How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia? (license| exam| income)

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To engage in the real estate practice in Georgia, all individuals must obtain a salesperson or broker license from the Georgia Real Estate Commission. This is the regulatory body that licenses sales associates, brokers, and firms which represent others in property transactions. Its role is to ensure the real estate practice upholds the public interest.

To become a real estate agent in Georgia, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, complete 75-hour of pre-license education, pass the real estate associates exam, join a brokerage. You also need to submit an application and a fee of $175 to the Georgia Real Estate Commission and go through a background check.

As a real estate agent in Georgia, your role is to work with clients to buy or sell the right property according to their needs. You would be responsible for showing the property, bringing potential buyers to house tours, and handling the purchase and sale agreement.

Some agents may also help clients in searching for a rental property or lease out their units.

In this guide, you’ll find out the steps to become a real estate agent in Georgia, income updates, career outlook and FAQ about this profession.

But before we start, I want to give a brief disclaimer. This post is not intended as legal advice or state/federal real estate training. It is for general information only. Please always follow your State laws and best practices.

When choosing a real estate school, I prefer one where you could take the courses online. This way, you could study at your own pace whenever and wherever. The CE Shop is a trustworthy real estate education provider. You may click here to see whether they offer pre-licensing course in your state. (**)

A Quick Table Summary of Becoming a Real Estate Salesperson in Georgia

8 Steps to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia

Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirement

• At least 18 years of age
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent

Step 2: Complete the pre-licensing education

You need to take 75 hours of pre-license sales associates courses from a school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. You will learn real estate laws, types of interest and ownership in real estate, homeownership, legal descriptions, titles, liens, taxes, encumbrances, listing advertising, appraisal, finance, closings, and professional code of ethics.

Here is the course contents from RealEstateExpress for your reference:

1. Georgia License Law
2. National Math Module
3. License Law and Math Practice Exam
4. National Ownership
5. National Brokerage
6. National Finance
7. National Valuation
8. National Practice Exam
9. Course Final Exam

Pre-licensing education exemptions

There are some situations where you could be exempt from taking these classes. For example, if you have already completed a minimum of 6 semester hours or 10 quarter hours of course work majoring in real estate, real property, agency or contracts from a US accredited university or college.

However, this exemption only applies to pre-licensing courses, and not the post-licensing requirements, which we will cover later in this guide.

To find out whether you are eligible for this exemption, you could submit an official transcript to AMP for approval.

Step 3: Go through a background check

The Georgia Real Estate Commission needs to protect the public interest, and they will conduct a background check on all real estate license applicants.

To do so, you will obtain a Georgia Criminal Information Center (GCIC) report from a local police station or sheriff’s department. There is a $51.50 fee.

You need to bring it to the AMP testing center before receiving a license. 

Step 4: Submit an application to the Georgia Real Estate Commission

You need to complete the registration application. You could find the form within the application for the real estate examination.

In addition to the application, you also need to provide.

• Application fee of $170 – Cheque payable to Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC)
• Supporting legal documents
• Proof that you have fulfilled the pre-license education requirement

After you have prepared all the necessary documentation, you could mail them to the Investigations Section. Georgia Real Estate Commission, 229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1000- International Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1605.

If you need any help on the registration, you could contact the Georgia Real Estate Commission at:

• Phone: 404-656-3916
• Email: grecmail@grec.state.ga.us

Step 5: Pass the Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Examination

This examination is to test your knowledge and understanding of real estate law, principle and practices, and mathematics.

The Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Exam consists of 152 multiple choice questions with 2 main portions, the National Real Estate and Georgia Salesperson Supplement. You’ll be given 4 hours to complete the test. The required passing score is 75 points. (75/100 for the national portion; 39/52 for the Georgia Supplement portion of the exam)

National Salesperson Portion

Georgia Salesperson Supplement Portion

The exam is administered by PSI, and the exam fee is $121. After you complete the test, the testing supervisor would provide you with the score report.

The Colibri is the online school that I like. Their Exam Prep have helped thousands of students pass their exam on the first try. They even have a “Pass or Don’t Pay” Guarantee. That’s why confident they are with their program. You may click here to view their exam prep. (**)

Step 6: Join a real estate brokerage

Although now you have a certificate of licensure, your license status is still “inactive.” You must work for a qualified broker to activate your license.

If possible, we do encourage you to do so asap. Because if you activate the license within 3 months of passing the exam, the fee is only $170. But if you do so after that, but within 12 months of writing the exam, then the fee is $340.

But don’t rush into working for just any broker. Finding a good mentor is crucial at the initial stage of your real estate career. I will also provide more details about choosing a real estate brokerage to work for later in this post.

Step 7: Complete the post-licensing courses

In the first year of being a licensed real estate salesperson, you are required to take 25 hours of post-licensing courses. If you fail to do so, there could be a lapse in the status of the license.

Step 8: Maintain the salesperson license

You need to renew your real estate license once every four years. You may do so up to 120 days (4 months) before to the renewal date by through the Commission Online Services:

There is a $125 renewal fee. You also need to provide proof for completion of continuing education.

What is the continuing education requirement to renew the Georgia real estate license?

Your journey of equipping yourself with the real estate knowledge does not end after the exam. You are required to complete 36 hours of approved continuing education for every 4 years renewal period. Of which, it must include 3 hours of License Law.

Note: This CE requirement only applies those with license number greater than 100,000.

Looking to succeed in the real estate industry? Subscribe to our exclusive email list today and gain access to expertly curated real estate guides from industry leaders, as well as discounted CE courses and the latest industry updates. From marketing strategies to virtual staging techniques, our handpicked resources cover everything you need to know to stay ahead of the game. Click here for more details!

Here’s a Snippet of What Lori James Think about Being a Real Estate Agent!

“I think being a real estate agent is a good career for self motivated people. You can make your own hours, but you have to plan out your week in advance, so you have a work life balance.”

– Lori James, Real Estate Agent at Real Living Real Estate.

Here’s the article where you can read more on Lori’s thoughts about the real estate sales profession. In there, you can also find valuable feedback from multiple professional real estate agents. Don’t miss out!

How long does it take to become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia?

It takes approximately four to six months to become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia. But it also depends on the time it takes you to complete the 75 hours pre-licensing course, exam, background check, application, and get sponsorship by a Georgia real estate brokerage.

You may speed up in getting the real estate license by taking online courses. This way, you’ll have the flexibility to finish the pre-licensing education at a quicker pace.

How much does it cost to become a real estate salesperson in Georgia?

It costs approximately $692.5 to get the real estate license in Georgia. Here is the breakdown:

• Pre-licensing courses with exam prep $350 approximately
• Background check $51.50
• Application fee $170
• Exam fee $121

Can you become a real estate agent with a felony in Georgia?

An applicant with a felony may not obtain a real estate license if the Georgia Real Estate Commission determines that the offense is too severe. They would typically be more alarmed on incidents that impact the applicant’s honesty, trustworthiness, character, and integrity.

What is the nature of the crime? Does it have anything to do with the honesty, truthfulness, and reputation of the applicant? Is the applicant currently under probation or parole? All these are factors that may affect a real estate license application.

The Commission will evaluate each case independently. They may also require you to provide further documents and explanation about the incident.

So don’t get discouraged as everyone has a past. The most important is that you can demonstrate that you will serve the public in a fair, honest, and open manner.

Here’s another post that covers how to apply for a real estate license with a felony record. In there, you’ll find practical ideas which could help your application.

I have more questions about the real estate license in Georgia, whom should I contact?

The best would be to contact the Georgia Real Estate Commission:

• Phone: 404-656-3916
• E-Mail: grecmail@grec.state.ga.us

How Much do Real Estate Agent Make in Georgia?

Real Estate Agents in Georgia makes an average of $54,670/year, typically range between $34,470 and $62,390. High-earning real estate sales agents are making over $91,520 per year. (*)

At the beginning phase in your real estate career, you probably would not make a lot, because you built up the client base and established trust with the prospects.

But as you continue to gain experience and sharpen your knowledge, you should be able to notice a significant improvement to your earning.

Your earning potential as a real estate agent would depend on the price range of the properties that you work with, the number of transactions you could complete, the commission splitting schedule with the real estate brokerage and other factors.

(Here’s a full analysis with important factors that could significantly affect your earning. )

Is there a demand for real estate agents in Georgia?

Georgia has a population nearly 10.62 million with Atlanta as its largest city having over 524,000 people residing in it. Whenever there are transactions in buying, selling or renting property, there is always a demand for real estate agents in Georgia.

Currently, there are 8,910 real estate agents in Georgia. It works out to be 1.993 real estate agents per 1000 of workers. (*)

When you are selecting the neighborhoods to conduct your real estate business, you should consider areas that have a high population. After all, transactions can only occur when there are people.

Also, consider working on properties that have decent value, as this is one of the major factors when calculating your commission.

Median Home Prices of the Top 10 Highest Population Cities in Georgia

Overall speaking, the median home value in Georgia is $185,500, with a listing price per square foot of $116. The median monthly rent in Georgia is $1,375. (+)

(+) Data updated on Dec 31, 2018 on Zillow.com

How to Choose a Real Estate Brokerage in Georgia?

When choosing a real estate brokerage, many people only focus on the commission split, but there are many other factors you also need to consider.

For example, what type of training will they provide? Will they equip you with the skills in finding qualify prospects and closing a sale? Is there a shared office space you could use? Can the brokerage provide you with adequate administrative and marketing support? Will they provide you with leads to work on? Do they utilize up-to-date technology (i.e.: CRM, software subscription) to streamline the daily workflow.

All these would be extremely important especially at the beginning phase of your career.

Below are the top real estate brokerage in Georgia based on their sales volume in 2018. The figures are obtained from RealTrends.com.

Helpful ideas to build your real estate career in Georgia

1) Network with other real estate professionals

You may consider joining the Georgia Association of REALTORS. This allows you to connect with other real estate salespeople and brokers, thus learn from their valuable experience and share ideas with one another. 

In addition, you should build a referral network with other real estate professionals. such as mortgage agents, lenders, notary loan signing agents, and appraisers.

Here’s a list real estate professional groups on our resource page. Hope this will be useful to you.

2) Become a licensed real estate broker

Once you have established a solid client base and develop the necessary skills, then you could consider expanding your business to become a real estate broker.

This allows you to build a team of sales agents, where your brokerage could be providing training, marketing, administrative support, office space, and a subscription to industry software.

In return, you would get a share of the commission from the transactions that your real estate sales associates handle. Thus, lead to a scalable business model. 

Here’s a guide on becoming a real estate broker in Georgia.

3) Consider the commercial real estate niche

To become a commercial real estate agent in Georgia, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, complete 75-hour of pre-license education, pass the real estate salesperson exam, join a real estate broker. You also need to submit an application and a fee to the Georgia Real Estate Commission and go through a background check.

To my understanding, the Commission does not issue separate licenses for residential and commercial agents. So, the requirement is basically the same one we just went through.

Furthermore, if you are going to pursue a career as a CRE agent, you should look for a brokerage that could give you the right support and resources. After all, not every brokerage specializes in commercial properties.

Here’s the “Complete Guide to a Commercial Real Estate Agent Career“, where I cover the career outlook, earning potential, and valuable feedback from CRE agents. Be sure to check it out.

Is Commercial Real Estate Agent a Good Career? – Here’s a Snippet of a CRE Agent’s Response

“As a CRE agent I work with all clients on the landlord, tenant, seller and buyer sides. I help these clients find space or lease/sell space/buildings. I try to focus mostly on office properties with an emphasis on sales rather than leasing. It has been about 2.5 years since I stared at NAI Bergman...

…. It is a great career for me because I am passionate about real estate. It is rewarding helping people and companies with their needs. That being said it is a very hard field to get into and stay in. If you’re not passionate, committed and patient, you will not stay long.

I think the biggest one – Network! If you do not know anyone, you will not do any deals. This is a relationship business, and with that comes being patience, being committed and consistent. You need to be able to do all of these…”

Gueorgui Chikov. Commercial Real Estate Agent at NAI Bergman

A Video on How to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia

If you are reading up to this point, I bet you must be interested in getting a real estate license. Your first step is to complete the pre-licensing courses. You should select one that has an excellent reputation and long-term track record of satisfying students. The Colibri is exactly that! You may click here to check it out yourself. (**)

(**) Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. Our company, JCHQ Publishing will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link. Please understand that we include them based on our experience or the research on these companies or products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.

Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general information only, and not intend to provide any advice. They are subjected to change any notice, and not guaranteed to be error-free. For full and exact details, please contact the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

Reference:

• Georgia Real Estate Commission (source)
  • Approved Schools List (source)
  • Continuing Education Requirement (source)
  • Salesperson License (source)
  • Real Estate InfoBase (source)
• Georgia Real Estate Examination Program – Candidate Handbook (source)
• Real Trends: 2018 Real Trends 500 by Volume (source)
• Zillow.com (source)
• World Population Review – Population of Cities in Georgia (source)
• (*) Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Occupational Employment and Wages- Real Estate Agents (source)
  • Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Georgia (source)