Using a GI Bill to Pay for a Real Estate License

Military can be a rewarding, lifelong career for many service members, it can also serve as the foundation for a successful and rewarding civilian career.  Those retiring from military duty or who’ve been honorably discharged and are searching for a promising career may consider pursuing that of a real estate agent. It’s a very common career choice for people in the military when transitioning into civilian life.  

Many retired military members call the Mississippi Gulf Coast home, and Expect Realty is proud to partner with veterans for buying and selling homes in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and throughout the Coast.

In Mississippi, to earn a real estate license, you must be 18 years old, a resident of the state, complete at least 60 hours of approved real estate course work, pass the state licensing exam, working under the supervision of a Mississippi real estate broker and complete and approved 30-hour post-license course within one year of being issued a temporary license.

The good news is that GI Bill benefits may be used to pay for  the real estate licensing course and exam, which will allow you to buy and sell homes on behalf of a real estate brokerage, such as Expect Realty, which employs veterans to sell homes in Coastal Mississippi. 

What is the GI Bill

The GI Bill is a benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for members of Active Duty, Selected Reserve, and National Guard Armed Forces, as well as their families or dependents. The benefit is designed to help cover the cost of education or training in designated fields of study. While most people understand that it will cover tuition, many don’t realize it also covers professional certifications, such as real estate licenses.

Qualified recipients can be reimbursed for licensing and certification testing in a wide range of real estate-related career paths, including but not limited to:

• Real estate sales
• Real estate appraisals
• Real estate brokers
• Real estate inspectors

A search tool on the VA website provides a listing of approved tests in each state. The search tool is not restricted to real estate careers, so using the most targeted search terms for the exam you seek is recommended. The VA recommends contacting them directly in cases where a test or certification is not found. Upon approval, the cost of the test is deducted from the total remaining benefit based on an individual’s monthly benefit rate. This is applies only to testing costs and not on any other licensing fees, such as registering with the State Board.

Those who do not score well enough to pass or be approved for certification can retake the test and still have payments reimbursed. The same holds true for those who need to retake the exam in order to score higher for recertification or to keep an existing real estate license.

How to Apply

You must apply for GI Bill benefits in order to get your exam fees reimbursed. You will need to take your exam and apply within one year of taking the test to be paid.To get your reimbursement for the licensing or certification test cost, follow these steps:

1. Apply for education benefits, if you haven’t done so yet, online through the VA.gov website. After processing your application, the VA will determine your eligibility for the GI Bill and other programs.
2. Complete and submit VA Form 22-0803 or the Application for Reimbursement of Licensing and Certification Test. Provide the following information:

• Your personal information (including your social security and VA file number)
• Your VA education information
• The test information (date and venue of the exam taken, type of exam)
• The licensing organization for which you are applying a license

3. Submit proof of payment for the exam with the application electronically through the VA website or mail it to the VA regional processing office. The regional office for Mississippi is located at P.O. Box 8888 Muskogee, OK, 74402-8888.

Note that the GI Bill pays for fees related to the test or certification itself, not for licensure. The same goes for certification documents. As of February 2022, the VA caps reimbursement fees for a single test or exam at $2000. This amount is subject to change based on VA policy, legislation, or other variables. 

For veterans and other military members  interested in exploring a career in real estate, the GI Bill is a great resource for reimbursing real estate licensing or certification costs, and the steps to obtain this benefit are quite simple. For questions regarding the GI Bill and its impact, contact the VA online or call 888-442-4551. Expect Realty is owned and operated by veterans and specializes in buying and selling homes in Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For information on becoming a real estate agent with Expect Realty, email info@expectrealy.com or call 228.215.1861.