Have you ever wanted to sell luxury homes in Atlanta? How about mansions in Alpharetta? If you’re here, it means you must be interested in finding out how to get your real estate license in Georgia. I can tell you right now that there’s never been a better time to get into the real estate industry!

Maybe it’s been your dream to get your real estate salesperson license for a while now, or maybe you’re just starting to consider real estate as a new career option with a higher earning potential. I know I’ve been there. I wasn’t always the No. 1 real estate agent in New York City starring in Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing New York.” I first came to New York as a struggling actor just trying to survive between auditions. I turned to real estate simply as a way to survive at first, but I soon started to realize that the real estate business could give me everything I wanted out of a career.

You’re here because you want to get your real estate license in Georgia. Fortunately, the process of going through real estate school and the license application process tends to be fairly similar across the United States. Just some of the finer details will change. Below, you’ll find a list of the basic requirements you’ll need to meet in order to get your real estate license in Georgia. 

1. Meet the pre-requisites.
2. Complete your pre-licensing coursework.
3. Pass your course final exam.
4. Obtain your criminal history report.
5. Select a sponsoring broker.
6. Complete the Georgia Real Estate Sales Associate Exam.

Let’s take a look at the basic requirements together. 

Everything You’ll Need to Get Your Real Estate License in Georgia 

1. Meet the pre-requisites.

The first step is to just make sure that you’ve turned 18 years of age. You’ll also be required to have a high school diploma or GED. That’s it for the prerequisites!

2. Complete your pre-licensing coursework.

The next step is that you’ll need to complete an approved 75-hour pre-licensing salesperson course. You can take this course in-person from an approved education provider, like a real estate school or community college. You also have the option to take an online course.

3. Pass your course final exam.

After finishing your mandated coursework, you’ll need to pass your course final exam. The minimum score to pass your final exam in your license course is 72%. You may take practice exams as part of your real estate course in order to prepare.

You’ll need to take your real estate exam in the presence of a proctor. Because of the restrictions caused by COVID-19, real estate schools in Georgia have partnered with PSI test centers for e-proctoring via video conferencing and screen sharing. Each proctored attempt at the final exam will cost $25.

4. Obtain your criminal history report.

No more than 60 days before submitting your licensing application, you’ll need to provide a certified criminal history report from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Being convicted of a crime doesn’t necessarily bar you from becoming licensed, although it is possible.

5. Select a sponsoring broker. 

The state of Georgia requires that new agents be mentored by a real estate broker for their first year during the licensing process. This may sound like a hoop to jump through, but it’s actually great for new agents. One of the biggest mistakes I made early in my career was not joining a team. I didn’t have a mentor or a training program to help me out. I had to learn everything the hard way, meaning on my own. Fortunately, it won’t be that way for you. 

When you’re looking for the right brokerage to work with, you’ll need to consider a few important points. Firstly, you’ll need to check the reputations of each broker you’re considering to see how they’re regarded, both in-state and nationally. You’ll want to ask them what kind of education and support they offer to help you with real estate activities. Don’t forget to ask about their real estate commission structure as well and determine whether you have opportunities to grow at the brokerage. 

The most important thing to remember is that real estate brokers WANT to recruit you. In fact, there may even be some brokers waiting as you leave the testing center. Take your time to decide at your own pace which broker you want to work with. It’s about YOUR needs, not the other way around. 

6. Complete the Georgia Real Estate Sales Associate Exam. 

This exam is composed of 152 multiple choice questions and is divided into two sections. The national section will test you on basic practices involved in real estate sales, and the state exam will test your knowledge of Georgia real estate law. You’ll need a passing score on both sections to clear the exam. 

 Once this exam is done, you’ll be able to apply for your license at any of the PSI test centers in the state of Georgia after 2:00 p.m. on the day you passed the exam. You’ll need to do so no more than 12 months after the date you completed the exam. The license fee is $170. 

FAQs

Does Georgia have license reciprocity with any other states? 

You may be eligible for real estate license reciprocity, under the right conditions. If you have graduated from an accredited law school, received a degree with a major course of study in real estate, or currently have a license in another state or jurisdiction, then your application process and education requirements may be altered accordingly. Visit the Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board website for more details. They set the state’s requirements and decide who may get a waiver for them. 

How long does it take to get your real estate license? 

That question depends on you. If you’ve read my books, then you’ll know that “initiative” is my favorite word. I’m a huge believer in its power. The best time to start getting your license is right now, and you have the power to start learning whenever you want. If you feel like you’re fenced in with your current career or that your back is up against a wall, that’s a good thing! Use that feeling to drive yourself further. 

The maximum amount of time you have to complete your licensing process may depend on your real estate school, instructor, or other factors. In Georgia, you’ll have a maximum of 12 months to finish getting your license once you’ve completed the sales associate exam. 

Are there ways for new or prospective agents to gain an advantage? 

Definitely! I’ve designed the training program that I wish I had when I first started my real estate journey. The Sell It Like Serhant: Pre-Licensing Accelerator course provides you with state-qualifying coursework, practice exams, support from expert instructors, and you’ll even get a membership to my Real Estate Core 42-video online course. This teaches you the same sales system that my team and I use at my brokerage right here in New York City. This advanced course package has everything you’ll need to get your license and kickstart a great career in sales. 

Becoming a successful real estate professional isn’t something that will happen overnight, but with the right knowledge and practices, you can have a much easier start than I did. My courses will put you about five years ahead of where I was at the beginning of my career. It took a lot of hard work, plenty of missed weekends, and the courage to say “yes” to some wild rides and opportunities, but I’ve managed to build the most-followed real estate brokerage in the world from essentially nothing.

Schedule your initial coursework, and get on the road toward becoming a successful agent today! 

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