How to Get a Georgia Real Estate License

Getting your Georgia real estate license typically takes 2-4 months and costs around $366 plus education fees. Georgia residents can complete the 75-hour education requirement online or in-person, then pass the state exam to start earning in one of the nation's hottest real estate markets.

6 Steps to Getting a Real Estate License in Georgia

Step 1: Check the qualifications
Step 2: Complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education
Step 3: Apply to take the exam
Step 4: Pass the Georgia real estate exam
Step 5: Find a sponsoring broker
Step 6: Apply for your license

Step 1: Georgia Real Estate License Requirements

Before starting your real estate career in Georgia, verify you meet these GREC (Georgia Real Estate Commission) requirements:

You must:

• Be at least 18 years old (or will be by licensing)
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be a Georgia resident
• Have a reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, competence, and acting in the public interest

When GREC references "good reputation," they're evaluating your criminal record. While you can still obtain a license with past convictions, the process requires additional steps. Learn more about what is GREC and their licensing authority.

Step 2: Complete Your 75-Hour Education Requirement

GREC mandates 75 hours of pre-licensing education for all Georgia real estate license applicants. You can meet this requirement by choosing one of the following options:

Complete an online real estate course Georgia or in-person course at a school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

Complete pre-licensing education approved by another state or Canadian province's real estate regulatory commission. You'll need to provide a letter from that real estate agency proving your course is approved in that state/province.

Complete at least ten quarter hours or six semester hours of real estate courses at an accredited college, university, or law school in the U.S. or Canada. You'll submit a transcript to the test provider.

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Step 3: Apply to Take the Georgia Real Estate Exam

When you complete your pre-licensing education, it's time to apply for the exam. Before taking the test, you must:

1. Submit an application (by mail, phone, or online) with proof that you completed your pre-licensing education
2. Get notified of application approval from the testing officials
3. Make a reservation to take the test and pay the $121 Georgia real estate exam fee

For more details about the application process, check out the candidate handbook. Want to understand the cost to get a real estate license in Georgia? We break down all expenses.

Background Check Requirements

In your exam application, you must disclose if you've ever been convicted of a crime, pled guilty or nolo contendere to a crime, or been disciplined by a state licensing agency. Answer this truthfully—it's critical for your licensing success.

If you have a criminal record, you'll complete the Background Clearance Application. This gives GREC permission to conduct your background check before you take the exam (and pay the fee).

Anyone without criminal history to disclose will undergo a background check after passing the exam. If GREC uncovers an undisclosed incident, obtaining a license becomes much harder than with upfront disclosure. The lesson? Disclose everything!

Step 4: Pass the Georgia Real Estate Exam

The Georgia salesperson licensing exam is a computerized test with 152 multiple-choice questions covering state and national real estate topics. You'll have four hours to complete the test.

At the end of the test, you'll receive a score report indicating whether you passed. If successful, you'll be issued a Certificate of Accuracy Statement. Don't sign it yet! You need it for your license application.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

To practice real estate in Georgia, every agent with a salesperson license must work under a sponsoring broker. Your sponsoring broker serves as your supervisor, mentor, hands-on teacher, and assumes legal responsibility for your actions.

Finding a sponsoring broker before taking your licensing test enables same-day license activation! If you don't have a sponsoring broker when you apply, you'll receive an inactive license that activates once you secure broker sponsorship.

Step 6: Apply for Your Georgia Real Estate License

The final step! After passing your exam, you have one year to complete your application. Taking longer requires retaking your exam.

Apply for your license in person at the testing facility. Here's what you'll need to bring:

• Photo identification
• Unsigned Certification of Accuracy (COA) Statement
• Completed Sponsoring Broker Statement Form (if available—without this, you'll receive an inactive license)
• GCIC report or another acceptable criminal history report
• Signed and notarized Lawful Presence Affidavit
• Payment for Georgia real estate license fee: $170 if you apply within 90 days, $340 after

Real Estate Agent vs Realtor: What's the Difference?

You'll often hear "real estate agent" and "Realtor" used interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing.

Real Estate Agent: Someone with a state license to practice real estate sales
Realtor: A licensed real estate agent who's also a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) member

All Realtors are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors.

The steps to becoming a Realtor start with becoming a licensed real estate agent, so you might want to consider if it's worth taking the extra step.

Taking the Extra Step to Become a Georgia Realtor

To become an official Georgia Realtor, join your local Association of Realtors chapter. Complete the membership application and pay your new membership dues. Local association membership automatically includes Georgia REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® membership.

Benefits of becoming a Realtor:

• Increased networking opportunities with industry professionals
• Ongoing professional training and continuing education
• Legislative advocacy at local, state, and federal levels
• Access to MLS (Multiple Listing Service) databases

The downside to being a Realtor is the annual expense—typically $300-600 in membership dues. You can't expect all the benefits to come for free!

Whether you choose the path of an agent or Realtor, selecting the right pre-licensing course is your crucial first step, and we know you'll love learning with Aceable. Ready to explore how to get your real estate license in other states too?