How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia?

Although there are many steps, how long it takes to get a real estate license in Georgia depends on your dedication and focus.

You can move through the following steps expediently, and with this breakdown of estimated time for each step, you’ll feel less frustrated throughout.

Keep reading to see roughly how long each step in the licensing process could take.

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia

How long does it take to get a real estate license in GA? You can figure out the answer to this by doing some research on the whole licensing process, starting with the prerequisites.

Spending time reviewing the general requirements and the overall process can also help ensure this is a career you really want.

You first need to meet the basic requirements of being at least 18 years old and having a high school diploma or equivalent. From there you can get into more details.

This is the time to plan so that the next steps of your licensing process go faster.

You should start looking into where to complete your background check, as well as where you’ll take your pre-licensing coursework.

The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) provides a list of approved real estate schools, which shortens the list of institutions to review.

You can also take the time to make sure you can afford all the associated fees with getting your real estate license, and scope out testing centers to find the closest one.

Research won’t take long, and it will save you plenty of time down the road.

It’s difficult to give an exact timeline of how long this step in the licensing process will take.

Although the courses are broken down into required hours, how quickly you move through them varies based on the course format you decide to take.

Online classes may move faster than in person, and if you’re able to treat your coursework like a 40-hour-per-week job, you’ll fly through the time.

When deciding exactly how to take your pre-licensing course in Georgia, it’s best to look at the pros and cons of taking real estate courses online vs classroom to make an informed decision.

For the Georgia salesperson license, you’re required to complete a 75-hour course at an approved school.

Those going for a broker’s license must complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course also at an accredited school.

To be eligible for the broker exam, you must also be at least 21 and have been actively licensed in Georgia for at least three years.

Survey of Experts

Did you take your pre-licensing real estate course online or in person?

Do you think taking a real estate pre-licensing course online can save students time compared to in-person courses?

Before you schedule your exam, it’s best to set up your background check. This is a requirement no matter what type of license you’re getting.

This is because you must bring your certified criminal history report to your testing site on the day of your exam, and it can only be up to 60 days old.

The report must be issued by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

You can obtain your report from most sheriff offices or police stations across the state. You can also make an appointment and go directly to the GCIC.

Appointments are not available the same day you contact the GCIC, and it may also take you a few days to research alternative locations.

Once your initial appointment is complete, it should take between 1-2 days to get your complete record.

For more information on getting a background check, read our article — Can You Get a Georgia Real Estate License with Violations such as Felony, Misdemeanor, or DUI?

When you pass the test and apply for your license, you need to submit proof that verifies you’re employed by a brokerage firm.

A Sponsoring Broker Statement Form must be completed by your sponsoring broker. This is the only way to get an active license in Georgia.

This form is also delivered to your testing site as part of the license application process.

To get a better idea of the brokerages out there, read our guide on how to to choose the right real estate broker to work for as a new agent.

Then, find one among our list of the best real estate brokerage firms in Georgia.

Creating an online account and scheduling your real estate exam should really only take a few minutes.

To do so, go to PSI Exams and follow the instructions online. You can also call to schedule at 888-818-5834. You’ll have to pay your exam fee at this time as well, which is $121.

Based on availability, you could then have your exam date within two days, so make sure you’re prepared first.

The day of your test, you’ll need to report to your chosen testing center around 30 minutes in advance of your scheduled time. This will allow you ample time to check in.

The entire exam itself takes four hours. This gives you time to complete both the national and state sections.

There are 152 questions on the salesperson exam, and 66 questions on the broker exam. The national portion of the broker exam has simulation questions which are more robust.

You need a score of 70 to pass.

If you fail one or both sections of the real estate license exam, you’re able to retake up to three times in a single year.

You’ll have to pay the full fee every time, even if retaking only one section. To avoid paying for a retake and adding more hours to the licensing process, get tips on passing the Georgia real estate exam.

We also have helpful pointers on how to study for the real estate exam.

Survey of Experts

How difficult was it for you to study and pass the Georgia real estate license exam?

How many attempts did it take you to pass your real estate license exam?

Expert Insight

Tips to help future agents pass the real estate exam.

My best advice is to set aside enough time to read, study, and participate in class discussions.

The reading and studying are very beneficial, but the real-life questions, answers, and discussions in my class really improved my understanding on many topics.

— Tony Shivers, Keller Williams Atlanta Partners, Real Estate Agent

Take your time. You got this. Don’t stress too much.

Also, really read the questions. They’ll use different terminology, but it’ll be exactly the same as the practice questions.

— Kumynie Harvin, Keller Williams Atlanta Midtown, Realtor

If you have the time, take your course in class and definitely take the cram course immediately afterwards and the state exam within a few days of the cram.

Leave at least 24 hours between your cram course and the state exam to rest your mind.

— Andrea Shields, Keller Williams Realty River Cities, Realtor

Make sure you invest in exam prep material that’s outside of what your course provides. Everything helps!

— Paul Meier, Keller Williams Intown Realty, Salesperson

Only after passing your exam can you apply for your real estate license in Georgia. This is done at the PSI testing center once scores are released.

You have the option to apply for your license after 2:00 p.m. on the same day you pass the exam, or on any day, Monday-Friday, up to 12 months after passing.

Licenses are issued on a first-come, first-served basis between the hours of 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.- 4:45 p.m.

At this time you’ll also submit your background check report and the license fee of $170.

Once everything is verified, you’ll receive your license. This all happens within the same day.

For complete information on what you’ll need to submit with your application, make sure to review the PSI Candidate Handbook.

Survey of Experts

How long did it take you to get your real estate license? From the time you signed up for school till your license was issued.

Expert Insight

Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently to get your license faster?

I would set a study schedule.

I stayed up a lot of nights all night trying to study. I’m pretty sure I fried my brain and that hindered me from actually absorbing anything.

Also, give yourself breaks. Don’t study all day every day.

— Kumynie Harvin, Keller Williams Atlanta Midtown, Realtor

I am satisfied with my licensing experience.

As soon as I was eligible, I went on to get my broker’s license and further continued to get my real estate instructor’s license (I have a background in education and wanted to put that to good use).

— Jenny Heins, From Dream To Key, Co-Founder

I would have taken the course in person. I feel that I could have missed important interaction.

— Vicky Taylor, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, Realtor

During the first year after getting their salesperson license, real estate agents in Georgia are required to complete a 25-hour salesperson post-license course.

The course must be approved by the GREC and must be completed within the first year of licensure.

Failure to do so will cause the license to lapse.

Once you get your real estate license, it stays active for four years. Within that time frame, you’re required to complete a set amount of continuing education coursework.

The total number of hours you must complete is 36, and courses must be approved by the GREC.

How long should you study for the real estate exam? The actual answer really is up to your personal preference. You want to feel prepared to take and pass the test.

You must choose a pre-licensing education provider that can meet your need for time flexibility. This sets the pace for how you will be able to study effectively for the real estate exam.

Refer to our comprehensive directory of top real estate training schools in Georgia when making your choice.

Studying for the real estate exam typically starts with taking really good notes during your pre-licensing coursework, then transferring those notes to effective study materials.

Flashcards and outlines are two great tools. You may also want to consider forming a study group with classmates.

To further confirm you’re studying the right topics, you can review a complete outline of the exam in the PSI Candidate Handbook.

Regardless of how you study, what’s important is that you set aside time to do it. Find a quiet place to review your notes and schedule plenty of time with your study group.

The more you’re able to prepare for the exam, the higher the likelihood of passing the real estate license exam in Georgia the first time around.

Once you know the hours to allot, you can get licensed in the state faster without compromising anything in your daily schedule.

You should make a checklist of all the requirements needed to get a real estate license in Georgia. This way, it will be easier for you to estimate the time required for each prerequisite.

Knowing the financial investment involved early on in the process can also lessen the time it takes for you to get licensed.

When you’ve stashed away a good budget for all the licensing fees, you can focus further on completing everything else on your list.

Read our article on how much it costs to get a Georgia real estate license to get an idea of the expenses involved.

While waiting for your license to get approved, waste no time in preparing yourself for a busy career ahead. The following resources might help:

• I Just Got My Real Estate License, Now What?
• How to Join a Real Estate Team
• 11 Pros and Cons of Being a Real Estate Agent as a Career

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.