Which States Have Real Estate License Reciprocity With Georgia?

Georgia has reciprocity agreements with every state in the U.S.

That means you don’t have to take all of your pre-licensing education hours again to get a Georgia real estate license.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about how reciprocity works with real estate licenses and why a Georgia license is a safe bet if you think you might want to have a multi-state real estate business.

Are You Eligible for Reciprocity in Georgia?

Let’s find out. Answer the following questions.

1. Are you licensed in another state (not Florida)?

2. Is your license current and in good standing?

3. Did you pass an examination to get your license?

If you answered yes to those questions, then you are eligible for reciprocity in Georgia! Just follow the steps below to apply for your Georgia salesperson license.

Steps for Transferring a License in Georgia

Step 1: Submit a real estate reciprocal application form and attach the following documents:

• Notarized Lawful Presence Verification form

• Certified license history from the state licensing board or regulatory agency in the state in which you are licensed.

• Georgia Criminal Information Report (GCIC) (if you are a Georgia Resident). If you are not a resident of Georgia, attach an equivalent report from your state of residency.

Step 2: Submit proof of completion of a 25-hour or longer post-license course (or a substantially similar course from another state) taken within the first year of licensure.

Are You From Florida?

Sorry, this is awkward. Florida is the one state Georgia does not have full reciprocity with. If you are from Florida, you’ll have to take and pass the Georgia portion of the real estate licensing exam. The same is true for Florida brokers. Sorry, we don’t make the rules, Floridians.

Are You a Broker?

If you are setting up a new office in the state as a broker, the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) will probably ask for more documentation about your business. While you don’t need to take real estate classes again, you might budget a few weeks for the process, depending on your situation.

What About Moving From Georgia to Another State?

Just because Georgia accepts out-of-state real estate licenses, doesn't mean every state accepts a Georgia license. While most do, you may need to take an exam, or portions of one, in the other state. However, there’s a good chance, you can quickly move into the application process without needing to take more classes.

Each state has its own unique processes, but the thinking behind a reciprocity agreement is that the education and laws are similar enough, so some states have agreed that further education isn’t necessary.

The states that offer full or partial license reciprocity with Georgia include:

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Florida

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Louisiana

• Maine

• Mississippi

• Nebraska

• New Hampshire

• New York

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

• Utah

• Virginia

• West Virginia

Continuing Education and Reciprocity

Even with reciprocity, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook as far as other education. You will still need to maintain all of your continuing education hours in the Peach State to maintain your license there.

In Georgia, for example, if you are in your first year of real estate, you need to take 25 hours of continuing education to keep your license active. After that, you need to take at least 36 hours of continuing education every four years to keep your license going. Those rules still apply to you, even if you’re doing a lot of your real estate work outside the state. And the same goes for if you are coming to Georgia from out of state. You need to keep your license active by staying on top of your continuing education.