Question:

Do I have to get a background check to get my Georgia Real Estate License?

Answer:
Yes, All applicants must apply for a criminal background check in order to apply for a Georgia Real Estate License. The background check, must be submitted to the Georgia Real Estate Commission, and any convictions must be reported.

GCIC (criminal background check) Requirement for ALL Applicants:
All applicants MUST obtain and bring to the test center (not to the Commission), prior to receiving a real estate license, a copy of the Applicant's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) report, also known as a criminal history.

Such reports must not be more than 60 days old.
The applicant can obtain a GCIC Report from any local sheriff’s office or police department. (Depending on the law enforcement agency’s policy, there may be a waiting period to obtain the report.)

Generally, if the applicant is aware of any conviction, nolo contendere plea, or first offender sentence that is not on the GCIC report, the applicant must disclose such conviction(s).

A Georgia Real Estate license will not be issued to the applicant without a GCIC report (criminal history / background check). Note: this does not mean that you cannot get a real estate license in Georgia with a criminal conviction. The necessary steps to follow are here