Sales and Broker License Information

Simply put a real estate sales agents and brokers are state licensed professionals who specialize in real estate transactions. Both are commonly referred to as agents.  The two most common types are residential agents and commercial agents.

Residential real estate agents help buyers and seller in the process of selling or renting residential property. Some agents work with buyers, helping them find places to live and negotiating with sellers, other agents work with the sellers. Commercial real estate agents can be sales agents, leasing agents or tenant representation agents. For more info on commercial agents, see our career page in the resources section of this website.

About 70% of all licensed salespersons and brokers in Ohio are members of a professional association called Ohio Association of Realtors (OAR). Composed of real estate professionals, who've joined the local, state and national associations of realtors, OAR's members have agreed to abide by the National Association of realtors' stringent Code of Ethics.

OAR offers services to its members in addition to protecting private property rights for the public. Those member services include: lobbying state legislators on industry issues, research development, current real estate information and member discounts on products and services.

State of Ohio laws stipulate that a person may not act as a real estate salesperson or broker without first obtaining a license issued by the Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing. To be licensed, you must pass an examination to confirm that you have attained at least a minimum level of knowledge regarding the principles, practices, statutes, and regulations relating to real estate.