part of pre-B cell differentiation pre-B cell receptor expression The process leading up to expression of the pre-B cell receptor on the surface of pre-B cells, starting with the recombination of an immunuglobulin heavy chain locus, including expression of the surrogate light chain, the association of the surrogate light chain with the heavy chain, and expression of the complete pre-B cell receptor on the cell surface. pre-B cell receptor expression is a key checkpoint in the transition of pro-B cell to pre-B cell. biological_process GO:0002330 cellular developmental process