Can a felon get a real estate license in your state?

Most states allow felons to become licensed real estate agents, but they must plead their case
by Staff Writer
March 23, 2016
  • In the majority of states, felons can get a real estate license if they petition their state's real estate commission.
  • In some states, such as Georgia, the petition process is so hard that felons are essentially barred from becoming licensed real estate agents.
  • Some agents feel that felons should get a second chance, while others think it's too easy for felons, sex offenders, etc. to get a license.

Felons cannot hold federal office, work for a federal agency or enlist in the armed forces under any circumstances. But there are other areas where exceptions can be made, and the felon’s fate is left to the discretion of the profession’s ruling agency to suspend or revoke a license. Real estate is one of those professions.

Article image credited to Andrey Burmakin / Shutterstock.com