Real Estate Broker / Ohio
2026 data Ohio board official source

Ohio Real Estate Broker License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Manages real estate transactions and may employ real estate agents.

What the Ohio data shows for Real Estate Brokers

Ohio's path to real estate broker licensure runs through 168 hours of approved instruction, 2 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State Real Estate Broker Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Ohio folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Broker Pre-License Coursework".

Upfront cost is $230, with renewal running $191 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 16 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For real estate brokers, the reciprocity picture is: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
41/100
Real Estate Broker · Ohio

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
168 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$230
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$96/yr
$191 every 2 years
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
16 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Education / Training Hours
Broker Pre-License Coursework
168 hours
Exam Requirement
State Real Estate Broker Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$230
Renewal Fee
$191
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
16 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Real Estate Broker All Ohio licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Ohio licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Real Estate Broker in Ohio? ▼
Ohio requires 168 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Real Estate Broker Exam), and an initial fee of $230. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Real Estate Broker in Ohio? ▼
Ohio licenses real estate brokers who complete its requirements (168 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Ohio licensing board.
Can I transfer my Real Estate Broker license to Ohio from another state? ▼
For real estate brokers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Reciprocal agreements vary significantly by state. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Ohio licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Ohio require a background check for Real Estate Broker licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the real estate broker licensing process in Ohio. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Real Estate Broker in Ohio? ▼
Licensed real estate brokers in Ohio must complete 16 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $191.

Related Guides

What to do with this real estate broker license

Real Estate Broker in Ohio, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a real estate broker-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Ohio's real estate broker requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Real Estate Broker in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state real estate broker license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Ohio's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Ohio overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Ohio licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.