How to Get Your Real Estate License in Georgia
If you’re thinking about getting into Georgia real estate, now’s the time. In Atlanta, areas like Cobb, Gwinnett, and North Fulton have homes that sell in the high six figures and there are more being built now than ever.
To obtain your real estate salesperson’s license in Georgia here’s what you’re going to need to do.
1. Eligibility
Before you can start your real estate agent training, you have to meet a couple of basic requirements. First, you have to be at least 18 years old. You can take the salesperson’s examination at age 17, but you won’t be able to activate the license until you’re 18.
Also, you have to be a high school graduate or hold a certificate of equivalency.
2. Real Estate Education
Next, you’ll have to complete the real estate training requirements outlined by the state of Georgia. The training consists of a 75-hour salesperson pre-license course taken at a school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
Your education requirements can also be met by completing a minimum of 10 quarter-hours or 6 semester hours as a real estate major from a US or Canadian accredited college or university. If you have completed such course work, you’ll have to submit your official transcripts from the institutions when you apply for the salesperson’s examination.
3. Take the exam.
Once you’ve hit the books and completed the 75-hour course, it’s time to sit for the real estate salesperson’s exam. This will be the determining factor in whether or not you get your license.
First, though, you’ll have to provide a criminal history report. If the report shows that you’ve been convicted of any crime by any other regulatory or licensing agency, an investigation will be conducted to decide whether or not to issue your license.
If that’s all clear, and you pay the required $115 examination fee, it’s time to take the test!
4. Other Fees
There are some other costs associated with getting your license. If you are applying for your license within 2-3 months of taking your exam, the licensing fee will be $170. If you are applying for a period more than three months and less than 12 months from taking your exam, you’re going to have to pay $340.
The good news is that these fees cover all your dues for the first four years of licensure.
5. Activating the License with a Brokerage
Once you’ve met all the criteria above, it’s time to find your brokerage. The brokerage will activate the license, and you’ll be working as an independent contractor with that brokerage. You’ll have to fill out the sponsoring broker statement application, which will need to be signed by your sponsoring broker.
You can switch brokerages at any time.
Getting your license in Georgia takes some work, but in terms of potential income, it’s well worth it. With your license in hand, and some serious salesmanship, you might just become Georgia’s next million dollar real estate agent!
