In order to kickstart your career as a real estate agent in Georgia, it’s essential to obtain a Georgia Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.
For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.
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In order to get your Georgia real estate license and start working in this industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:
In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.
Before continuing ahead with your application for a Georgia real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:
Georgia offers reciprocity for real estate licenses from all states. This means that if you hold a license from a different state that was obtained by passing an examination — and are currently in good standing — you will be eligible for a reciprocal license without further examination.
To do this, you will need to fill out this Real Estate Reciprocal Application form in order to get started.
In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Georgia real estate license.
Specifically, you will have to complete one of the following three educational paths:
Even though completing the courses is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of this step as just “checking a box”. This is because your pre-licensing education is what will prepare you to both pass your exam and become a better real estate agent.
For this reason, we always encourage our readers to invest in high-quality and reliable courses, as their study materials (like real estate practice tests and flashcards) can be invaluable during the exam prep stage.
On top of this, some of the top courses also offer money-back guarantees in the event that you do not pass your exam on your first attempt after taking their course.
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The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass Georgia’s real estate examination.
Administered by PSI, this examination tests your understanding of both national and state-specific real estate practices and laws, and requires a $119 application fee to be paid when registering.
In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation.
Right after completing the exam, your score will be displayed on screen and a detailed score report will be emailed to you.
If you do not pass, this email will also include a diagnostic report that highlights your strengths and weaknesses across the different sections of the exam.
Should you need a duplicate score report later on, you will be able to request one by emailing PSI at scorereport@psionline.com.
Note: After taking the examination, you will have 12 months to apply for your real estate license; if more than 12 months pass, you will need to retake the exam.
Before you can proceed with your application and become a Georgia real estate agent, you will need to undergo a background check that’s conducted by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
This is because you will be legally required to obtain a Certified Criminal History Report — also known as a Georgia Crime Information Report — no more than 60 days prior to submitting your license application.
You can obtain this report either directly from the GCIC or alternatively at almost any sheriff’s office or police station throughout Georgia.
Keep in mind that there is a processing fee of $38.25 that will need to be paid for your criminal history report; this includes the cost of fingerprinting through the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS).
Should you have any questions about the background check process (e.g., its implications in relation to employment, licensing, etc), you are encouraged to contact the GCIC’s Applicant Services team via email at gaapplicant@gbi.ga.gov.
After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move on to submitting your license application.
You can do this in person at any of the four PSI Test Centers across Georgia.
Remember that licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and between 2:00 pm and 4:45 pm Monday through Friday.
If you pass your exam in the afternoon, you’ll need to come back in the next business day in order to submit your application.
Note: You will need to pay a nonrefundable license fee of $170 to complete this step. You can do this via a cashier’s check, money order, or a credit/debit card, but personal checks, company checks, and cash will not be accepted.
Once you’ve passed the Salesperson licensing examination and submitted your license application, you will have the option of either activating your license with a broker or placing it on inactive status.
This is because, in order to work in Georgia’s real estate market, you will need to be affiliated with a state-licensed broker.
If you’ve already found a sponsoring broker and are ready to start your real estate career, you’ll need to complete the Sponsoring Broker Statement Application, which is found in this Candidate Information Bulletin.
If you are not ready to begin working immediately or prefer to wait before committing to a brokerage, you can choose to place your license on inactive status.
It should be noted that while your license is on inactive status, you will not be allowed to engage in any real estate transactions.
Having said that, you will still be required to meet all post-license educational requirements and pay the necessary renewal fees needed in order to maintain your license.
If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you should receive a letter from the Georgia Real Estate Commission containing a license document in two to four weeks.
You will also receive an 8½” x 4” wall certificate, two pocket cards, and a larger 8½” x 11” wall certificate that’s suitable for framing.
Keep in mind that — in accordance with state law — your sponsoring brokerage firm will be required to retain your wall certificate or a copy of your pocket card as long as you are affiliated with them.
In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to comply with the state’s education requirements.
Once you’ve completed the required educational components, you will need to renew your license, which can be done in one of two ways:
We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.
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Mailing Address:
229 Peachtree Street, N.E.
International Tower, Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30303-1605
Phone: (404) 656-3916
Fax: (404) 656-6650
The process of obtaining a Georgia salesperson license generally takes a minimum of four months — although exceptions do apply.
This is because you’ll need to complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education — which can contain a final exam — pass the official Georgia licensing exam, complete a background check, and submit your license application.
To get a real estate license in Georgia, you will need to pay $121 for the examination, $38.25 for the required background check, and $170 for the state license application.
Additionally, you will also need to cover the cost of purchasing a 75 hour pre-licensing education course ($200-$400).
For more information, you can have a look at our How to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia guide.
Yes, aspiring Georgia real estate agents can complete many of the steps required to obtain a license online, such as taking a pre-licensing course and submitting their applications.
Having said that, they will still need to appear in-person for the Georgia state licensing exam, as well as for fingerprinting.
Georgia offers three primary types of real estate licenses, including the Salesperson License, the Broker License, and the Community Association Manager License — which is used for managing homeowner associations and other similar entities.
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on July 9, 2024
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