What you need to do to become a licensed realtor in Ohio
To become a licensed real estate agent in Ohio, you must pass the state exam, complete pre-licensing education, and register with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Regulation. The process takes roughly two to four months from start to finish, depending on how quickly you complete the coursework and schedule your exam. You do not need a real estate license to work in real estate generally — you need one only if you want to list properties, show homes, or negotiate sales on behalf of clients.
Ohio distinguishes between a salesperson license (the entry-level credential) and a broker license (which lets you open an office and supervise other agents). Most people start with a salesperson license. The steps are the same for both, but a broker license requires additional experience and a separate exam.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete 120 hours of pre-licensing education from an Ohio-approved school before you can sit for the state exam.
- The state exam costs $75 and tests your knowledge of Ohio real estate law, contracts, and ethical rules; you must score at least 75 percent to pass.
- After you pass the exam, you register with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Regulation and join a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to work with clients.
- Your license is valid for two years and requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years to renew.
- You must work under a sponsoring broker — you cannot hold a license and work independently as a salesperson.
Complete 120 hours of pre-licensing education
Before you take the state exam, Ohio requires you to finish 120 hours of classroom instruction from a school approved by the Division of Real Estate and Professional Regulation. These courses cover Ohio real estate law, contract writing, property valuation, financing, ethics, and fair housing rules. You can take the courses online, in person, or in a hybrid format, depending on the school.
The cost varies by school but typically ranges from $300 to $800 for the full 120-hour package. Some schools bundle the course with exam prep materials and practice tests. You do not have to take all 120 hours at the same school, though most people do because it is simpler. Once you finish the coursework, the school issues a certificate of completion, which you will need when you register to sit for the exam.
Common approved schools in Ohio include the Ohio Real Estate Academy, Real Estate Express, and Kaplan. You can search the full list of approved providers on the Division of Real Estate and Professional Regulation website. The division does not endorse any particular school, so compare course length, cost, and format to find what works for your schedule.
Register for and pass the Ohio real estate exam
Once you have your certificate of completion, you register with Pearson VUE, the testing vendor that administers the Ohio exam. You submit your certificate, pay the $75 exam fee, and choose a test date and location. Pearson VUE operates testing centers across Ohio and in neighboring states; you can usually schedule an exam within one to three weeks of registration.
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering Ohio-specific real estate law, contract interpretation, property rights, financing, and ethical conduct. You have two hours to complete it. You must score at least 75 percent (75 out of 100 questions) to pass. If you fail, you can retake the exam, but you must wait at least one business day before scheduling another attempt. There is no limit on the number of retakes, though you pay the $75 fee each time.
Most people pass on the first or second attempt if they completed the pre-licensing coursework carefully. The exam tests material directly from the course, so review your notes and take any practice exams your school provided. Pearson VUE also offers study guides and practice tests on its website.
Register with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Regulation
After you pass the exam, you register with the state to receive your actual license. You submit an process to the Division of Real Estate and Professional Regulation along with proof that you passed the exam, your certificate of completion, and a sponsoring broker's name and information. A sponsoring broker is a licensed broker who agrees to supervise your work and take responsibility for your conduct. You cannot hold a salesperson license without a sponsoring broker.
Finding a sponsoring broker usually means joining a real estate office. You interview with brokers in your area, negotiate a commission split (the percentage of each sale you keep), and sign a sponsorship agreement. The broker then submits the sponsorship paperwork to the state as part of your registration. Registration typically takes one to two weeks once the state receives a complete process.
The state charges a registration fee of $50 for a salesperson license. Your license is valid for two years from the date of registration. You do not renew it with the state directly; instead, your sponsoring broker renews it on your behalf as long as you remain employed by that broker.
Join a Multiple Listing Service and start working
Once your license is registered, you join a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) through your sponsoring broker's office. The MLS is a database of all homes for sale in your area, used by agents to list properties and search for buyers. Your broker handles the MLS membership and pays the annual fee (typically $200 to $500, depending on the service). You access the MLS through your broker's software and use it to list homes, show properties to clients, and track market activity.
You are now legally able to represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. Most agents work on commission, earning a percentage of the sale price when a transaction closes. Your broker takes a cut of that commission, and you keep the rest. Some brokers offer a flat fee or salary structure instead. The terms depend on your agreement with your broker.
Maintain your license with continuing education
Your Ohio real estate license requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years to stay active. These courses cover updates to state law, ethics, fair housing, and other topics relevant to real estate practice. Your broker usually arranges these courses or points you to approved providers. The cost is typically $100 to $300 per renewal cycle.
You must complete the 24 hours before your license expires. If you let your license lapse, you can renew it within two years of expiration by completing the continuing education and paying a late renewal fee. After two years, you must retake the full pre-licensing course and exam to get licensed again.
Upgrade to a broker license if you want to open an office
A broker license lets you open your own real estate office, hire and supervise other agents, and keep a larger share of commissions. To become a broker in Ohio, you must hold a salesperson license for at least one year, complete an additional 120 hours of broker-specific education, and pass the broker exam. The broker exam is more difficult than the salesperson exam and covers office management, trust account handling, and legal liability.
Broker education covers topics like managing client trust accounts, supervising agents, handling complaints, and complying with fair housing law. Once you pass the broker exam and register with the state, you can open an office. You will need a physical office address in Ohio, a trust account for client funds, and errors and omissions insurance. The state charges a $100 registration fee for a broker license, valid for two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license in Ohio?
No. Ohio requires only the 120 hours of pre-licensing education, which is not a degree program. You do not need a high school diploma or GED, though most brokers prefer to hire agents with at least a high school education.
Can I work as a real estate agent without a sponsoring broker?
No. Ohio law requires every salesperson to work under a sponsoring broker. If you want to work independently, you must obtain a broker license, which requires one year of experience as a salesperson first.
How long does it take to get licensed after I pass the exam?
Registration with the state typically takes one to two weeks once you submit a complete process with your sponsoring broker's information. You can start working as soon as your license is registered in the state system.
What happens if my sponsoring broker closes their office?
Your license remains valid, but you must transfer to a new sponsoring broker within a set time frame. Your broker will guide you through the transfer process, which involves submitting new sponsorship paperwork to the state.
Can I renew my license if I have not worked in real estate for a while?
If your license has not expired, you can renew it by completing the 24 hours of continuing education and paying the renewal fee. If it has been expired for more than two years, you must retake the pre-licensing course and exam.