Ohio Real Estate License School
Looking for real estate classes in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, or anywhere else in Ohio? Colibri Real Estate has partnered with Hondros College to offer state-approved Ohio real estate pre-licensing courses with flexible learning options. Complete your required education, prepare for the Ohio real estate licensing exam, and take the next step toward starting your real estate career.
At Colibri Real Estate, teamwork makes your dream work.
Colibri Real Estate has joined forces with Hondros College, one of Ohio’s leading real estate schools, to provide students with trusted real estate education and flexible ways to learn.
For more than 45 years, Hondros has helped Ohio students build the knowledge and confidence they need to earn their real estate licenses and start their careers.
Here’s why you can trust Hondros with your real estate education:
- Choose how you learn. Complete your Ohio real estate courses through self-paced online, livestream, or classroom learning options.
- Learn from experienced instructors. More than 30 Ohio-based instructors bring real estate knowledge and local market experience to their courses.
- Prepare for the licensing exam. 94% of Hondros students who follow the recommended study plan pass the Ohio real estate licensing exam on their first attempt.*
- Learn from an experienced Ohio real estate school. Hondros has provided real estate education in Ohio for more than 45 years.
- Connect with potential sponsoring brokers. Hondros College Career Expos give students an opportunity to meet Ohio brokerages while completing their education. Ohio salesperson applicants must have a sponsoring broker before submitting their license exam application.
*94% pass rate reflects Hondros College students who followed the recommended study plan and sat for the Ohio real estate licensing exam between January and September 2025.
About Hondros College
Hondros College has educated Ohio real estate professionals for more than 45 years, offering Ohio real estate pre-licensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and professional development, with online and instructor-led learning options designed to support students throughout their real estate careers. With six Ohio locations, Hondros College provides premier education solutions in real estate, appraisal, home inspection, mortgage, insurance, title insurance, and securities, and offers nationally recognized and highly rated online curriculum for respective disciplines
About our partnership
Hondros and Colibri Real Estate are members of the Colibri Group family, which provides unmatched career education solutions. Together, we work to ensure Ohio’s real estate students get exactly what they need to succeed in the industry.
How to get a Real Estate License in Ohio
To become a real estate agent in Ohio, you must first get your Ohio real estate license. The process of getting your real estate license generally takes a few months and includes the following steps:
1
Make Sure You Meet Ohio’s License Requirements
Ohio salesperson applicants must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, be honest and truthful, meet the state’s criminal and civil-rights eligibility requirements, and have a high school diploma or equivalent if born after 1950.
Review the current Ohio salesperson license requirements before applying if you have questions about eligibility.
2
Complete Your 100 Hours of Ohio Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 100 hours of qualifying Ohio pre-licensing education: 40 hours of Real Estate Principles and Practices, 40 hours of Ohio Real Estate Law including civil rights and housing-discrimination topics, 10 hours of Real Estate Appraisal, and 10 hours of Real Estate Finance.
Under current Ohio law, the qualifying courses must be successfully completed at an institution of higher education and may be taken through classroom instruction or distance education.
3
Find a Sponsoring Broker & Apply for the Exam
Ohio law requires the application to include the recommendation of the broker you are associated with or intend to be associated with. Hondros Career Expos can help students connect with Ohio brokerages while completing pre-licensing education.
After completing the required education and securing a sponsoring broker, submit the License Exam Application through Ohio’s eLicense LPI portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Ohio law currently sets the salesperson application fee at $81, which is nonrefundable.
4
Complete Fingerprinting & Your Background Check
Ohio requires a fingerprint-based state and federal criminal records check.
The current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin instructs salesperson applicants to complete the background check within 10 days after submitting the application to the Division. Fingerprinting fees are paid by the applicant and can vary by provider.
5
Take and Pass the Ohio Real Estate Exam
After the Division approves your eligibility, PSI provides instructions for scheduling the exam.
The salesperson exam includes an 80-item national portion with 120 minutes allowed and a 40-item Ohio state portion with 60 minutes allowed. You need a 70% score on each portion. PSI’s July 2026 bulletin lists a $63 fee when the national and state portions are taken together, and candidates may schedule at a test center or by online proctoring. Both portions must be passed within 12 months of the date on the initial PSI bulletin.
Related: Explore Colibri’s Ohio real estate exam prep.
6
Get Licensed & Complete Ohio Post-Licensing Education
Once you pass both exam portions and the Division completes its licensing review, Ohio can issue your salesperson license under your sponsoring broker.
Ohio also requires 20 hours of approved post-licensing education within 12 months after the license is issued. Missing that deadline can result in automatic license suspension. Colibri offers Ohio post-license courses through Hondros College.
FAQ
Education costs vary by provider and course package. Ohio law currently sets the salesperson application fee at $81, and the July 2026 PSI bulletin lists $63 when the national and state exam portions are taken together. Applicants also pay the fingerprint/background-check fee charged by the provider. Fees can change, so check the state and PSI before applying.
You must complete 100 hours of qualifying education, secure a sponsoring broker, allow time for state application review and the background check, and schedule and pass the exam. PSI gives eligible candidates 12 months from the date on the initial Candidate Information Bulletin to pass both exam portions.
Yes. Ohio law allows the required qualifying education to be completed through classroom instruction or distance education at an institution of higher education. Hondros offers self-paced online and livestream pre-licensing options.
No. Ohio does not require a college degree for a salesperson license. However, the required 100 hours of qualifying real estate education must be completed at an institution of higher education under current Ohio law. Applicants born after 1950 must also have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
Yes, Ohio law provides an out-of-state occupational licensing pathway under Chapter 4796 of the Ohio Revised Code for applicants who meet the applicable requirements. A real estate salesperson applicant using this pathway must also pass an examination on Ohio real estate law. Because eligibility depends on the applicant’s licensing history, check the current Division guidance before applying.
After you pass both portions and satisfy the Division’s remaining licensing requirements, Ohio can issue your salesperson license under your sponsoring broker. You can then begin practicing under that broker and must complete the required 20 hours of post-licensing education within 12 months of license issuance.
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By providing my personal information, including phone number, I consent to receive email messages, auto-dialed calls, texts, and prerecorded messages from Colibri Real Estate with information and offers, including current and possible future services, customer service and billing and agree to the Terms of Service & Privacy Policy. If, at any time, you wish to opt out of electronic or text communications, reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg & data rates may apply. To opt out of email, follow the unsubscribe process on the email communication. I understand that my consent is not required to purchase, and that cancellation of purchase does not automatically revoke this consent.