How to Become a Real Estate Broker in Ohio

As a real estate broker, you can run your own real estate business.

Real estate brokers own and operate their own real estate businesses and are responsible for hiring and overseeing real estate sales agents. To become a real estate broker in Ohio, you must undergo specialized training and licensing. Brokers work to secure properties and can also be contracted out to manage rental properties. Prior to becoming a real estate broker, you must be familiar with the city and neighborhoods you work in.

Instructions

1. Meet the post-secondary education requirements set forth by the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing. Prior to taking the real estate broker examination, you must have at least two years of college education (60 semester hours or 90 course hours). While in college, you must enroll in and complete the following courses: financial management, applied business economics, business law and human resources/personnel management.

2. Complete a real estate training program at an accredited institution. The Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing offers a listing of accredited real estate schools in the state of Ohio. To qualify for the real estate broker examination, you must complete a total of 120 course hours. These classes will include: 40 hours of Ohio real estate law, 40 hours of Ohio real estate principles and practices, 20 hours of real estate appraisal and 20 hours of real estate finance.

3. Apply for the real estate salesperson license after completing a real estate training program. Fill out the Salesperson License Examination Application, available from the Ohio Department of Commerce and submit it, along with the $60 application fee as of 2010. You will be required to provide copies of your school transcripts and certificates of completion.

4. Submit the Salesperson License Examination Application, with the required materials, to:

   Ohio Department of Commerce
   Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
   77 S. High St., 20th Floor
   Columbus, OH 43215

   After you have submitted the application, the Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing will send your application to the testing vendor. The vendor will contact you to schedule an exam date and time. To receive your real estate salesperson license, you must pass the state and national portions of the exam with a score of at least 70.

5. Work as a real estate salesperson for at least two years before applying for the real estate broker license. The state of Ohio requires all potential brokers to process a minimum of 20 real estate transactions and work an average of 30 hours per week as a real estate salesperson to qualify for the examination.

6. Fill out the Broker License Examination Application after you have met all of the aforementioned requirements. This application requires a $100. Include official transcripts or a copy of your certificate of completion from the real estate school you attended.

7. Submit the Broker License Examination Application to:

   Ohio Department of Commerce
   Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
   77 S. High St., 20th Floor
   Columbus, OH 43215

   The Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing will review your application; and if you meet all eligibility requirements, your application will be sent to the testing vendor in your area. Once the vendor receives your application, a Candidate Information Bulletin will be mailed to you. Included in this document are instructions for scheduling the broker examination.

8. Arrive at the designated testing location at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time. You must bring two forms of ID, the first being an official government photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) and the second a government ID with your signature (Social Security card). To receive your real estate broker license, the state of Ohio requires a passing score of at least 75. Immediately following the exam you will be notified of your score. If you pass, you'll receive a notice of licensure; however, if you fail, the testing center will provide a diagnostic sheet describing the areas of study you should improve upon. You may re-take the test after 30 days; however, you must also pay the $100 application fee again.

Tips & Warnings

• Ohio does not accept broker licenses from other states. Do not attempt to operate as a real estate broker if you have not applied for and received an Ohio real estate broker license.

References

• Ohio Department of Commerce: Salesperson License Examination Application (PDF)
• Ohio Department of Commerce: Requirements for an Ohio Real Estate Salesperson's License (PDF)
• Ohio Department of Commerce: Broker License Examination Application (PDF)
• Ohio Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (PDF)
• Ohio Department of Commerce: Requirements for an Ohio Real Estate Broker's License (PDF)