Georgia Real Estate License Requirements (2026)

The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) oversees all real estate licensing in the state. Georgia is an attorney-closing state, meaning a licensed attorney must handle real estate closings — a unique feature that affects how agents practice. The license is governed under Title 43, Chapter 40 of the Georgia Code.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Georgia License

1. Meet Basic Requirements
   Be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and be a US citizen or legally authorized to work in the US.
2. Complete 75-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
   Enroll in and complete a 75-hour Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course from a GREC-approved school. The course covers Georgia license law, agency relationships, contracts, fair housing, real estate finance, and Georgia-specific practice. Course cost typically ranges from $200–$500.
3. Pass the Course Final Exam
   Your school administers a course final exam. You must pass this before you can schedule the state exam.
4. Submit Background Check
   Complete a GCIC (Georgia Crime Information Center) criminal background check. You'll need to submit fingerprints. The cost is approximately $50–$75.
5. Find a Sponsoring Broker
   Georgia requires you to be sponsored by a licensed Georgia broker before your license can be activated. Many aspiring agents secure sponsorship during or shortly after their pre-licensing course.
6. Pass the State Exam (PSI)
   Schedule and pass the Georgia real estate exam administered by PSI. The exam has 152 questions total — 100 national portion and 52 Georgia state-specific questions. You have 4 hours to complete both portions. Cost: $170 (includes both exam and license application fee).
7. Submit License Application
   After passing the exam, submit your license application through GREC. Your sponsoring broker must sign off. Once approved, GREC issues your active salesperson license.

Exam Details

The Georgia real estate exam is administered by PSI at testing centers throughout the state. Here's what you need to know:

• Total Questions: 152 (100 national + 52 Georgia state-specific)
• Time Limit: 4 hours total (approximately 2.5 hrs national + 1.5 hrs state)
• Passing Score: 72% on each portion (you must pass both independently)
• Exam Fee: $170 (combined exam and application fee)
• Retake Policy: If you fail one or both portions, you can retake after a 24-hour waiting period. You pay the exam fee again per retake.
• Question Format: Multiple choice, 4 answer options per question

National Portion Topics (100 questions)

• Property ownership and land use controls
• Laws of agency and fiduciary duties
• Property valuation and market analysis
• Real estate finance
• Transfer of property (deeds, title, closing)
• Practice of real estate and disclosures
• Contracts

Georgia State Portion Topics (52 questions)

• GREC rules and regulations (Title 43, Chapter 40)
• License law and licensing requirements
• Agency disclosure requirements (BRRETA)
• Georgia-specific closing practices (attorney-closing state)
• Georgia Fair Housing Law
• Property tax and homestead exemption
• Georgia Condominium Act
• Georgia Time-Share Act
• Trust account management
• Advertising rules and regulations

License Fees & Total Cost

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to pay on your path to a Georgia real estate license:

Background Check Requirements

Georgia requires a GCIC (Georgia Crime Information Center) criminal background check for all license applicants. Key points:

• Fingerprint submission is mandatory — processed through GCIC and shared with GREC
• All criminal history must be disclosed on your application — failure to disclose is grounds for denial even if the underlying offense wouldn't disqualify you
• GREC reviews criminal history on a case-by-case basis, considering the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation
• Felony convictions involving fraud, theft, or breach of trust are likely disqualifiers
• You can request a preliminary determination from GREC before completing your education if you have concerns about your background

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Your education doesn't stop once you get your license. Georgia has specific post-licensing and continuing education requirements:

• First Renewal (Post-Licensing): Within your first year of licensure, you must complete a 25-hour post-licensing course from a GREC-approved school. This is separate from your initial 75 hours.
• Subsequent Renewals: Every 4 years, you must complete 36 hours of continuing education, which includes a mandatory 3-hour Georgia License Law update course.
• CE Topics: Courses must cover license law updates, ethics, fair housing, agency relationships, and elective topics relevant to Georgia practice.
• Inactive Status: You can place your license on inactive status to pause CE requirements, but you cannot practice real estate while inactive.

Reciprocity

Georgia offers full reciprocity with all 50 states. Here's how it works:

• If you hold an active real estate license in another state, Georgia will recognize your education and experience
• You do not need to retake the 75-hour pre-licensing course
• You must pass the Georgia state-law exam (52 questions) — the national portion is waived
• You must still submit fingerprints for a GCIC background check
• You must be sponsored by a Georgia broker
• The same reciprocity applies if you're a Georgia licensee moving to another state — Georgia issues a certification letter verifying your license history

Key Georgia Laws & Unique Features

• Title 43, Chapter 40: The primary law governing real estate licensing and practice in Georgia. Establishes GREC's authority and defines licensed activities.
• GREC (Georgia Real Estate Commission): Five-member commission appointed by the governor. Issues licenses, enforces license law, and adopts rules and regulations.
• Attorney-Closing State: Georgia is one of the few states where only a licensed attorney can conduct the actual real estate closing — known as an "attorney-closing state." Real estate agents cannot handle closings.
• Homestead Exemption: Georgia offers a $21,500 homestead exemption for owner-occupied primary residences, reducing the taxable value of the home for property tax purposes.
• BRRETA (Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Transactions Act): Governs agency disclosure and relationships between brokers, agents, and clients in Georgia.

Georgia License Requirements at a Glance