How to Get a Georgia Real Estate License

Getting your Georgia real estate license takes about 2 to 4 months and roughly $500 in upfront costs. The process is straightforward: complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, secure a sponsoring broker, and apply for your license through the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC)Grec.state.ga.us. Here's exactly how it works.

What to Expect: Georgia Licensing at a Glance

Step	What You'll Do
Meet basic requirements	Age 18+, high school diploma, Georgia residency
Complete pre-licensing education	75 hours at a GREC-approved school
Apply for the exam	Submit proof of education through PSI
Pass the state exam	152 questions, 4 hours, 75% to pass
Find a sponsoring broker	Required to activate your license
Apply for your license	In person at a PSI test center within one year

Source: Georgia Real Estate Commission; PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

Before you invest time or money, make sure you qualify. To be eligible for a Georgia salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and be a Georgia resident. GREC also requires that applicants have a reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, and competence — which, in practice, means they'll evaluate your background history as part of the licensing process.

If you have a prior conviction or regulatory sanction, that doesn't automatically disqualify you. GREC evaluates each case individually. You can even submit a Background Clearance ApplicationForms Applications Applications Real Estate Grec.state.ga.us before enrolling in any courses to find out where you stand before spending a dollar. Learn more in our guide to getting a Georgia real estate license with a criminal recordGeorgia Can I Get Georgia Real Estate License Criminal Record Career Center.

Step 2: Complete 75 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Georgia requires 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework from a GREC-approved school. Most students complete this online at their own pace, which makes it easy to balance alongside a current job or other commitments. AceableAgent's Georgia real estate license courseGeorgia Real Estate LicenseGeorgia Real Estate License is fully GREC-approved and mobile-friendly, so you can study wherever it's convenient.

If you've already completed qualifying real estate coursework — either from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college (at least 10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours) or through a pre-licensing course approved by another state or province — you may qualify to take the exam through an alternate route. You'll need to submit your transcript or proof of completion when applying through PSI.

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Step 3: Apply to Take the Georgia Real Estate Exam

Once you've finished your pre-licensing course, your school will transmit your completion to PSI, the company GREC contracts to administer the exam. You'll then register to take the test online or by phone and pay the $121 exam fee.

As part of your application, you must disclose any criminal convictions, guilty pleas, nolo contendere pleas, or sanctions by a licensing agency — in any state or country. If you have something to disclose, GREC will conduct a background investigation before you take the exam. If you have nothing to disclose, the background check happens after you pass. Either way, non-disclosure of a known record is treated more seriously than the underlying offense, so disclose everything upfront.

For a full breakdown of what the application involves, review the PSI Candidate Information BulletinGare Available Test Test Takers.psiexams.com.

Step 4: Pass the Georgia Real Estate Exam

The Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Exam is a 152-question computerized test administered at PSI testing centers across the state. You'll have four hours to complete it, and you need to score at least 75% to pass. The exam covers both national real estate principles and Georgia-specific law.

When you finish, you'll receive a score report immediately. If you pass, you'll be issued a Certificate of Accuracy Statement (COA) — don't sign it on the spot. You'll need that unsigned form for your license application. If you don't pass, you can reschedule and retake the exam; each attempt costs $121.

Want to maximize your chances on the first try? AceableAgent's Georgia real estate exam prepReal Estate Exam Prep covers the topics most commonly tested and includes practice questions designed to build real confidence — not just memorization.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

Every Georgia salesperson must work under a licensed sponsoring broker to practice real estate. Your broker is your legal supervisor, mentor, and the person who assumes responsibility for your transactions while you're building your career. Choosing the right one matters.

The good news: if you have a sponsoring broker lined up before you go back to the PSI test center to pick up your license, you can activate your license the same day. Bring a completed Sponsoring Broker Statement Form to the test center and you'll walk out with an active license. Without it, you'll receive an inactive license that activates once your broker relationship is established.

Step 6: Apply for Your Georgia Real Estate License

Your final step is applying for your license in person at a PSI test center. You have up to one year from your exam date to do this — if you wait longer, you'll need to retake the exam. Come prepared with the following: government-issued photo ID, your unsigned Certificate of Accuracy Statement, a GCIC criminal history report dated within 60 days, a signed and notarized Lawful Presence Affidavit, and your Sponsoring Broker Statement Form if you're activating immediately.

The license fee is $170 if you apply within 90 days of passing, or $340 if you apply between 90 days and one year. Payment must be made by credit card, cashier's check, or money order payable to GREC — personal checks and cash are not accepted. For a full breakdown of all licensing costs, see our Georgia real estate license cost guideGeorgia Cost To Get Real Estate License Georgia Career CenterGeorgia Cost To Get Real Estate License Georgia Career Center.

What Comes Next: Post-Licensing and Continuing Education

Getting licensed is just the beginning. Georgia requires all new salespersons to complete a 25-hour post-licensing course within their first year of licensure. After that, you'll complete 36 hours of continuing education every four-year renewal period, including 3 hours of license law. Your license renews every four years by the end of your birth month.

For details on what's required and when, see our full guide to Georgia post-licensing requirementsWhat Are Georgias Real Estate Post Licensing Requirements Blog.

Real Estate Agent vs. Realtor: What's the Difference?

Once you're licensed, you may decide to take the additional step of becoming a Realtor. A real estate agent is anyone who holds a state license. A Realtor is a licensed agent who is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) — and by extension, their state and local associations.

Realtor membership comes with benefits including MLS access, networking, continuing education resources, and legislative advocacy. It also comes with annual dues — typically $300–$600 depending on your local association. It's worth weighing the cost against the access, especially when you're starting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Georgia real estate license?

Most people complete the process in 2 to 4 months, depending on how quickly they finish the 75-hour pre-licensing course and schedule their exam.

How much does it cost to get a Georgia real estate license?

Upfront costs typically run $500–$600, covering your pre-licensing course, exam fee, and license application fee. For a full breakdown including first-year costs, see our Georgia real estate license cost guideGeorgia Cost To Get Real Estate License Georgia Career CenterGeorgia Cost To Get Real Estate License Georgia Career Center.

Can I get a Georgia license if I'm already licensed in another state?

Georgia offers reciprocity with all 50 states except Florida. Florida licensees must pass a Georgia Law & Practice supplement exam. See our Georgia reciprocity guideGeorgia Which States Have Real Estate License Reciprocity With Georgia Career Center for full details.

Do I need a college degree to get a Georgia real estate license?

No. A high school diploma or GED is all that's required.

What happens if I fail the Georgia real estate exam?

You can retake it as many times as needed. Each attempt costs $121. Your pre-licensing education remains valid for the duration of your eligibility window.

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