Ohio requires real estate salespersons and brokers to be licensed before practicing. The Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing at the Ohio Department of Commerce oversees licensing. This guide walks you through the main steps, typical requirements, and the PSI exam process for the salesperson license.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state licensing authority before applying.
Quick Overview
- Pre-license100 Hours
- Application Fee$81
- Renewal3 Years
- CE Needed30 Hours
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Requirements for the Ohio real estate salesperson license typically include:
- Being at least 18 years old and a US citizen or legal alien, with a high school diploma or equivalent (if born after 1950).
- A sponsoring Ohio broker, required before applying for the exam.
- No disqualifying convictions, plus a BCI and FBI background check.
- Four prelicensing courses from a degree-awarding postsecondary institution totaling 100 hours: Real Estate Principles and Practices (40 hours), Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours), Real Estate Appraisal (10 hours), and Real Estate Finance (10 hours).
- A passing score on the PSI exam (State and National portions).
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the Division before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
The application process for an Ohio real estate salesperson license generally involves these steps:
- Complete the four prelicensing courses (100 hours total) at a degree-awarding postsecondary institution.
- Secure a sponsoring Ohio broker.
- Submit the salesperson examination application with the $81 fee (which includes licensure); Ohio's eLicense LPI portal went live October 20, 2025, and paper forms are largely retired.
- Complete the BCI and FBI background check.
- Schedule the exam with PSI and pass both the State and National portions.
- Complete the one-time 20-hour post-licensure course within 1 year of license issuance.
Steps can change, so verify the current process with the Division.
- 3
Pass the real estate agent exam
The Ohio real estate salesperson exam is administered by PSI, the Division's testing vendor, and includes a State portion and a National portion; both must be passed. The Division's requirements page lists a passing score of 70. Always confirm exam requirements with the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing or PSI, because formats and policies can change.
License Types
Broker
Operate a brokerage and supervise salespersons independently.
- Independent practice
- Can sponsor agents
Salesperson
Practice under a sponsoring Ohio broker.
- Broker-sponsored
- Entry level
Details
Experience
Ohio's salesperson path is education-based rather than experience-based: 100 hours of prelicensing coursework at a degree-awarding postsecondary institution, reduced from 120 hours effective April 9, 2025 (appraisal and finance dropped from 20 to 10 hours each). Courses are valid for 10 years. You also need a sponsoring Ohio broker before applying for the exam, which in practice means interviewing with brokerages while you finish your coursework. Check current standards with the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing before you apply.
Details
Fees
The salesperson examination application fee is $81 and includes licensure; the exam fee itself is paid to PSI and varies (see the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin). Salesperson renewal is $182, broker renewal is $243, the late-renewal penalty is $91, and reactivation from inactive status is $34. Always confirm current fee amounts with the official authority before submitting payment.
Details
Renewal
Ohio real estate licenses renew every 3 years with 30 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours each of Canons of Ethics, Core Law, and Civil Rights. First-year quirk: an initial renewal ($182, no CE) is due on your first birthday after licensure, and a one-time 20-hour post-licensure course is due within 1 year of license issuance. Salespersons aged 70 and older have a reduced 9-hour CE requirement. Requirements can change; always confirm renewal requirements with the Division before your renewal deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of prelicensing education does Ohio require?
100 hours, effective April 9, 2025 (reduced from 120). Older guides citing 120 hours are outdated. The four courses are Real Estate Principles and Practices (40 hours), Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours), Real Estate Appraisal (10 hours), and Real Estate Finance (10 hours), and they are valid for 10 years.
Do I need a sponsoring broker before taking the Ohio real estate exam?
Yes. A sponsoring Ohio broker is required before applying for the exam, so line up your brokerage before submitting the $81 examination application to the Division.
What score do I need to pass the Ohio real estate exam?
The Division's requirements page lists a passing score of 70, and both the State and National portions of the PSI exam must be passed. Confirm the current standard with the Division or PSI before scheduling.
How often do Ohio real estate licenses renew?
Every 3 years with 30 hours of CE, including 3 hours each of Canons of Ethics, Core Law, and Civil Rights. There is also an initial $182 renewal (no CE) due on your first birthday after licensure and a one-time 20-hour post-licensure course due within 1 year. Confirm with the Division.
Does Ohio have real estate license reciprocity?
Ohio has no blanket reciprocity. Out-of-state licensees follow a separate application path; confirm your options with the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.
