License guide

How to get an Ohio real estate license

Ohio licenses real estate professionals through the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing and the Ohio Real Estate Commission. Here is the path in plain steps, checked against the official sources in October 2026.

Step by step

Meet the basics
You must be at least 18, be honest and truthful, have no disqualifying offense, and (if born after 1950) have a high school diploma or equivalence certificate.
Take 100 hours of prelicense courses
Complete, at an institution of higher education, 40 hours of real estate practice, 40 hours of Ohio real estate law and civil rights law, 10 hours of appraisal and 10 hours of finance. Classroom or distance education both count.
Apply with a broker's recommendation
The application goes to the Superintendent of Real Estate with the recommendation of the broker you work with or plan to join, and the $81 nonrefundable fee, which covers the first license year.
Pass each portion of the exam
You need a passing score on each portion of the salesperson exam. There is no limit on retakes.
Finish 20 hours of post-licensing in 12 months
Within 12 months of getting your license, submit proof of 20 hours of approved post-licensing instruction. If you miss it, the license is suspended automatically, and revoked if not fixed within the next 12 months.

Keeping your license

30 hours of CE, as prescribed by the Commission, on or before your birthday 3 years after initial licensure, and every 3 years after that.
Licensees 70 or older complete 9 hours instead, covering Ohio real estate law, recent state and federal laws, civil rights law and the canons of ethics. Inactive licensees 70 or older are exempt.
Brokers and management-level licensees add a 3-hour course on the duties of a principal broker.

Renewal and CE rules

Questions

Do I need a website on day one?

No, but a simple page with your photo, brokerage and contact info helps clients find you. Property Landing Pages has a free plan with one listing page and an agent site.