How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia

Looking to begin your real estate career? With a minimal investment of time and money, you can earn your Georgia real estate license and be ready to take on a new and promising career. To become a licensed real estate agent in the state of Georgia, you must meet the requirements put forth by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. There are surprisingly few qualifications you will need to meet in order to obtain your Georgia real estate license. In fact, in about a month, you could be poised on the threshold of a new and lucrative career path.

Prerequisites to get your real estate license in Georgia:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a social security number.
• You must have a high school diploma (or equivalent).

5 Steps To Get Your Real Estate License in Georgia

Step 1 – Option 1: Enroll in a Georgia Real Estate School

Complete the required 75-hour Salesperson Pre-license Course at a School approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission 

OR

Step 1 – Option 2: Complete required real estate education with university, college or other state/province offerings.

1. Take courses at a college, university or school of law.  
   • Complete a minimum of 10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours of course work eligible for a major in real estate from a U.S. or Canadian accredited college or university.
     OR
   • Complete a minimum of 10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours of courses in real property, agency, or contracts from a U.S. or Canadian accredited school of law. You must submit an official transcript from the college, university, or school of law with your application to AMP (not the Commission) for examination. AMP will notify you as to whether your coursework is acceptable.
     Note: Continuing education, crash seminars, and special short courses are not acceptable. 
2. Show proof of completion from another state or province of Canada. 
   • Provide proof of completion of at least 75 hours of pre-license course work approved by the real estate regulatory agency of another state or province of Canada. You must obtain a letter from that agency that verifies that the course work is approved in that state or province.

Step 2: Pass the final course exam.

Should you choose to enroll in a Georgia real estate school, you will be required to sit for a final course exam. To pass the course final exam at Colibri Real Estate, you will be given two attempts, and must achieve a 75% or greater.

Step 3: Complete the background check.

After you’ve passed your course final exam and prior to sitting for the state license exam, you must bring a copy of your criminal history or Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Report to the AMP testing center (not the Commission).

If the report indicates any crime convictions or sanctions by any licensing or regulatory agency, then the Commission will conduct an investigation and decide whether or not you can be issued a license.

Step 4: Apply for your Georgia real estate license.

Once you’ve reached this step, first – congratulations! You’re on your way to starting your career in real estate.

Your next step will be to apply for the salesperson’s license within twelve months of the date that you took and passed the state license exam. After twelve months have passed, you must retake it.

Step 5: Pass the Georgia state license exam.

To sit for the Georgia state license exam, you will need to pay a $119.00 fee. You must pass the Examination administered by the AMP and approved by the commission.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia?

It can take you between four to six months to become a real estate agent in Georgia. This includes the time required to finish your Georgia pre-licensing course, undergo the background check, take the licensing exam, and receive a license. However, this may vary from person to person.

What Should You Do After You Get Your Georgia Real Estate License

Once you’ve obtained your Georgia real estate license, you have several exciting paths to choose from as you embark on your career.

1. Become a Salesperson and Join an Agency

Many newly licensed individuals choose to begin their careers as real estate salespersons. This involves affiliating with a licensed real estate brokerage or agency. Joining an agency can provide you with valuable mentorship, resources, and a network of experienced professionals.

As a real estate salesperson, you’ll work closely with clients, helping them buy or sell properties. This hands-on experience is invaluable for honing your skills, building your reputation, and developing your real estate knowledge.

Consider participating in additional training and courses to enhance your expertise. Many agencies offer training programs for new agents, and you can also explore specialized real estate topics that interest you.

2. Pursue a Broker Certification

To become a real estate broker in Georgia, you’ll need to accumulate a specific amount of experience as a salesperson. Typically, this means working as a licensed salesperson for at least three years, but requirements can vary.

Once you meet the experience requirements, you’ll need to complete the Georgia broker license. This usually includes additional hours of study focused on broker-specific topics.

After completing the coursework, you’ll need to pass the Georgia broker license exam. This exam is more comprehensive and covers advanced real estate concepts.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you can apply for your broker license. Once obtained, you can either operate your own real estate brokerage or work as a broker within an existing agency.