Real Estate Agent in Ohio
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OH
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio
To become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio, you must first complete 100 hours of approved pre-licensing education, covering topics like real estate principles, Ohio real estate law, appraisal, and finance. After securing a sponsoring broker, you'll submit an application with an $81 fee and undergo a state and federal criminal background check. The final step is to pass the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam, administered by PSI, which costs $63. A 20-hour post-licensing course is also required within 12 months of receiving your license. Ohio offers partial reciprocity for out-of-state agents, generally requiring them to pass only the state-specific portion of the exam.
Real Estate Agent Requirements in Ohio
| Detail | Ohio |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 100 hours of approved real estate education (40 hours Real Estate Principles and Practices, 40 hours Ohio Real Estate Law, 10 hours Real Estate Appraisal, 10 hours Real Estate Finance), plus a 20-hour post-licensing course within 12 months of licensure. |
| Exam | Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam (PSI) ($63) |
| Application Fee | $81 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 30.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent (if born after 1950), be honest and truthful, and not have been convicted of a disqualifying offense or violated civil rights laws related to real estate within the past two years. A criminal background check (state and FBI) is required. Applicants must also be sponsored by an Ohio broker before submitting their application. |
Source: Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
License Tiers
Ohio offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Salesperson | N/A |
| Broker | N/A |
Real Estate Agent Salary in Ohio
The median real estate agent salary in Ohio is $43,860 per year, which is 22.1% below the national median of $56,320.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $29,720 |
| 25th | $36,890 |
| 50th (median) | $43,860 |
| 75th | $61,530 |
| 90th (experienced) | $80,090 |
Ohio employs approximately 4,230 real estate agents.
Real Estate Agent Job Outlook
AI Impact on Real Estate Agents
High AI Exposure (Score: 0.86/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Ohio Worth It?
Factors to consider: Ohio's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.