6 Steps to Getting Your Georgia Real Estate Broker License

Ready to level up your real estate career in Georgia? A broker license lets you open your own firm, supervise other agents, and keep a larger share of your commissions. Here's exactly what it takes to get there.

Step 1: Make sure you meet the qualifications

Before you spend a dollar on coursework, confirm you're eligible. To apply for a Georgia real estateGeorgia Real Estate License broker license, you must be at least 21 years old and have held an active salesperson or CAM license for at least three of the past five years — in Georgia or another state. The key word is "active." A lapsed or inactive license doesn't count toward those three years, so if you took a break from real estate during that window, check your records carefully before moving forward. You can verify your license history through GREC's online portalAccount Search Ata.grec.state.ga.us. Not sure what GREC is or how it works? Check out our guide to the Georgia Real Estate CommissionRole Georgia Real Estate Commission Grec Blog.

Step 2: Complete your broker pre-licensing education

Yep — brokers need more pre-licensing education before they can sit for the exam. Georgia requires 60 hours of broker pre-licensing coursework, which you can complete through a GREC-approved broker courseObtaining A License Schools Real Estate Grec.state.ga.us, a course approved by another state's real estate commission, or nine semester hours of real estate coursework at an accredited college or law school. For most people, the GREC-approved online course is the most practical route. This is separate from the 75-hour salesperson course you completed to get your Georgia real estate licenseGeorgia How To Get Georgia Real Estate License Career Center — the broker curriculum goes deeper on topics like supervising agents and managing trust accounts. For a full picture of what you'll spend getting licensed, see our Georgia real estate license cost guideGeorgia Cost To Get Real Estate License Georgia Career Center.

Step 3: Register for the broker exam

The registration process works the same way it did for your salesperson exam. Register through PSITest Takers.psiexams.com online or by phone, pay the $121 exam fee, and choose a testing site in Georgia. Download the candidate handbook from the PSI website before your test date — it covers exactly what to bring, how scoring works, and testing center policies. PSI also sells a sample broker exam that walks you through the simulation format, which is worth picking up given how different this test is from anything you've taken before.

Step 4: Pass the broker exam

The Georgia broker exam is unlike anything you've taken before. Instead of multiple-choice questions, you'll work through 11 simulations over three hours. Each simulation gives you a real estate scenario, asks you to identify the relevant information, and then has you choose the best course of action. There may be more than one technically correct answer — the exam tests your judgment, not just your memory. Topics include agency relationships, fair housing, handling money, supervision of licensees, contracts, finance, and ethical behavior. Want to sharpen your foundation before diving into broker-specific material? AceableAgent's real estate exam prepReal Estate Exam Prep resources are a solid starting point. You'll get your score immediately at the testing center after finishing — pass, and you'll receive a Certificate of Accuracy Statement you'll need for your license application.

Step 5: Apply for your license

What your application looks like depends on which broker path you're taking. Associate brokers — those joining an existing brokerage — can apply right at the testing center on the day they pass. You'll need your Certificate of Accuracy Statement, a Sponsoring Broker Statement signed by your supervising broker, a GCIC Criminal History Report (no more than 60 days old), and your old salesperson wall certificate and pocket card. Not sure how to choose the right brokerage? Our guide to finding the best real estate brokerage in GeorgiaGeorgia 6 Signs Youre Choosing The Best Real Estate Brokerage In Georgia Career Center can help. Qualifying brokers who want to open their own firm will receive an inactive license first, then submit the Open a Firm application to GRECGrec.state.ga.us separately. Apply within 90 days of passing your exam to pay the $170 license fee — wait longer and it jumps to $340.

Step 6: Keep your license active with continuing education

Georgia broker licenses renew every four years by the last day of your birthday month. Each renewal period, brokers must complete 36 hours of GREC-approved CE, including at least 3 hours of license law. As of July 1, 2025, brokers are also required to complete 18 of those 36 hours in broker-specific topics — a new requirement that covers the core activities brokers handle day-to-day. That 18 hours is included within the 36-hour total, not added on top. For the full breakdown of what's due and when, see our guide to renewing your Georgia real estate licenseRenewing Your Georgia Real Estate License Blog and our post-licensing requirements overviewWhat Are Georgias Real Estate Post Licensing Requirements Blog. AceableAgent's Georgia continuing education coursesGeorgia Real Estate Continuing Education are fully online, GREC-approved, and designed to fit around a working broker's schedule — including the new broker-specific hours.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a broker and an agent in Georgia?

A real estate agent (salesperson) in Georgia must work under a licensed qualifying broker and can't operate independently or open their own firm. A broker has completed additional education, passed a separate exam, and can supervise salespersons, run a brokerage, or work as an associate broker under another qualifying broker. It's the next level of the career ladder — and the only path to owning your own real estate business in Georgia.

Can I use out-of-state experience toward the Georgia broker license?

Yes. Georgia counts active salesperson or CAM license experience from other states toward the three-of-five-years requirement. You'll still need to pass the Georgia broker exam and complete a GREC-approved 60-hour pre-licensing course (or qualifying equivalent) — there's no reciprocity exemption for the education or exam requirements.

How hard is the Georgia broker exam?

Most people find it more challenging than the salesperson exam, primarily because of the simulation-based format. Instead of multiple-choice questions, you're working through 11 real-world scenarios and choosing the best course of action — which tests judgment, not just memorization. Taking the optional PSI practice exam before your test date is one of the most effective ways to prepare, since getting comfortable with the format itself makes a real difference.

What can I do with a Georgia broker license that I can't do as an agent?

With a broker license, you can open and operate your own real estate firm, become the qualifying broker responsible for supervising other agents, and negotiate a larger share of your transaction commissions. Many brokers also find the additional credential and deeper market knowledge strengthens their reputation with clients — particularly when competing for high-value listings.

Want to dig deeper into building your Georgia real estate career? Head to our Georgia career centerGeorgia Career Center for resources on everything from how much agents make in GeorgiaGeorgia How Much Real Estate Agents Make Georgia Career Center to how the Georgia MLS worksWhat Georgia Mls And Why Should You Care Blog.