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Real Estate Broker
Total cost: $855
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
120 hrs
Pre-License Hours
2 yrs
Experience Required
Yes
Exam Required
30 hrs
CE Hours
$855
Total Fees
Permitted
Dual Agency
Broker Pre-License Education
Mostly verifiedPre-License Hours
120 hours
College Degree Required
No
Approved Providers
Ohio-approved real estate schools, colleges, and online providers
Additional Broker Courses
Additional broker-specific courses in management, supervision, and advanced real estate topics required beyond salesperson education
Course Topics
Real estate broker education requirements include pre-license coursework covering topics such as real estate law, brokerage management, contracts, finance, and ethics. Some states require a college degree in addition to pre-license hours, while others accept equivalent experience.
Browse Real Estate Broker study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Start with the salesperson license
Broker licensing in Ohio typically requires completing your salesperson (real estate agent) license first and practicing for 2 years before you can sit for the broker exam. The pre-licensing courses below are the recommended starting point on the path to a broker license.
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Agent Experience & Transaction History
Mostly verifiedAgent Experience Required
Prior real estate sales agent experience
2 yrs
Min Years as Agent
20 real estate transactions required (per Ohio Division of Real Estate). Each role (listing or selling) counts as 0.5 transaction; commercial/industrial leasing for ≥1 year also counts.
Min Transactions
Most states require a period of active experience as a licensed real estate sales agent before qualifying for a broker license. Some states use a points-based system or require a minimum number of closed transactions as an alternative or additional requirement.
State Broker Exam
Mostly verifiedState Broker Exam Required
Real estate broker licensing examination
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Format
PSI Services LLC
Provider
75%
Passing Score
$63
Exam Fee
Exam Sections
The real estate broker exam typically includes both a national portion covering general real estate principles and a state-specific portion covering local laws and regulations. Exams are usually administered by third-party providers such as PSI or Pearson VUE at authorized testing centers.
Overall licensing difficulty: 9/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Broker Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Real Estate Broker Exam
Passing Score
75%
Format
Multiple-choice; national and state-specific portions
Administered By
PSI Services LLC
Key Topics Covered
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $63Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Real Estate Broker Exam.
Study guides for the real estate broker licensing exam.
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Broker Practice Capabilities
VerifiedYes
Independent Practice
Yes
Supervise Agents
Yes
Operate Brokerage
Yes
Property Management
Yes
Escrow Handling
Yes
Dual Agency
Yes
Designated Agency
Restricted Activities
Real estate brokers have a broader scope of practice than sales agents, including the ability to operate their own brokerage, supervise agents, and handle escrow funds. Dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) and designated agency rules vary significantly by state.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee VERIFY against Ohio Division of Real Estate current fee schedule. Per StateRequirement: $135 non-refundable Broker License Examination Application fee. Kept at $101 pending human verification. | $101 |
Exam Fee Paid to PSI. VERIFY against current PSI OH Candidate Handbook — per Examsmart broker: $41; per Smart Agent Alliance: $63 (likely salesperson). Kept at $63 pending human verification. | $63 |
License Fee VERIFY — the $81 figure matches the Salesperson application fee per Smart Agent Alliance. Broker license fee likely differs. Kept at $81 pending human verification. | $81 |
E&O Insurance Errors and omissions insurance; varies by provider | $200 |
MLS Fees MLS membership varies by local association | $400 |
Renewal Fee | $182 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, license, E&O insurance, and MLS fees | $855 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Mostly verified3 years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
10 hours post-license education within 12 months of licensure (broker-specific). Per Kapre directly: 'No later than 12 months after licensure, Broker licensees are required to submit proof that they have completed 10 hours of education.' (20 hours is for Salespersons; 10 hours is for Brokers.) Updated from 20 on 2026-04-30.
Post-License Education
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$182
Regulatory Board
Broker licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state real estate commission. Continuing education typically covers topics such as ethics, fair housing, agency law, and state-specific legal updates. Some states also require post-license education within the first renewal period.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Endorsement Available
Yes
ARELLO Certification
Accepted
Reciprocal States
Reciprocity Requirements
Real estate broker reciprocity agreements allow brokers licensed in one state to obtain a license in another state with reduced requirements. ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) certification may be accepted in some states. Requirements typically include passing the state-specific portion of the broker exam.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Ohio with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Ohio requires 120 hours of broker pre-license education (NOT 200 — that value was a fabrication), 10 hours of broker-specific post-license education in first 12 months (NOT 20 — that's salesperson), and 30 CE hours per 3-year renewal. Broker passing score is 75% (NOT 70% — that's salesperson). 20 transaction requirement plus 2 years post-secondary education (60 semester hours) for broker licensure. New eLicense LPI Portal launched November 2025. Sponsoring broker must sign application BEFORE exam (different from most states). HB 238 (effective 4/9/2025) reduced Salesperson pre-license from 120→100 hours; Broker pre-license unchanged at 120 hours.
Ohio requires 120 hours of broker pre-license education (NOT 200 — that value was a fabrication). Per Hondros (OH-approved provider) and Ohio Department of Commerce.
Pre-license structured as 8 courses including Real Estate Principles & Practices, Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours, includes civil rights/housing discrimination/desegregation), and additional broker-specific courses.
Experience: 2 of last 5 years as active OH salesperson + 20 real estate transactions + 2 years post-secondary education (60 semester hours / 90 quarter hours).
Broker passing score: 75% (NOT 70%; that's the Salesperson threshold). Broker requires HIGHER passing score than salesperson.
10 hours of broker-specific post-license education required within 12 months of licensure (NOT 20 — that's the Salesperson requirement).
30 CE hours required per 3-year renewal cycle. For Brokers: 3-hour Broker Responsibility course required.
HB 238 effective 4/9/2025: reduced Salesperson pre-license from 120 to 100 hours (Finance and Appraisal each cut 20→10 hrs); Broker pre-license unchanged at 120 hours.
New eLicense LPI Portal launched November 2025.
Sponsoring broker must sign application BEFORE exam (different from most states).
Renewal periods on licensee's birthday occurring 3 years after initial licensure date, and every 3 years thereafter.
Dual agency is permitted with proper disclosure in Ohio.
Real Estate Broker Schools in Ohio
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Ohio requires 120 hours of pre-license education and 2 years of agent experience for broker licensure. A state broker exam is required. All licensing is managed through the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state real estate commission.