What You Need to Do to Become a Licensed Realtor in Georgia
To become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia, you must complete pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, and join a brokerage firm. The process takes roughly four to eight weeks from start to finish, depending on how quickly you complete the coursework and schedule your exam. Unlike a driver's license, a real estate license requires you to work under a broker — you cannot operate independently.
Georgia's real estate licensing is overseen by the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC). The commission sets the rules, approves education providers, and administers the licensing exam. You will interact with GREC directly only when taking the state exam; the rest of the process happens through approved schools and your chosen brokerage.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education from a GREC-approved provider before you can sit for the state exam.
- The state exam costs $70 and tests your knowledge of Georgia real estate law, contracts, and ethical standards.
- After passing the exam, you must join a brokerage firm within 180 days or your license becomes inactive.
- Your broker will sponsor your license process to GREC, and you cannot legally represent buyers or sellers until GREC issues your license.
- The entire process — from enrolling in coursework to receiving your license — typically takes one to two months.
Complete Your 60 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Georgia requires all new agents to complete 60 hours of approved real estate education before taking the state exam. You must use a school approved by GREC; courses from unapproved providers will not count. The GREC website lists all approved schools, which include both in-person and online options.
Most schools offer the 60 hours in a single course that covers Georgia real estate law, contract writing, property management, fair housing, and ethics. Some schools compress it into a few intensive days; others spread it across several weeks. The cost varies by provider but typically ranges from $150 to $400. Once you enroll, you can usually start when ready — many online schools allow you to begin the same day you register.
Keep your completion certificate. You will need to show it when you register for the state exam. The certificate proves to the exam administrator that you have met the education requirement.
Register for and Pass the Georgia Real Estate Exam
After finishing your 60 hours, you register for the state exam through PSI, the testing company that administers it for Georgia. You can schedule your exam online at the PSI website. The exam costs $70 and tests your knowledge of Georgia real estate law, contract interpretation, property rights, and professional conduct.
The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions, and you have two hours to complete it. You need a score of at least 75 percent to pass. Most people pass on their first attempt if they completed the coursework carefully. If you fail, you can retake it after waiting five business days; retakes also cost $70.
When you register with PSI, you will provide your education provider's name and your completion certificate number. PSI verifies this information with GREC before allowing you to test. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the testing center on exam day.
Choose a Brokerage and Submit Your License process
You cannot hold a real estate license in Georgia without being sponsored by a brokerage firm. A broker is a licensed real estate company that supervises agents and handles client trust accounts. Before you explore for your license, you must have a written agreement with a broker who is willing to sponsor you.
Finding a broker usually means explore to local real estate offices or larger national firms like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, or Coldwell Banker. Brokers hire new agents regularly, and many will sponsor your license process as part of the hiring process. During interviews, ask whether the broker will sponsor your license and what the process looks like. Some brokers require you to pass the exam first; others will sponsor you before you test.
Once you have a broker agreement in place and have passed the exam, your broker submits your license process to GREC on your behalf. You do not submit it yourself. Your broker provides GREC with your exam results, proof of your 60-hour education, and a sponsorship form signed by the broker. GREC then issues your license, usually within one to two weeks.
Understand the Timeline and Costs
The entire process from enrollment to receiving your license typically takes four to eight weeks, though it can be faster if you move quickly. Here is what the timeline usually looks like: enroll in pre-licensing education (same day to one week), complete 60 hours (one to four weeks depending on the school's format), register for the exam (one to two weeks after finishing education), take the exam (one day), and wait for GREC to issue your license after your broker submits the process (one to two weeks).
Total costs break down roughly as follows: pre-licensing education ($150 to $400), state exam ($70), and any fees your broker charges (varies widely — some brokers charge nothing to sponsor a new agent, while others charge monthly desk fees or transaction fees). You may also need to budget for background checks or fingerprinting, which some brokers require before sponsoring you.
What Happens After You Receive Your License
Once GREC issues your license, you are legally authorized to represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions in Georgia. Your license is tied to your broker — if you change brokers, your broker must notify GREC and your new broker must sponsor you with the commission. You cannot work without a broker.
Your license is valid for two years. Before it expires, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education to renew it. At least four of those hours must cover Georgia real estate law and ethics. The remaining eight hours can cover other real estate topics. Your broker can usually help you find approved continuing education courses.
Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed or Denied
GREC may delay your process if your broker's sponsorship form is incomplete or if there are discrepancies between your exam results and your education records. Make sure your broker submits all required documents at once. If GREC requests additional information, respond within the timeframe they provide — delays in responding can push back your license issuance by weeks.
Applications are rarely denied for new agents with clean backgrounds, but GREC can deny a license if you have certain criminal convictions, fraud history, or disciplinary action from another state's real estate commission. If you have concerns about your background, discuss them with your broker before they submit your process. Some brokers will not sponsor applicants with certain histories, so it is better to know this upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the Georgia real estate exam without working for a broker?
Yes, you can take the exam without a broker. However, you cannot receive your license from GREC without a broker's sponsorship. Many people pass the exam first, then search for a broker. Once you have a broker agreement, your broker submits your process and GREC issues your license.
What if I move to another state after getting my Georgia license?
You will need to get licensed in the new state. Some states have reciprocity agreements with Georgia, meaning you may not have to retake the full exam, but you will still need to meet that state's requirements. Contact the real estate commission in your new state to learn what steps explore to you.
How much do brokers typically charge new agents?
Broker fees vary widely. Some charge nothing upfront but take a percentage of your commissions (typically 50 to 80 percent for new agents). Others charge monthly desk fees ($200 to $500) or transaction fees per sale. Ask multiple brokers about their fee structure before signing an agreement.
Can I get my license if I have a criminal record?
It depends on the type and age of the conviction. GREC evaluates criminal history on a case-by-case basis. Discuss your record with your broker before they submit your process — they can advise whether GREC is likely to approve you and may decline to sponsor you if they believe approval is unlikely.
What happens if I fail the state exam?
You can retake it after waiting five business days. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the exam, though each attempt costs $70. Most people who fail the first time pass on the second attempt after reviewing the material more carefully.