Starting a Real Estate Career in Georgia

From the beachside mansions of Saint Simons Island to the cabins of Blue Ridge Lake, it’s no surprise the diverse landscape of Georgia has become a popular hotspot for migrating Americans.

Georgia offers scenic nature, major cities as industry hubs, and is still one of the cheapest states to live in—a perfect blend of factors that forms an exciting place to build a successful real estate career. 

But tapping into the endless opportunities of Georgia real estate takes substantial hurdles, including education and passing a big exam. Ensuring the hardworking and qualified applicants make it through.

This guide sets you up for success by walking you step-by-step through the Georgia real estate licensing process. By the end, you’ll be ready to begin your education and inching closer to launching your new real estate career.

Georgia Real Estate Licensing Requirements

The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) is responsible for licensing, registering, and regulating real estate brokers, salespersons, real estate firms, agents specializing in rental locations, time-share salespersons, and developers.

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

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

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

• Must be 18 years of age
• Possess a Social Security number
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass a background check

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

Pre-Licensing Education

The first step to a Georgia real estate license is education. GREC requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education courses offered through approved instructors for a real estate salesperson license. Applicants can complete the online courses covering real estate law, procedures, financing, valuation, and ethics.

Aceable Agent boasts an impressive 84% Georgia pass rate and offers a 75-hour GREC-approved licensing course starting at $219. The basic plan includes instructor support and exam prep with a pay-over-time option.

Background Check

Understanding real estate principles and ethics is essential in the licensing process. However, it’s equally important to demonstrate that you’ve upheld these standards in life, which requires a criminal background check to confirm.

If you are a resident of Georgia, you need to provide a Georgia Criminal Information Center (GCIC) report from your local police station or sheriff’s department. For non-residents, an equivalent report from your state of residency will suffice. The report must be within the last 60 days and from a law enforcement agency.

A copy is required when submitting your final application.

Addressing Concerns (If Needed)

Past mistakes happen. Contact the Georgia Real Estate Commission first if you have concerns about your criminal background check. Many jurisdictions are on the lookout for financial crimes, like fraud and embezzlement, and recently committed crimes.

Only invest your time and resources into licensing if your background supports it. At the same time, don’t be dissuaded without the proper due diligence.

Find a Sponsor Brokerage

With confidence in your background, you can move forward with the next step, finding a brokerage to secure a new business home.

The Sponsoring Broker Statement Form is required when applying for the salesperson real estate license at the PSI testing center (more about this in the following steps).

Before rushing out to the nearest realty firm, it’s vital 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.

The Georgia Real Estate Exam

With a complete education and a clear background check, you can apply online to take the exam through PSI Exams.

The 152-question multiple-choice exam is challenging, covering 100 national real estate principles and practices questions and 52 Georgia-specific laws and regulation questions. 

Moving quickly after completing your pre-licensing education keeps information fresh and better prepares you for a passing 72% score.

Georgia Real Estate Exam details:

• Number of Questions: 152 multiple-choice questions: 100 National and 52 State
• Passing Scores: A minimum score of 72%
• Question Types: multiple-choice, testing your understanding of real estate principles and laws
• Duration: 4 hours total
• Cost: $119
• Real Estate Exam Booklet 

PSI offers eleven locations for the Georgia salesperson exam, including:

• Atlanta (Duluth): 3505 Koger Blvd, Suite 175, Duluth, GA 30096
• Atlanta (Marietta): Pavilions at East Lake, 2100 Roswell Road NE, Suite 2128, Marietta, GA 30062
• Atlanta – Advanced Technology Group: 5600 Roswell Road NE, Suite F270, Atlanta, GA 30342
• Atlanta – PWC Training – College Park: 1635 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 17, Atlanta, GA 30349
• Atlanta – Tactix: 1810 Water Place, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Decatur – HRB: 2891 N. Decatur Rd, Suite D, E and F, Decatur, GA 30033
• Fayetteville – Open Arms Outreach, Inc.: 385 Glynn Street North, Door # 385, Fayetteville, GA 30214
• Lilburn – Bridge Institute-Gwinnett: 630 Hillcrest Rd., Ste 100, Lilburn, GA 30047
• Macon: 3902 Northside Dr., Suite C5, Macon, GA 31210
• Macon (Zebulon Rd): 6394 Zebulon Road, Suite 102, Macon, GA 31220
• Savannah: 6001 Chatham Center Drive, Chatham Center, Orlean Building #155, Savannah, GA 31405

Confirm the locations online before visiting.

Applying For a Real Estate License

Congratulations! You crushed the big exam and are ready to apply for a real estate license. In Georgia, the Real Estate Commission works with PSI to administer qualifying exams AND issue licenses directly at PSI Test Centers. 

Licensing is available Monday through Friday at specified times. When scheduling your exam, consider this vital provision: candidates passing the exam in the afternoon can’t receive their license on the same day. So save yourself a trip and schedule a morning exam.

Applicants can choose between an active or inactive license. An active license requires a completed Sponsoring Broker Statement, while an inactive license does not. 

The license fee is $170, payable via credit card or cashier’s check/money order, but not personal checks or cash.

Post-licensing Education

It’s official. You are a real estate salesperson in the state of Georgia. The major hurdles are behind you, but education in real estate sales never ends.

In Georgia, newly licensed real estate salespersons must complete a 25-hour post-license course during their first year of licensure. This post-licensing education is crucial as it builds on the initial pre-licensing coursework, focusing on more advanced real estate topics and practical aspects of the profession. 

A real estate license requires renewal every four years, which includes completing 36 hours of continuing education.

Final Thoughts

If the Georgia real estate licensing process seems like a lot of work, you are right; it is. And starting a different career is easier.

But real estate is a unique career path unlike any other. Each day is different, and every new deal brings a challenge—plus, you get to tour a ton of cool homes.

As a real estate agent, you become a memorable figure in people’s lives. Helping them through the most exciting and stressful journey will forge new friendships and will even earn you coveted spots as an “adopted family member.”

Take the first step today by locking in your pre-licensing education. Then, announce your plans to the world. Real estate is constant self-promotion and marketing. The best way to start is to bring your friends and family along on the journey.

Welcome to the real estate industry. We are excited for you to join us.