About Real Estate

Who are we?

The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing is part of the Department of Commerce. The Division is responsible for licensing Ohio's real estate brokers and salespeople, real estate appraisers, foreign real estate dealers and salespeople, the registration of cemeteries located in Ohio and the registration of real estate developments located in other states but marketed in Ohio.

What is our mission?

Mission Statement:

"The mission of the Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing is to provide fair and consistent administration of our regulatory responsibilities while informing and protecting consumers and the public."

How are we structured?

The Superintendent of Real Estate and Professional Licensing is appointed by the Director of the Department of Commerce and administers the activities of the Division. The Superintendent is assisted by a Deputy Superintendent and Chief Legal Counsel. The Division functions are divided into several working sections:

Real Estate

  • Licensing
  • Education and Testing
  • Enforcement
  • Foreign Real Estate
  • Property Registrations

Appraisers

  • Certifications/Licensure
  • Education and Testing
  • Enforcement

Cemeteries

  • Registration
  • Complaint Mediation
  • Enforcement

The above sections are supported by a Legal section, Fiscal section and Customer Service section.

Whom do we serve?

The Division has two primary customers:

  • Ohio's citizens
  • Ohio's real estate brokers and salespeople, real estate appraisers, cemetery owners and operators, foreign real estate developers, foreign real estate dealers and salespeople.

What do we do?

The Division is responsible for licensing Ohio's real estate brokers and salespeople, real estate appraisers, foreign real estate dealers and salespeople, the registration of cemeteries located in Ohio and the registration of real estate developments located in other states but marketed in Ohio.

How are we funded?

The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing is funded through annual fees paid by licensees. No general revenue funds are used. Nevertheless, the Division is subject to the same budgeting and expense reporting requirements as other state agencies focusing efforts to minimize expenses.