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Resource Info

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Florida License Requirements

Florida State Requirements

Florida Real Estate Commission

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

2601 Blair Stone Road

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1027

Phone: 850-487-1395
Visit Florida Real Estate Commission's Website

Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Licensing Requirements

Be at least 18 years old
Have a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED)
Complete a state-approved 63-hour course and pass the course final exam
Submit electronic fingerprints through a service provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as part of a background check
Take and pass the state exam

Florida Real Estate Broker Licensing Requirements

Be at least 18 years old
Have a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED)
Hold an active sales associate license for at least 24 months out of the past 5 years
Complete a state approved 72-hour course and pass the course final exam
Submit electronic fingerprints through a service provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as part of a background check
Take and pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Examination

Sales Associate Post-Licensing Requirements (First Renewal)

Renewal periods are every 18 months to two years, either March 31 or September 30
Sales associates must complete 45 hours of education to renew their license

Broker Post-Licensing Requirements (First Renewal)

Renewal periods are every 18 months to two years, either March 31 or September 30
Brokers must complete 60 hours of education to renew their license

Sales Associate Continuing Education Requirements

Renewal periods are every two years, either March 31 or September 30
Beginning with the second license renewal and onward, a sales associate must complete 14 hours of continuing education to be taken as such:
1. Three hours—Florida Core Law (required)
2. Three hours—Real Estate and Business Ethics (required)
3. Eight hours—Specialty credit

Broker Continuing Education Requirements

Renewal periods are every two years, either March 31 or September 30
Beginning with the second license renewal and onward, a broker must complete 14 hours of continuing education to be taken as such:
1. Three hours—Florida Core Law (required)
2. Three hours—Real Estate and Business Ethics (required)
3. Eight hours—Specialty credit

Exam Provider Information

Scheduling for the exam can be done at the testing providers’ website
Review all downloads available on the website to be fully prepared for exam day

myfloridalicense.com

What is the process?

Florida simplifies the process:

Create an account on myfloridalicense.com
Submit your application including: Pre-license course, background check, experience
Once approved, schedule to sit for state license exam
Upon passing, receive your license.

Item 2 involves reviewing which information fits. Salesperson vs. Broker. In state vs. out-of-state. Experience vs. no experience. Once you have passed your exam, you will need to contract with a Broker of record.

What are costs involved to get started in real estate?

A real estate license can open many doors for a new real estate professional. Some may focus on residential, commercial, land, property management, businesses, new development, and many more options. Each come with proprietary expenses, but most agents focus on residential or commercial. These may include:

DBPR Application fees, fingerprinting/background, exam fees
Real Estate licensing course fees vary by type (salesperson/broker) and basic or interactive packages
MLS and Board fees varying by area. Most MLS require at least one board membership
State and local business licenses for independent contractors

Getting your real estate license is the beginning of a promising career. These fees are to get you started. But keep in mind, you are opening a business and will want to plan for operations and marketing strategies. We recommend any new licensee prepare for initial costs and, at least, 6 months operating expenses.

Does Florida have reciprocity with other states?

Florida does not have reciprocity. Florida does have mutual recognition.

Mutual Recognition Information Real Estate Florida has mutual recognition with 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island and West Virginia. Brokers and Sales Associates can qualify for an equivalent type license in Florida if they meet the following qualifications:

Must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Applicant must not be a resident of Florida, at time of application.

All applicants must have obtained the Real Estate license by having met the education and examination requirements of the state with which Florida has mutual recognition. Applicant must hold a valid, current and active real estate license, in good standing, issued by the Real Estate licensing agency in the state from which the applicant is applying. The intent of these agreements is to recognize the education and experience that real estate licensees have acquired in another state. These agreements apply to nonresidents licensed in other jurisdictions. Each licensee who applies for Florida licensure from a state or jurisdiction that has a current mutual recognition agreement with Florida must pass a written Florida-specific real estate law examination. More information can be found at myfloridalicense.com.