Getting your Georgia Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Georgia. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Georgia real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines how to become a real estate agent in Georgia in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia

Becoming a real estate agent in Georgia is as simple as getting your license, finding a broker sponsor, and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Georgia Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in Georgia are:

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED)

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Georgia

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

Georgia requires that real estate sales agents complete 75 hours of pre-license coursework prior to sitting for their exam. You must obtain a letter from the pre-licensing agency that verifies the course work is approved in that state or province.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs.

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

Georgia is one of the few states that require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course. Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

In most cases, you can take this test in your own home, but you must have a proctor overseeing you when sitting for the test. When purchasing your real estate pre-license course, check to see if a proctor is included in your education package.

Step 2. Fingerprinting and Background Check

You need to complete your fingerprinting and background check no more than 60 days prior to submitting your application. The Georgia Real Estate Commission requires that all applicants have a background check performed before they can become a licensed real estate agent.

You must provide a certified criminal history report issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $51.50 including the FBI fee.

Completing and turning in your fingerprints will begin the background check process. The Georgia Real Estate Commission will review any findings in your background report from Georgia Crime Information Center (a division of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation) to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you to provide additional information or documentation to clear up any findings.

If you have prior criminal convictions or disciplinary actions from any licensing or regulatory agency, you will need to complete and submit a Background Clearance Application.

Along with the application, you will have to submit supporting documentation that verifies each incident, along with a detailed written explanation of the circumstances surrounding the event, any restitution you may still owe, etc.

Step 3. Georgia Real Estate License Exam

After you’ve completed your pre-license education and background check, it’s now time to take the Georgia Real Estate Exam.

The fee to take the exam is $121 per attempt.

The Georgia Real Estate Exam consists of 152 questions. You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

You can register to take your exam on the PSI Georgia Real Estate Exam page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Step 4. Real Estate License Application

Upon passing the Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Exam, you can apply for your Georgia Real Estate license.

The fee for this application is $170. 

You can obtain your license at any one of the four PSI Test Centers in the state of Georgia.

You may apply for your license at the testing center after 2 pm on the date you passed the exam, or on a subsequent date no more than 12 months from the date you passed the exam.

Step 5. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you can immediately apply for your license. After this, you should receive an email from PSI with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact PSI at (888) 818-5834.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Step 6. Real Estate License Sponsorship

PSI can issue licenses as active or inactive, depending on what you prefer. If you desire to get an active license, you must bring a signed and dated Sponsoring Broker Statement (See page 22 of candidate handbook) to PSI.

An inactive license does not require that form. If you don’t have a broker to work with yet, check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.

Georgia Estate Post-Licensing Education

Newly licensed salespersons must complete the 25-hour Salesperson Post-License course. This course must be completed within your first year of licensure by the anniversary date of license issuance.

GREC – Georgia Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address: 

Georgia Real Estate Commission
229 Peachtree Street, N.E.
International Tower, Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30303-1605

Phone: (404) 656-3916

Fax: (404) 656-6650

Email: grecmail@grec.state.ga.us

Website: https://grec.state.ga.us/