How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia

Starting a real estate career in Georgia offers the chance to work in a fast-growing market, from the vibrant streets of Atlanta to the scenic charm of Savannah and beyond. Whether you’re drawn to helping first-time buyers find their dream homes or supporting investors with property deals, becoming a licensed real estate agent in Georgia is a clear and structured path.

The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) oversees the licensing process, which includes specific education, legal, and testing requirements. While the steps may resemble those in other states, Georgia has its own rules and qualifications you must follow before representing clients in real estate transactions.

With the right preparation and guidance, you’ll be ready to take the next step toward a successful career. Here’s a quick look at the steps to becoming a real estate agent in Georgia:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 75 hours of approved prelicensing education
• Submit fingerprints, undergo a background check, and verify lawful presence in the U.S.
• Pass the Georgia real estate salesperson exam
• Apply for your real estate license

Table of Contents

• Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia
• Georgia Continuing Education & License Renewal Requirements
• Georgia Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Georgia

To earn your real estate license in Georgia, you must meet state-specific requirements established by the GREC. Below are the five key steps to becoming a licensed real estate agent in Georgia:

Step 1: Meet Georgia’s Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Georgia real estate license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent

You can review a full list of eligibility criteria on the GREC website.

Step 2: Complete 75 Hours of Required Prelicensing Education

Before you can take the licensing exam, you must complete 75 hours of prelicensing education from a GREC-approved real estate school. These courses provide the foundational knowledge needed to pass the exam and work effectively in the Georgia real estate market.

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First-Time License Renewal

If you’re renewing your Georgia real estate license for the first time, you’re required to complete a 25-hour post-license course within your first year of licensure. This course is mandatory and approved by the GREC. It’s designed to help new agents gain practical knowledge early in their careers.

When it’s time to renew your license at the end of your first four-year cycle, you’ll also need to meet the CE requirement. Georgia requires 36 hours of CE for each renewal cycle, but 9 hours from your completed post-license course can count toward that total. As a result, first-time salespersons must complete:

• An additional 27 hours of CE
• Including 3 hours specifically in Georgia License Law

Renewals After the First Cycle

After your first renewal, Georgia salespersons must meet the following CE requirements every four years:

• Complete 36 hours of GREC-approved CE to stay current with real estate laws, practices, and ethics
• Include 3 hours of Georgia License Law as part of your required CE coursework

All CE must be completed before your license expiration date to maintain an active status. If your CE is not completed on time, your license may lapse or be moved to inactive status until you meet the requirements.

Georgia Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

If you’re already licensed as a real estate salesperson in another state, Georgia offers reciprocity to help you get licensed without repeating all the standard education and exam steps.

Georgia has full license reciprocity with all other U.S. states, as long as your license is currently active and in good standing. This means you may be eligible to apply for a Georgia real estate license without taking the state’s prelicensing education or national portion of the exam. 

To qualify for reciprocity, you must:

• Hold an active real estate license in another U.S. state
• Submit a Reciprocal Application through the GREC
• Provide a certificate of license history from your current state
• Pass the Georgia-specific portion of the licensing exam
• Complete the Lawful Presence Affidavit and submit the required identification

Keep in mind that even with reciprocity, you are still subject to Georgia’s licensing laws and must meet all documentation and exam requirements set by the GREC.