Georgia Real Estate License Reciprocity: Which States Work With Georgia & How It Really Works

Georgia has one of the most flexible real estate reciprocity rules in the country. If you already hold a real estate license somewhere else—or you’re a Georgia agent thinking about expanding into other states—understanding Georgia real estate license reciprocity can save you a ton of time, money, and stress.

This guide breaks it down as follows:

• How reciprocity with Georgia works
• What Florida’s special rules are
• What steps you actually take to get a Georgia license and keep it active

What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity?

License reciprocity means one state lets you apply for a real estate license based on a license you already hold in another state. They usually waive parts of the pre-licensing education and, often, the national portion of the exam.

A few terms you’ll see:

• Full reciprocity – A state accepts active licenses from all other states, usually with minimal extra steps.
• Partial reciprocity / mutual recognition – Only certain states qualify, or you must meet extra requirements.
• Portability – Rules for working a deal in another state without being licensed there (typically via referrals or co-brokerage only).

Does Georgia Offer Real Estate License Reciprocity?

Yes. Georgia is considered a reciprocity state: if you hold an active license in another U.S. state, you can usually qualify for a Georgia license without redoing all the pre-licensing courses or retaking the national exam.

Florida licensees/residents have special rules. If you’re licensed in Florida, Georgia requires you to pass the state (Georgia law) portion of the exam.

Basic Georgia Reciprocity Requirements (Coming In to Georgia)

According to the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC), if you’re licensed in another state (other than Florida), you generally must:

• Hold a current, active license in good standing
• Have obtained that license by passing a state-administered real estate exam
• Submit the GREC Reciprocal Application
• Provide a certified license history from that state (issued within 1 year, and showing exam + any discipline)
• Complete a Lawful Presence Verification form
• Provide a criminal background report (GCIC if you’re a GA resident, or a comparable law-enforcement report from your state of residency—must be within 60 days)
• Pay the required reciprocal license fee of $170 (typically by certified check or money order—see the current form)

On top of that, all new Georgia salespersons (including reciprocity licensees) must complete a 25-hour approved post-license course within the first year of licensure to stay compliant. (GREC also notes you may be able to submit proof of a substantially similar course from another state, and this post-license requirement does not apply to broker applicants.)

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Georgia License by Reciprocity

If you’re licensed in another state and want a Georgia real estate license by reciprocity, here’s the simple steps of the process.

1. Confirm You Qualify

Make sure:

• Your existing license is active and in good standing
• You obtained your license by passing a state-administered real estate exam (not just “grandfathered in” or issued without an exam).

If you’re from Florida, also plan on taking the Georgia state-law exam and following GREC’s Florida instructions.

2. Order a Certified License History

GREC requires proof of your license status:

• You can get an official certified license history from your home state’s real estate commission or licensing agency.
• Just make sure it’s recent—GREC requires it to be issued within one year and to show you passed a state-administered exam and any discipline status.

3. Complete the GREC Reciprocal Application

Download it from the Commission’s website. Fill it out carefully, including:

• Personal info
• License info
• Any disciplinary/background disclosures
• Brokerage affiliation info

You’ll also include your lawful presence form and certified license history with this application.

4. Provide the Criminal Background Report (Required)

GREC requires:

• A GCIC report if you’re a Georgia resident, or
• An equivalent law-enforcement criminal background report from your state of residency if you’re not a Georgia resident

It must be no more than 60 days old, and a report from a non–law-enforcement third party isn’t acceptable.

5. Pay the Required Fees

On the most recent GREC form, the reciprocity application fee is $170. It’s generally paid by certified check or money order, but double-check the current form for payment instructions.

6. Take the Georgia State-Law Exam (for Florida-related cases)

If you’re licensed in Florida (and especially if you are a Florida resident per GREC’s note):

• Plan on taking the supplement exam on Georgia Law and Practice through the testing provider GREC identifies (PSI).

7. Complete the Georgia Post-License Education

After your reciprocal license is active:

• All newly licensed Georgia salespersons must complete a 25-hour (or longer) GREC-approved post-license course within the first year to stay compliant.
• GREC also notes you may be able to submit proof of a substantially similar course from another state, and this requirement does not apply to broker applicants.

Make sure you do this on time—otherwise your license can lapse—so it’s best to plan for it from day one.

Portability: Can You Work Deals in Georgia Without a Georgia License?

Some out-of-state agents ask, “Can I just come in for one or two deals without getting a Georgia license?”

Georgia explains that out-of-state brokers may participate in Georgia transactions in three ways:

1. referral, 2) written agreements with a Georgia broker, or 3) nonresident licensure.

How it works:

• Referrals: Are often allowed. Your brokerage refers the client to a Georgia broker and you receive a referral fee.
• Active involvement (showing or negotiating in Georgia): Typically requires either a written agreement with a Georgia broker or nonresident licensure.

If you plan to do more than occasional referral business, it’s just better to get a Georgia reciprocal license.

Which States Recognize a Georgia Real Estate License?

Here’s where reciprocity gets confusing for a some agents:

Georgia’s policy: It offers a reciprocity path for active out-of-state licensees, with extra requirements for Florida-related cases.
Other states’ policies: Each state decides how it treats a Georgia license.

So you have two different questions:

• “I’m licensed elsewhere—can I get a Georgia license easily?” → Usually yes, via reciprocity (Florida-related cases require the GA-law exam.)
• “I’m licensed in Georgia—what states will recognize my GA license?” → Depends entirely on each state

Examples of states that currently list reciprocity/recognition paths involving Georgia

• Florida: Florida lists mutual recognition with Georgia, which requires passing a Florida-specific law exam and meeting Florida’s eligibility rules (including that the applicant must not be a Florida resident at the time of application).
• South Carolina: South Carolina states it currently has reciprocity with Georgia (and North Carolina).
• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s licensing guide lists Georgia among the states it currently has reciprocity agreements with.

Note: New York’s Department of State says it does not currently have reciprocity with any other state, so don’t plan on a “reciprocity” shortcut there.

Since these lists and conditions change frequently, you should always:

• Go to the real estate commission website for the state you’re focusing on.
• Search for the section on “license reciprocity”, “license by recognition”, or “out-of-state licensees.”

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: “I’m Licensed in Another State and Moving to Georgia”

• If you’re licensed in any state except Florida: You’ll usually skip pre-licensing courses and the national exam. 
  
  • Submit the GREC Reciprocity Application
  • Include your certified license history
  • Include lawful presence verification
  • Include the required criminal background report
  • Pay the fee
  • Complete the 25-hour Georgia post-license course in your first year (if applying as a salesperson

• If you’re licensed in Florida: All of the above plus passing the Georgia law exam first—and follow GREC’s Florida-resident instructions if applicable.

Scenario 2: “I’m Licensed in Georgia and Want to get licensed in another state, too”

Your steps depend on the specific state, but this is the typical process:

• Confirm whether that state has reciprocity or mutual recognition with Georgia.
• Find out what they require: A state-law portion of the exam? A minimum amount of experience? Background checks or fingerprints?
• Submit: Your Georgia license history, their reciprocity application, and the exam fee and license fee (if required).

Starting in Georgia is often a strong “home base” license, because so many states either:

• Recognize Georgia directly, or
• Allow out-of-state licensees qualify through a simplified “state-law-only” exam path.

Scenario 3: “I Just Want an Occasional Deal Across State Lines”

Ask yourself:

• Is this mostly a referral situation? If so, a referral agreement with a local broker in the other state is sometimes enough.
• Do you want to regularly work with buyers & sellers in that other state? In that case, it’s usually worth getting a reciprocal license there.

Either way, always make sure you’re following:

• Georgia law
• The other state’s law
• Your brokerage’s policies

FAQs: Georgia Real Estate License Reciprocity

Does Georgia Have Reciprocity With All States?

Georgia generally grants a license to an individual licensed in another state without further examination or education if the applicant submits a qualifying certified license history and meets the other requirements—Florida is treated differently.

What Is the Florida–Georgia Real Estate Reciprocity Situation?

Florida → Georgia: Florida licensees must pass the Georgia state-law exam and then apply via the Georgia process (Florida residents have additional instructions on the GREC form).
Georgia → Florida: Florida lists mutual recognition with Georgia and requires a Florida-specific law exam (and the applicant must not be a Florida resident at the time of application).

Do Reciprocity Licensees Still Have to Do Georgia Post-Licensing?

Yes. If you’re getting a Georgia salesperson license, even via reciprocity, you must complete the 25-hour Salesperson Post-License course within your first year—or submit proof of a substantially similar course from another state, if applicable.

Final Tips for Building a Multi-State Real Estate Career From Georgia

Treat Georgia as your “anchor” license.

Its extensive reciprocity makes it easier to add other states later.

Plan around required exams and education. Use reciprocity to skip duplicate pre-licensing courses.

Plan time for state-law exams and post-license courses where required.

Keep great records.
Have your license history, course certificates, and CE records because other states will ask for them.

Stay current. Reciprocity agreements can change. Always verify directly with:

• The Georgia Real Estate Commission, and
• The real estate commission in the state you’re applying to.

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