Pennsylvania: what an unlicensed TC can do

What an unlicensed transaction coordinator may do in Pennsylvania, what needs a license, and why the state's law, not a task list, draws the line.

Last reviewed October 2026 from Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania contract deadlines →

What you can do without a license

Pennsylvania's rules put every brokerage office under the direction and supervision of a licensed broker or associate broker. During office inspections the Commission may interview licensed or unlicensed employees who work in the office.

A practical example

You can:

Scan the signed agreement of sale and file it in the transaction file.

Refer to the agent:

The buyer asks you to get the seller to lower the price. That's negotiating, so it goes to your agent.

Staying on the right side of the rules

Contract forms

No Pennsylvania statute or Commission rule says whether an unlicensed assistant may fill in an agreement of sale. The Act lists, among the duties every licensee owes consumers, to "provide assistance with document preparation" (RELRA section 606.1(a)(11); 49 Pa. Code § 35.292(a)(11)).

Team advertising

The Commission's team advertising guideline says "Unlicensed individuals, including office staff, may not be listed or pictured as members of the team." Its example of an unacceptable ad lists a "Closing Coordinator" as a team member.

Penalties for unlicensed activity

It is unlawful to act in the capacity of a broker or salesperson without a license (RELRA section 301). A first offense is a summary offense with a fine of up to $500, up to three months in prison, or both. A second or later offense is a third-degree felony with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000, one to two years in prison, or both (RELRA section 303).

How Closima handles it

Closima asks whether you hold a Pennsylvania license. If you don't, agreements of sale and addenda go to your agent with a link: they check every value and complete the form, and Closima records that a licensee completed it. If you do, you fill them in yourself and send them to your agent for approval before they go out. Everything else (deadlines, documents, emails, other forms) works as usual.

Thinking about a license?

You don't need one to work as a TC in Pennsylvania. A license lets you also do the work in the "Needs a license" column, under a broker. Here's what's involved:

Pennsylvania requires 75 hours of real estate instruction, made up of the Commission's Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours) courses, then passing both portions of the salesperson exam through Pearson VUE. You can't apply until an employing broker agrees to certify that they will supervise and train you, and you need a criminal history records check dated within 180 days of applying. Licensees complete 14 hours of continuing education to renew. How to apply.

Quick answers

Resources

• Real Estate Commission licensing guideSteps, documents and timelines for a salesperson license, including the employing broker requirement.
• Education informationThe required pre-license courses, course outlines and the 14-hour continuing education requirement.
• Verify a licenseCheck an agent's or broker's license number and status in the state's PALS database.
• Real Estate Licensing and Registration ActPennsylvania's real estate license law, including the definitions of broker and salesperson (63 P.S. § 455.101 et seq.).
• Commission regulations (49 Pa. Code Chapter 35)The Commission's rules on offices, supervision, conduct, agreements of sale and education.
• Team advertising guidelineThe Commission's rules for team ads. Unlicensed staff may not be listed or pictured as team members.

Questions about what's allowed? Ask the regulator: Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, 1-833-367-2762.