Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in Ohio

To get a Ohio real estate license you must be 18+, complete 120 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI salesperson exam, clear a background check and join a sponsoring broker. Expect to spend about $960–$1,920 and 2–5 months. Requirements are set by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.

MBBy Marcus Bell
Real Estate Market Analyst
NWReviewed by Naomi Whitfield
Real Estate Data Analyst
Published May 20, 2026 · Updated July 8, 2026
Pre-license hours
120
State-approved
Licensing exam
PSI
Salesperson
Est. all-in cost
$960+
Course + fees
Typical timeline
2–5 mo
To activation
The Ohio path, step by step
1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 years old and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent. Some steps in Ohio also require legal U.S. residency or work authorization.

2/ 6

Complete 120 hours of approved pre-license education

Ohio requires 120 classroom or online hours from a state-approved real estate school before you can sit for the exam.

3/ 6

Pass the Ohio licensing exam

Sit the salesperson exam (PSI). It covers national real estate principles plus Ohio-specific law. Most candidates need a scaled score around 70–75% to pass.

4/ 6

Complete a background check / fingerprinting

Submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check as required by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.

5/ 6

Find a sponsoring broker

A new Ohio salesperson must hang their license with a licensed sponsoring broker before they can practice.

6/ 6

Submit your application & activate

File your license application and fees with the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing, then activate under your broker to start representing clients.

Official source

Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing

Visit →

A Ohio real estate license lets you represent buyers and sellers and earn commission on closed transactions. Once licensed, see what agents actually earn in Ohio agent salary, and explore the state's active markets below. Licensing rules change — always confirm the current requirements directly with the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.

Ohio markets
Columbus, OH real estate market→Cincinnati, OH real estate market→Cleveland, OH real estate market→Dayton, OH real estate market→

Ohio real estate license FAQ

How many hours of education do you need to get a real estate license in Ohio?
Ohio requires 120 hours of state-approved pre-license education before you can take the salesperson exam. The coursework covers national real estate principles plus Ohio-specific law and can be completed in a classroom or online through a state-approved school.
How much does a Ohio real estate license cost?
Budget roughly $960–$1,920 all-in for Ohio. That covers pre-license coursework, the exam fee, fingerprinting and background check, and the application and licensing fees. Exact amounts are set by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing and vary by school.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Ohio?
Most people finish the 120-hour Ohio coursework, pass the salesperson exam and activate under a broker in about 2–5 months. Your pace through the required hours and exam scheduling are the two biggest factors in how fast you finish.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Ohio?
No. Ohio does not require a college degree to become a licensed real estate agent. You need to be at least 18, hold a high-school diploma or equivalent, and complete the 120 hours of approved pre-license education before sitting the exam.
Who regulates real estate agents in Ohio?
The Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing issues licenses and sets the rules for Ohio real estate salespeople and brokers, including education, exam, background-check and renewal requirements. It is the authoritative source for current Ohio licensing rules.
Pre-license hours and the regulating authority for Ohio are compiled from public state requirements and can change. Cost and timeline are estimates. Always verify current rules with the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing before enrolling.
NW

Naomi Whitfield Real Estate Data Analyst

Naomi Whitfield is a real estate data analyst who builds metro-level price, inventory and days-on-market datasets from public MLS aggregates and county records. She reviews WealthyBud's market pages for data accuracy before they publish.