If you’re looking for an exciting new career, you might consider pursuing a Georgia real estate license. As the eighth-most populous state in the country with a growing population, it’s easy to see why Georgia is a great place to dive into real estate. The potential to earn a high income and be your own boss has its perks too.

We’ve researched every step to get your license so you don’t have to. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to start selling condos in busy Atlanta or historic homes in Savannah.

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  • Complete Required Courses: Enroll in and complete the state-specific pre-licensing courses provided by Colibri.
  • Prepare and Pass the Exam: Use Colibri’s study aids and practice tests to prepare, then pass the state licensing exam.
  • Apply for Your License: Submit your application and necessary documents to the state, and activate your license if needed.

How to Get a Real Estate License in GA

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How to Get a Real Estate License in GA
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Complete a 75-hour Prelicensing Course
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Submit to a Background Check
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Pass the Georgia Real Estate License Exam
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Apply for Your Georgia Real Estate License

To be eligible for a Georgia real estate license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent

1. Complete a 75-hour Prelicensing Course

Your first step to becoming a real estate agent in Georgia is to complete a 75-hour prelicensing course from one of the schools approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. Your course will cover all state-mandated topics, including Georgia license law, finance, valuation, and more.

You’ll have the choice of taking your prelicensing course online or in-person, depending on your learning style and schedule. If you’re looking for an economical self-paced course, RealEstateU offers Georgia prelicensing classes at the lowest price of any of the schools that appear on our list of the best online real estate schools. Its basic package doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but if you have some experience in real estate or sales and want to get through your required hours quickly, you can’t beat the $175 price tag.

Check Out RealEstateU

The state requires you to take a final exam under the supervision of a proctor. This is separate from the Georgia real estate license exam described in step 3.

Proctors need to be a third party with no conflicts of interest, so no family, friends, or coworkers are allowed. Their job will be to ensure the exam is closed-book and that you use a calculator without preprogrammed calculations.

Not all schools offer a proctor for their exam, so some students need to find their own. You’ll want to check if your prelicensing package already includes a proctored exam. Some proctors may charge a small fee to proctor an exam (around $10).

2. Submit to a Background Check

Congratulations, you passed your real estate prelicensing course! Before you can take the Georgia real estate license exam, you’ll need to complete the background check and fingerprinting process. Complete them within two months (or less) of applying for your license.

To start the background check, complete the fingerprinting process through a Georgia Application Processing Service (GAPS) location. Bring your ID to the GAPS location and your $51.50 fee payment. Once you’ve completed your background check, you’ll bring a copy of the background check to your testing location when it’s time for your license exam.

For more information about the fingerprinting process, you can visit the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s website.

3. Pass the George Real Estate License Exam

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Quick Facts
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Cost:

$119

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Time to Complete:

4 hours

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Format:

Computer-based, 152 multiple-choice questions

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What to Bring:

2 forms of valid ID, simple calculator

Now it’s time to schedule and take the Georgia real estate license exam. The first thing you’ll do is find a testing location on the PSI test center website and schedule your exam online. You can take the Georgia real estate license exam in one of the following six locations:

  • Decatur
  • Duluth
  • Fayetteville
  • Macon
  • Marietta
  • Savannah

Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. Bring two pieces of ID and a simple, nonprogrammable calculator to help you with the math sections of the real estate exam. The license exam is made up of 152 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have four hours to complete the exam. One portion consists of national real estate questions and the other section tests your state knowledge.

Related Article
Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Licensing Test

4. Apply for Your Georgia Real Estate License

Once you have passed the license exam, you can apply for your Georgia real estate license. You can get your license application from the PSI testing center where you took your exam. In fact, you may apply for your license on the same day that you pass the exam. But you do have up to a year after passing the exam to apply.

You’ll have two options when submitting your license application:

  1. If you haven’t started working with a broker, you may apply for an inactive license. Once you get your license, you’ll have to begin contacting brokers before you can start working.
  2. If you are already connected with a broker, you can submit a Sponsoring Broker Statement form along with your application to PSI. You can also submit your application through the brokerage, and your license will be active once it’s processed. You’ll find out by email when your license has been approved.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in GA?

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Quick Facts
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Georgia Real Estate Governing Board:

Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board

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Prelicensing Requirements:

75-hour Prelicensing Course

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Price Range for Prelicensing Courses:

$300-$550

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Total Estimated Cost:

$640-$890

It costs about $640 to get your Georgia real estate license. The price includes all of your exam and license fees, as well as your prelicensing course. The cost of the prelicensing course will vary, so you’ll need to choose the course that fits your budget.

Sample Georgia Real Estate License Costs

Prelicensing course (75 hours)$300-$550
Exam registration$119
Fingerprinting$51.50
License application$170
Total Cost:$640-$890

(Georgia real estate license costs as of August 2023)

How Much Do Realtors Make in Georgia?

According to The Close’s salary database, an average real estate agent in Georgia makes $72,548. Of course, there is no limit to your earning potential as this is a commission-based career.

How to Get a Real Estate License in GA: FAQs

​Now that you’ve learned the steps needed to get your Georgia real estate license, you may have more questions. We’re here to help! We’ve answered the most common questions about the license, exam, reciprocity, and more.





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