Interested to try your hand at real estate in Georgia?
Don’t know how to get a real estate license?
There are some that think that getting a real estate license is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
However, that’s not the case.
There are certain requirements that you’ll need to complete first. And, yes, these requirements will need time, dedication, and even investment.
This is not for the faint-hearted.
If that doesn’t bother you, then have a look at our complete 2023 guide on how to get a real estate license online in Georgia.
Who Can Become a Real Estate Salesperson in Georgia?
Good question.
The great thing about a real estate career is that it doesn’t ask for a lot of qualifications. In fact, these are the only qualifications you’ll need:
- Be at least 18 years old (you can get a license at 17 but can’t use it until you reach 18)
- Be a US citizen or legal alien
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- Pass a background check
That’s it!
So if you check all the boxes, then you can very well start the process of getting a real estate license in Georgia.
What are the Requirements to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia?
These are all the requirements you’ll need to fulfill to get a real estate license:
- Take a salesperson pre-licensing course
- Pass a background check
- Schedule for the Georgia real estate exam
- Pass the Georgia real estate exam
- Find a sponsoring broker
- Apply for a real estate license
Let’s get into the details.
1. Take a salesperson pre-licensing course
In order to become a real estate salesperson, you first need to gain knowledge.
For that, you need to take a 75-hour salesperson pre-licensing course. This will teach you everything you need to know about real estate.
The good news is that you can take this course completely online! Just remember to make sure that the online real estate school is approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC).
Speaking of which, we highly recommend AceableAgent.
Not only are they GREC approved and provide all 75 hours, but you can also study it anytime, anywhere. I mean, it is a 100% online course after all.
Plus, you will find that you can fly through the course thanks to its interesting, interactive, and easy-to-understand modules. That’s not all! They have their own intuitive mobile app that allows you to study on the go!
If you’re interested, download the AceableAgent app for Android here and iOs here.
Once you finish your educational requirements and pass the end-of-course exam, your school will hand you a certificate of completion. This will allow you to sit for the Georgia real estate exam.
Note: for those that majored in real estate in an accredited US college/university or completed a real property, agency, or contract from a US accredited school of law, you no longer need to fulfill this requirement.
2. Pass a background check
You can get a background check at a Sheriff’s Office or Police Department. For the requirements, contact your local law agency.
For more information, visit the Georgia Bureau of Investigation site.
Now, what if you have been convicted of a crime?
Yes, you may still be eligible for a real estate license. But the GREC will look into it and see if you are trustworthy to hold a license. If not, then you won’t be eligible.
To ask for a background clearance from the Commission, fill up the form on pages 19-21. Then send it to:
229 Peachtree Street NE
Suite 1000 - International Tower
Atlanta, GA 30303-1605
Phone: 404-656-3916
Email: grecmail@grec.state.ga.us
3. Schedule for the Georgia real estate exam
The Georgia real estate exam is conducted by the PSI.
Since we’re focusing on online, we’ll only walk you through the online exam scheduling.
Note: you can also schedule the exam by calling PSI at 888-818-5834 or by mail. For information on this, check the PSI Candidate Handbook (page 4).
Now, to schedule an appointment online, simply visit the PSI portal, select ‘Begin Scheduling’, then choose your category (real estate), program (Georgia Examination Program), and examination (Salesperson Examination or, if from another state other than Florida, Salesperson Examination Reciprocity).
You’ll be led to another page where you have to click ‘Register for this Exam’. There, provide all the information needed and pay the exam fee of $119. (Payment can be done via credit card or cashier’s check or money order payable to the PSI Service Inc.)
Note: you need to create an account with the PSI portal if you don’t already have one.
If you are applying with a college course, have any disability concerns, want to change your appointment, or miss your appointment, you can find all information on the PSI Candidate Handbook (pages 3-5).
4. Pass the Georgia real estate exam
Make sure to arrive at the Test Center at least 15 minutes before your schedule.
Also, don’t forget to bring 2 forms of identification with the primary one being current, government-issued, and has your name, photo, and signature. See page 10 on the PSI Candidate Handbook for acceptable identification forms.
And, to help you with the math questions, you’re allowed to bring a non-programmable calculator with you.
As for the exam itself, there are 2 portions - National Real Estate and Georgia Salesperson Supplement. Unlike in most states, however, the questions are intermixed.
You’re given 4 hours to answer 152 multiple-choice questions.
Since the exam is taken on a computer, you’ll get your results right after.
Note: don’t worry, you’ll be given time to learn how to work out the exam on-screen.
If you pass, you’ll be handed a Certification of Accuracy (COA), which you’ll need to apply for a real estate license. Do NOT sign the COA until you apply for a license.
Okay, there’s probably one question at the top of your head.
“What if I fail the exam?”
You can always retake it. You will have to reschedule and pay the exam fee again, though.
5. Find a sponsoring broker
This isn’t necessarily the next step. You can decide when to do this, it can even be after you get your license.
That said, you need a sponsoring broker to activate your license. So if you want to receive an active real estate license right away, you should find a sponsoring broker first.
When looking for a broker, there are a few questions you should ask.
How good is their reputable?
Are you interested in the kind of real estate they are selling?
Do they sponsor other real estate salespersons?
What commission structure do they offer?
What benefits are they offering?
All these questions and more will help you find the perfect broker for you to work under.
6. Apply for a real estate license
Finally, it’s time to apply for your real estate license.
Licenses are issued only at the PSI Test Center.
Note: if you take your exam in the morning, you can immediately apply for a real estate license in the Test Center. If you don’t have a sponsoring broker yet, though, the license will be issued ‘inactive’.
To apply, you’ll need a valid identification form with photo, the unsigned Certificate of Accuracy (COA), a filled out Sponsoring Broker Statement Form (page 22 ) if you have one, a criminal history report, a signed and notarized lawful presence affidavit (page 26), and a license fee of $170 (personal checks, company checks, and cash are NOT accepted).
You must answer the 4 YES/NO questions in the COA and then sign it in front of a PSI Test Center personnel.
And there you have it. You’ll receive your Georgia real estate license in no time.
Congrats!
Real Estate License in Georgia FAQs
In this section, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about real estate licensing in Georgia. We hope that it will answer your questions, too.
Does Georgia Require Real Estate Post-Licensing Courses?
Yes.
Within 1 year of receiving your real estate license, the GREC requires you to take a 25-hour real estate post-licensing course. If you fail to take this course, your license will be put under ‘lapsed’.
When it’s time to take your real estate post-licensing course, we suggest you check out Colibri Real Estate!
For only $99, you get the 25-hour course, a state-approved instructor, and support. Not only that, you can study it at your own pace and from the comfort of your home.
How Many Hours of Real Estate Continuing Education is Required in Georgia?
Every 4 years, you are required to take 36 hours of real estate continuing education (CE). You should include a 3-hour course approved for License Law credit.
These CE courses are there to keep you up to date with new laws and regulations, trends, as well as refresh your knowledge about the basics.
Since the learning never stops, it’s a good idea to find a reliable online real estate school that offers CE courses in Georgia.
In this case, we highly recommend McKissock, the sister company of Colibri Real Estate.
They offer the best value for money with their GA CE PLUS Membership. For just $207, you get 1-year unlimited access to all CE courses in the state, 100+ job aides, webinars, coaching tools, a boot camp, and so much more.
And yes, you can study it anywhere, anytime, too.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Real Estate Salesperson in Georgia?
If you think about it, the longest process will be the pre-licensing course. Your background check and finding a sponsoring broker might also take some time. Plus, if you fail the exam on the first try, you’ll have to retake it.
So it will really depend on how fast you can complete all the requirements. But to give you a rough estimate, it can take around 2-3 months.
Note: your course certificate of completion and Certificate of Accuracy (COA) are only available for 12 months. Be sure to apply for the real estate exam/license application before they expire.
Conclusion
So there you have it.
That was the complete 2023 guide on how to get a real estate license online in Georgia.
As we said, it takes a lot of time, dedication, and investment. But once you start practicing real estate, you’ll find that it is so worth it.
Now, to recap, you need to complete the following requirements:
- Take a salesperson pre-licensing course
- Pass a background check
- Schedule for the Georgia real estate exam
- Pass the Georgia real estate exam
- Find a sponsoring broker
- Apply for a real estate license
Good luck!