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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How to Get a Real Estate License in GA
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
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Cost:
$300-$550
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Time commitment:
1-2 months
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Helpful resource:
5 Best Georgia Real Estate Schools
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.
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
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Cost:
$51.50
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Time commitment:
1 day
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Helpful resource:
Georgia Real Estate Commission’s background clearance application form
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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Cost:
$119
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Time commitment:
4 hours
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Helpful resource:
PSI candidate handbook
Cost:
$119
Time to Complete:
4 hours
Format:
Computer-based, 152 multiple-choice questions
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.
Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Licensing Test
4. Apply for Your Georgia Real Estate License
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Cost:
$170
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Time commitment:
30-60 minutes
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Helpful resource:
Georgia Real Estate Commission’s website
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:
- 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.
- 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?
Georgia Real Estate Governing Board:
Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board
Prelicensing Requirements:
75-hour Prelicensing Course
Price Range for Prelicensing Courses:
$300-$550
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.
What if I'm licensed in another state?
Georgia offers real estate licensing by reciprocity to licensed salespersons from all states. If you have an active real estate license in another state, you may be eligible to get your Georgia real estate license without coursework or the license exam by submitting a reciprocal application to the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
There is, however, an additional requirement for real estate agents from Florida. If you have an active license in Florida, you’ll still need to pass the state portion of the Georgia license exam.
Related article: Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide
Can I get my Georgia real estate license online?
You can complete the majority of the licensing steps online. You can take your prelicensing course online. You will have to complete a proctored exam when you’re done with your prelicensing course, but you can do that at home or at a location of your choice. As for your background check and license exam, you must complete them in person.
How long does it take to get a Georgia real estate license?
It takes two to six months to get a Georgia real estate license. The longest part of the process of obtaining your license is the prelicensing course. If you take scheduled live stream classes that run Monday to Friday full time, you can finish the course in as little as two weeks. Taking the prelicensing course at your own pace means you’ll have to set your schedule.
Does Georgia have post-licensing requirements?
Yes; newly licensed salespersons in Georgia have to complete a 25-hour post-licensing course. You’ll have to complete the course within the first year of receiving your real estate license.
More Career Resources From The Close
Now that you’ve learned how to get a real estate license in Georgia, we wish you all the best in your exciting new career. We’re here to make sure you have the information you need to take your career to new heights. Sign up for our newsletter to get articles straight to your inbox, or join our Facebook Mastermind Group to connect with agents nationwide.
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