewal is $96 biennially.) |
| Processing time | No board-stated timeframe; applications are filed through the DLCP OPLA online portal | Commission does not publish a fixed timeline; see its Licensure Processing Guides and Timelines. |
| Licensing authority | District of Columbia Real Estate Commission (DCREC) — Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Pennsylvania sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Pennsylvania's current requirements on the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or equivalent.
- Submit a current letter of good standing from the state licensing agency where you are licensed.
- For a reciprocal license, keep your principal place of business outside Pennsylvania.
- Be active, in good standing, and free of discipline/criminal conviction (Act 41 endorsement).
- Apply through the PALS licensing system.
- Pay the fees ($97 (Standard salesperson initial fee = $72 licensure + $25 application; reciprocal-license fees are billed through PALS. Renewal is $96 biennially.)) and allow Commission does not publish a fixed timeline; see its Licensure Processing Guides and Timelines..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Pennsylvania accept a District of Columbia real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from District of Columbia to Pennsylvania by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State), verify your District of Columbia license, and meet Pennsylvania's endorsement requirements. An applicant actively licensed as a salesperson or broker in another state within the last 5 years takes and passes only the Pennsylvania state portion of the exam (national portion waived); a non-resident reciprocal license requires no Pennsylvania examination..
Which exams will I take moving from District of Columbia to Pennsylvania?
An applicant actively licensed as a salesperson or broker in another state within the last 5 years takes and passes only the Pennsylvania state portion of the exam (national portion waived); a non-resident reciprocal license requires no Pennsylvania examination..
What does the move cost?
$97 (Standard salesperson initial fee = $72 licensure + $25 application; reciprocal-license fees are billed through PALS. Renewal is $96 biennially.) (Standard salesperson initial fee = $72 licensure + $25 application; reciprocal-license fees are billed through PALS. Renewal is $96 biennially.).
Can I keep selling in District of Columbia after I'm licensed in Pennsylvania?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the District of Columbia license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- PA - Real Estate Salesperson Licensure Snapshot (requirements, exam waiver, reciprocity, Act 41) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA State Real Estate Commission - main page ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission (Salesperson Endorsement/Reciprocity requirements and fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]