The first step to becoming a real estate agent in Georgia is getting your Georgia real estate license, which is easier now that courses are available online. We will lay out the requirements, the cost, our top choices of online schools, and even earning potential. So, you can get your GA real estate license and start selling real estate.
Georgia Real Estate License Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must complete 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework through an approved provider
- Must pass the exam
- Must pass a background check
- Apply for your license
- Must be sponsored by a broker
Step 1: Complete a 75-Hour Pre-licensing Course
In Georgia, you will need to complete 75-hours of pre-licensing coursework to be able to become a licensed salesperson. You will need to show proof of completion before you can take your exam.
Most people choose to take the pre-licensing course online. There are many different online schools to choose from; here are our top picks.
PrepAgent State Exam Prep + Live Tutoring & Webinars Available
Colibri has helped over 520,000 aspiring real estate agents and brokers get licensed.
Choosing to take your 75-hour pre-licensing course online will give you the ease of going at your pace. Our top picks offer practice tests, e-books, flashcards, video and audio lessons, Private Tutoring, Live Webinars and Q&As, and Instructor Support.
You can skip this step if…
- you have completed a minimum of 10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours of work for a major in real estate, or courses dealing with fundamentals, principles, or essentials of real estate from any U.S. or Canadian accredited college or university OR courses in real property law, agency, or contract law from any U.S. or Canadian accredited school of law. You can submit a transcript from the college, university, or school of law with your application for the exam to PSI.
- you have already completed at least 75 hours of pre-license coursework approved by the real estate regulatory agency of another state or province of Canada, you can submit that certification with your exam application.
Step 2: Pass the Georgia Real Estate License Exam
After you complete the 75-hour pre-licensing course and your background check, you are ready to take the Georgia real estate license exam.
The GA real estate license exam costs $121 per attempt.
The Georgia real estate license exam consists of 152 multi-choice questions. 100 of those questions cover the National portion, and the other 52 cover real estate regulations in the state of Georgia. You will have 4 hours to complete your exam and score a 75% or better to pass.
Bring This
2 forms of ID* – 1 government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or Green Card) and 1 with your name and signature. (Social Security Card, Credit Card, or Employment/Student ID)
Calculator – You may bring a silent solar-powered calculator (with no letters).
*If your name on the registration is different from your identification, you need to bring proof of name change.
Don’t Bring This
Do not bring any personal items!
- Your phone, watch, hat, and coat must be left outside of the testing area.
- Keys and wallet will be put in a soft locker until the completion of the exam.
Pencils and scratch paper provided – all scratch paper must be turned in after the exam.
You will go to the testing supervisor to receive your score immediately following the exam; if you fail, you will be given diagnostic information about your scores and where you can improve before taking the exam again.
Is the GA Real Estate Exam Hard?
The exam pass rate in Georgia is only around 70% which means it is difficult but not impossible. We recommend checking out Aceable Agent; they have a real estate exam pass rate of an impressive 84%!
Step 3: Pass a Background Check
The Georgia Real Estate Commission requires all applicants to perform and complete a background check before becoming a licensed salesperson. You must complete your background check 60 days before submitting your application.
You must provide a certified background check issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Georgia Real Estate Commission will review your background check to confirm eligibility. They may reach out to you to provide more detail on certain situations.
Step 4: Apply for Your Georgia Real Estate License
After you have passed your GA Real Estate Salesperson Exam, you will receive a Certification of Accuracy Statement and instructions on how to apply for your license. Do not sign your Certification of Accuracy Statement until you apply for your license at a PSI Test Center.
You will need to apply for your license within 12 months of completing your exam; failing to do so will result in having to take the exam again.
What to bring:
- A Photo ID
- Certificate of Accuracy Statement (Unsigned) – You can buy a replacement for $15 at the test center if lost or you forgot it
- Sponsoring Broker Statement Form (Signed by Broker) – If you have not found a brokerage firm to work with, you can apply for an inactive license for the time being
- $170 Application Fee – Money order, cashier’s check, credit or debit accepted
- Background Check – No more than 60 days prior to application
- Signed and Notarized Lawful Presence Affidavit
Congratulations, you now have your real estate license in GA! Take time to celebrate your accomplishments and dream about your new future!
Step 5: Find a Broker
You may have already found a brokerage firm to work with you and have a sponsorship when you applied for your license. If that is the case, great, you are ready to start working and building up your clientele!
If you had to apply for an inactive license, it is time to search for a brokerage company that you want to work for. You can start by finding contact information and introducing yourself, sharing a little about yourself and your goals. You have the freedom to choose a broker that best suits you, whether it be commission rates, types of real estate, or company standards.
Once you have found a broker to sponsor you, they need to fill out the Sponsoring Broker Statement Form and sign it. You will then take it to the PSI Test Center and be able to make your inactive license active.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Licensed Real Estate Agent make in Georgia?
The average licensed GA real estate agent makes around $69,000 per year. If you work for one of the top companies in Georgia real estate you can earn $120,000 or more per year.
How long does it take to get your Georgia Real Estate License?
It can take 3-6 months to complete 75-hours of pre-licensing courses approved by the GREC and test prep for the exam. If you have the time, you could finish everything in 3 months, but it is recommended that you take time to really study for the exam.
The Exam is only 4 hours long, and when you pass, you will need to apply for the license, which is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
How do I get a Commercial Georgia Real Estate License?
All you need is a Georgia real estate license and a Broker who sells commercial real estate.
Do I have to take any Continuing Education or Post-Education Courses?
Yes! The state of Georgia requires all licensed real estate agents to take 36 hours of continuing education courses every 4 years through a GREC approver provider.
Do I have to renew my Georgia Real Estate License?
Georgia real estate licenses will need to be renewed every 4 years; you can do this online or through the mail up to 120 days before they expire. You will need to pay a fee of $125, but you can get a discount of $25 if you renew online.
Does Georgia have Real Estate Licenses Reciprocity?
Yes! Georgia has reciprocity with nearly all states; you must have an active license in good standing with your home state and then submit a reciprocal application.
Florida real estate agents (if eligible) must pass a Georgia Supplement Exam before they can sell real estate. You can find more information about this in the GAREP Handbook.
