Cost to Get a Georgia Real Estate License

Getting a Georgia real estate license costs between approximately $560 and $1,100 in direct fees and education, based on the individual costs described in this guide. For anyone researching how to become a real estate agent in Georgia, the largest variable expense is the 75-hour pre-licensing course, which ranges from about $199 to $700. Fixed costs include a $175 exam fee paid to PSI Services LLC, a background check costing $39.99 to $51.99 through the Georgia Crime Information Center, and a license activation fee of $145 to $170 that covers the first four-year licensing period. Post-license education adds approximately $150 to $300 during the first year of licensure.

Total cost to get a Georgia real estate license

The total out-of-pocket cost to obtain a Georgia real estate salesperson license falls between approximately $560 and $1,100, calculated from the individual fees listed below. The minimum of approximately $560 combines the lowest pre-licensing course price ($199), the exam fee ($175), a GAPS background check ($39.99), and online license activation ($145). The maximum of approximately $1,100 reflects premium course tuition ($700), the same exam fee ($175), a GA/FBI background check via GAPS ($51.99), and non-online activation ($170). First-year costs rise to approximately $710 to $1,400 when the mandatory 25-hour post-license course is included. After the first year, ongoing costs include license renewal every four years, continuing education, and optional business expenses such as REALTOR® association dues and MLS access.

The following table summarizes the required and common costs to get and maintain a Georgia real estate license:

The activation fee includes a $45 activation component plus a four-year renewal fee of $125 (non-online) or $100 (online), per Georgia Admin Code Rule 520-1-.04^[1]. Paying through the Commission's online system saves $25.

After getting licensed, agents who join a REALTOR® association pay NAR national dues of $201 per year ($156 plus a $45 special assessment), per the NAR Membership Dues page^[2], plus state and local association dues that vary by market. MLS access, errors and omissions insurance, and brokerage desk fees add further ongoing costs that depend on the brokerage a new agent selects.

Pre-licensing course cost in Georgia

Georgia mandates a 75-hour pre-licensing course from a school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC), and market prices for this coursework range from approximately $199 to $700. The lower end covers basic online coursework, while the upper end includes premium packages with exam prep materials, textbooks, and sometimes the post-licensing course bundled in. No state regulator sets course prices; these are market rates from private education providers.

An alternative to the 75-hour pre-licensing course is 10 quarter hours or 6 semester hours of qualifying real estate coursework from an accredited college, university, or law school, per the Atlanta REALTORS® School pre-license page^[3]. Tuition for college coursework varies by institution and may exceed the cost of a dedicated pre-licensing program.

Georgia real estate exam fee

The Georgia real estate salesperson exam costs $175 per attempt as of July 2026, per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin^[4] (Rev. 7/1/2026). This fee is paid each time a candidate sits for the exam, so a retake requires a new $175 payment.

Some third-party sources still cite an earlier fee of $119 per attempt, which appeared in the October 2023 and February 2024 PSI Candidate Information Bulletins but has been superseded. The current authoritative fee is $175.

Background check and fingerprinting cost

A criminal history report from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) costs $39.99 for a Georgia-only check or $51.99 for a Georgia and FBI check when processed through the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS), per the GBI GCIC fee schedule^[5] effective January 1, 2025. Direct GCIC processing without GAPS costs $30.00 for a Georgia-only check or $42.00 for a combined Georgia and FBI check. Fingerprinting service at GBI Headquarters costs an additional $15.00.

The GCIC report must be obtained no more than 60 days before the application and must be presented at the PSI test center on exam day, per Georgia Admin Code Rule 520-1^[1]. Most applicants use the GAPS system, operated by IDEMIA/IdentoGO, which bundles fingerprinting with the background check processing fee.

License application and activation fee

The total fee to activate a Georgia real estate salesperson license is $170 when paid by non-online methods or $145 when paid through the Commission's online system, per Georgia Admin Code Rule 520-1-.04^[1]. This total comprises a $45 activation fee, which includes $20 for the Real Estate Education, Research, and Recovery Fund, plus a four-year renewal fee of $125 (non-online) or $100 (online). The $45 covers activation only; the renewal fee pre-pays the licensee's first four-year cycle, which ends on the last day of the licensee's birthday month in the fourth calendar year following activation.

A late application penalty applies if the license is not activated promptly after passing the exam. Applicants who apply more than 3 months after passing must pay double the application fee: $340 (non-online) or $290 (the doubled online rate). Those who wait longer than 12 months must retake the exam entirely, per Georgia Admin Code Rule 520-1^[1].

Post-license education cost

New salespersons must complete a 25-hour post-license course within one year of receiving their original license, per Georgia Admin Code Rule 520-1^[1]. Market prices for the post-license course range from approximately $150 to $300, depending on the provider and format.

Failure to complete the post-license course within the first year causes the license to lapse. A six-month extension may be available under certain circumstances, extending the deadline to 18 months from the original issuance date.

License renewal and continuing education costs

Georgia real estate licenses must be renewed every four years, with the renewal cycle ending on the last day of the licensee's birthday month. Licensees may renew up to 120 days in advance of the due date, per the GREC License Renewal Guide^[6]. In addition to the renewal fee, licensees must complete 36 CE hours per cycle, including 3 hours on license law, per Georgia Admin Code Rule 520-1-.05^[1]. The 3-hour license law requirement is included within the 36 hours, not in addition to it. CE coursework typically costs approximately $200 to $400 per cycle, depending on the provider and course selection.

Reciprocity application cost

Licensees transferring from another state pay a $170 reciprocity application fee, per the GREC Reciprocity Guide^[7]. This fee matches the standard license activation cost. Reciprocity applicants must also submit a certified license history from their home state, a completed Lawful Presence Verification form, and a criminal background report. Florida residents must take an additional Georgia-specific supplement examination administered by PSI.

What Georgia real estate agents earn

Real estate sales agents in Georgia earned an average annual wage of $64,410 as of May 2023, according to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics^[8]. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area, which employed 4,580 of the state's 6,550 agents, reported a higher average at $69,200.

New agents should expect modest earnings in their first two years. In their first two years, new agents earned a median of $8,100 annually, while agents with 16 or more years in the profession reported $78,900, per the NAR 2025 Member Profile^[9]. Median gross income for REALTORS® increased to $58,100 from $55,800 the prior year, with median business expenses of $8,010 in 2024.

Planning your licensing budget

The most effective way to manage licensing costs is to enroll in a GREC-approved pre-licensing course that fits your budget, schedule the PSI exam promptly after course completion to avoid the late application penalty, and pay the license activation fee online to save $25. Once licensed, budget for the 25-hour post-license course in your first year and set aside funds for REALTOR® association dues and MLS access if you plan to join a local board. Comparing course providers on price and included features before enrolling can reduce the largest variable cost in the licensing process.