Becoming a real estate broker in Georgia isn’t just a credential upgrade, it’s a shift in how you run your business, earn income, and define your independence.
Whether you’re a seasoned agent looking to lead your own firm or a part-time professional exploring referral options, navigating Georgia’s broker requirements the right way can unlock more control over your career and your commission.
This guide was built to give you exactly what you’re searching for: a clear, step-by-step orientation to Georgia broker licensing.
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Basics
Age, Residency, and Education
To qualify for a broker license in Georgia, you’ll need to meet three baseline requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Provide lawful presence documentation by submitting a valid ID and sworn affidavit
If you’re a Georgia resident, that process is straightforward. For non-resident brokers, you’ll still need to comply with Georgia’s licensing laws, but residency isn’t mandatory. What matters is your ability to document identity, legal eligibility to work in the U.S., and relevant experience.
Required Experience
Georgia doesn’t allow just any licensee to apply for a broker credential. You must show that you’ve:
- Held an active real estate license for at least 3 of the past 5 years
- Performed qualifying real estate activity during that time
Military veterans or spouses may receive credit toward experience, depending on their service background and licensing history in other states.
Realty Hub Tip: If you’re moving to Georgia from another state, make sure to secure certification of licensure and a transaction log from your current state board. These documents are key if you plan to apply via reciprocity or get exam exemptions.
Step 2: Complete the Required Education
60-Hour Broker Pre-License Course
The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) mandates a 60-hour broker pre-license course from a state-approved provider. This can be completed in-person or online, depending on your schedule and learning style.
If you’ve previously taken college-level courses in real estate law or property management, you may qualify to substitute this requirement with nine semester hours or 15 quarter hours from an accredited institution.
Two of the most widely used education providers are:
Many brokers-in-training find it helpful to pair the core course with a broker exam cram session. This focused review improves your performance on Georgia’s simulation-style licensing exam.
Realty Hub Tip: Some candidates worry that online courses aren’t enough. The reality is this: online programs can fully prepare you, but only if they include simulation-style practice. Choose a provider that mirrors real exam scenarios, not just textbook quizzes.
Step 3: Pass the School & State Exams
Before you can schedule your state exam, you must pass your course provider’s internal exam. The requirements are:
- A minimum 75% score on the final
- Completion of at least 75% average on assignments
- Proctored testing (either in person or via secure remote system)
The State Exam
The Georgia broker exam is administered by PSI and carries a $119 fee. Unlike traditional multiple-choice tests, this exam uses scenario-based simulations that test your ability to make real-world decisions.
You’ll be presented with practical situations covering:
- Contracts and forms
- Ethics and fair housing
- Real estate finance and lending
- Brokerage law and property valuation
Realty Hub Tip: Simulation exams test more than knowledge, they measure how well you apply that knowledge under pressure. Expect sections focused on both information gathering and decision-making.
Can I fail one part and still pass?
Reality: No. You must meet the benchmark in both parts of the simulation to pass. Preparation is key, don’t rely on memorization alone. Use scenario-based tools and practice exams that mimic PSI’s format.
Step 4: Submit Your Application and Background Check
Required Documentation
Once you’ve passed the broker exam, the next step is to complete the GREC broker license application, and timing matters. You must apply within 12 months of passing the exam. Gather and submit the following:
- Completion certificate or official transcript from your pre-license education
- Background check issued within the last 60 days (GCIC-certified for Georgia residents, or equivalent for non-residents)
- Certificate of Accuracy (COA), issued at the PSI test center upon passing
- Lawful presence affidavit to confirm eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Application fee of $170 (or $340 if submitted more than 90 days after passing the exam)
Activate Your License
After submission, your license will be issued in inactive status by default. That means you are technically licensed but not yet allowed to conduct brokerage activity.
To activate it, you must:
- File a Change of Broker Form if affiliating with an existing brokerage
- Or, submit a Firm Registration Form if opening your own company
Until GREC approves your activation, you cannot legally broker deals or advertise as a broker.
Can I Own a Brokerage Without a Broker License?
Yes, you can legally own a real estate company in Georgia without holding a broker license yourself, but there’s a catch: your firm must employ or contract a licensed Broker of Record to supervise licensed activities.
Many investor-owners choose this route, especially those who:
- Focus on property investment and want internal control over sales
- Prefer to outsource legal and compliance responsibilities to a licensed broker
While costs vary, contracting a broker for supervision can range from $20,000 to $30,000 annually, depending on scope and volume.
Common Misconceptions Debunked
Myth 1: You must work full-time to justify getting a broker license
Reality: Many Georgia brokers maintain licenses while holding other jobs, serving referrals, or investing privately. Broker status doesn’t demand full-time hours, it demands strategy.
Myth 2: Bigger brokerages offer better support
Reality: Traditional firms often come with bloated costs, meeting requirements, and upsells. Many lean brokerages, like Realty Hub, deliver streamlined support without the fluff.
Myth 3: You can’t be successful without joining the MLS
Reality: MLS access is useful, but not required. Referral-based brokers and investor-agents often operate profitably without joining. Realty Hub gives agents that choice.
Tips to Make the Most of Your Broker License
Once you’ve secured your broker license, maintaining it is just as critical as earning it. Start with the fundamentals:
- Keep all GREC licensing forms up to date, including firm affiliations, contact info, and business addresses.
- Track your continuing education deadlines. Georgia requires brokers to complete 36 hours of CE every four years, including three hours on license law.
- Work with a brokerage that handles document compliance and provides E&O insurance, this isn’t just a safety net, it’s peace of mind.Â
- Choose the Right Business Model: Not all brokers want the same thing, and that’s exactly why Georgia’s licensing system allows flexibility. If your goal is to maximize income while minimizing overhead, flat-fee brokerages are a strategic fit.
Alternatives for Referral-Only or Part-Time Agents
Not every licensee wants to run a full-time brokerage. Many Georgia agents use their license primarily for:
- Referring clients to active agents in exchange for a commission
- Handling personal or family investment properties
- Working part-time with minimal overhead
For these professionals, flat-fee brokerages like Realty Hub are an ideal match. We allow licensees to:
- Park their license without mandatory MLS membership
- Avoid unnecessary costs like franchise dues, desk fees, or meeting quotas
- Keep 100% of their commission after a flat $100 per transaction
And yes, if you’re wondering if you need to join the REALTOR® Association if you are not doing sales, the answer is no. With Realty Hub, REALTOR® membership is optional, and skipping it can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars annually depending on your location and MLS requirements.
This flexibility makes it easy to keep your license active and earning, even if real estate isn’t your primary focus.
Should You Become a Broker in Georgia?
Getting your broker license in Georgia isn’t just about meeting state requirements, it’s about unlocking choice. For some, it’s the ability to finally run their own firm. For others, it’s about turning passive referrals into steady income, or taking back control of commissions lost to traditional splits.
No matter your motivation, one thing is clear: having your broker license puts you in the driver’s seat.
And now that you know what Georgia expects, age, experience, education, exams, and activation, you’re in a stronger position to decide what kind of real estate career you want to build.
At Realty Hub, we’ve built a system specifically for brokers and agents who value:
- Keeping 100% of their commission after a flat $100 per year and $100 per transaction
- Operating virtually with no desk time, office quotas, or forced upsells
- Running their business independently, while still having access to broker support and compliance tools when needed
This model works exceptionally well for:
- Brokers who want to open a firm without high startup costs
- Part-time agents looking to stay active without unnecessary expenses
- Referral-only licensees who want to earn passively without joining an MLS or REALTOR® association
If that sounds like you, here’s how to get started with Realty Hub.