How to get your real estate license in Georgia
Here’s how to get your license in five steps.
Table of contents
Step 1: Meet basic eligibility requirements
Step 2: Complete the pre-license course
Step 3: Pass the Georgia real estate license exam
Step 4: Choose a sponsoring broker
Step 5: Complete your background check and apply for your salesperson license
Step-by-step: how to become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia
Ready to serve buyers and sellers in Atlanta, Columbus, or Augusta? Here’s how to get your real estate license in the Peach State.
Step 1
Meet basic eligibility requirements
Before enrolling in coursework, applicants must confirm they meet Georgia Real Estate Commission’s (GREC) basic requirements.
- Age requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Education: Must hold a high school diploma or GED
- Residency: Applicants must verify lawful presence (lawful U.S. status) when applying.
- Background compliance: Certain criminal convictions may require preliminary review by GREC before an applicant can proceed.
Step 2
Complete the pre-license course
All aspiring real estate agents in Georgia must complete a pre-licensing course approved by the GREC. This foundational education covers essential industry principles and practices.
- Total hours: 75
The mandatory curriculum covers crucial topics such as:
- Georgia property law
- Real estate contracts
- Agency relationships
- Financing and valuation
- Closing procedures
Colibri Real Estate offers both self-paced and livestream courses in Georgia, allowing you to learn in the format that best suits your schedule and learning style. Every course is written and taught by active, seasoned real estate experts who understand the Georgia market, ensuring you learn from industry professionals.
Step 3
Pass the Georgia real estate license exam
After completing the pre-license course, candidates must pass the real estate license exam administered by PSI. The exam fee costs $119 per attempt.
To maximize exam success, candidates should utilize practice exams for Georgia to simulate the testing environment and identify knowledge gaps. Colibri Real Estate offers targeted exam prep courses tailored specifically to Georgia’s state laws and national real estate principles.
Step 4
Choose a sponsoring broker
Georgia law mandates that all active salespersons work under the supervision of a licensed sponsoring broker. Your active license application cannot be finalized without this professional affiliation.
When choosing a sponsoring broker, new agents should look at training, mentorship, company culture, and commission splits. A higher split like 70/30 or 60/40 means you keep more money, but strong training can be even more valuable in your first year.
Step 5
Complete your background check and apply for your salesperson license
Once you’ve passed the state exam and secured a sponsoring broker, it’s time to finalize your application. This involves a mandatory background check and submitting your official paperwork at the PSI testing center.
Georgia requires all real estate applicants to undergo an electronic fingerprinting and criminal background check through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).
Key steps for this final stage include:
- Schedule an appointment at a GAPS (Georgia Applicant Processing Service) LiveScan fingerprinting location.
- Pay the required fee (approximately $51) for the state and FBI background check.
- When you apply for your license at the PSI center, present your valid photo ID, proof of education, and the GCIC background report.
- Submit a Sponsoring Broker Statement signed by your chosen broker to activate your license immediately.
- Pay the non-refundable $170 license application fee via credit card, cashier’s check, or money order.
Post-licensing education requirements
Georgia real estate salespersons must complete a mandatory 25-hour post-licensing course during their first year of licensure. Failure to complete this requirement within the one-year deadline will result in the license lapsing.
Ready to begin your real estate career in Georgia?
For decades, Colibri Real Estate has helped more than 1.5 million aspiring agents navigate the licensing process with confidence. Our Georgia courses are designed by experts and offered in flexible online formats, including self-paced learning or livestream classes where you join a real instructor in scheduled online sessions and can ask questions in real time.
Our pre-licensing packages include everything you need, including built-in exam prep and Rubi, an AI-powered study assistant that helps you stay on track and get answers fast. Plus, with our Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, you can enroll with confidence knowing we stand behind your success.
Get everything you need in one place and start working toward your license today.
FAQs
It typically takes 4 months and costs between $640 and $980 to become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia. This timeline depends on the pace of pre-licensing coursework and exam scheduling.
A standard breakdown of initial costs includes:
– Pre-licensing course $279–$639
– State exam fee $119
– Background check ~$50
– License application fee $170
– Total estimated cost $640–$980
Yes, you must affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate your license. Without a sponsoring broker, the state can only issue an “inactive” license, meaning you cannot legally practice real estate.
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but GREC will review your background check. Applicants with prior legal matters can request a preliminary decision from the Commission before investing time and money into coursework.