Is a license needed to work in property management?

Is a license needed to work in property management?

Cleveland, OH · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 17 votes

Some guy who works at this local brokerage(In Ohio) told me that if I want to work in property management that I need to be a licensed real estate agent. This doesn't sound right to me. I know that you need a BROKERS license in order to start your own property management company.... Is this true that I need to have my real estate sales license to work in the property management field in OH?

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Property Manager · Gurnee, IL · Member since 2012 · 94 posts · 43 votes
11y

It depends on who you work for.  In IL, if you work for the owner of the property, you don't need a license.  If you work for a 3rd party management company, you need at least a leasing license.  Typically your employer will give you 90-120 days or so to complete the classes and pass the exam once they hire you, and they usually reimburse you for the costs incurred in doing so.

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  • Property Manager · Gurnee, IL · Member since 2012 · 94 posts · 43 votes
    11y

    It depends on who you work for.  In IL, if you work for the owner of the property, you don't need a license.  If you work for a 3rd party management company, you need at least a leasing license.  Typically your employer will give you 90-120 days or so to complete the classes and pass the exam once they hire you, and they usually reimburse you for the costs incurred in doing so.

  • Cleveland, OH · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 17 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Kathryn Daniel:

    It depends on who you work for.  In IL, if you work for the owner of the property, you don't need a license.  If you work for a 3rd party management company, you need at least a leasing license.  Typically your employer will give you 90-120 days or so to complete the classes and pass the exam once they hire you, and they usually reimburse you for the costs incurred in doing so.

     A leasing license? Hmm I have never heard of that. I could be wrong, but I think that is strictly an IL thing. I did a google search on "leasing license" and the only results were about Illinois.

  • Property Manager · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2012 · 43 posts · 3 votes
    11y

    In PA you have to be licensed unless you are working directly as an employee of the owner or on your own properties. 

  • Property Manager · Gurnee, IL · Member since 2012 · 94 posts · 43 votes
    11y

    Yeah it could just be an IL thing; otherwise, if the broker license is the only option then my best guess for your state would be that you'd need to get the broker license if you work for a 3rd party management firm.  The leasing license is cheaper and much easier to obtain than the broker license.

  • Real Estate Agent/Property Management · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 827 votes
    11y

    In most states the agent's license is the stepping stone to the broker's license. You have to be an active agent for a specified number of years before you're eligible for a broker's license. Here in Texas, it's four years. I just looked up Ohio and it looks like you need two years of experience before you are eligible for a broker's license.

    If you're managing property as an employee of the owner, you do not need a real estate license.

  • Cleveland, OH · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 17 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Fred Heller:

    If you're managing property as an employee of the owner, you do not need a real estate license.

    Yea that is what I figured. Thanks for confirming.

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