Starting a Real Estate Career in Ohio

From the Ohio River to the shores of Lake Erie, Ohio offers real estate agents a diverse opportunity to build an exciting and lucrative career.

But, great opportunities often come with hard work, and the Ohio real estate licensing process is a significant hurdle.

This guide simplifies the process, outlining the steps and costs, allowing you to stay focused on education and studying for the big exam.

Ohio Real Estate Licensing Requirements

The Ohio Real Estate & Professional Licensing (REPL) division is responsible for licensing, registering, and regulating real estate brokers, salespersons, real estate firms, appraisers, home inspectors, and land professionals.

Additionally, REPL forms the regulations that govern professional behavior and standards within the Ohio real estate industry, including the extensive licensing process.

The Ohio real estate licensing process ensures prospective agents are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and have the skills to assist Ohioans with their most valued investments: Their homes.

Before starting, Ohio has prerequisites all applicants must meet, including:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Possess a Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
• Have a background clear of criminal convictions

With the basic requirements met, it’s time to tackle the complicated steps.

Pre-Licensing Education

The first step to an Ohio real estate license is completing 120 hours of real estate education from an approved institution or higher education covering:

• Real Estate Principles and Practices (40 hours)
• Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours)
• Real Estate Appraisal (20 hours)
• Real Estate Finance (20 hours)

Ohio is one of the most expensive states for pre-licensing education, averaging between $1200 to $1500.

The Ohio Real Estate Exam

With pre-licensing education complete and fingerprints in process, it’s time to tackle the big real estate exam. 

The Ohio real estate exam consists of a State and National exam totaling 120 questions. Applicants have 180 minutes and require a passing score of 70%.

To get started, applicants must qualify to sit for the exam by submitting a completed Salesperson License Application and paying the $81 fee. Once approved, the Ohio real estate exam administrator PSI Exams sends a notification to allow scheduling.

Ohio Real Estate Exam detail:

• Number of Questions: 120 multiple-choice questions: 80 National and 40 State
• Passing Scores: A minimum score of 70%
• Question Types: multiple-choice, testing your understanding of real estate principles and laws
• Duration: 180 minutes. 120 minutes on the National portion and 60 minutes on State
• Cost: $63
• Real Estate Exam Booklet 

Within 10 days of submitting the Salesperson License Exam Application, visit an approved WebCheck® provider for fingerprinting.

Fingerprinting For a Background Check

A deep understanding of real estate ethics and principles is vital in the licensing process, and demonstrating you’ve upheld these standards in life is required. This means obtaining fingerprints for a background check.

Fingerprints must be taken by an approved Webcheck® system provider, completing both state and FBI prints. The combined fingerprinting and background check fee will cost between $60-75.

Addressing Concerns (If Needed)

Only invest your time and resources into licensing if your background supports it. Ohio REPL does provide a pre-determination process if applicants have background concerns. 

Find a Sponsor Brokerage

Congratulations! You passed the exam and are ready for the final steps. Applicants must find a sponsoring broker to secure their business home before filing the application.

If you have yet to think about it, this is the time to consider your future career goals and path.

Choosing Your Specialty

Real Estate is a field with diverse possibilities. Reflect on whether your passion lies in helping families find their dream homes, assisting businesses in securing the perfect commercial space, or managing properties for investors. 

Each specialty has its own set of demands and skills:

• Residential Real Estate: Focus on individual or family dwellings, selling single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses.
• Commercial Real Estate: Specialize in business properties, including leasing and selling office spaces, retail locations, and more.
• Property Management: Manage the leasing of residential, commercial, or industrial properties for investors.

Real estate agents have the added decision of becoming a REALTOR®. Agents are not REALTORS® until joining the National Association of REALTORS®, a membership most prevalent in the residential industry that provides access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)® and benefits like discounted healthcare and legal support.

Finding the Right Brokerage Fit

Choosing a brokerage can significantly influence your career direction and growth. New agents should interview several realty firms and speak with local brokers for market intel.

Take advantage of platforms like Agent Nook to delve into the cultures and strengths of different brokerages. Finding a brokerage that complements your chosen specialty and supports your career goals and development will provide a better path to success.

Bring your salesperson application along. It requires a signature from the principal brokerage.

Applying For the Real Estate License

With pre-licensing education, fingerprinting, a passing score on the real estate exam, and a sponsoring broker, the final real estate salesperson application can be submitted.

Applications are completed through the eLicense system. New applicants will register a login and follow the prompts and instructions to complete.

Be prepared with the following information or documents:

• Official transcripts or completion certificate of required pre-licensing education
• Date of graduation
• Sponsored brokerage license number
• Supporting documents for prior judgments, licensing disciplinary actions, or convictions.

A salesperson application fee of $60 and a processing fee of $30 must be paid at the time of submission.

The application processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, assuming all documents were provided and the background check is completed promptly.

Continuing Education

Real estate agents have education requirements for the life of their careers. Ohio does not have post-licensing requirements, but all licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years before license renewal.

The 30 hours of CE must include:

• 3 hours of ethics
• 3 hours of fair housing
• 3 hours of legal updates
• 21 hours of elective courses in real estate topics

Final Thoughts

Ohio has a robust licensing process that likely deters many applicants after starting their research.

Those who brave the hours of classroom education and the stress of a big exam reap the rewards. Real estate is a unique career path where each day is new and has endless revenue potential. 

If you love helping people and are okay with touring beautiful, fun, and wild homes, enduring the licensing process is worthwhile. After all, selling real estate opens lifelong friendships that open spots at the family dinner table by doing your job well.

You have two steps to take next: 

1. Find a real estate school and lock in your pre-licensing education. The CE Shop has an excellent reputation and partnered with Davis University in Ohio. 
2. Tell EVERYONE. Real estate is a marketing and self-promotion business. Taking your friends and family along for the journey brings you closer to your first referral and big commission check.

Good luck! We’re excited you chose to join the industry.