How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia?

Getting your Georgia real estate license costs around $500 in required fees — and that number goes up to roughly $800 or more once you factor in your first year as a working agent. The biggest variable is which pre-licensing school you choose. Here's a complete breakdown of what to expect.

Georgia Real Estate License Costs at a Glance

Cost	Amount
Pre-licensing course	$200+
GREC license application fee	$170
State exam fee	$121 per attempt
Background check	$30
Estimated total to get licensed	~$500+

Fees current as of 2025–2026. License fee sourced from the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

Breaking Down the Required Costs

The first expense you'll encounter is your pre-licensing education. Georgia requires 75 hours of approved coursework before you can sit for the state exam. Course prices vary by provider, with most falling in the $200–$400 range depending on the format, study tools, and level of student support included. When comparing schools, look beyond price — exam pass rates and access to instructor support matter just as much as cost.

Once you've completed your coursework, you'll submit a license application to the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC)Obtaining A License Real Estate Grec.state.ga.us along with a $170 fee. This fee covers four years of initial licensure, making it one of the better values in the process.

The state exam itself costs $121 per attempt and is administered by PSI. It's a challenging test, and some candidates need more than one try. Choosing a course with a strong track record of student exam pass rates is one of the best ways to protect both your time and your wallet. You'll also need to pass a background check through the Georgia Crime Information Center, which runs about $30.

What You'll Spend in Your First Year

Your upfront licensing costs are just the beginning. Once you're licensed, a few additional expenses come into play.

New agents are required to work under a sponsoring broker, and some brokerages charge monthly desk fees that can range from $0 to $3,000 or more per year. Choosing the right brokerageGeorgia 6 Signs Youre Choosing The Best Real Estate Brokerage In Georgia Career Center is a significant decision — the mentorship, training, and fee structure you sign up for will shape your first years in the business.

Most agents also choose to join the National Association of REALTORS® and their local real estate board. NAR dues are $156 per member for 2026, with a $45 special assessment — and you'll typically owe state and local association dues on top of that. Budget roughly $150–$900 per year depending on your market and the associations you join.

Georgia also requires all new salespersons to complete a 25-hour post-licensing courseGeorgia Post Licensing Real Estate Continuing Education within the first year of licensure. Most providers offer this for $100 or more, so factor it in early.

Marketing is another variable cost. Business cards, signage, mailers, and a basic web presence are standard for new agents. Depending on how aggressively you invest in your brand, expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $3,000 in your first year.

Finally, plan for living expenses during your ramp-up period. Real estate income is commission-based, and your first deal can take months to close. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average annual per-person spending in Georgia was $50,282 in 2023 — a useful benchmark for thinking through your financial runway before commissions start coming in.

Is a Georgia Real Estate License Worth It?

For the right person, absolutely. The upfront investment is modest compared to what Georgia real estate agents earnGeorgia How Much Real Estate Agents Make Georgia Career Center, and you don't need a college degreeGeorgia Do I Need A College Degree To Get A Georgia Real Estate License Career Center to get started. The path from enrollment to licensed agent is clear, the costs are predictable, and your first commission checkGeorgia What Is The Commission For Real Estate Agents In Georgia Career Center can cover everything you spent to get here.

AceableAgent offers payment plans at checkout through Affirm and Klarna to help spread out the upfront cost of pre-licensing coursework.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Required fees total around $500, including your pre-licensing course ($200+), GREC application fee ($170), state exam fee ($121), and background check ($30).

How much is the Georgia real estate exam fee?

The state exam fee is $121 per attempt, administered by PSI. If you need to retake the exam, you'll pay the fee again each time.

Do I need to pay dues to be a REALTOR® in Georgia?

Joining the National Association of REALTORS® is optional, not required for licensure — but most agents do join. NAR dues are $156 per member for 2026, plus a $45 special assessment and any state or local association fees.

What ongoing costs should new Georgia agents expect?

Plan for brokerage desk fees (varies by firm), REALTOR® association dues, a 25-hour post-licensing course, and marketing expenses. First-year total costs typically fall in the $800–$7,000 range, not including living expenses.

How do I start the Georgia licensing process?

Learn the full step-by-step process in our guide on how to get your Georgia real estate licenseGeorgia How To Get Georgia Real Estate License Career Center, then enroll in a Georgia real estate license courseGeorgia Real Estate License to get started.

Ready to take the first step? Let's get you licensed.