How to Get an Ohio Real Estate License Online

Step-By-Step Guide to Become a Licensed Real Estate Agent

There is no doubt about it, real estate is thriving in Ohio. With such a hot market, it’s no wonder you’re looking at getting your Ohio real estate license.

It can get a little complex – trust us, we’ve been there. That’s why we’re here to break it down for you.

Step 1: Join an Ohio Pre-Licensing Real Estate School Online

You’re required to take a “pre-licensing” education class where you’ll study the principles of real estate, contracts, and finance. Not a fan of school? Well, these classes just might change how you feel about school. You have so many options. Many of them are even entirely online which has huge advantages! Online classes means you can do them at your own pace and work them in around your own schedule even if you have a full-time job. Also, the classes are only a total of 120 hours. That may seem like a big number, but to get started in a new career, that number is just a speck in time.

But what’s included in those 120 hours? Take a look at the curriculum and see for yourself:

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

“That sounds scary and hard!” 

Don’t be scared off, this is what the classes are designed for. They’ll defang any confusing topics by breaking them down. Still scared? Trust me, you can do this. The pass rates after taking these classes are sky-high, typically over a 91% pass rate and the support these classes offer is amazing. 

Students are always surprised how affordable these classes are. Take a look at the best online real estate schools in Ohio and see for yourself. 

Step 2: Apply to take the online real estate exam in Ohio

Once the division processes a complete application, your information is sent to the testing vendor, PSI. The testing vendor will process the information and send you a candidate information bulletin with instructions on scheduling your exam.

The Ohio Division of Real Estate requires a fingerprint check, so make sure to take note of the next process.

Step 3: Submit your Fingerprints

An applicant must have fingerprints taken by the Webcheck® user (a business, government agency or private entity that provides criminal record check services) approved by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) within 10 days after the date of filing an application.

Applicants should not have fingerprints taken before filing an application with the Division of Real Estate.

Step 4: Pass the Ohio real estate license exam online

The real estate licensing exam in Ohio consists of 120 questions – 80 from the national and 40 from the state portion. The national portion of the exam tests your knowledge of the following areas:

• Property ownership
• Land use controls and regulations
• Valuation and market analysis  
• Financing
• General principles of agency
• Property disclosures
• Contracts
• Leasing and property management
• Transfer of title
• Practice of real estate
• Real estate calculations

On the other hand, the state portion tests your knowledge of regulations specific to the state of Ohio, specifically, the following:

• State governance of the real estate profession
• Licensing requirements
• License law and rules of the Ohio Real Estate Commission
• Brokerage relationships

To pass the exam, you are required to answer 70% of the questions correctly within 3 hours – 2 for the national portion and 1 hour for the state portion. 

There’s are plenty of cram courses that will help you brush up right before the exam. Rest assured that you don’t have to pass this on the first try. Remember that you have a full year from when you get your exam eligibility to pass this exam. We think you’ll pass it on your first go because we know you, you’re motivated.

Step 5: Find a sponsoring broker 

Finally, you’ll need to find a sponsoring broker. 🙋 Uhhh … should I know what a  ‘sponsoring broker’ is? Nope, we’ll tell you! So you’ve passed the exam but it doesn’t mean you’re ready just yet. When you first start out you’ll want an experienced organization to show you the ropes. Sponsoring brokers have been-there-done-that and they’re ready to show you how. Not only will they give you all the tools you need to start making sales but they’ll help you market yourself as an agent. 

You’ll get to choose a brokerage you like, that focuses on a niche you love, that has a company culture you love, and most importantly … has a good commission rate, so your paycheck is XL. 

You have total freedom to choose your sponsoring broker. Here’s some things OH real estate agents look at when choosing a brokerage:

• Commission Rate
  • Look at each brokerage’s commission rate when you’re shopping around. If they’ve got a good rate, your commission checks will be larger than life. 💸
• Niche
  • Maybe you want a brokerage that focuses on a niche on a location or a specific category of real estate like commercial retail, single family homes, or fixer-uppers. So if you have a specific interest you can find a broker who shares that interest.
• Culture
  • Maybe the company’s culture is important to you. If so, get to know what they’re all about, how they work, and what’s important to them.

That’s all just to say that you have the freedom to choose a brokerage that fits you.

ODRE Criteria to get a real estate license

Real estate licensing in Ohio is overseen and regulated by the Ohio Division of Real Estate. The Division imposes several eligibility requirements for applicants looking to obtain a real estate salesperson license. These are:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a citizen of the US, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien under federal law. 
• Have a high school diploma or an equivalent education recognized by the Ohio Department of Education 
• Be honest, truthful, and of good reputation.
• Not have been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude.
• Not have violated any civil rights laws regarding real estate within the last two years.

The first three are pretty cut and dry but the others, not so much. The good news is that most of our visitors/users don’t need to worry about it. The only time you’d need to be concerned is if you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, disciplinary actions taken against a professional or occupational license, or have performed unlicensed real estate activity.

If you meet these requirements, you can then start the process of becoming a real estate salesperson. 

How much does it cost to become an Ohio real estate agent?

It depends on several different variables including how much are the real estate classes, how much are the books you buy, how many times you fail the exam, where you apply from (as a citizen or through reciprocity), and even whether you take any prep courses. 

You can estimate your total costs based on the following fees that apply to anyone taking the licensing exam in Ohio:

• The prelicensing real estate course costs between $400 to $1,000 depending on the provider you choose.
• The Salesperson Examination Application costs money, and the same fees apply when you retake the licensing exam. 
• To have a background check completed by the FBI, you will be required to pay a fee.
• If you want to obtain your Ohio Real Estate License through reciprocity with another state, the application would cost you $135. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect to pay to become an Illinois real estate Agent:

• Pre-licensing: up to $949
• License Fee: $81
• Exam Fee: $58 per attempt
• Background Check Fee: $59- $71
• Cost of Optional Fees (Realtors’ Fees, etc.): $150-$500
• Renewal Fees: $81
• Continuing Education Fees: These vary according to the type of classes you are taking

How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Ohio?

Every person is different and likes to take the classes, study, and take the test at a different pace. Some may finish the whole process within three to four months, and others will take a year or more. Both are completely normal timeframes.

You can take the prelicensing course online at your own pace, but in most cases, students complete the 120-hour course in around 3 to 4 weeks.

A background check takes a few days, ten at most, after which you can apply to take the licensing exam. Depending on the seating availability, it will be scheduled within two weeks. After this, it depends on how fast you’ll be able to pass the exam. 

What’s the real estate agent salary in Ohio?

The average agent salary in Ohio is $49,120 per year. That breaks down to $23.62 per hour. 

Here’s what agents can expect to make in some of Ohio’s higher paying cities:

• Columbus: $98,403
• Dayton: $93,567
• Gahanna: $86,059
• Cleveland: $97,589
• Toledo: $90,857
• Canton: $85,825
• Cincinnati: $97,492
• Westerville: $89,608
• Strongsville: $85,395

How Much Do Homes Cost in Ohio?

The average Ohio home costs $217,051. Prices in the state have gone up by 11.1% over the past year. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay in some major cities.  

• Cincinnati: $120,300
• Columbus: $131,800
• Indian Hill: $922,500
• New Albany: $492,400
• Mason: $230,100
• Dublin: $351,300
• Aurora: $241,800
• Independence: $222,600
• Bay Village: $215,100
• Upper Arlington: $338,000

What are Commission Splits Like in Ohio? 

Commission splits in Ohio are between 5-6%. The average commission split is 5.81%.

The commission you take home will further be further reduced by the share your brokerage takes. Here’s what you can expect based on the most popular brokerages in the state. 

• Keller Williams: 70/30
• RE/MAX: 95/5, 80/20, 70/30. 60/40 (capping system)
• Coldwell Banker: With different offices asking for different commissions, agents can expect either a 55/45 split or a 60/40 split.
• eXp Realty: 80/20
• Howard Hanna Real Estate: Commission splits vary depending on the office you work in.