Becoming a real estate broker in Ohio represents a significant step forward in a real estate career, moving beyond the role of a sales agent. A broker holds a higher level of licensure that grants the authority to operate independently, manage a brokerage, and supervise other licensed salespersons. This professional transition involves a substantial increase in legal responsibility, financial oversight, and business management duties under the regulation of the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (ODRE). Successfully navigating the state’s requirements requires a methodical approach, beginning with a careful review of the qualifications and experience mandated by state law.
Meeting the Foundational Prerequisites
The path to broker licensure in Ohio is built upon a foundation of experience and basic eligibility requirements. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Candidates must also confirm their status as a United States citizen or a legal resident alien.
The most substantial qualification involves prior activity as a licensed salesperson. Applicants must have held an active Ohio real estate salesperson license for a minimum of two of the last five years immediately preceding the application date. This requirement ensures the candidate possesses relevant, recent, and hands-on experience in the market.
Beyond the length of licensure, the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4735 mandates proof of a minimum of 20 real estate transaction points. The state uses a specific formula: acting as a listing agent or selling agent in the sale of property each counts as half a transaction, totaling one point for a completed sale. Similar half-transaction credit is given for being the listing or procuring agent in the lease of commercial or industrial real estate for a term of at least one year.
Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
After meeting the experience requirements, broker candidates must complete a rigorous set of pre-licensing courses totaling 120 hours of instruction. These courses are in addition to the education hours required to obtain the initial salesperson license. The coursework must be taken at an institution of higher education or a school approved by the Ohio Real Estate Commission.
The 120 hours are currently broken down into four distinct 30-hour courses designed to prepare the candidate for the administrative and financial complexities of brokerage ownership. Mandated subjects include:
- Financial Management
- Human Resources or Personnel Management
- Applied Business Economics
- Business Law
Upon successful completion of each course, the candidate must obtain a certificate of completion or an official transcript from the approved educational institution. These documents serve as official proof of education and are a necessary component of the final broker license application packet.
Passing the Ohio Broker Licensing Examination
With the educational and experience prerequisites satisfied, the next step involves passing the Ohio Broker Licensing Examination, which is administered by the state’s official testing vendor. Candidates must first submit their application and supporting documentation to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (ODRE) to receive authorization to schedule the exam. The examination is a comprehensive test assessing the candidate’s knowledge of both general real estate principles and Ohio-specific law.
The exam is divided into a national portion, which covers broad real estate concepts, and a state portion, which focuses on the Ohio Revised Code and administrative rules. To pass the test, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 75% on both sections independently. The total time allotted for the examination is typically 180 minutes.
Candidates who fail one portion of the exam are usually permitted to retake only the failed section, but they must pass both parts within a specific timeframe after completing their education. Passing the test grants the candidate a score report, which is a required document for the final license application.
Submitting the Final License Application
The final stage of the process involves compiling all documentation and submitting a comprehensive application packet to the ODRE to convert the passing exam score into an active license. This submission requires the official application forms, all course completion certificates, and a detailed accounting of the 20 required transaction points. The application must also be accompanied by the non-refundable application fee, which covers the administrative costs of processing the final license.
A mandatory component of the final application is the criminal background check, which requires the candidate to submit to fingerprinting for a check of both state (BCI) and federal (FBI) records. This fingerprinting must be done through an approved Webcheck provider and must be completed within ten days of filing the application with the Division. The ODRE reviews the background check results to ensure the applicant has not been convicted of a disqualifying offense.
The candidate must also confirm their intended affiliation with a brokerage, which determines their license status upon issuance. A broker may choose to be designated as the principal broker, taking responsibility for the entire brokerage operation, or they may operate as an affiliated broker, working under a principal broker.
Understanding License Maintenance and Renewal
Once the broker license is issued, the licensee must adhere to ongoing requirements to keep their status active. The license operates on a three-year renewal cycle, with the expiration date tied to the broker’s date of birth. This triennial renewal requires the completion of mandatory Continuing Education (CE) hours.
Active Ohio brokers are required to complete a total of 30 hours of approved continuing education every three years. Included within these 30 hours are several mandatory core courses:
- Ohio Real Estate Law
- Civil Rights
- Canon of Ethics
- A specific three-hour course focusing on Broker Responsibility
Failure to complete the required CE hours or submit the renewal application and fee before the deadline will result in the license becoming inactive or lapsed. An inactive license means the broker cannot legally practice real estate until all renewal requirements are met and the license is reactivated.