The process of obtaining a real estate salesperson license in Georgia has a highly variable timeline, generally taking between six weeks and six months. The overall duration depends heavily on the applicant’s personal study pace, the chosen education format, and the efficiency of completing administrative steps. Navigating the requirements set by the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) involves several distinct phases before an individual can legally practice real estate.
Initial Eligibility Requirements to Begin
Before beginning the educational phase, a prospective licensee must satisfy several fundamental criteria established by the state. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply for an active license, though they may take the state examination at 17 years old. A high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) equivalent is also a prerequisite for all candidates seeking licensure in Georgia. These initial steps are absolute preconditions before enrolling in pre-licensing classes. Applicants are also required to have a clear background, which will be verified later through a fingerprint-based criminal history check.
The Pre-Licensing Education Commitment
The most significant time commitment is the completion of the mandatory 75-hour salesperson course, which must be taken at a GREC-approved school. The delivery method introduces the greatest variability in the overall timeline. Students choosing an intensive, full-time, in-person classroom setting can complete the 75 hours in as little as two and a half weeks, which is the state’s minimum time requirement for an accelerated schedule.
Many applicants opt for self-paced online courses, which allow for greater flexibility but often extend the timeline substantially. A part-time student might take two and a half months to satisfy the 75-hour requirement, while a more robust schedule could allow completion in five to eight weeks. The course concludes with a final proctored exam, which must be passed with a score of at least 72% before the student can move on to the state licensing examination.
Preparing for and Passing the Licensing Examination
Once the pre-licensing course is successfully completed, the next phase focuses on preparing for and passing the Georgia Real Estate Licensing Exam, administered by PSI. The time needed depends on an applicant’s readiness and the scheduling availability at testing centers. Applicants typically dedicate one to three weeks to review the material after finishing the 75-hour course.
Scheduling the exam can involve a wait time of a few days up to a week or more, depending on the testing center’s capacity. The examination is a four-hour, 152-question, multiple-choice test requiring a passing score of 72%. If an applicant fails, they receive immediate results and must wait before scheduling a retake, which extends the timeline by days or weeks depending on appointment availability.
The Application, Broker Affiliation, and Background Check Process
After passing the state licensing exam, the applicant must navigate the final administrative hurdles to activate the license. A crucial step involves submitting fingerprints through Fieldprint Georgia for a criminal background check via the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). The background check clearance must be completed, and the report must be no more than 60 days old at the time of the license application. While fingerprint submission is fast, processing the background report can take several weeks, which is a major factor in the final timeline.
To receive an active license, the successful exam candidate must secure a sponsoring broker, as a salesperson cannot practice real estate independently in Georgia. This requires finding a brokerage willing to hire the applicant and having the broker sign the application form. The complete application package, including the GCIC report, the signed Sponsoring Broker Statement, and the required fees, must be submitted within 12 months of passing the state exam.
Total Estimated Timeline and Variables Affecting Speed
The total time required to obtain a Georgia real estate license ranges from a minimum of approximately six weeks to a more typical duration of six months. The fastest possible path involves completing the 75-hour course in two and a half weeks, studying for the state exam for one week, and navigating administrative steps, including the background check and application, in about three weeks. This aggressive timeline requires perfect execution and no delays in scheduling or background processing.
Most applicants follow a part-time study pace, extending the pre-licensing education to between two and four months. The primary variables influencing the timeline are the personal study commitment, the scheduling availability for the state exam, and the processing speed of the background check. Complications, such as a failed exam attempt or a slow background check, can easily push the total time toward the six-month mark.
Mandatory Post-Licensing Education
New licensees must understand that educational requirements do not end once the initial license is issued. To maintain an active license status, every new salesperson must complete a mandatory 25-hour post-licensing course. This education must be finalized within the first year of receiving the initial license. Failure to complete the 25 hours within this 12-month period will result in the license lapsing.