If you’re looking for an exciting new career, you might consider pursuing a Georgia real estate license. As the eighth-most populous state in the country with a growing population, it’s easy to see why Georgia is a great place to dive into real estate. The potential to make a high income and be your own boss has its perks too.

If you’re over 18 and have a high school diploma, you already qualify to get your Georgia real estate license. If you’re ready to get started, we’re here to help. We’ll show you how to get a Georgia real estate license in just a few easy steps.

How to Get a Georgia Real Estate License

  • Complete a 75-hour prelicensing course and exam
  • Complete a background check
  • Take the license exam
  • Apply for your license

We’ve researched every step to get your license so you don’t have to. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to start selling condos in busy Atlanta or historic homes in Savannah.

1. Complete a Prelicensing Course & Exam

Course cost: $175 – $350
Time commitment: 1 – 2 months

Your first step will be to take a 75-hour prelicensing course from one of the Georgia Real Estate Commission’s approved schools. Your course will cover all state-mandated topics, including Georgia license law, finance, valuation, and more.

You’ll have the choice of taking your prelicensing course online or in-person. If you’re looking for an online real estate school, we highly recommend looking through the Colibri Real Estate feature-rich package options. They prioritize quality instruction and pair it with a seamless online user experience so you can whiz through your prelicensing course with ease, all at a great price.

Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Georgia. Just use promo code theclose25 at checkout.

The State of Georgia requires you to take a final exam under the supervision of a proctor. The exam is distinct from the Georgia real estate license exam described in step 3.

Proctors need to be a third party with no conflicts of interest, so no family, friends, or coworkers are allowed. Their job will be to ensure the exam is closed-book and that you use a calculator without preprogrammed calculations.

Not all schools offer a proctor for their exam, and students may need to find their own proctor. You’ll want to check if your prelicense course includes a proctored exam. You’ll be able to choose a location to take the exam with access to your computer and the internet. Some proctors may charge a small fee to proctor an exam (around $10), but it will depend on the real estate school.

2. Complete a Background Check

Course cost: $51.50
Time commitment: 1 day

Congratulations, you passed your real estate prelicensing course! Before you can take the Georgia real estate license exam, you’ll need to complete a background check and fingerprinting process. Complete them within two months of applying for your license exam.

To start the background check, complete the fingerprinting process through a Georgia Application Processing Service (GAPS) location. Bring your ID to the GAPS location and your $51.50 fee. Once you’ve completed your background check, you’ll bring a copy of the background check to your testing location when it’s time for your license exam.

For more information about the fingerprinting process, you can visit the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s website.

3. Take the George Real Estate License Exam

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Quick Facts
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Cost:

$121

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Time to Complete:

4 Hours

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Format:

Computer-based, 152 Multiple-choice Questions

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What to Bring:

2 Forms of Valid Signature ID (One Photo ID)

Now it’s time to schedule and take the Georgia real estate license exam. The first thing you’ll do is find a testing location on the PSI test center website and schedule your exam online. You can take the Georgia real estate license exam in one of the following six locations:

  • Decatur
  • Duluth
  • Fayetteville
  • Macon
  • Marietta
  • Savannah

When you get to your exam, be sure to bring two pieces of ID and a simple, nonprogrammable calculator to help you with the math sections of the real estate exam. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.

The license exam is made up of 152 multiple-choice questions. You’ll answer two portions consisting of national and state real estate questions, and you’ll have four hours to complete the exam. For even more information about the exam, check out PSI Services’ digital Candidate Handbook.

Related Article
Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Real Estate Exam

4. Apply for Your License

Course cost: $170
Time commitment: 30 – 60 minutes

Once you have passed the license exam, you can apply for your Georgia real estate license. You’ll need to get your license application from one of the PSI testing centers where you took your license exam.
The license application costs $170 if you apply within 90 days of passing your license exam or $340 after 90 days. You have up to a year after passing the exam to apply for your real estate license.

You’ll have two options when submitting your license application. If you haven’t started working with a broker, you’ll apply for your license on inactive status. Once you get your license, you can begin contacting brokers and start working.

If you are already connected with a broker, you can submit your application through the brokerage, and your license will be active once it’s processed. You’ll find out by email when your license has been approved.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Georgia Real Estate License?

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Quick Facts
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Georgia Real Estate Governing Board:

Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board

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Prelicensing Requirements:

75-hour Prelicensing Course

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Price Range for Prelicensing Courses:

$175 – $350

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Total Estimated Cost:

$600

It costs an average of $600 to get your Georgia real estate license. The price includes all of your exam and license fees, as well as your prelicensing course.

The cost of the prelicensing course will vary, so you’ll need to choose the course that fits your budget best. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to pay to get your Georgia real estate license.

Georgia Real Estate License Costs

75-hour Prelicensing Course$175 - $350
Georgia Real Estate License Exam Fee$121
Fingerprinting Fee$51.50
Georgia Real Estate License Application$170
Total Cost:$517.50 - $692.50

Choosing an Georgia Real Estate School

How you take your prelicensing course is up to you, whether it’s online, via livestream, or in-person. Scheduled classes are great for anyone who needs a push to be kept on track, while self-paced courses are perfect for accommodating your schedule.

Types of Instruction
Pros
Cons
In-person Classes
  • Traditional classroom setting

  • Get to know other students

  • Easy access to the instructor
  • More expensive than online classes

  • Commuting and traffic

  • Finding class times to fit your schedule
Livestream Classes
  • No commute

  • Ideal if you live far from in-person schools

  • You can ask instructors questions in real time
  • Finding classes to fit your schedule

  • No interaction with other students

  • Technology doesn’t always work as it should
Online Classes
  • Work at your own pace anywhere with internet

  • Take classes when convenient for you

  • Least expensive option
  • Instructors can only be accessed via email or phone

  • Little interaction with real estate pros

  • Technology doesn’t always work as it should

Different real estate schools will provide packages with various features, so your choice will depend on how much you want to get out of the course.

Colibri Real Estate has one of the most affordable course packages on the market. Their packages offer a variety of features so you can choose the level of support for your learning. It’s no wonder we rated Colibri Real Estate our best all-in-one real estate school in Georgia when we compared the top schools in the state.

Aceable Agent offers extra features, like live, one-on-one tutoring sessions, to help you along the way. Schools like The CE Shop offer packages that include your post-license courses too.

Related Article
5 Best Georgia Real Estate Schools for 2023

Georgia Real Estate FAQs

Now that you’ve learned the steps needed to get your Georgia real estate license, you may have more questions. We’re here to help! We’ve answered the most common questions about the license, exam, reciprocity, and more.





More Career Resources From The Close

Now that you’ve learned how to get a real estate license in Georgia, we wish you all the best in your exciting new career. We’re here to make sure you have the information you need to take your career to new heights.

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