How to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025 

Before we start with this blog, here are some of the quick facts for you!  

1. According to Indeed, as a full-time real estate agent in GA, you can make $97,954 per year.  

2. It might take you around 15.5 to 19.5 weeks before you get a real estate agent license in Georgia.  

The Georgia real estate sector remains booming, with vast opportunities for individuals seeking a fast-paced and fulfilling professional life.  

This real estate license is the key to unlocking this great industry. This Licensing is governed by the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC). It requires all agents to adhere to professional standards while safeguarding consumer interests. 

Getting your real estate license entails fulfilling laid-down education requirements, passing tests, paying for a background check, and securing sponsorship by a licensed broker.  

Although it is a process with multiple steps, it generally takes between three and six months and costs between $500 and $800 on average.  

Understanding each step in clear terms prepares you well, enabling you to pass through with ease and begin your real estate practice on a confident note. 

In this blog, I will break down every step of how to get real estate license in GA in 2025, making the process simpler and less intimidating. 

How To Get Real Estate License In GA: A Step-by-Step Guide!  

Getting a real estate agent license in Georgia involves a very structured process. If you know the right trick, it would be easier for you to understand how to get a real estate license in GA.  

Here are the steps that you must follow!  

Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements 

Before starting, you need to make sure that you can apply for a real estate license in Georgia.  

The requirements, as a minimum, include being 18 years or older and having a high school diploma or General Educational Development equivalency.  

You also need to show that you are legally in the United States. These qualification requirements ensure that all applicants possess the minimum legal and academic standing to deal in real estate in the state.  

Remember that criminal background concerns must be revealed as a requirement of the application process, and there could be increased scrutiny or prohibitions for applicants who have some convictions.  

On top of that, you need to be at atleast 18 years old to get a license in GA. You can sit for the examination if you are 17; however, your license can only be activated once you turn 18.  

It is always a good idea to search the Georgia Real Estate Commission website for the most recent rules and exceptions before applying. 

Step 2: Complete 75 Hours Of Pre-Licensing Education 

Georgia mandates that potential agents must take 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework that the GREC validates.  

The course deals with significant matters such as property possession, contractual regulation, agency connections, real estate financing, and moral practices. Here is the detailed list:  

• New York State license law and regulations 

• The law of agency 

• Contracts 

• Property valuation 

• Finance 

• Land use and zoning 

• Construction and environmental issues 

• Taxes and assessments 

• Condominiums, cooperatives, and commercial properties 

• Fair housing and ethical business practices 

They could be completed online or in person. Online courses offer the flexibility to study in your own time, which is ideal if you have a busy life.  

Most well-reputed providers, such as the Georgia Academy of Real Estate and Colibri Real Estate, offer interactive online courses with practice exams and exam prep software. 

If you desire personal interaction, local real estate schools also conduct classroom lessons where you can learn from experienced instructors and interact with classmates. Some notable providers are:  

1. The CE Shop: Offers self-paced online courses. 

2. Colibri Real Estate: Provides online courses and some livestream options. 

3. Kaplan Real Estate Education: Features online courses and exam prep packages. 

4. New York Real Estate Institute: Offers both in-person and Zoom classes. 

5. RealEstateU: A popular online provider. 

6. 360training: Offers DOS-approved online courses. 

Choose the format that suits you best so you can learn effectively and be better prepared for the exam that awaits you. 

Step 3: Pass The Course Final Exam 

By the end of your pre-licensing course, you’ll take a final exam that proves your proficiency in the coursework.  

It is in the form of multiple-choice questions that include all of the relevant aspects of the coursework. 

You need to achieve at least 75% accuracy in your answers to pass. Relatively few training centers also offer study guides and practice exams that you can take to study and make you more comfortable on exam day.  

If you fail the exam on the first sit, you can re-take it after re-studying, normally at a small fee. Passing this exam is also a key milestone before you can take the state licensing exam. 

Step 4: Submit Fingerprints And Background Check 

After you finish with your course exam, the second step would be completing a background check by submitting your fingerprints to the Georgia Real Estate Commission.  

It makes sure all applicants pass safety and ethics requirements. You can take or submit your fingerprints at some authorized locations, such as PSI testing centers or police departments.  

According to Georgia.gov, you need to complete it early because it will not advance your application further.  

You need to disclose criminal records truthfully, and the GREC strictly examines such before it issues a license. 

Step 5: Pass The Georgia Real Estate Exam 

The Georgia real estate licensing exam is a significant step. PSI administers it and focuses on your knowledge of state laws and common real estate principles.  

It also includes questions on property possession, contracts, funding, agency law, and real estate mathematics. 

You need to register online to take your exam at a local test site. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam. 

A score of 75% or higher is required to pass. If you don’t pass on the first try, you can retake the exam as many times as you need, though each attempt requires another fee of approximately $119. 

Studying well in advance with practice exams and reviewing your state laws can help you pass successfully the first time.  

Keep in mind, passing the state exam technically qualifies you to take your license with GREC. 

Step 6: Find A Sponsoring Broker 

Prior to being able to operate your real estate license, Georgia mandates that you must operate under a sponsoring broker.  

The broker offers professional assistance, mentorship, and Rule Compliance supervision for new agents. 

It is worthwhile to select a suitable broker because it is going to define your early career. Check for brokers that have proper training programs, mentoring, and reasonable commission splits.  

Interview at least one broker to learn about office culture, facilities, and opportunities for advancement. 

Your sponsoring broker must sign for you to file your license application, so take the time to select a person you can turn to and learn from. 

Step 7: Submit Your Application 

Having your sponsor in place, you can then file your application for your license with the Georgia Real Estate Commission.  

Your application would contain your education certificates, passing proof of the state exam, background check approval, and sponsoring broker information. 

You may apply online or in person at a PSI test site. The application fee is $170 when paid within 90 days of passing your test; after 90 days, it jumps to $340. Processing typically occurs in one to two weeks. 

Ensure that you finish all of your papers correctly and in full to prevent delays. Upon passing, you become a Georgia-licensed real estate salesperson. 

Step 8: Complete Post-Licensing Education 

Once you’ve qualified, Georgia requires new agents to take a 25-hour post-licensing course in their first year of qualification.  

This additional training reinforces practical competence, ethics, anti-discrimination techniques, and related industry fundamentals. 

The post-licensing training is provided by the same authorized providers of post-licensing education, both online and in-person.  

It is imperative to complete the course within the timeframe to maintain your active license. 

This mandate also prepares new agents for real-world issues and continuing professional development.  

Several agents benefit from post-licensing training, which improves their first year of practice by enhancing confidence and competence. 

Step 9: Maintain Your License 

You must renew your Georgia real estate license every four years and take continuing education (CE) regularly.  

The requirement is for 36 hours of CE within four years, with mandated courses in state laws and ethics. 

Brokers also have additional CE requirements with 18 broker-specific hours starting July 2025.  

Renewal applications are submitted online, and renewal fees apply. Missing deadlines or CE requirements can result in license suspension or additional fees. 

Staying updated through continuing education allows agents to remain in compliance with laws, respond to shifts in the market, and create a positive professional profile. 

What Are The Expert Tips For Aspiring Real Estate Agents?  

Starting a career in real estate is thrilling and daunting. Take a look at these expert tips for finding success: 

• Find the appropriate education provider: Seek programs with solid exam prep, dynamic formats, and decent student support. 

• Network early: Attend local REALTOR events and organizations to interact with individuals and learn from seasoned agents. 

• Choose your sponsoring broker with care: Interview them for mentorship, discuss commission divisions, and assess the office environment to ensure you’re compatible. 

• Use technology: Make time to learn technological marketing, listing, and customer communication tools. 

• Make lifelong learning a commitment: Laws in real estate and market trends evolve. Keep abreast with CE and industry reports. 

• Create your own brand: Honesty, consistent communication, and world-class customer service generate referrals and results. 

These strategies form the foundation of a long-term, successful career in such a highly competitive environment. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the cost to get a real estate license in Georgia? 

Typically between $500 and $800, including education, exams, background check, and application fees. 

2. How long does it take to become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia? 

The duration is typically 3 to 6 months, depending on course pace and exam dates. 

3. Can I complete the pre-licensing education online? 

Yes, indeed, Georgia offers ample state-licensed online pre-licensing courses. 

4. Are there any continuing education requirements to maintain my license? 

Yes, 36 hours of continuing education in a four-year cycle, including laws and ethics. 

5. Can I transfer my real estate license from another state to Georgia? 

Georgia grants limited reciprocity; the majority of out-of-state applicants need to complete the Georgia exam and education requirements. 

6. What are the post-licensing education requirements in Georgia? 

New agents also need to take a 25-hour post-licensing course during their first year. 

7. How do I renew my real estate license in Georgia? 

Renewal is online every four years with proof of CE and payment of fees.