Often I'm asked if it's worth getting a real estate sales license. The quick answer: It depends upon how you'd use it.

Many years ago, there were only minimal requirements beyond the examination, and lots of folks would obtain a real estate license for the sole purpose of participating in the commission on the purchase of their own house. Today, things are a bit more complicated.

For starters, Georgia requires you to pass a "prelicense" course requiring at least 75 in-class hours.

After you have successfully navigated that hurdle, you can then attempt to pass the real estate salesperson examination.

Assuming you pass that test, you must then find a licensed real estate broker willing to hold your license before it can even be activated. That's because your broker is legally responsible for all real estate-related actions you perform.

After you hang your license with a broker, you are then responsible for passing the salesperson "first-year course" in your first year, followed by the "second-year course."

Each course requires at least 25 in-class hours, so the total time commitment just to get past the minimum requirements is 125 hours plus testing.

Here's another common question: Should a real estate investor get a real estate license? My thinking on this issue has changed a little over the years.

For a long time, I discouraged investors from obtaining a license. The long hours of continuing education were not relevant to investors, and the oversight from an uncooperative broker could harm negotiations. Better, I thought, to let investors be investors and agents be agents.

But recently a couple of things have changed. That has forced me to reconsider my advice to those who plan at least one transaction per year.

First, the Georgia Real Estate Commission has allowed prelicense candidates and licensees to obtain some or all of their education by computer. These courses appear to be effective at teaching the required information and, more importantly, allow a busy student to move forward at his or her own pace and take the courses at any time appropriate for his or her schedule.

The cost of these computer courses is competitive, with the 75-hour prelicense course often being available for around $300 to $400. Students I have talked with tell me they enjoy the privacy of using their computers and setting their own pace.

Second, with the advent of many nontraditional real estate brokerage firms in Georgia, agents have a wide choice of options.

For example, a new agent might choose a traditional brokerage firm that expected a 50-50 commission split or the agent might choose a broker who charges a monthly fee but lets agents keep all their commissions.

The widening of choices has opened up possibilities for benefiting both the agent and the public.

Now I believe an investor who is a licensed agent is more likely to have a clear understanding of disclosure requirements and at least the basics of legal contract procedures. This knowledge serves to protect the public from unscrupulous individuals as well as the well-intentioned misinformed.

Other commonly asked questions on licensure:

Q: What score is required to pass the Georgia real estate license exam?

A: A grade of 75 is considered passing. Qualifying veterans get a five point credit, and veterans discharged due to injury or illness with at least a 10 percent disability receive a 10-point credit.

Q: I used to have a license several years ago, but it lapsed. Can I reinstate it?

A: Yes. Your lapsed license can be reinstated within two years, provided all required continuing education is completed, by paying all renewal fees, late charges plus a reinstatement fee. After two years and before 10 years, you must also retake the approved prelicense course. After 10 years, you must start over with a new application.

Q: I called my agent, but her unlicensed personal assistant called me back with the information. What is a personal assistant allowed to do?

A: They can perform "ministerial duties" such as scheduling appointments, closings or inspections, placing and removing signs, researching public information such as tax records and sales data and delivering documents.

John Adams is a broker and investor. His Web site is www.money99.com.