Why is a background check needed to get a Georgia real estate license?
Under the Georgia real estate laws, the Georgia Real Estate Commission must verify that a real estate license shall "only be granted to persons who bear a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, and competence to transact real estate brokerage activity and/or the business of a licensee in such manner as to safeguard the interests of the public and only after satisfactory proof of such qualifications has been presented to the Commission/Board".
The Georgia Real Estate Commission uses a background check to verify that an applicant does not have any prior convictions. That being said, you may still obtain a license if you have a prior conviction. The Commission will review the circumstances surrounding your specific case and make a decision to accept or deny your application. If you do have a prior conviction, the Commission recommends that you submit a Background Clearance Application PRIOR to starting the pre-license course or taking the State exam. This way the Commission can let you know if they will accept your future license application or not.
If you are a resident of Georgia, you must submit a Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) report along with your license application. The GCIC report cannot be more than 60 days old. You can obtain a copy of your GCIC report from the local sheriff's office or police department. You do not have to submit fingerprints to get a GCIC report. The GCIC report costs up to $25.
If you are not a resident of Georgia, you must submit a criminal background report from your home State. As an alternative, you may also submit a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) report.
Related FAQs
There are 3 steps you need to take in order to get your Georgia real estate salespersons license. Step #1: Complete the required 75-hour Georgia pre-license course. Step #2: Schedule and pass the State exam. Step #3: Apply for your Georgia Real Estate Salespersons license.
Here are the costs associated with obtaining your Georgia real estate salesperson license. 75-hour pre-license course: $140. State Exam Fee: $121. License Application Fee: $170. GCIC report: $25. Total Cost: $456. Have in mind that these costs are spread out over the entire licensing process and not paid all upfront.
An active license means you have a sponsoring broker, which allows you to engage in real estate brokerage activities, such as selling or leasing properties. An inactive license means you do not have a sponsoring broker and you cannot engage in any real estate brokerage activities.
You can apply for a Georgia real estate license if you meet the following criteria: 1) You have passed the State real estate exam in your current State; 2) You currently hold a real estate license that is in good standing. If you meet these requirements, you simply have to submit an Application for Reciprocity License.
To get your Georgia real estate salespersons license you must pass two exams. The first exam is the school's proctored final exam (taken at the end of the 75-hour Georgia pre-license course). The second exam is the proctored State exam.
Step 1: Complete the required 75-hour Georgia pre-license course. If taken online, you can complete the course in 2-6 weeks. Step 2: Schedule and pass the State exam (1-3 weeks). You can obtain your real estate license at the PSI testing center right after you pass the State exam. The entire process takes 3-9 weeks.
The following is a list of requirements to get a Georgia real estate salespersons license: 1) You must be at least 18 years old. 2) Complete the required education requirement (75-hour pre-license course) 3) Pass the State exam. 4) Complete a background check. 5) Apply for your license and pay the required fees.
You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Georgia real estate salespersons license. You must be at least 21 years old to obtain a Georgia real estate broker's license.
Yes, it is still possible to obtain a Georgia real estate license if you have a prior conviction. The Georgia Real Estate Commission will have to review your case and make a decision to accept or deny your license application. You must submit a Background Clearance Application along with the required documentation.
The Commission uses a background check to verify that you do not have any prior convictions. If you are a resident of Georgia, you must submit a Georgia Crime Information Center report with your license application. If you are not a resident of Georgia, you must submit a criminal background report from your home State.
Yes, you can still obtain an inactive real estate license. However, you cannot engage in any real estate related activities with an inactive license. You can renew an inactive license every four years by paying the renewal fee. You will not be required to complete the 36 hours of continuing education credits.
If you have a real estate license in Florida, you can still apply for reciprocity to obtain a Georgia real estate license. However, Georgia law requires Florida licensees to first pass the Georgia Supplement Exam. You must also submit an original certificate of license history from the Florida Real Estate Commission.
You can apply for your license at the PSI testing center, right after you pass the State exam. You have the option to apply for an active or inactive license, depending on if you have a sponsoring broker. You must submit the required documentation along with the non-refundable license fee.
No, in Georgia you can only work for one sponsoring broker at a time. However, it is possible to work under a sponsoring broker in Georgia while also working under a different broker in another State. In this case, the other State must permit such a practice and both brokers must agree in writing.
No, you can still obtain an inactive real estate license; however, you will not be permitted to engage in any real estate brokerage activities. If you wish to change your license from an inactive license to an active license, you must complete the Real Estate Change Application.
If you apply for your license within 90 days of passing the State exam, there is a non-refundable license fee of $170. If you apply for your license between 90 days and 12 months of passing the State exam, the license fee doubles to $340.
Yes, you are not required to be a Georgia resident in order to obtain a Georgia real estate license. The steps to obtain your license are the same as Georgia residents; however, you must submit a crime history report from your local State rather than a Georgia Crime Information Report.
In order to get a Georgia real estate license, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully permitted resident. If you are not a U.S. citizen, we recommend emailing the Georgia Real Estate Commission at Verify@grec.state.ga.us to have them review your status and confirm that you are permitted to get a real estate license.