Real estate is a stimulating and demanding profession offering the possibility for many rewards. Unrestricted opportunities and challenges with the potential for unlimited income creates the environment for an exciting future. In order to become a real estate sales associate, the requirements are simple.
The following list represents the requirements to obtain a Salesperson’s License:
BACKGROUND CHECK
A copy of the applicant’s criminal history or Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Report must be brought to the AMP testing center (not the Commission) prior to receiving a license. If the report indicates any crime convictions or sanctions by any licensing or regulatory agency, then the Commission will conduct an investigation and decide whether or not to issue the license.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants may take the salesperson’s examination at age 17, but cannot activate the license until they are 18.
GENERAL EDUCATION
Must be a high school graduate or the holder of a certificate of equivalency.
REAL ESTATE EDUCATION
Must meet ONE of the following Real Estate Educational Requirements:
- successfully complete the required 75-hour Salesperson Prelicense Course at a school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission;
- successfully complete a minimum of 10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours of either course work eligible for a major in real estate from a U.S. or Canadian accredited college or university or course in real property, agency, or contracts from a U.S. or Canadian accredited school of law. You must submit to AMP (not the Commission) an official transcript from the college, university, or school of law with you application for examination. Continuing education adult education, crash seminars, and special short courses are not acceptable. AMP will notify you as to whether your coursework is acceptable; OR
- provide proof of completion of at least 75 hours of prelicense course work approved by the real estate regulatory agency of another state or province of Canada. You must obtain a letter from that agency that verifies that the course work is approved in that state or province.
POSTLICENSE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Salespersons must take a 25 hour Salespersons postlicense course in their first year of licensure. The course taken must be one specifically approved by the Commission. Failure to complete a postlicense course during the first year of being licensed will cause the license to lapse.
EXAMINATION
Must pass the Examination administered by AMP and approved by the Commission. The examination fee is $97.00. Persons applying for a salesperson’s license must apply within twelve months of the date they took the examination; or after twelve months have passed, they must retake the examination.
EXPERIENCE
There are no experience requirements for a salesperson’s license.
FEES
Must pay the appropriate licensing fee as described below:
- If you are applying within 3 months from taking your exam, the fee will be $170.00.
- If you are applying more than three months but less than 12 months from taking your exam, the fee will be $340.00.
- The examination fee of $97.00.
This amount covers all fees due for the first four years of licensure.
ACTIVE/INACTIVE STATUS
Any individual who successfully passes the salesperson licensing examination may apply to place his or her license on inactive status rather than activating it with a broker. In any case, the applicant must pay the appropriate licensing fee. The salesperson postlicense educational requirements apply to a salesperson who goes on inactive status. Any licensee who places a license on inactive status must also pay renewal fees as they come due.
Any individual who successfully passes the salesperson licensing examination may apply to activate his or her license with a broker using the Sponsoring Broker Statement Application located in the candidate handbook. The application must be signed by the sponsoring broker.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Commission requires that all active licensees licensed after January 1, 1980, must complete at least twenty-four (24) hours of approved continuing education course work during each four year renewal period to meet the Continuing Education requirements.
Individuals interested in becoming licensed as a real estate sales associate are required to successfully complete the 75-hour pre-license course and pass the in-house final exam as well as the state proctored exam, complete a 25-hour post licensing requirement in the first year of licensure, and take 6 hours of continuing education courses each year thereafter.