Learning how to become a real estate agent in Florida is a simple process that could lead to a life-changing career. With 63 hours of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)-approved prelicensing education, a background check, and a passing exam score, you will be on your way to a career in the real estate industry. To simplify the path to your Florida real estate license, follow the steps in this guide and download our cheat sheet.
1. Meet the Florida Real Estate License Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted resident.
- You must possess a high school diploma or GED.
- You must have a United States Social Security number.
For those with a criminal record:
- You may still apply for a real estate license in Florida, but license approval will depend on the specific crime and the amount of time since the crime was committed.
- Look at Florida’s Chief Financial Officer website for more specific guidelines on types of offenses. For example, anyone convicted of capital felony, embezzlement, or money laundering is permanently barred from having a real estate license in FL.
- In some cases, the DBPR will schedule a hearing following your background check for you to plead your case.
2. Complete Prelicensing Courses
If you meet the legal requirements for an FL real estate license, it’s time to start your 63 hours of prelicensing education. The courses can be taken in person or at an accredited online real estate school for between $99 and $459, depending on the provider. The courses will cover topics needed to pass the exam and state-specific information like property rights, real estate contracts, mortgages, and federal and state laws. Learning how to get a real estate license in Florida will also set you up for success in your career.
There may seem like an overwhelming number of online real estate schools to teach you how to become a real estate agent in Florida. Based on our detailed research, Colibri Real Estate is one of the top schools, with self-paced courses, interactive features, multiple package options, and access to instructors for support. Use Colibri to fit all 63 hours into your schedule.
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Want to Skip Florida Licensing Education?
If you plan on working in any state besides or in addition to Florida, you need to know the real estate license reciprocity and portability laws. Florida has mutual recognition agreements with nine states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Rhode Island. Florida is also a cooperative state in terms of portability.
This means Florida allows out-of-state real estate agents and brokers to physically enter the state to conduct real estate business. However, in order for out-of-state agents to work on a real estate transaction, they must have a co-brokerage agreement with a licensee of that state.
To learn more about real estate license reciprocity and portability in Florida, check out our guide on real estate license reciprocity and portability.
3. Get Fingerprints & Background Check
All applicants are required to submit fingerprints as part of a background check for eligibility to get a Florida real estate license. Here are the details:
- You must have your fingerprints taken at least five days before you send your license application.
- Use a Live Scan service provider that is approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
- Pay the fingerprinting fee, which ranges from $50 to $80 depending on the provider you choose.
Be prepared for your fingerprint appointment by bringing the following items:
- Two forms of identification, which must bear your picture and signature, such as a driver’s license, state identification card, or passport
- Clearly identify the profession for which you are seeking licensure: you can choose either Real Estate Sales or a Broker’s license
- Your Social Security number
- Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number (Aspiring Real Estate Sales and Brokers should use FL920010Z)
If you have additional questions about the fingerprint process, check out the FAQs page from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).
4. Apply for Your Florida Real Estate License
Learning how to get into real estate in Florida is unique because you must submit your application to the Florida Division of Real Estate (DRE) before taking the license exam. Once you have been approved by the DRE, Pearson VUE will send you an official authorization letter, and you will be eligible to schedule your exam. In addition to the application, you will be required to submit an application fee and additional documentation to complete your application. See the details below:
Application Form | |
Where to Submit Application | |
Documentation Required |
|
Application Fee | $83.75 |
5. Schedule & Take the Florida Real Estate Exam
Once you receive the “Authorization to Test,” schedule your Florida real estate exam. The exam is given on the computer (unless otherwise requested) and split into 19 specific content areas. You must get 75% of all questions correct in order to get your real estate license in Florida.
The exam is conducted by Pearson VUE, a national provider of state licensing exams. To begin scheduling, you must:
- Make an online reservation through the Pearson VUE website.
- Call Pearson VUE customer care.
- Pay the exam fee of $36.75 directly through the Pearson website using a credit card, debit card, or voucher.
You’ll receive a copy of the Florida Candidate Information Bulletin, which contains testing information and sample questions. Here is a summary of the main exam details:
Test Format | Multiple choice |
Number of Questions | 100 questions in 19 content areas |
Time Limit | 3.5 hours |
Items to Bring to Exam | 2 valid forms of identification with signatures:
|
Score to Pass Exam | 75% to pass the salesperson exam |
Reported Pass Rate |
If you pass the exam, move on to the next step of learning how to get your Florida real estate license. If you do not pass, you can retake the exam an unlimited number of times within two years. However, you must wait 24 hours before scheduling the next exam, and pay a retake fee of $57. Also, if you do fail, you will be provided a diagnostic report of your correct and incorrect answers. Florida also offers a unique opportunity to schedule a review session for $35 to go over your exam in depth.
The pass rate of the Florida real estate exam is quite low, so it’s important to thoroughly prepare for the exam with a real estate exam prep course. For example, PrepAgent is our most highly recommended exam prep provider, with a variety of study tools like flashcards, live webinars, practice exam questions, interactive groups, and exam prep videos. Plus, it offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
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6. Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage
The next step to get a real estate license in Florida is finding a sponsoring brokerage to affiliate your license. A sponsoring brokerage is a real estate company, like Keller Williams or Coldwell Banker, where your license will “hang,” and you can conduct business as a real estate agent. Here are some things to think about when deciding on which brokerage you’ll work with:
- Do you want to work at a national franchise, boutique, or virtual brokerage?
- What kind of training will be provided to you?
- What are the commission splits?
- Will you go solo or join a team?
- What is the reputation of the brokerage?
- Are there technological tools like client relationship management (CRM) systems, lead generation, and marketing?
7. Start Your Real Estate Career
Once you’ve completed all the above steps, you are ready to start your career as a real estate agent. Check out these articles for new agents to get your career off to a smooth start:
How to Retain & Renew Your Florida License With Continuing Education
All real estate agents are required to do continuing education every few years to renew their license. This will guarantee you stay up to date with new laws and regulations and have the latest education on best real estate practices. Each state requires a different number of hours, and some states also require post-licensing education. Here is what is required in the Sunshine State:
- Sales agent post-licensing: 45 hours within 18 to 24 months for new Florida agents (expiration date listed on your license)
- Broker post-licensing: 60 hours within two years for new Florida brokers
- Subsequent continuing education for agents and brokers: 14 hours every two years
Reasons to Get a Real Estate License in Florida
Being a real estate agent in Florida is a lucrative career for active agents. It’s important to have a solid knowledge of the real estate market in all of Florida, and especially in the immediate location where you will be conducting your real estate business.
- Median home price in Florida is $407,200.
- There are 225,563 Florida Realtors.
- Florida housing supply grew by 15% between December 2022 and December 2023.
- As of November 2023, the median days on market in Florida is 50 days.
- Sarasota (143.3%) is the top metro in Florida, with the fastest-growing sales price.
- Carrollwood is the most competitive city in Florida.
- As of December 2023, the average salary for a real estate sales agent in Florida is $43,629.
Not Your State? Find Yours Here
Did you stumble here by mistake, or are you looking to get your license in another state? Click on the link for your state below to be directed to instructions on how to get your license in any one of the 50 states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To get into real estate in Florida, there are costs for prelicensing education, submitting an application, getting fingerprints, and taking the Florida real estate exam. These costs vary depending on a variety of factors, but generally range between $225 and $615 based on estimates.
Learn more about the costs in our complete guide on How Much Does It Cost to Become a Realtor?
Florida has reciprocity with seven states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Rhode Island. This means that licensed real estate agents in these states can get a Florida real estate license without completing the 63 hours of prelicensing education.
The most time-consuming element of becoming a real estate agent in Florida is completing the required 63 hours of prelicensing education. This can be done over multiple months, or can be completed within a few weeks with a strict schedule or a live class. The process of getting fingerprints and submitting the Florida real estate license application can be done in a few days, and the DRE can take about a month to evaluate it.
Bottom Line
Learning how to become a real estate agent in Florida includes choosing a real estate school, completing the requirements, submitting an application, and passing the state exam. Understanding the intricacies of the process will help you be prepared for every step and start building a real estate career more efficiently.