You passed

You Passed the Georgia Exam. Do These 4 Things Before You Celebrate

Do not sign the Certificate of Accuracy Statement PSI hands you: your license application needs it unsigned. You can buy your license at the PSI test center immediately after passing. The fee is $170 if you apply within 3 months of passing and doubles to $340 between 3 and 12 months. After 12 months your exam result expires. You will also need a notarized Lawful Presence Affidavit, and a Sponsoring Broker Statement if you want the license active on day one.

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2026. Editorial standards.

1. Leave the Certificate of Accuracy Statement unsigned

The test center hands it to you moments after you have seen a passing score, which is exactly when nobody reads carefully. Your license application requires it unsigned.

The Rule

Take the Certificate of Accuracy Statement. Do not sign it. Your application needs it as issued.

2. Buy the license while you are standing there

You can purchase your Georgia license at the PSI test center the same day. There are three reasons to do it immediately rather than later:

The fee is $170 within 3 months and $340 after. The same license, double the price, for waiting.
After 12 months the exam result expires and you retake the entire exam.
You are already there with your identification, and the process is administrative rather than difficult.

The fee covers your first 4-year license term. You will also need a notarized Lawful Presence Affidavit, so knowing where to find a notary in advance saves a second trip.

3. Decide active or inactive

A license without a Sponsoring Broker Statement is issued inactive. Inactive means genuinely licensed but unable to practise or be paid. It is a legitimate choice if you are not ready to join a firm. The license exists, and you activate it later by affiliating.

If you want to work immediately, you need a broker before you apply. Choosing a sponsoring broker covers what actually differs between firms, and active versus inactive status covers what each permits.

4. Start the 25-hour post-license clock

Georgia requires a 25-hour post-license course in your first year. It is separate from continuing education and it is not optional. This is the requirement new licensees most reliably forget, because it arrives after the part that felt like the finish line.

Put the deadline in a calendar now, while the date is obvious. What the post-license course covers.

What happens after that

Your license runs on a 4-year cycle with continuing education required for renewal. Renewal and CE requirements covers the cycle in full. Worth reading once now, so the first renewal is not a surprise.

Know someone starting the process? The exam guide covers everything, and the licensing path covers the six steps from first class to active license.

After you pass

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2026. Editorial standards.

Why should I not sign the Certificate of Accuracy Statement?

Your license application requires it unsigned. The test center hands it to you at the moment you are least likely to read carefully, and signing it creates avoidable rework.

How long do I have to apply for my Georgia license after passing?

The fee is $170 within 3 months of passing and $340 between 3 and 12 months. After 12 months the exam result expires entirely and you must retake the exam.

Can I hold a Georgia real estate license without a broker?

Yes, but it will be inactive. An inactive license means you are licensed but cannot practise or earn commission. A Sponsoring Broker Statement is what activates it.

What is the 25-hour post-license course?

A mandatory course in your first year of licensure, separate from continuing education. Missing it puts your license at risk, and it is the requirement new licensees most often forget because it arrives after the celebration.