Where this fits on the exam
| Official syllabus topic | State Laws and Rules: Commission Organization and Procedures |
|---|---|
| Official PSI group | State Laws and Rules |
| Published group count | 16 of the 52 Georgia questions |
| Exam portion | Georgia salesperson supplement |
| Source edition | PSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026 |
The Rule
PSI publishes 16, 21, and 15 items for the three Georgia groups. It does not publish a guaranteed subtopic count. The statute, current GREC rule, contract, or other cited primary authority controls each lesson.
The lesson
Commission
GREC has six members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms. Five must be Georgia residents and licensees actively engaged in real estate for five years. The sixth has no real estate industry connection and a recognized interest in consumer protection. Four members form a quorum; the Commission meets at least monthly.
Commissioner and staff
The Real Estate Commissioner and staff administer the program, process licensing matters, maintain records, and investigate within statutory authority.
Rulemaking
GREC may adopt rules under delegated authority and the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act. It cannot create powers beyond the statute.
Testing contractor
PSI schedules and administers exams and provides defined licensing services. Passing PSI does not make PSI the regulator or final legal authority.
Decision rule
Georgia rule and national contrast
Worked Georgia example
Scenario. A candidate disputes an examination appointment while a licensee challenges a disciplinary sanction.
Reason it through. The appointment issue begins with PSI's exam administration. The sanction arises from GREC's regulatory process and may proceed through statutory review.
Answer. Route the two issues to different owners instead of calling PSI the regulator.
Common exam traps
- Calling PSI the licensing regulator
- Giving GREC judicial power it does not have
- Treating the broker as a state official
- Assuming rulemaking can contradict the statute
Original practice questions with detailed explanations
These are original instructional questions mapped to the July 1, 2026 PSI outline. They are not copied from PSI or a live examination. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Question 1A licensee wants to challenge a disciplinary sanction, and a candidate wants to change an exam appointment. Where does each issue belong?
- A. Both with PSI, which tests and licenses Georgia agents
- B. Both with GREC, which schedules exams and disciplines
- C. The sanction with GREC's process; the appointment with PSI
- D. The sanction with PSI's review board; the appointment with GREC
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: C. The sanction with GREC's process; the appointment with PSI
PSI schedules and administers exams under contract, but it does not regulate licensees. Discipline comes from GREC's process and any review the statute allows. The first answer looks plausible because PSI is the exam provider, but administering the test does not make it the regulator.
- A. Incorrect. PSI handles exam services, but GREC regulates licensees and imposes disciplinary sanctions.
- B. Incorrect. GREC handles licensing and discipline; examination appointments are handled through PSI.
- C. Correct. The sanction belongs to the GREC disciplinary and review process, while PSI handles the appointment.
- D. Incorrect. PSI has no disciplinary review board for GREC sanctions, and GREC does not schedule PSI appointments.
Question 2How are members of the Georgia Real Estate Commission chosen?
- A. Elected by licensees at an annual GREC meeting
- B. Appointed by the Real Estate Commissioner for set terms
- C. Named by PSI from its exam advisory panel
- D. Appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: D. Appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Senate
The Commission has six members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms. Five are licensees with at least five years of active Georgia experience, and one is a consumer member. The Commissioner answer looks plausible, but the Commissioner runs the staff and does not appoint the Commission.
- A. Incorrect. Licensees do not elect Commission members.
- B. Incorrect. The Commissioner administers staff functions and does not appoint Commission members.
- C. Incorrect. PSI's testing contract does not give it authority to select the state regulator.
- D. Correct. The Governor appoints Commission members, subject to Senate confirmation.
Question 3GREC adopts a rule that would give the Commission a power the license law never granted. What is the problem?
- A. None, because GREC rules override the statute in a conflict
- B. A rule must stay within the authority the statute delegates
- C. None, as long as the rule serves to protect the public
- D. None, until PSI removes the topic from its exam bulletin
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. A rule must stay within the authority the statute delegates
GREC adopts rules under authority delegated by the General Assembly and the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act. A rule can explain and administer the statute, but it cannot create powers beyond it. The public-protection answer looks plausible because that is the law's purpose, but purpose does not widen delegated authority.
- A. Incorrect. An administrative rule cannot override the statute that authorizes it.
- B. Correct. GREC may exercise only the rulemaking authority delegated by law.
- C. Incorrect. A public-protection purpose does not authorize powers outside the governing statute.
- D. Incorrect. PSI's exam outline does not determine whether an agency rule exceeds statutory authority.
Ready to move on?
You are ready for the next lesson when all of these are true.
- Identify the six Commission members, including the consumer member.
- Recall the five-year term, four-member quorum, and monthly meeting requirement.
- Distinguish GREC's regulatory authority from the Commissioner, staff, and PSI's roles.
- Answer the practice questions without looking back, then explain why the other choices fail.
- Explain the worked example in your own words and identify the fact that decides the answer.
- Retest this topic on another day in a mixed question set.
Recommended next lesson
Continue with Georgia Complaints, Investigations, Hearings, Appeals, and Discipline. With GREC's role clear, the next lesson walks through what it does when a complaint arrives: investigation, notice, a citation or hearing, a final order, and judicial review.
Return to the State Laws and Rules hub for the complete official branch and the full lesson list for this Georgia group.