Are you planning to get licensed as a real estate salesperson in Ohio?
It can be overwhelming to think about all the requirements you need to prepare and the classes you need to take.
To keep your head above these, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to get a real estate license online in Ohio. This way, you’ll know all the steps in order and you won’t be confused anymore.
So let’s get to it!
Real Estate License Qualifications in Ohio
Before you can apply as a real estate salesperson in Ohio, there are a few qualifications you need to meet. All aspiring Ohio real estate salespeople must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a US citizen or legal alien
Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (for applicants born after 1950)
Hold a record for good moral character
Not be convicted of felony or crime of moral turpitude
Not have violated civil rights laws concerning real estate in the past two years
A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Real Estate License Online in Ohio
If you fit all the qualifications, here are the 5 steps to getting your real estate license in Ohio:
Complete the mandatory real estate pre-licensing education
Pass the course final exam (for your certificate of completion)
Find a sponsoring broker
Submit your Ohio Real Estate License application
Pass the Ohio real estate exam
Let’s discuss each step one by one.
Step 1: Complete the Mandatory Real Estate Pre-licensing Education
All Ohio real estate salesperson applicants must complete 120 credit hours of real estate pre-licensing education.
Required OH pre-licensing courses include:
Hours | Education requirements |
|---|---|
40 | Real Estate Principles and Practices |
40 | Ohio Real Estate Law |
20 | Real Estate Appraisal |
20 | Real Estate Finance |
*Pre-licensing education needs to be completed at an institute of higher learning.
For applicants who do not have enough time to attend in-person classes, online real estate school is an option.
If you’re looking for a good real estate school, we highly recommend Hondros College. Here, you will get a quality education. Plus, you can choose your classes, whether you want to take them in person, through Livestream, or self-paced online.
Step 2: Pass the Course Final Exam
To get a certificate of completion (proof that you completed the 120-hours of pre-licensing education), you need to pass the course’s final exam with a score of 70% or higher.
Step 3: Find a Sponsoring Broker
All Ohio real estate salespeople must work under a sponsoring broker.
Think of your sponsoring broker as your mentor to entering the world of real estate.
Some factors to consider when selecting the right broker for you include:
- Agency reputation
- Agent support, education, and training
- Advanced and updated resources
- Commissions and benefits
- Lead, marketing, and growth opportunities
Step 4: Complete Your Ohio Real Estate License Application
To apply for your Ohio real estate license, print and fill out the Salesperson Application Form.
Send your completed Salesperson Application Form to the Ohio Division of Real Estate, along with your certificate of completion and $81 non-refundable money order or check. Send these to:
Ohio Department of Commerce
Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing
77 South High Street, 20th floor
Columbus, OH 43215
An applicant must then complete both state and FBI records checks within ten (10) days after filing the application to the Division of Real Estate.
After processing your application, the PSI (testing vendor) will post a Candidate Information Bulletin where you can find your exam schedule. To take the exam, you will need to pay an additional $60.
Step 5: Pass the Ohio Salesperson and National Real Estate Exam
You will be given 180 minutes (3hrs) to complete the PSI-administered 120-item real estate exam covering both state and national questions.
- 40 questions on Ohio Real Estate
- 80 questions on National Real Estate
To pass the exam, you must get a score of 75% or more. After that, you can finally get your Ohio real estate license.
What if you fail the exam?
No worries. You can retake it, but you’ll have to submit a retake application and pay the fee of $60 again.
Ohio Real Estate License FAQs
If you still have some questions about Ohio real estate licensing, we hope that we can answer some of them in this section.
What other real estate courses are required in Ohio?
In Ohio, you’ll have to take a 20-hour real estate post-licensing course within 1 year of receiving your real estate license. This course will teach you about changes in real estate law and trends, as well as how to apply your knowledge to the real world.
After that, you will need to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every 3 years (starting after you receive your license, not after the post-licensing).
Looking for the best online real estate school for your CE courses? Check out McKissock.
McKissock offers the best value. If you pick their membership package for just $220, you’ll have 1-year unlimited access to all CE courses in Ohio, plus 100+ job aides, webinars, real estate coaches, and even a 90-day boot camp.
How much do real estate courses cost in Ohio?
Besides paying for your application fees, you will need to set aside a considerable amount of money to enroll in a real estate school.
Since Ohio only recognizes an Institution of Higher Learning to offer real estate pre-licensing education, you will need to spend thousands of dollars to enroll in an in-person class.
Fortunately, a more affordable option is available. There are online real estate schools that have partnered with universities and community colleges to offer 100% state-approved online courses.
Online real estate schools will offer Ohio pre-licensing packages complete with mandatory courses, study resources, and student support at around $1000 to $1500. You can also opt for individual classes, which range from $150 to $300.
Is online real estate school better than traditional real estate school?
With an online real estate school, you get the benefits of managing your own schedule.
You also get the convenience of having all your study tools and resources on any device, such as a mobile phone or laptop.
If you’re worried about learning on your own, there are a lot of schools that offer multiple learning methods. Hondros College offers a combination of self-paced study tools as well as real-time instructor-led Livestreaming.
What is the best Ohio online real estate school?
As we mentioned, one highly recommended school is Hondros College.
Another one is The CE Shop.
This online real estate school partnered with Davis College to offer pre-licensing packages complete with career resources, real estate glossaries, downloadable ebooks, webinars, quizzes, and flashcards to help you ace your Ohio real estate exam.
Conclusion
To become an Ohio real estate salesperson, you must complete 120-hours of approved pre-licensing education. You must also pass your application requirements and undergo a background check to the Ohio Division of Real Estate.
Now, applying as a real estate salesperson in Ohio can be expensive and time-consuming. But you will soon realize that it is worth it, especially when you actually start your real estate career.
