Ohio Real Estate License Guide (2026)
To get an Ohio real estate salesperson license, you’ll complete 100 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass the salesperson exam through PSI, clear a fingerprint-based background check, and affiliate with a licensed Ohio broker. The Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (ODREPL) runs the program, and most applicants finish in 8 to 14 weeks.
Did Ohio’s hour requirement change?
Yes — and it’s good news if you’re starting now. As of April 9, 2025, Ohio reduced its pre-licensing education requirement from 120 hours to 100 hours. If you were planning around the old 120-hour figure, you’re now looking at 20 fewer hours of coursework.
The 100 hours break down into focused subjects:
- Real Estate Principles & Practices (40 hours)
- Real Estate Law (40 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (10 hours)
- Real Estate Appraisal (10 hours)
What else does Ohio require?
- Age: at least 18
- Education: the 100 hours above, from an approved school
- Background: high school diploma or equivalent (for anyone born after 1950)
- Exam: pass the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Examination through PSI
- Background check: fingerprint-based check
- Broker: affiliate with a licensed Ohio broker to activate the license
What’s the Ohio exam like?
Ohio uses PSI for its salesperson exam. It’s a 120-question test — 80 national and 40 state — with a 3-hour limit.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Provider | PSI |
| Questions | 120 (80 national, 40 state) |
| Time limit | 3 hours |
| Passing score | 70% on each section |
| Exam fee | $63 per attempt |
The $63 fee applies each time you sit, so first-attempt prep is worth the effort. Our exam prep guide covers how to study for the PSI format.
How much does it cost in Ohio?
These are the state-side fees from ODREPL. Course tuition — which Ohio schools often price between $900 and $1,300 — is separate and is the real budget driver here.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $81 |
| Examination | $63 |
| Initial license | $60 |
| Background check | ~$70 |
| Total | ~$274 |
How does Ohio compare to nearby states?
Ohio asks for more classroom hours than several neighbors, which is the main trade-off.
| State | Pre-license hours | Exam provider | Approx. state fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 100 | PSI | ~$274 |
| Pennsylvania | 75 | Pearson VUE | ~$178 |
| North Carolina | 75 | Pearson VUE | ~$190 |
Ohio runs higher on both hours and state fees than Pennsylvania or North Carolina. Honest caveat: Ohio doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements. Out-of-state licensees must meet Ohio’s requirements, though some education credit may apply. See where you fall with the reciprocity checker.
What’s the step-by-step path?
- Complete 100 hours of approved pre-licensing coursework.
- Submit your fingerprint-based background check.
- Submit your application and schedule the PSI exam.
- Pass the exam and affiliate with a licensed broker to activate your license.
Because the exam, background check, and broker affiliation cluster near the end, keep them moving in parallel rather than one at a time.
Renewals and the broker path
Ohio renews on a three-year cycle — longer than most states — with a $150 fee and 30 hours of continuing education per period. Online renewal is available.
If you later want to become a broker, Ohio requires 2 years as a salesperson plus four 30-hour broker courses and the broker exam. A 2025 reform eliminated the old college-credit requirement, which lowered the bar for advancement.
Last updated: June 2026. Fees and requirements change. Confirm current details with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing before applying.
The bottom line
Ohio asks for a bit more classroom time than its neighbors, and course tuition is the largest expense by far. The recent drop to 100 hours and the eliminated broker college-credit rule both work in your favor, though. Budget realistically for coursework, prep hard for the PSI exam, and you’ll move through the process without surprises.
Plan your route with the timeline estimator, or see the full Ohio license requirements for everything in one place.