Real Estate Agent Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

Complete permit and license guide for starting a real estate agent in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.

Updated 2026-03-15 4 stops $550–$1,300 est. 4–14 weeks to obtain license and begin practice
Get my personalized route — $14.99

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or have employees. Free from the IRS. Even sole proprietors may benefit from obtaining an EIN to keep business and personal finances separate.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Ohio

2 stops

  1. Ohio Division of Real Estate — Salesperson License

    Ohio requires real estate salesperson applicants to complete 120 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved provider, pass the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Exam (administered by PSI), and apply to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. You must work under a licensed broker.

    Official government source

    $81 (exam fee) + $70 (license fee) + $400–$700 (pre-licensing education)4–12 weeks

  2. Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

    Most real estate brokerages require agents to carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, which protects against claims of negligent acts or omissions in real estate transactions. Some states mandate it; most brokerages require it. Coverage typically starts at $100,000 per occurrence.

    Official government source

    $300–$800/year1–5 business days

City of Columbus / Franklin County

1 stop

  1. Columbus — No Additional Local License Required for Agents

    Real estate salespersons in Columbus are licensed at the state level by the Ohio Division of Real Estate. No additional Columbus city-specific license is required for individual salespersons.

    Official government source

    No additional fee for individual agentsN/A

Terminus

Open for business — est. $550–$1,300 · 4–14 weeks to obtain license and begin practice

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides