Verify a Georgia Real Estate Agent, Broker, Firm or Appraiser
Use this Georgia real estate license verification desk before you sign a listing agreement, hire an agent, check a brokerage, verify an appraiser, pay for a course, renew a license, or file a complaint.
Start with the official GREC search, then match the license number, status, broker affiliation, firm record, renewal risk and disciplinary information before trusting a business card, portal profile, yard sign or online ad.
Start Here: What Georgia Real Estate License Task Do You Need?
The official GREC search has multiple routes. Pick the right one before entering a name, because an appraiser, company, school or instructor will not always appear under the agent search.
Verify a real estate agent
Use “Find a Real Estate Agent” when you need to check a salesperson, associate broker, broker or community association manager record.
Open GREC license searchVerify a company or broker firm
Use “Find a Company” and choose Real Estate when you need to confirm a brokerage, firm name, qualifying broker or company license record.
Search company recordUse appraiser search separately
Real estate agents and appraisers are not the same license record. Use “Find an Appraiser” when the person is valuing property.
Search appraiserRenew or check CE
Use GREC online services when renewing, checking posted CE, avoiding lapse, moving inactive, or changing license status after CE posts.
Open online servicesCheck discipline or request investigation
Use disciplinary actions first, then the investigation form if you believe license law may have been violated.
Open discipline pageVerify before paying for a course
Use “Find a School” or “Find an Instructor” before buying prelicense, postlicense, broker, CAM or CE education.
Search school/instructorIf the license affects a purchase, lease, listing, property management agreement, commission, school payment, complaint, transfer or renewal deadline, save the official GREC record with the date checked.
Georgia Real Estate License Verification: Step-by-Step
Use this workflow before signing with an agent, paying a brokerage, choosing a school, relying on an appraiser, or preparing a complaint.
Open the official GREC search
Use the Georgia Real Estate Commission search page, not a third-party directory, social profile, review site or old screenshot.
Choose the correct record type
Pick Find a Real Estate Agent, Find an Appraiser, Find a Company, Find a School or Find an Instructor. The wrong search type is the most common no-result mistake.
Search by license number when possible
A license number is usually cleaner than a name search. If you only have a name, add last name, first name, city or firm name to narrow the results.
Open the result and match the details
Do not stop at a similar name. Match licensee name, license number, license type, status, city, company and broker/firm information where displayed.
Check broker or company affiliation
If an individual is representing you in Georgia, verify the related broker or company record too. A recently released or transferred license can change authority quickly.
Check disciplinary actions and save proof
For transaction safety, school complaints, broker issues or serious disputes, check GREC disciplinary actions and save the date, license number, firm and status.
Use this official GREC search after choosing the right category.
Open official GREC searchAgent, Broker, Company, Appraiser, School or Instructor: Which Search Should You Use?
A good Georgia real estate license check starts with the correct search path. Use this table when you only have a name, office, ad, course provider or transaction document.
| What you need to verify | Use this search type | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| Individual salesperson, associate broker, broker or CAM | Find a Real Estate Agent | Last name, license number, city, first name or firm details. |
| Brokerage, company or firm | Find a Company → Real Estate | Firm name, city or company license number. |
| Appraiser | Find an Appraiser | Name, license number or city. |
| Approved real estate school | Find a School → Real Estate School | School name or city. |
| Instructor | Find an Instructor → Real Estate | Instructor name or license details. |
REALTOR® membership, MLS access, a portal profile, an ad badge or an office website does not replace the official GREC license status check.
How to Read Georgia Real Estate License Status: Active, Inactive, Lapsed or Released
A license record can exist even when a person cannot legally perform the work you are asking them to do. Read status and affiliation together.
| Status or issue | Plain meaning | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The licensee may perform brokerage activity only as a broker or on behalf of a real estate broker. | Confirm broker/firm affiliation and transaction role before signing, paying or authorizing work. |
| Inactive | Inactive licensees may not perform brokerage activity except on real estate owned solely by them. | Do not use an inactive licensee for buying, selling, leasing, CAM or property management representation. |
| Lapsed | A lapsed licensee is prohibited from brokerage activity until reinstated. | Wait for GREC reinstatement and correct active affiliation before relying on the licensee. |
| Released by broker | The licensee may not act until affiliated with a new broker or authorized as a broker/qualifying broker. | Ask for the new broker/company record and verify it in GREC search. |
| Firm/company record | A firm has its own license record and renewal timeline. | Verify the individual and the firm separately when a brokerage is involved. |
If someone’s status is inactive, lapsed or released, do not assume they can represent you because their name appears in an old listing, ad, business card, sign, portal profile or email signature.
Broker Affiliation and Company Check: Why It Matters
Georgia real estate work often depends on the broker relationship. Verify both the individual and the firm when a transaction, lease, listing or property management agreement is involved.
Verify the person first
- Search the person by license number or name.
- Confirm license type and status.
- Confirm city and firm information if displayed.
- Check whether the person recently changed brokers.
- Save the date checked.
Then verify the brokerage or firm
- Use Find a Company → Real Estate.
- Match the firm name in the contract, ad or email signature.
- Confirm the firm record is current.
- Ask who the broker or qualifying broker is.
- Check discipline if the situation is high-risk.
If an agent says they “just moved brokerages,” verify the new broker/company before signing. Georgia rules restrict brokerage activity after release until proper new affiliation or broker authorization is handled.
Renewal PDF Details: Fees, 120-Day Window, CE Posting and Lapse Risk
GREC’s renewal PDF is more useful than a simple “renew online” link. These are the parts that help users avoid a late fee or accidental inactive status.
| PDF detail | User meaning | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Renew online, by mail or in person | You are not limited to one renewal method. | Use online services for the fastest route when available. |
| $125 standard renewal; $100 online renewal | Online renewal is discounted in the PDF. | Use the “Renew License” button if it appears for your license. |
| Renew up to 120 days early | You do not need to wait until the final week. | Check online services early enough to fix CE or account problems. |
| Most schools post CE within 1–2 business days | Completed CE may not appear instantly. | Check your education record before the deadline. |
| If CE is not posted, renew inactive to avoid late fee | Inactive renewal may be safer than letting the license lapse. | After CE posts, submit a Change Application to reactivate. |
| Failure to renew by due date causes lapse and $100 late fee | Missing the due date creates extra steps and cost. | Do not wait until the final day if CE is incomplete or login access is uncertain. |
Georgia Real Estate Renewal, Expiration and CE Requirements
License lookup users often need to know whether a license is current, lapsed, inactive because CE was missing, or close to renewal.
Individual licenses lapse in the birthday month
Georgia rules state that individual licenses lapse on the last day of the month of the licensee’s birthday unless renewal fees are paid.
Firm renewal is separate
Firm licenses lapse on the last day of the month of the fourth anniversary of original licensure unless renewed. Renewing a broker license does not renew the firm.
36 hours per renewal period
Georgia continuing education guidance and rules commonly require 36 hours for active renewal, including approved license law content.
Check the education record early
If a school has not posted CE yet, renewal may show incomplete education. Do not wait until midnight on the due date.
Brokerage activity must stop
Georgia rules prohibit brokerage activity after lapse until reinstatement. Longer lapse periods can require prelicense education or requalification.
Inactive can prevent a worse lapse problem
If CE is not posted by the deadline, GREC’s PDF recommends inactive renewal to avoid a late fee, then reactivation after CE posts and the change application is handled.
Broker CE Rule Change: What Changed After July 1, 2025?
Brokers need an extra check before renewal because GREC published a broker-specific CE rule-change PDF.
Broker CE does not increase total hours
GREC’s broker CE FAQ says the total required CE remains 36 hours. The new requirement changes what part of those hours must cover.
Half the CE must be Broker CE
For brokers affected by the rule, 18 of the 36 hours must be approved for Broker CE, 3 hours must be approved for License Law, and the remaining 15 hours may be any approved CE topic.
If you are a broker, associate broker or qualifying broker, confirm the course is approved for the required Broker CE category before paying.
Open broker CE rule-change PDFCheck Georgia Real Estate Disciplinary Actions
License status tells you whether the record exists and what status it has. Disciplinary action search helps you spot formal Commission action.
Search official GREC disciplinary actions
Before hiring, signing, choosing a school or filing a complaint, check whether the licensee, firm, school or instructor appears in official GREC discipline records.
Open real estate disciplinary actionsUse official account services for formal record tasks
If a regulator, employer or legal file needs more than a screenshot, use GREC online services or the appropriate form instead of relying on a copied search-result page.
Open GREC online servicesEarnest money, repairs, appraisals, commission-fee disputes and civil damages may not be solved through a license-law investigation. Read the complaint section before filing.
Request for Investigation PDF: What GREC Requires
The investigation PDF gives specific requirements. Missing items can cause the request to be returned, so prepare the packet before you send it.
| PDF requirement | What it means | Micro-step before sending |
|---|---|---|
| Separate form for each person | Do not put multiple people into one unclear complaint. | Create one request packet per licensee, firm, school or instructor. |
| Property address involved | GREC needs the transaction location to understand the matter. | Copy the exact property address from the contract, listing or closing file. |
| Date of transaction | The PDF notes a 3-year statute of limitation from the event. | Build a timeline with contract date, closing date, listing date and key communications. |
| Signed and notarized form | A signed form without notarization may be returned. | Do not email an unsigned draft; sign before a notary. |
| Statement of facts with documents | GREC needs facts and support, not only a general complaint. | Attach contracts, ads, emails, texts, closing statements, screenshots and timelines. |
| GREC does not settle certain money disputes | Earnest money entitlement, repairs, licensee commission-fee disputes and appraisals are listed as non-investigation matters. | Use the right civil, contract, broker, REALTOR® or legal route if GREC lacks jurisdiction. |
How to File a Complaint Against a Georgia Real Estate Licensee
A strong complaint starts with verification. Confirm the licensee and firm first, then submit a fact-based complaint with documents.
Prepare the complaint packet
- Verify the licensee, firm, school or instructor first.
- Save the license number and status.
- Collect contracts, listing agreements, agency disclosures, emails, texts, ads and closing documents.
- Write a timeline with dates and facts.
- Attach proof, not only opinions.
- Use separate request forms for separate people when required.
Know what GREC can investigate
GREC’s PDF says the Commission investigates only issues related to real estate license law and does not settle monetary disputes such as earnest money entitlement, repairs, licensee commission-fee disputes or appraisals.
Read investigation PDFThe Request for Investigation PDF lists GREC at 229 Peachtree Street, N.E., International Tower, Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1605, telephone 404-656-3916, and email grecmail@grec.state.ga.us.
No Result Found? Fix These Georgia License Lookup Problems
A missing result does not always mean the person is unlicensed. It may mean you searched the wrong category or used incomplete information.
Agent vs company vs appraiser
Search an individual under Find a Real Estate Agent, a brokerage under Find a Company, and an appraiser under Find an Appraiser.
Try spelling, first name and city
Use last name, first name, city or firm name. Try legal name, former name or shorter spelling if the first search fails.
Ask for the license number
If the name is common, ask the agent, broker, firm, appraiser, school or instructor for the license number before searching.
Inactive, lapsed or released
The record may exist but not authorize brokerage activity. Read the status and broker affiliation carefully.
Another state license is not enough
A licensee may hold another state license or referral relationship, but Georgia brokerage activity needs proper Georgia authority.
Contact GREC if the transaction depends on it
If status affects a live deal, listing, commission, lease, school payment or complaint, call GREC at 404-656-3916 or email grecmail@grec.state.ga.us.
Before You Sign: Buyer, Seller, Renter and Student Safety Checklist
Use this checklist before signing with an agent, paying a brokerage, choosing a school, hiring a property manager or filing a complaint.
- Verify the individual license in GREC search.
- Verify the brokerage/company separately.
- Check active status and broker affiliation.
- Check disciplinary actions.
- Confirm license number appears in transaction documents where required.
- For school/course payments, verify the school or instructor.
- Save the date checked and official source.
- Contact GREC if the status is unclear.
- Zillow, Realtor.com, portal profile or MLS-style page.
- Business card, yard sign or email signature.
- Social media profile or paid ad.
- Old license screenshot.
- Similar name without license-number match.
- REALTOR® membership without current GREC license status.
- Firm name without checking the individual licensee.
Official Georgia Real Estate License Verification Links
Use these official links after choosing the matching task above. No internal links are included because sitemap-verified relevant internal posts were not available during this refresh.
Georgia Real Estate License Verification FAQs
These answers cover Georgia real estate lookup, status, renewal, CE, broker affiliation, discipline and complaint questions.
How do I verify a Georgia real estate license online?
Use the official GREC license search. Choose Find a Real Estate Agent for an individual, Find a Company for a brokerage, Find an Appraiser for appraisal records, or the school/instructor route for education providers.
What is the official Georgia real estate license lookup?
The official lookup is the GREC online search at ata.grec.state.ga.us/account/search. It includes search routes for real estate agents, appraisers, companies, schools and instructors.
Can I search a Georgia real estate license by license number?
Yes. The GREC search includes a license number field. A license number search is usually more reliable than a common name search.
How do I verify a Georgia real estate broker or company?
Use Find a Company and choose Real Estate. Search by firm name, city or license number, then compare the firm record with the broker or company shown in the contract, ad or email signature.
What does active status mean for a Georgia real estate license?
Active status generally means the licensee may perform brokerage activity only as a broker or on behalf of a real estate broker. You should still confirm the broker or firm affiliation.
What does inactive status mean for a Georgia real estate license?
Georgia rules say inactive licensees may not perform real estate brokerage activity except for real estate owned solely by the inactive licensee. Do not use an inactive licensee for representation.
What does a lapsed Georgia real estate license mean?
A lapsed license means the licensee is prohibited from engaging in real estate brokerage activity until the license is reinstated. Longer lapse periods can require extra fees, prelicense education, reexamination or original requalification.
Can a released Georgia licensee keep working?
A licensee released by a broker may not engage in brokerage activity until the licensee affiliates with a new broker and submits the required change process, or receives Commission authorization as a broker or qualifying broker.
How early can I renew a Georgia real estate license?
GREC’s renewal PDF says you may renew up to 120 days in advance. If the Renew License button is not displayed in online services, you cannot renew at that time.
How much does Georgia individual real estate license renewal cost?
GREC’s renewal PDF lists the standard renewal fee as $125 and the online renewal as discounted to $100. If you do not renew by the due date, the license lapses and a $100 late fee is incurred.
What CE is required for Georgia real estate renewal?
Active renewal commonly requires 36 hours of Commission-approved continuing education during the renewal period, including license law content. Brokers affected by the 2025 broker CE rule must confirm broker-specific CE requirements.
What should I do if CE is not posted before my Georgia renewal deadline?
GREC’s renewal PDF says most schools post within 1–2 business days. If required courses have not posted by the deadline, GREC recommends renewing to inactive status to avoid a late fee, then submitting a Change Application after courses post.
How do I check Georgia real estate disciplinary actions?
Use GREC’s Real Estate Disciplinary Actions page after verifying the license record. This is useful before hiring, signing, choosing a school or filing a complaint.
How do I file a complaint against a Georgia real estate licensee?
Verify the licensee and firm first, then use the GREC Request for Investigation PDF or online complaint portal. Include a separate form for each person, the property address, transaction date, notarized form and a fact statement with documents.
What can GREC not investigate in a real estate complaint?
The Request for Investigation PDF says GREC cannot investigate certain matters such as earnest money entitlement, property repairs, commission fee disputes between licensees or property appraisals.
What should I do if no Georgia real estate license result appears?
Try a license number, alternate spelling, last name, first name, city and firm name. Also confirm you selected the correct search type: agent, company, appraiser, school or instructor. Contact GREC if the transaction depends on the answer.
Ready to Verify a Georgia Real Estate License?
Start with the official GREC search, pick the right search type, match the individual and company records, read active/inactive/lapsed/released status, check renewal or CE issues when needed, and use disciplinary or complaint routes only after the record is clear.