How do you get a brokers license in Ohio?

The applicant must also complete a criminal records check of both state & FBI records. Information on performing a background check can be found on the Salesperson Examination Application.

Once the Division processes a complete application, the applicant’s information is sent to the testing vendor.

The testing vendor will process the information and send a Candidate Information Bulletin with instructions on scheduling the exams.

The applicant must pass the State and National portions of the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam in order for a license to be issued. Passing score: 70

Every day more real estate agents are deciding they want the economic advantage of owning their own brokerage. Becoming a broker is a great step towards advancing the career of any real estate agent. Below we have outlined the complete set of requirements for any Ohio based realtor to get their broker's license and be well on their way to opening their own office.

Step One: Ohio Real Estate Broker’s License Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • You need to have at least a high school diploma or GED
  • No felony convictions. If you have a felony on your record, submit a detailed explanation of the case.
  • No violations of any civil rights laws regarding real estate within the past two years as determined by a court of law or violated any rules of the Ohio Division of Real Estate.
  • If originally licensed on or after January 3, 1984, proof of satisfactory completion of a minimum of two years of post-secondary education. The pre-licensure requirements may be included in these two years.
  • Annual participation in Salesperson post licensing education & Complete 20 real estate transactions.
  • Submit proof of completion of the education requirements. A copy of official transcripts or course completion certificates, is expected.
  • A statement describing any real estate experience other than sales/leasing.
  • Examination Application with $100, non-refundable fee.

Step Two: The exam:

The Ohio Real Estate Broker Exam is split into two parts.  The national exam and the real estate broker state specific exam.

The national portion of the exam is comprised of 80 questions.  To pass the exam answer 60 out of the 80 questions correct (75% correct).  You will be given a time limit of 120 minutes.

The state specific portion is 40 questions. To pass the exam you must Answer 30 questions correct (75% correct). You will be given a time limit of 60 minutes.

Real Estate Broker Exams in Ohio are administered by PSI services, LLC an external testing agency. (www.psiexams.com)

Make sure before registering with PSI for the Ohio Real Estate Broker Exam you have receive an eligibility notice from the Ohio Department of Commerce. (Email)

The registration fee is $48 whether you take one or both parts of the exam.  The retake fee is also $48.

Step Three: Additionally: Broker Continuing Education

30 hours of continuing education are to be completed every three years by the licensee’s birthday.

The first continuing education due date for a new licensee is three years after the licensee’s first birthday following licensure. The 30 hours must include 12 hours in 4 separate mandatory core courses.

Source

How to Run a Successful Brokerage

Successful real estate brokerages have one thing in common. They have an organized and consistent process in their workflow. This helps owners keep track, close deals faster, and keep everyone happy, staff and customers included. A great way to do this is through Emphasys Software's Real Estate commission software; this will provide mission specific functionality that completely automates your brokerage. Our system can transform your business into the competitive and lucrative operation professionals dream of.

  • Efficiently sort through paper work
  • Create a consistent and manageable flow
  • Lead generation
  • Closings and accounting
  • Helpful integrations
  • Direct link with MLS

Our main goals are to help brokers save time managing day-to-day operations, get detailed insight into production data and remain in compliance with all real estate regulations. No more wondering how to set up commission structures, managing sliding scales, and real estate checklists . Emphasys Software's time-tested solution is great for satisfying all the aspects of your business needs and more.

If you’re working as an Ohio real estate agent and you’re ready to pursue your broker license, it’s relatively easy to get started. Becoming a real estate broker in Ohio can open more doors for your career and your earning income.

With our straightforward guide, we’ll lead you through every step of getting your Ohio broker license. Before you know it, you’ll be expanding your real estate business to new heights. Let’s dive in!

How to Get an Ohio Real Estate Broker License

  • Complete your education requirements
  • Pass a background check
  • Apply for an Ohio real estate broker license
  • Take the broker license exam

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

Close Logo

Ohio Real Estate Governing Board:

Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing

Experience Requirements:

20 Real Estate Transactions

Education Requirements:

120-hour Prelicensing Courses and 4 College Courses

Cost of Ohio Real Estate Broker License Courses:

$3,449 (through Hondros College)

Total Estimated Cost:

$3,714

It costs about $3,700 to get your Ohio real estate broker license. The cost will depend on the education you’ve already completed as part of your minimum two-year college degree. Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved in getting your Ohio real estate broker license.

Ohio Real Estate Broker License Costs

Broker License Courses (120 hours)$3,449Webcheck® Fingerprinting Background Check Fee$50-$80Broker License Exam Fee$48Ohio Broker License Fee$135Total Cost$3,682 - $3,714

Getting Your Ohio Real Estate Broker License in 4 Steps

There are a few basic requirements you’ll need to fulfill before you sit for the Ohio real estate broker exam. First, you’ll need to ensure you meet the basic requirements below:

  • You must be at least 18 years old
  • You must be of good character
  • You must be licensed as an Ohio real estate salesperson for at least two of the past five years

Next, you’ll need to make sure you meet the experience requirements of 20 real estate transactions. You’ll include a log of your transactions on your broker license application.

Now, let’s walk through each step of getting your Ohio real estate broker license to take the first step toward running your own real estate business.

The Average Real Estate Broker Salary for Every State

Cost: Varies ($3,449 with Hondros College)
Time commitment: 1 month

In order to become a real estate broker in Ohio, you will have to show proof of completing your 120-hour prelicensing coursework. This coursework must include the following four mandatory courses:

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

Next, you’ll need a minimum of two years of post-secondary education or equivalent hours at an accredited college or university.

Plus, you’ll need to show proof of completing four required courses from a college or university. You may have already completed the required courses as part of your post-secondary degree, in which case they will count toward your broker education requirements. The four college-level courses must be in:

  • Financial Management
  • Human Resources or Personnel Management
  • Applied Business Economics
  • Business Law

If you’ve satisfied the college degree and prelicensing coursework, but need to complete your four mandatory courses, we recommend checking out Hondros College. They offer all your required courses individually, or as a package. Their feature-packed Broker Career Start Package includes exam prep for your broker license exam and even your broker post-licensing course for your first renewal.

2. Pass a Background Check

Cost: $50-$80
Time commitment: 2 weeks

In order to sit for the Ohio real estate broker exam, you’ll first need to complete a fingerprinting background check. Webcheck® administers fingerprinting background checks for prospective real estate brokers in Ohio, and you can find a location near you by visiting their website.

You’ll need a state and national FBI background check, so make sure to choose a site that will submit both your state and FBI records. It will cost between $50 and $80 dollars to complete your background check—just be sure to bring your government-issued photo ID with you.

Supply these “reason codes” to Webcheck® (BCI&I Reason Code: 4735 05 and/or 121 08 FBI Reason Code: 121 08) and ask them to direct your biometrics results to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.

3. Apply for an Ohio Real Estate Broker License

Cost: $135
Time commitment: 1-10 days

You’ll apply for your Ohio real estate broker license exam and your license all at once. Once your application is approved, it will be forwarded to PSI Testing, which administers the broker license exam. You’ll receive an email from PSI Testing with instructions on how to schedule your broker license exam.

The application should take under an hour to complete. It may take longer if it takes time for you to receive official transcripts from your post-secondary institution. You can fill out the application online or by hand, and you’ll mail it to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Licensing.

Make sure you’ve included the following:

  • Copies of official transcripts or course completion certificates
  • The completed application and the $135 fee
  • A statement describing any real estate experience other than sales and leasing

3. Take the Ohio Real Estate Broker License Exam

Quick Facts: Ohio Real Estate Broker Exam

Close Logo

Format:

120 Multiple-choice Questions

What to Bring:

Two pieces of ID

Once you receive an email notifying you that you’re eligible to sit for the Ohio broker license exam, it’s time to schedule your exam. Visit the PSI Testing website to schedule your exam online.

When you arrive at the testing center, be sure to bring two forms of valid ID and try to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of your exam. The license exam is administered in one of the eight locations statewide:

  • Akron
  • Cambridge
  • Cincinnati
  • Cleveland
  • Columbus North
  • Columbus South
  • Toledo
  • Troy

When it comes time to study for your broker license exam, you may need to brush up on a few topics. If that’s the case, consider checking out a broker exam prep package from Hondros College. They’re one of the only Ohio real estate schools that offer broker exam prep, offer a pass guarantee, and boast a 96% first-time pass rate on the broker license exam.

You’ll be issued your broker license by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Licensing after you’ve been notified of your results on the license exam. Congratulations! You’ve obtained your broker license and it’s time take your career to the next level.

How to Start a Real Estate Brokerage in 2023 (Without Going Broke)

Ohio Real Estate Broker License FAQs

Got more questions? We have answers! Read on for the most frequently asked questions and add your own question in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!

How long does it take to get a real estate broker license in Ohio?

expand/collapse

It takes one to three months to get your broker license, assuming you already have a minimum two-year degree from a college or university. How long it takes to get your broker license depends on the education and experience requirements you’ve already fulfilled or still need to do.

To qualify, you need to have 20 real estate transactions completed as part of the experience requirement. You also need your 120-hour prelicensing coursework completed, and four required courses. You may have already completed the following mandatory courses as part of your college degree, but if you haven’t, you’ll need to take them in order to get your broker license.

  • Financial Management
  • Human Resources or Personnel Management
  • Applied Business Economics
  • Business Law

Check out Hondros College to get your four mandatory courses online quickly and efficiently, with an easy-to-use online platform at an affordable price.


Should I become a real estate broker in Ohio?

expand/collapse

It’s a great idea to become an Ohio real estate broker if you want to diversify, increase your income, and expand your real estate career. You’ll be able to work independently, open your own brokerage, and manage your own team of real estate agents.


Do you have to become a real estate agent before becoming a broker in Ohio?

expand/collapse

Yes—you must be a working real estate salesperson in Ohio for the last two years to be eligible to get your Ohio broker license. This means you must have been working as a licensed salesperson or broker for an average of 30 hours per week for two out of the last five years.


More Career Resources

At The Close, we want to help you succeed at every stage of your real estate career. Join our Facebook Mastermind Group to meet and network with experienced agents across the country. And don’t miss a single article from our team of experts. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest content direct to your email inbox.

What is the fee for a broker's license application in Ohio?

TO QUALIFY TO SIT FOR THE EXAMINATION A completed Broker License Examination Application with $135, non-refundable fee.

Are real estate brokers regulated in Ohio?

The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. This division is responsible for licensing Ohio's real estate brokers, salespeople, appraisers and foreign real estate dealers and salespeople.

How much is it to become a real estate agent in Ohio?

It costs around $2,000 to get your Ohio real estate license. The State of Ohio requires you to complete a 120-hour prelicensing course, and costs can vary depending on the school you choose. Some of the costs involved in getting your Ohio real estate license are fixed, such as the application and exam fees.