How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio?

Getting your Ohio real estate license is an investment in your future, but knowing what to budget upfront can help you plan with confidence. Below, we’ll break down every required cost—from pre-licensing education and state fees to optional expenses you’ll want to consider as you launch your career—so there are no surprises along the way.

Ohio Real Estate License Cost Breakdown

What’s not included above (after licensing costs):

• Brokerage fees and commission splits (varies by brokerage)
• MLS and local REALTOR® association dues (costs vary by market and association)
• Ohio REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® membership dues (required if you want to use the REALTOR® designation)
• Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance (some brokerages include this, while others require agents to purchase their own coverage)
• Marketing and business expenses, such as business cards, signage, a professional headshot, website, CRM, and advertising
• Continuing education and license renewal costs to maintain your Ohio real estate license

The good news? Most of these expenses come after you’ve earned your license and started your career. Many new agents are able to offset these costs with their first commission checks, and some brokerages cover or subsidize certain expenses as part of their onboarding and support programs.

Cost #1 — Ohio Pre-Licensing Education

The largest cost of becoming a real estate agent in Ohio is your required pre-licensing education. Ohio requires all salesperson applicants to complete 100 hours of approved coursework before applying for the licensing exam.

Hondros offers three package options, allowing you to choose the level of instruction, exam preparation, and career support that best fits your needs.

Hondros Ohio Pre-Licensing Packages

Compare Hondros Ohio Pre-Licensing Packages

What to Look for When Comparing Ohio Real Estate Schools

The lowest-priced course isn’t always the best value. Before choosing a real estate school based on price alone, ask:

• Does the package include live exam prep or additional study tools like CompuCram?
• Will I receive instructor support if I have questions during my coursework?
• Is my required 20-hour Ohio post-licensing course included, or will I need to purchase it later?
• Does the package include fingerprinting or other licensing resources?
• Are there career resources available after I earn my license?
• What happens if I don’t pass the licensing exam the first time?

Hondros’ Ultimate Learning package includes premium exam preparation with CompuCram, fingerprinting, the Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, and the required 20-hour Ohio post-licensing course—helping you save on future costs while giving you additional support as you launch your career.

Compare Hondros Ohio Pre-Licensing Packages

Financing Options

Getting started doesn’t have to mean paying the full cost upfront. Hondros partners with Affirm to offer eligible students flexible monthly payment options, making it easier to invest in your real estate career.

Learn More About Affirm Financing

Other ways to cover the cost:

• Brokerage reimbursement: Some brokerages pay back all or part of your tuition once you join and close your first transaction. Ask about it when you interview.
• Scholarship opportunities: Whether you’re just getting started with pre-licensing courses or you’re already enrolled, there are scholarship options available based on the license you’re pursuing — from salesperson-specific awards to broader grants open to students across Ohio. Check out the list of scholarships.
• PayPal Credit: 6 Months Same as Cash Available Through PayPal Credit. Approved purchasers can use PayPal Credit’s digital, reusable credit line to shop our courses, and get 0% interest for 6 months on purchases of $99+ every time you shop. Get a credit decision in seconds with a quick application.
• Education and Research Fund for Real Estate Students: The Ohio Real Estate Commission administers the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing Education and Research Fund. A sales applicant may apply for a need-based loan of up to $2000 to pay education costs. The sponsoring broker as guarantor of the loan must sign the application. The loan amount for those who qualify which an applicant is eligible to receive under this rule shall be based upon a percentage of the actual cost of the tuition and required texts determined in accordance with:
  • One hundred per cent of the federal poverty level qualifies for one hundred per cent;
  • One hundred thirty-three per cent of the federal poverty level qualifies for eighty per cent;
  • One hundred seventy-five per cent of the federal poverty level qualifies for sixty per cent;
  • Two hundred per cent of the federal poverty level qualifies for forty per cent; and
  • Two hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty level qualifies for twenty per cent.

  For full details, please contact the Ohio Division of Real Estate at (614) 466-3636.

• Employer Sponsored Tuition Assistance Programs: Many employers offer programs to cover advanced education for their employees. Your employer may offer funds to assist you in achieving your education goals. Hondros College has accepted TAP funds from many employers including but not limited to: ALCOA, Alliance, Bank One, Fifth Third Bank, JP Morgan Chase, The Cleveland Foundation, and Lucent Technologies.

Cost #2 — Background Check & Fingerprinting

Typical cost: $72–$90

Ohio requires all real estate salesperson applicants to complete both an Ohio BCI and an FBI criminal background check before receiving a license. This is a required part of the licensing process.

What you’ll pay:

• Combined BCI & FBI background check: Typically $55–$90, depending on the fingerprinting provider you choose.
• No state-set fee: Unlike the exam and application fees, fingerprinting costs are established by the individual provider, so prices can vary.

Hondros tip: The Ultimate Learning package includes fingerprinting, helping simplify one of the final steps before applying for your Ohio real estate license.

Important timing note: Ohio requires applicants to complete fingerprinting within 10 days of submitting their license application. Make sure to schedule an appointment for fingerprints so you can ensure you’re within 10 days of submitting your application. Applicants should not have fingerprints taken before filing their application.

Cost #3 — Ohio Real Estate Licensing Exam

Fixed cost: $63

After your application is approved, you’ll schedule your Ohio real estate salesperson exam through PSI. The $66 fee covers both the national and Ohio-specific portions of the exam.

What you’ll pay:

• Ohio Salesperson Licensing Exam: $63
• Retake fees: $46 (National) or $43 (State), if needed.

If you don’t pass: The exam has two parts—national and state—scored separately. If you pass one and miss the other, you only retake the section you failed. Your passing score is valid for 12 months.

Each retake costs money and time. Rescheduling with PSI can push your license out and delay your start with a brokerage. This is why passing is such a focus in our program. That time is valuable. With our recommended path of study and pass or don’t pay, you can join the 94% of people who pass on their first attempt.

Maximize Your Chances of Passing

Retaking the exam means paying additional exam fees and delaying your path to becoming licensed. Hondros offers exam prep resources in select course packages, including Live Crammer, CompuCram, and the Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee. Students who follow the recommended Pass or Don’t Pay study plan have a 94% first-time exam pass rate. If you meet all program requirements and don’t pass your first exam, Hondros will refund the price of your qualifying course package.*

*Pass rate based on students who complete all Pass or Don’t Pay program requirements. See Pass or Don’t Pay for complete eligibility details.

Cost #4 — License Application Fee

Fixed cost: $81

Before your Ohio real estate license can be issued, you’ll submit a salesperson application to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. The application processing fee is $81, and it must accompany your application.

What you’ll pay:

• License application fee: $81
• This fee is paid to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing with your application.

Important timing note: This is one of the final steps in the licensing process, so it is a good idea to have your other requirements completed and ready before you submit your application.

Do You Need a Sponsoring Broker? (Usually No Upfront Cost)

Your broker signs your license application, so you need one lined up before you test—not after.

Finding a broker rarely costs anything. Brokerages don’t charge you to join; they earn a share of your commissions once you start closing. What differs is what you get back, so compare:

• Training and mentorship, especially for your first year
• Commission split, and whether there’s an annual cap
• Monthly desk, technology, or franchise fees
• Who pays for E&O insurance, MLS access, and REALTOR® dues
• Lead generation, marketing help, and admin support

Interview at least two or three before you sign. The split really matters less than the support when you’re new. Like any job, culture makes a big difference and we want you to find the right fit. This is to your success, and with the most established network of hiring brokers in Ohio we’re here to help. Whether you want to attend a career expo event and meet in person, browsing our broker portal to connect online, or invite brokers to contact you, we’re happy to introduce you to a variety of potential partners.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Ohio Real Estate License?

This depends on the path you take. Probably plan on two to three months from your first class to license in hand. Coursework drives most of that, and you control the pace—hybrid students can finish the 100 hours in as little as two weeks.

• Complete the 100-hour pre-licensing course: two weeks to a few months, depending on your format and schedule
• Find a sponsoring broker: start interviewing while you’re still in class
• Submit your license application with your broker’s signature and the $81 fee
• Complete fingerprinting within 10 days of submitting your application
• Application processing
• Schedule and pass your exam with PSI

The 10-day fingerprinting window is the only hard deadline in the list. Everything else moves as fast as you do.

Take a deep dive on timing and steps at How Soon Can You Get a Real Estate License.

Additional Costs After Getting Your Ohio Real Estate License

Getting your license is just the beginning. Once you join a brokerage and begin building your business, you’ll have additional ongoing expenses.

Brokerage Fees

Every Ohio salesperson must work under a licensed real estate broker. Each brokerage structures compensation and fees differently.

REALTOR® & MLS Membership

Many Ohio agents choose to become REALTORS® and join their local MLS.

Typical expenses may include:

• Local REALTOR® association dues
• Ohio REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® membership
• MLS access fees

These costs vary depending on your local association and brokerage but are considered ongoing business expenses rather than licensing costs.

Marketing & Business Expenses

As you begin growing your business, you may also invest in:

• Business cards
• Professional headshots
• Personal branding and marketing
• Website and CRM tools
• Open house signs and lockboxes
• Social media advertising

Your first-year marketing budget can vary significantly depending on your business plan and goals.

Renewal & Continuing Education

Keeping your license costs less than getting it, but it isn’t free. Ohio has three ongoing requirements:

• 20-hour post-licensing course, due within your first 12 months. It’s included in Ultimate Learning, or $199 on its own.
• 30 hours of continuing education every three years, including Ohio’s required core topics. Hondros CE packages start at $169 with individual courses as low as $27.
• License renewal fee: $182, paid to the Division every three years by midnight on your birthday.

That works out to roughly $350 every three years to stay active; less than most professional licenses.

Total Cost Summary

State fees include the $66 licensing exam and $81 license application fee. Fingerprinting costs vary by provider and are included with the Ultimate Learning package.

Is Becoming a Real Estate Agent Worth the Investment?

While becoming a real estate agent requires an upfront investment, it’s relatively affordable compared to many careers that require a four-year degree or professional certification. With flexible scheduling and commission-based earning potential, many agents recover their licensing costs after their first few successful transactions.

Curious what Ohio real estate agents earn? Visit our guide to Ohio Real Estate Agent Salary & Career Earnings to explore average salaries, what influences your income, and how experienced agents maximize their earning potential.

Why Students Choose Hondros

• 94% first-attempt pass rate*
• More than 45 years locally training Ohio real estate professionals
• Pass or don’t pay guarantee, included with our ultimate package and recommended study plan.
• Online or Hybrid—take each class in a classroom, livestreamed, or on your own time
• Fast: Finish your coursework in as little as two weeks

Compare Hondros Ohio Pre-Licensing Packages

*94% pass rate reflects Hondros College students who followed the recommended study plan and sat for the Ohio real estate licensing exam between January and September 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions