If you want to buy and sell real estate in Georgia, you’ll need to become licensed as a real estate agent or broker. There are also several other🤡 criteria including:

• Meeting minimum age requirements (18 for agents and 21 for brokers)
• Completing specific real estate coursework
• Passing an exam (or two, depending on the license)
• Undergo a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:criminal background check

The difference bܫetween a real estate agent and a real estate broker is largely based on years of experience and education. For one, an agent must work under a licensed broker, whereas brokers can work for themselves and/or hire agents to work for them. Beco🃏ming a broker in Georgia also requires completing additioꦛnal coursework and working a minimum of three years as an agent.

Georgia Real Estate License Requirements

There are two types of licenses in Georgia, so the requirements vary depending on the license. A Georgia real estate agent, for example, is authorized to handle real estate 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:transactions but must work under a licensed broker. On the other hand, a broker can own their own company and hire other agents to work for th♔em.

The table below highlights the requirements to become licensed as an agent or broker in Georgia:

Real estate coursework must be completed through an approved provider or at an accredited college, university, or school of law in Canada or the U.S. Prospective agents and brokers must apply for their license within 12 months of passing the exam.

A note on background checks: You must disclose all criminal convictions on your application. Depending on the crime, a conviction may or may not disqualify you from getting licensed. Failure to disclose a conviction for even a minor offense is grounds for immediate denial of your application. If you have a record, you can submit a background clearance application before pursuing licensure.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate Licen🐬se in Georgia?

It can take four to six months in most states 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:to become a real estate agent from start to finish. But in Georgia, it could take as little as three to nine weeks to become licensed. However, you may need as much as another couple of months to secure a sponsoring broker, if you haven’t done so already.

The road may be a little longer for a broker due to the additional requirements of completing an additional 60 hours of pre-broker real estate coursework and having already worked three years as an agent or three years in the general real estate field.

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia

Becoming a real estate professional in Georgia will run aspiring agents roughly💖 $540 to $690 for their initial license, while brokers can expect to pay $785 to $959 due to the additional coursework required. Here is how those costs break down.

• The cost of pre-licensing exam coursework for agents runs around $199 to $279.
• Brokers can expect to pay $249 for coursework hours.
• Fees for both agent and broker licenses run $170.
• Exam fees for both licenses cost $119.
• Both licenses also require a criminal background check.

Note that there may be other miscellaneous fees for association memberships, office space, other training, and requesting exceptions from certain requirements. To keep licenses active, agents and brokers can expect to pay $145 for continuing education and renewal fees of $100 to $125 every four years.

Real Estate License Reciprocity

Georgia has reciprocity agreements with all states. To buy or sell real estate in Georgia, you must hold an active license in good standing from your home state.

If you meet the above criteria, you can submit a real estate reciprocal application. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Florida agents and brokers must also pass a Georgia-specific exam before being allowed to practice in the state. Brokers who wish to open their own practice must submit an open-a-firm application.

C☂an You 🍒Apply for a Georgia Real Estate License Online?

You can get your licen🌸se immediately after passing your exam in Georgia, which you can sign up for online after completing the requisite number of pre-licen๊sing coursework.

If you pass the exam, you can get your license on the spot, assuming you have all the proper paperwork, including a sponsoring broker statement, a lawful presence notarized affidavit, and a Georgia crime information report. You have up to 12 months to activate your license before having to retake either exam.

Georgia Real Estate License Exam

Before you take your Georgia real estate license exam, you must complete the required amount of pre-licensing coursework and show evidence of years worked if you are applying for a broker’s license. The Georgia Real Estate Commission contracts with a company called Applied Measurement Professionals to administer the state's real estate licensing exams. 

You can app🌌ly to take your exam online through the AMP portal unless you apply:

1. Using college course credit,
2. For out-of-state reciprocity, or
3. As a Florida applicant

In those cases, you’ll need to mail the application found in the candidate handbook.

The agent exam consists of 152 multiple-choice questions, 52 of which focus specifically on Georgia. You have four hours to complete the exam and will receive your score immediately after you’ve finished. If you wish to have your license activated on the spot, you must also bring your broker sponsorship application.

The broker exam is structured differently than the agent exam. Instead of multiple-choice questions, you’ll have three hours to solve 11 simulation problems. If you are a Florida resident applying to be a broker in Georgia, you'll need to pass the Georgia Supplement Exam, which consists of 48 multiple-choice questions. If you fail your exam, you can apply to retake it.

Georgia Real Estate License Application

When you have successfully completed the required coursework and passed the exam, you will immediately be able to obtain your license at the testing site provided you have the requisite paperwork. You will also need to shell out $170 via credit card or check. Note that agents must submit a sponsoring broker statement before they can be granted a license, and broke⛄rs who aren’t affiliated with a firm must include an open-a-firm application.

All Georgia real estate licenses are good for four years and may be renewed either online or by mail up to 120 days before expiration. Renewal fees will run $125 for both agents and brokers, although online renewals get a $25 discount.

If you miss your renewal date by 30 days, you will need to reinstate your license and pay a late fee. If you miss your renewal date beyond 30 days but by less than a year, your license will be moved to inactive status, and you’ll need to submit a real estate change application. If your license has lapsed for more than one year, you will need to fill out an application for reinstatement in addition to the change application. All delays will incur late fees.

Post-Licensing Education in Georgia

Georgia real estate agents and brokers who are renewing their licenses must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education coursework for each four-year renewal. All coursework must be completed at one of Georgia's approved real estate schools.

Special Considerations

Georgia has different statutes and regulations that apply to different real estate issues throughout the state. There are several specific property and real estate laws tꦉhat every agent and broker should know, including:

• Homestead laws, which allow property owners to protect a portion of their home from 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:creditors in certain cases
• Adverse possession laws, which allow for someone who’s fixed up a neglected property to take ownership

The Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board also publishes monthly newsletters with the latest changes and updates.

The Bottom Line

Buying and selling real estate in Georgia requires a real estate license from the state. Agents and brokers must meet certain criteria, including the minimum age and education requirements. They must also pass an exam and background check. Becoming licensed comes at a small cost. But, the fees may be worth it if you're successful in your career.