Ohio Real Estate License Requirements in 2023
In this article, you’ll learn the important step-by-step process you will need to take to meet the Ohio real estate license requirements. We will be covering Ohio real estate pre-licensing requirements, taking the state exam, getting your background check, finding an Ohio brokerage, and more.
You can select an Ohio real estate licensing topic in our table of contents below or read from start to finish.
Ohio Real Estate License Requirements
- Complete the 120 hours of the prelicensing course
- Have a high school diploma or its Equivalent
- Do a background check
- Be not a convict of moral Turpitude or felonies
- Complete the real estate exam
- Fill out the application form
- Have documentation that shows you are of legal age
- Work under a brokerage
Step 1: Complete the Ohio 120-hour Real Estate Pre-licensing Course
After you meet the above requirements, you can proceed with the Ohio pre-licensing course. The course can be taken online from Ohio’s real estate commission-approved institutions, and it will cost anywhere between about $900 to $1,600.
What Are The Best Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio?
If you are looking for an online Ohio real estate school, we recommend the following options:
- The CE Shop Ohio Pre-Licencing Real Estate School (administered through Davis College)
- Hondros College Ohio Pre-Licensing Real Estate School
- Sinclair College Ohio Real Estate Progam
- PrepAgent Ohio (for exam prep only)
The 120-Hour Ohio Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course Covers Each of These Topics:
- The principles and practices in real estate, which take 40 hours
- 40 hours of Laws and regulations in the Ohio real estate market
- 20 hours of real estate appraisals
- 20 hours of finance in real estate
Passing The Ohio Pre-Licensing Course Exam
The course final exam is aimed to test if you have a mastery of the lessons you learned. However, it will not be under the supervision of a proctor. It’s similar to the state exam as it will be done under close book and note.
The pass mark for the course varies depending on your institution. But when you are successful, you will be granted a certificate.
Step 2: Take and Pass The State of Ohio Final Real Estate Exam
How Do You Schedule the Ohio Real Estate Exam?
After you have completed the 120-hour course, you must submit an application for the Ohio real estate exam. The application can be found on the Ohio PSI Real Estate website, the national exam vendor in the US. Once they approve your application, they will send details on how to proceed with scheduling the exam.
The Ohio real estate exam scheduling portal is accessed once you have created a profile on the PSI site. There, you can enter your ZIP code, and the website will select testing centers that are close to you.
There is a total $58.00 fee to take both the state and national portions of the Ohio exam.
It is advisable to be well prepared for the exam so that you are successful on your first attempt and don’t have to pay a retake fee. We cover some Ohio real estate exam prep courses below.
What Do You Bring To The Ohio Real Estate Exam?
After scheduling, you will need to arrive at the testing center on the exam date. You will need to bring the following documents:
Two active and legit identification documents with authorized signatures.
- A valid govt issued ID with a photo and a signature
- A driver’s license or a passport
- Proof of permanent residency
- Your ID baring your full legal name
What To Expect on The Ohio Real Estate Exam?
The state of Ohio real estate exam has 120 multiple-choice questions.
80 of the questions make up the national portion of the exam, while the remaining 40 are state-based. You will be allocated 180 minutes, and the national part should take 2 hours while the state portion should take an hour.
The National Portion of the Ohio Real Estate Exam Covers the Following Topics:
- Land Usage Limits and Laws on Property Ownership
- Evaluation and analysis of the real estate market
- Finance in real estate
- The principles of agencies
- Disclosure of information and the state of the Properties
- Contractual agreements
- Transfers of Ownership
- Real Estate Management
- Mathematics for Real Estate
- Industrial, corporate, and revenue properties
The Ohio Real Estate Exam State Related Questions Include:
- The Real Estate Industry as Governed by the Ohioan law
- Qualifications for Licensing
- The Ohioan Real Estate Agency’s and its laws and Rules on licenses
- Associations with Brokers
What’s the Ohio Exam Real Estate Exam Pass Rate?
While Ohio does not publish its typical pass rate for the real estate exam, you will be required to pass with a 70% minimum score. This test consists of two parts: state-specific and nation-based.
You have to pass both sections to proceed with your Ohio real estate license. Since the real estate exam is taken on computers, students will see whether or not they passed just after finishing the test.
Upon failure, students will be required to re-sit for the exam and do the section they failed. This follows after you complete a retake application form and pay a fee.
You have to take it from the same testing vendor within the next twelve months.
You need 28 out of 40 scores to pass the state section and 56 out of 80 on the national portion.
How to Pass the Ohio Real Estate Exam?
We recommend that you take an optional Ohio exam prep course before taking the state exam. Based on our research here are the three best Ohio real estate exam prep course options:
If you would like to do further research into Ohio real estate exam prep options, you can read Real Estate Exam Scholar, Compucram, and PrepAgent reviews on our website.
Step 3: Get The Required Ohio Background Check
All candidates must have their fingerprints scanned so that Ohio Real Estate Commission can evaluate any criminal history. The Ohio State and FBI will analyze your prints to see whether they match any criminal history. You will be needed ten days after submitting the license application.
Fingerprints are normally taken by Ohio WebCheck which is an internet-based program for civilian background checks. Make an appointment with them and present yourself with application documents.
You’ll need to provide your Ohio fingerprint vendor with the following reason codes:
- BCI&I Reason Code: 4735 05 and/or 121 08
- FBI Reason Code: 121 08
The price will vary depending on your location, but they are normally between $50 to $80.
Your prints should be checked by the FBI and the Bureau of Criminal Identification. Ensure you notify WebCheck to send the results to those agencies and the Ohio Commission for Real Estate.
It can take up to 30 days to complete the entire process.
Registrants should not be felonious or convicted of any moral turpitude acts. Should there be something of that sort in the past, the Division encourages you to open up.
The state is not forgiving if any application rules are broken. While the commission may roll a blind eye to convictions, rule-breaking applicants may be disqualified for the entire process.
Step 4: Find an Ohio Real Estate Brokerage
It may be helpful if you began speaking to Ohio real estate brokerages within your region even before taking the real estate exam. Every state requires that new real estate agents hang their license under a broker (or sponsoring broker) who may provide guidance and some additional training.
Talk to a few different brokers and compare their benefits. Big firms may have techniques built in to assist you to thrive in your new real estate career. On the other hand, micro brokerage firms may be ready to give you a better commission split and more individual instruction. You have the freedom to choose any Ohio real estate brokerage you want. But it would help if you looked at these factors:
- What is their commission split and will your split % increase with experience and sales?
- What are the Ohio real estate broker’s areas of specialty (luxury, vacation homes, etc…)?
- Do they provide new agents with a real estate website, CRM, or other tools to get you started?
- Check out the Ohio Real Estate brokerage’s website and its social media activities.
- How helpful is the brokerage to its agents? Do they provide new agent training and support?
- Chat with some of the brokerage’s former and/or existing agents.
You can do a quick Google search to find a list of Ohio real estate brokers in your area and read their company reviews. We are also working on adding some real estate brokerage reviews to our website.
Step 5: Finalize Your Ohio Real Estate License Application
After you have passed the Ohio real estate exam and your background checks, you can proceed with the next part of the application. This involves working under a brokerage and getting them to vouch for you, as required by the real estate commission of Ohio.
After getting into a contract with a brokerage, they will let you use their license number to fill the remaining part of the Ohio real estate license application.
Your license will be issued within ten business days from the submission date. it will be mailed to your residential address or sent as a PDF on your email. The choice of delivery depends on personal preference.
Should you have any more questions concerning the license issuance process, contact the department at (614) 466-4100 or webreal@com.state.oh.us for more details.
How Much Does an Ohio Real Estate License Cost?
What is the Ohio Real Estate Commission?
The Ohio real estate commission has five members, 4 of whom have worked as certified brokers in the real estate market for ten years. The final member represents the public.
The Agency’s main goal is to safeguard the public from unscrupulous real estate agents. As a result, the real estate board is in charge of enforcing and implementing state license rules.
What are the Ohio Real Estate Commission’s Authorities and Responsibilities?
- It authorizes, issues and monitors how licenses are used in Ohio
- It dictates the requirements for the acquisition of real estate licenses
- It investigates and punishes violations of licensing laws
- It audits trusts accounts
- It accredits real estate schools in Ohio
Does Ohio Have Real Estate Reciprocity or Portability Rights?
Ohio’s reciprocity rights are only observed if you are from Nebraska, Oklahoma, or West Virginia. Mississippians and agents from Wyoming and Kentucky are also covered with the same rights.
As a result of the interchange, you will be exempted from enrolling in the Ohio pre-licensing course.
However, you will be needed to do background checks, make reciprocity applications, and consent to service.
On portability, Ohio is cooperative. An agent from another state or a broker can do real estate transactions in Ohio. However, it’s on the condition that they have formed a brokerage partnership with a licensed firm in Ohio.
Ohio Real Estate License Requirements – Final Thoughts
Whether you are a seasoned real estate professional or looking to enter the field for the first time, getting an Ohio real estate license can be an excellent way to advance your career.
With your Ohio real estate license, you will have access to a wide range of career opportunities, from buying and selling homes to working in sales and property management.
Just follow the Ohio real estate license requirements as outlined above and you can have your real estate licenses within just a couple of months.
Do you want to know the real estate licensing requirements for another state? Select a state in the drop-down menu below.
Ready to get your Ohio real estate license? Get started with your pre-licensing through The CE Shop or the Hondros Ohio Pre-Licensing Real Estate School
About The Author: This article was researched and published by Tim Schroeder. As a husband and wife real estate team residing in Florida, Tim Schroeder brings deep expertise with over 8 years of experience as a licensed real estate agent.
Deb and Tim Schroeder have earned numerous real estate industry awards and recognitions. They have been recognized by Orlando Magazine as a “Top 100 Real Estate Professional” as well as earned Top Producer Designations with the Orlando Realtor Association for 6 years straight.