So, you’re thinking about getting into the Georgia housing market? Smart move. Atlanta is booming, Savannah is timeless, and there’s a lot of commission to be made if you can handle the hustle. But before you start printing business cards, there’s a gauntlet of paperwork and exams to get through. Honestly, the real estate license requirements in Georgia aren't as scary as people make them out to be, but if you miss one small detail, the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) will shut you down faster than a house with a failed foundation.
You've probably heard a dozen different stories about how long it takes or what it costs. Let's clear the air. Getting licensed in the Peach State is a specific process that starts with being a legal adult and ends with finding someone to actually hire you.
The Bare Minimums: Are You Even Eligible?
Before you spend a dime on classes, make sure you actually qualify to hold a license. You have to be at least 18 years old. Now, interesting enough, you can actually take the exam at 17, but GREC won’t hand over the active license until your 18th birthday. You also need a high school diploma or a GED. If you didn’t finish high school, you’re basically stuck until you get that equivalency.
Then there’s the "good character" part. Georgia is big on this. You have to provide a Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) report—basically a background check—to the testing center. If you have a criminal record, it’s not an automatic "no," but you’ll have to jump through extra hoops, like submitting a "Background Clearance" form and potentially having a hearing. They care about honesty and trustworthiness. If your record involves financial fraud or something similar, it’s going to be a tough climb.
The 75-Hour Hurdle
This is where most people get bogged down. To get a salesperson license, you have to complete 75 hours of pre-license education. This isn't just sitting in a room; it’s a GREC-approved curriculum that covers everything from property law to finance and those lovely real estate math equations everyone hates.
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- Option A: The Standard Course. Most people take a 75-hour course from a private school like Colibri or the Atlanta REALTORS® School. You can do it in person or online.
- Option B: The College Route. If you already took real estate courses in college (10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours), you might be able to skip the 75-hour course entirely. You just have to prove it with a transcript.
- Option C: The Law Degree. Law school graduates who took courses in real property can often bypass the pre-license education too.
One thing to watch out for: the course final exam. Even after you finish the 75 hours, you have to pass the school’s final exam before they’ll even let you sit for the state exam. In Georgia, that school final usually needs to be proctored, meaning someone has to watch you take it to make sure you aren't Googling the answers.
The State Exam: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Once you pass your 75-hour course, you get to meet PSI. PSI is the testing company that handles the official Georgia real estate exam. As of early 2026, the fee is roughly $119 or $121 depending on the specific center and any minor administrative updates.
The test is 152 multiple-choice questions. You have four hours. You’ll be tested on national real estate principles and Georgia-specific laws. You need a 75% to pass. Pro tip: do not underestimate the Georgia-specific law section. It’s where most people trip up because it covers very specific rules about how GREC operates and what you can and can’t say in an advertisement.
If you pass, you'll know right then and there. They give you a score report at the testing center. If you fail, well, you pay the fee and try again. There’s no limit on attempts, but your bank account will feel the sting if you have to go back three or four times.
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Finding a Sponsoring Broker
In Georgia, you cannot just be a "rogue" real estate agent. You must be "sponsored" by a licensed broker. This is basically a firm that agrees to supervise your work and hold your license. Think of it like an apprenticeship.
You can actually take the exam before you find a broker. If you pass and don't have a broker yet, you can apply for an inactive license. This keeps your "passed" status safe, but you can’t actually sell houses or collect commissions until you move that license to an active status under a broker.
When you’re ready to go active, your broker will sign a Sponsoring Broker Statement. Once that’s filed with the state and you pay your license fee (usually around $170 if you do it within 90 days of passing), you are officially a real estate agent.
The "Secret" Post-License Requirement
Most people think once they have the license, they’re done. Wrong. Georgia has a "post-license" requirement that catches a lot of new agents off guard. Within your first year of being licensed, you have to complete a 25-hour post-license course.
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If you don't finish this course before your one-year anniversary, your license will lapse. Lapsing is a nightmare. It means you can't work, and you'll have to pay extra fees or even retake the education to get back in the game. Just do it in your first six months and get it over with.
Reciprocity: Moving to Georgia with a License
If you already have a license in another state, you might be in luck. Georgia has broad reciprocity. This means if you have an active license in, say, Tennessee or Alabama, you might not have to take the 75-hour course or even the national part of the exam.
However, if you're coming from Florida, Georgia is a bit more strict. Florida residents usually have to take the Georgia-specific portion of the exam even if they’re already licensed in the Sunshine State. For everyone else, it’s mostly about submitting a "Certified License History" from your home state and paying the fee.
Your Immediate Action Plan
If you're serious about this, don't just sit on the idea. The market moves fast, and the paperwork moves slow.
- Check your background. Go to a local sheriff's office or police station and get your GCIC report. It costs about $25 and is only valid for 60 days. If there's something on there that shouldn't be, you want to know now.
- Sign up for the 75-hour course. Don't overthink which school. Just pick one that is GREC-approved and fits your learning style (online if you're disciplined, in-person if you'll just watch Netflix instead of studying).
- Interview brokers early. Don't wait until you pass the exam to find a home. Start talking to local firms now. Ask about their split (how much of the commission they keep) and what kind of training they offer for "green" agents.
- **Save $1,000.** Between the course ($200-$500), the background check ($25), the exam fee ($121), and the license fee ($170), plus initial dues for the local Board of Realtors if you join one, it adds up. Having a "license fund" makes the process way less stressful.
Getting through the real estate license requirements in Georgia is basically your first test as an agent. It requires organization, persistence, and a bit of a stomach for bureaucracy. Once you're through, the ceiling on what you can earn is pretty much up to you.