Quick Overview: This is a quick reference to give you a general idea about getting your real estate license in GA.

Alternate Resources: More information on Requirements for obtaining your real estate license in Georgia can be found here in our requirements section , as well as our frequently asked questions If you would like to see the requirements as laid out by Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP-the testing facility that has been chosen by the state of Georgia to administer real estate examinations) and the Georgia Real Estate Commission , click here to download their candidate handbook in .pdf format. In addition, another article about getting your Georgia real estate license and where to begin on getting your real estate license can be found hereTaking The Georgia Real Estate Class


Simple Steps: (outlined more in depth below)
1)Attend A Georgia Real Estate Commission Approved 75 Hour Prelicense Real Estate Class
2)Pass The Class and The Final Exam Administered by the Real Estate School
3)Register and Pass The Exam with the state (AMP)
4)Take the passing score sheet to your sponsoring broker (real estate company) and have them fill out a sponsoring broker form. 
5)Get a GCIC (a.k.a. Georgia Criminal History Report) from your local police station.
6)Take the GCIC, sponsoring broker form, and passing score sheet back to the testing center


STEP 1: Once you have selected a real estate school and have reviewed all the requirements and signed up for class you are probably pretty exited and anxious about what to expect.  First of all, I would recommend reading some or all of the materials before the class begins, and recommend rereading and studying the materials as the class progresses.  There is alot of information contained in the class, some intuitive, but also some that really doesn't make much sense and will just have to be memorized.  By reviewing this information twice (or more!) you will have a definite advantage over most when it comes to the state test. 

A lot of people you have spoken with have probably said that the real estate test is hard.  Well, yes, anything is hard if you aren't adequately prepared is hard.  But if you study and know the information, passing the real estate exam shouldn't be too hard.

Now on to the real estate class.  The Georgia Real Estate Commission lays down rules and regulations regarding attendance, makeups, testing policies, material, etc.  GA Real Estate schools can differ in their policies a little as long as they remain within commission guidelines.  You are required to get a "Notice to Students" outlining all of these policies so that you will be aware of how the school handles different situations.  The real estate school is allowed to change the notice before classes begin, but afterwards, changes cannot be made.  For example, a student asking for permission to miss extra days beyond the scope of the school guidelines cannot be changed and be in accordance with the Georgia Real Estate Commission guidelines.

Back to a bit about the prelicense class being difficult.  Getting your Real Estate license can be very exiting and emotional.  I have seen many students break down after the final exam and cry because they are so happy that they passed.  This is when everything is worth it! I have seen others so disappointed that they just want to give up.  Regardless your situation, you need to remember why you wanted to get your GA real estate license in the first place and that nothing worthwhile comes easily.  I remember one student we had a number of years ago that had to take the state exam something like 13 times (no exaggeration); however, they ended up placing their license with Bob Wood Realty and became one of our best real estate agents.  Never give up! 

If this doesn't pertain to you and the real estate class comes naturally, that's GREAT! but don't develop a superior attitude.  I have seen this as well too! A student breezes through the class, thinks they know everything (even more than the instructors), but in a few months or a year or so, drop out of the real estate business all together. If this is you, I would suggest making it more challenging immediately and begin learning about prospecting, other regulations, and different areas of real estate that are of interest to you.  If not, you will burn out quickly and are likely to have a poor sales history.  More often than not, the middle of the road student will surpass the top student in sales if the top student does not recognize the importance of the sales component in real estate.  Even if you find yourself graspint the course information easily, challenge yourself to learn more while in prelicense from your instructor's sales experience.  Most, if not all, of the instructors at the Academy are active agents with years of experience you can learn from, and they are happy to share in return.   

               
                                          

STEP 2: The base guidelines that all Georgia Real Estate Schools are supposed to operate around and that are of interest to you are the class must be no less than 75 hours.  A proctored test must be given at the end of the class and one makeup allowed.  If the makeup is not passed, the class must be repeated.  Classes are to begin promptly as scheduled, with no less than a 15 minute break for each hour and a half of class taught.  If the student is late, each portion of an hour late counts as an hour late, not the time that you were late. 
Tests vary in number of questions depending on the real estate school.  You are allowed 4 hours to take the exam, and only simple calculators are allowed.  Yes, there is math.  Most people don't use the entire 4 hours and it's often only half of that at most.  Don't be scared or nervous.  Just like any test, get a good nights rest and eat breakfast.  Oh yeah, and don't be late for the exam either.  Arrive a little early.  Remember, your first guess is the best one, don't erase and change your answers.  I see this every real estate class!  Use your definitions and use the process of elimination if you get in a pinch on a question. 



STEP 3: Registration for the State Exam can be handled online at the AMP Real Estate Test Registration Site once the school has submitted your passing information to the state.  There aren't many testing centers, but fortunately, there is one in Lilburn at the corner of 29 and Beaver Ruin Road, so this does help a little for the commute back and forth from taking the test and getting your license.  For other Real Estate Testing Locations and their schedules in GA click here .

Generally, we see a + or - 10% variance in our exam and the State.  So if you are borderline 75%, I would still study for the State to ensure you aren't wasting your $91 state testing fee.

You can take the State test as many times as you would like once you have passed the class exam.  But remember, the State only allows for you to fail the class exam at the school only once before having to repeat the class.  A benefit to veterans is that they get a 5% bonus on the exam at the state level and in our classes.  I'm not sure about if all schools do this or not.  To find out more on the veteran benefit, I would suggest looking at the AMP Candidate Handbook .

The Real Estate Test At the state is administered on a computer in small cubicles.  This is an easy process to get the hang of as they have a few sample questions at the beginning to make sure you are comfortable with the process.  My understanding is that the questions are selected randomly from a large test bank, so each test is different.  For all those math haters, the number of math questions will vary from test to test so no answer can really be given as to how many math questions is on the exam.  Practice tests can be found on AMP's website here.

Another thing to remember, how important it is up to you, is that from the date of you passing the Georgia Real Estate License Class and taking the exam, you have an unlimited amount of time.  But, once you pass the state exam, you have 6 months to place your license on active or inactive status for the normal fee.  After 6 months and up to a year the fee to get your license will double.  After one year, you will have to repeat the class. 




STEP 4:   So your palms are sweaty and the computer says your finished with the exam, now you are faced with walking out of the room and sitting in a cubicle with the AMP employee while your test score is being printed out.  They must be trained to do this, I swear they do it every time...  Look at the paper with a straight face, shake their head, and make you feel like you got the worst score they have ever seen. Only to say that you passed, congratulations. 

Now, you get this sheet of paper with an ugly picture that you had to take earlier with a web cam that makes you look about 20 times narrower than you actually are.  You need to take this paper to your sponsoring broker, get a GCIC, and go back to the testing center with a licensing fee. .  Taken from the AMP Candidate handbook.

The Broker will give you a sponsoring broker form that he/she has signed saying that they will "sponsor" your activities as a real estate agent once you are licensed and that you are going to place your license with their firm. A sample of this can be seen here.   Also taken from the Candidate Handbook.




STEP 5:   A GCIC is simply a Georgia Criminal History Report.  If you walk into the Police Station and ask for a GCIC, as the Real Estate Commission refers to it, they will look at you like you are crazy.  Ask for a Georgia Criminal History Report.  A GCIC can be obtained from any local police station for generally $10.  Norcross Police Station will give you this same day, however Suwanee makes you wait to pick it up until the next day.  So, depending on the station that is closest to you, you might need to do this early. Just know that in the Commission's eyes, a GCIC is good for 60 days from when it is issued  To find out which police stations offer same day Criminal History Reports and how much they are, click here.  P.S. Most only take cash, so be aware if you are like me and only carry credit cards everywhere.

If you have a criminal history, felony, dui, or are delinquent in child support, etc.  and would like to get your real estate license, click here to find out what you need to do.  The forms to fill out and submit can be found in the candidate handbook



STEP 6:   The easy part.  Getting your actual license.  Note: Technically, you aren't actually licensed until your broker receives your wall certificate which they will give you at the testing center.  The state licensing fee changes from time as of right now, it is $170.  If you take and pass the exam in the A.M. with AMP you can come back in the afternoon to get your license, if you take and pass the exam in the P.M. you will need to come back the next day.


Now you are ready to use your real estate license.  For more information, go to our page about what you can do with your Georgia real estate license, and what to do now that you have your GA real estate license.


If you have something to add to this, or would like more information, you can contact myself or any of the staff on the contact us page.  You can email me directly at bobby wood @ bob wood realty . com  (no spaces of course to reduce my junk mail)


Bobby Wood
School Director
Broker Bob Wood Realty Co. of Atlanta