Most states (including Ohio) require real estate sales professionals to be licensed by the state, so that they can control education and experience requirements and have a central authority to resolve consumer problems. In Ohio, to obtain a license to be a salesperson you need to complete four classroom components (also known as “pre-examination education requirements”) and pass a state administered exam.
Each of the four courses can be taken at The Ohio State University. (Follow the Pre-Examination Education Requirements link below for more info on the courses.) Once the student completes the courses, they must get a Certificate of Completion. (Follow the Certificate of Completion link below for more information.)
The Real Estate License Exam is offered through the Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing in the Ohio Department of Commerce. (Follow the Ohio Real Estate License Exam link below for more information.)
You do not need to have any experience to become a licensed salesperson. To obtain a license to be a broker you need at least two years experience, need to complete 8 classroom components, need a minimum of two years of college, need a minimum of two years experience as a salesperson and pass a state administered exam. (Follow the The Difference between a Real Estate Salesperson and a Real Estate Broker link below for more information on the difference between the two.)
(Note: There are other specific requirements for a license in Ohio. Click here for the candidate information bulletin for a full list.)

Pre-Examination Education Requirements

Certificate of Completion

The Ohio Real Estate License Exam

The Difference between a Real Estate Salesperson
and a Real Estate Broker