How to Get a Real Estate License in Ohio

Have you ever thought of working as a real estate agent in Ohio? Without a doubt, real estate is booming in Ohio. And with such a demanding profession, it's no surprise you're considering getting your Ohio real estate license.

Getting your Ohio real estate license can be difficult, but this guide will assist you. We will unfold the steps to procure your license and everything you need to know regarding this profession.

Stick around for more clarity on the subject of discussion.

Ohio Real Estate License Requirements

The following are the requirements for becoming a real estate professional in Ohio:

• Be above 18 years old or equivalent.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED.
• Be a legal resident of the United States or a duly admitted alien.
• Be honest, truthful, and of good character.
• You should not have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.
• You shouldn't have perverted any civil rights concerning real estate within the last two years.

After complying with these requirements, you can start a career in real estate.

How to Get a Real Estate License in Ohio

It can seem overwhelming to get your Ohio real estate license at first, but that might not be the case once you know what to do. Follow these simple steps to obtain your Ohio real estate license easily.

Step 1: Enroll in a State-approved Training Course

Ohio requires all real estate applicants to complete 120 hours of pre-licensing coursework. This coursework is divided into four classes, as highlighted below:

• Real Estate Principles and Practices (40 hours )
• Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours )
• Real Estate Appraisal ( 20 hours )
• Real Estate Finance ( 20 hours )

This coursework can be studied online or in a traditional classroom setting. Therefore, it's upon you to choose a program that befits your schedule. After completing this pre-licensing education, you'll sit for the course's final exam for each of the four classes. You must score above 70% to earn credit for taking the exam.

Completing this pre-licensing course helps you gain extensive knowledge of your professional roles. Your education provider will issue you a course completion certificate valid for 10 years, meaning you can pursue the next licensure steps without retaking the coursework.

Step 2: Real Estate License Exam Application

Before you're approved to take the real estate license exam, you must complete the application. This can be procured from your pre-licensing education provider. However, you must be affiliated with a current and active Ohio broker. Your broker will mentor you as you get established in this lucrative profession.

Note that your application will only be approved if the sponsoring broker signs off on your license application.

Once you've secured a broker, you can proceed with the application. The application fee is $81, and you'll have to mail the completed salesperson examination application with the relevant documents. Here is the address to send the requirements mentioned above:

Ohio Department of Commerce
Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing
77 South High Street, 20th floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Immediately after the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing processes your application, they'll send your information to the testing vendor. The testing vendor will then process your information and send you a Candidate Information Bulletin, including instructions on programming your exam.

Step 3: Fingerprinting and Background Check

After handing in your application, you can take fingerprints for a background check. You're required to confer with a Webcheck user to have your fingerprints taken and forwarded to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation using the Webcheck system.

Remember to bring your government-issued photo to the Webcheck location and ensure the Webcheck user can send state and FBI fingerprints to the relevant department. These services will cost you about $60-$80, payable when your fingerprints are taken.

Once the Ohio Division of Real Estate receives your background report, they'll assess it for any findings. They may contact you to provide additional information to clarify any findings.

Step 4: Ohio Real Estate License Exam

Now that you're eligible for licensure, you can take the exam.

The exam fee is $61 per attempt.

This test has 120 multiple-choice questions covering both national and state-related questions. The national section has 80 questions, while the state has 40. You will have 2 hours to complete the first section of the exam and 1 hour to complete the second part.

To pass the exam, you must answer 56/80 questions correctly on the national section and 28/40 on the state section. You'll receive your results shortly after completing both portions of the licensing exam. If you fail, you'll see an outline of your score, indicating areas you need to improve before retaking the test.

Step 5: Application Review

After completing all licensing stages, you only have to wait for the ODRL to send you a copy of your license via email. From there, you can take a 20-hour post-licensing course during your first year of practice.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Ohio?

The cost varies depending on how much you spend on your pre-licensing education. Here is a fair estimate:

• All Ohio fees: $230.
• Pre-licensing education: $600-$800.
• Total estimated cost: $830-$1030.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Real Estate License in Ohio?

This duration depends on how much time you commit to the process. If you spend more time studying prelicensing education, obtaining your license will take six months. This is primarily true if you choose to take the online course. The in-person classes are quick to complete; following this route means you can have your license in less than three months.

How Much Does a Real Estate Agent Make in Ohio?

The average salary for real estate agents in Ohio varies according to the level of education, market specialty, and years of experience. For example, agents with 1-2 years of experience can make at least $94,420 annually. It's advisable to sell value-oriented properties such as luxury homes to maximize your income as a real estate agent.

If you want to see some examples of questions that will be on the actual real estate exam, check out our free real estate practice exam. We have been named as the best real estate exam practice for 7 years in a row!

If you need to get your required educational hours done, check out our partners for online real estate education that can be done at your own pace from home or where ever you have internet access.