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
Cost:
$121
Time to Complete:
4 Hours
Format:
Computer-based, 152 Multiple-choice Questions
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.
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?
Georgia Real Estate Governing Board:
Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board
Prelicensing Requirements:
75-hour Prelicensing Course
Price Range for Prelicensing Courses:
$175 – $350
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 |
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| Livestream Classes |
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| Online Classes |
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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.
5 Best Georgia Real Estate Schools for 2023
Georgia Real Estate FAQs
What if I'm licensed in another state?
If you have an active real estate license in another state, you may be eligible to get your Georgia real estate license without coursework or the license exam. Georgia offers real estate licensing by reciprocity to licensed salespersons in other states.
You can submit a reciprocal application to the Georgia Real Estate Commission. Licensees from all states except Florida can apply for reciprocity. Licensees from Florida need to take the state portion of the Georgia license exam.
[Related article: Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide]
Can I get my Georgia real estate license online?
You can complete the majority of the licensing steps online. You can choose an online school for your prelicense course. You will have to complete a proctored exam when you’re done with your prelicense course, but you can do that at home or at a location of your choice. You will have to get your fingerprint background check done in person, and you’ll have to complete the exam in person.
How long does it take to get a Georgia real estate license?
It takes two to six months to get a Georgia real estate license. The longest part of the process of obtaining your license is the prelicense course. If you take scheduled livestream classes that run Monday to Friday full time, you can finish the course in as little as two weeks. Taking the prelicense course at your own pace means you’ll have to set your schedule.
Does Georgia have post-licensing requirements?
Yes; newly licensed salespersons in Georgia have to complete a 25-hour post-license course. You’ll have to complete the course within the first year of receiving your real estate license.
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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